Classical Conversations

Our Year 10 and Year 11 Latin students were very fortunate to receive a visit recently from Dr Holmes-Henderson from Oxford University to answer questions about aspects of Roman life. The students discussed Roman punishments, weddings and the role of women at this time.

Students learnt about the different punishments, including how criminals were ‘immured’ a practise were the person was quite literally ‘built’ into a wall; how that during wedding processions, a sieve would be carried to distract evil spirits – apparently they would be counting the holes in the sieve rather than causing trouble to the procession!

Dr Holmes-Henderson also took the students through her research on whether studying Latin is influential in cognitive development.

It was a visit thoroughly enjoyed by our students and Dr Holmes-Henderson has promised to come back next year.