King's Classics

Hell with other people Video games are often the first and most common way that many people now encounter the classical world. Hades, a critical hit following its release in

Great review of Hades II in the TLS by Dr Kate Cook! @katexe.bsky.social

'Hell with other people - Greek myths brought to exhilarating, playable life.'

This reform reflects the power of research and advocacy, and represents a significant change for the Greek diaspora worldwide.

What can these stories teach us about belonging, recognition, and dual identity at a time when division in the UK is so rife?

In 2025, the Greek government introduced a new pathway for these adoptees to reclaim Greek citizenship, acknowledging both their nationality of origin and their wish to reconnect with their roots.

Between the 1950s and 1970s, thousands of Greek children were sent abroad for adoption, often under pressure or without their families’ full consent. Many grew up far from their birth culture, unsure or even unaware of their origins.

Joining KCL's Professor Gonda Van Steen is guest Mr Athanasios Balermpas, Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Interior, who helped drive the important policy change that allows those adopted abroad as children to reclaim their Greek citizenship.

Adoption, Memory, and Reform: How Is Greece Shaping Policy for Its Diaspora Exploring Greece’s past of forced adoption and new paths to citizenship, identity and belonging

'Adoption, Memory, and Reform: How Is Greece Shaping Policy for Its Diaspora?'

2pm, 19th November 2025. The Exchange, Bush House North East Wing, 30 Aldwych London WC2B 4BG. Free event (but limited places so please book early!)

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adoption-m....

Untold stories, unseen photographs and personal mementoes shine a light on his life, work, and the inspirations behind the design of his iconic home at Sissinghurst’.

The exhibition highlights the Greek connections of diplomat Harold Nicolson and his wife Vita Sackville-West: ‘For the first time, diplomat Harold Nicolson’s role in the fortunes of post-war Greece takes centre stage in this brand-new exhibition at Sissinghurst.

Dr Rebecca Levitan inspecting one of the Greek antiquities in the gardens of Sissinghurst Castle

Opens today! CHS is proud to co-sponsor the special exhibition Passion and Politics: Sissinghurst and Greece’ at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/s....

Pictured: KCL's Dr Rebecca Levitan @levitan.bsky.social (behind the rope with permission!)

#ClassicsBluesky 🏺

📣 Are you an MA, MPhil or a PhD student at the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at King's? Don’t miss out — apply now!

⏰ Deadline: 24 November 2025, noon

Prof. Andromachi Karanika, UC Irvine lecture: ‘From Heroines to Saints: Women’s Catalogues from Early Greek Epic Poetry and Beyond.’ Hosted by the Centre for Hellenic Studies at KCL Strand Campus on 17 October 2025 at 18:30. 🏺

Free. Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lecture-by...

Prof. Andromachi Karanika, UC Irvine lecture: ‘From Heroines to Saints: Women’s Catalogues from Early Greek Epic Poetry and Beyond.’ Hosted by the Centre for Hellenic Studies at KCL Strand Campus on 17 October 2025 at 18:30. 🏺

Free. Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lecture-by...

have an ancient quarry to study? May we suggest...

This Wednesday!

Deadline: today! KCL students - apply apply apply.

We're so excited to be working on this project as Executive Directors @tamsinshasha.bsky.social and can't wait to get started and help bring to life @giuliabalsamo.bsky.social vision! Get those applications in soon everyone!

Graphic of production team call-out. Roles are Assistant Director, Dramaturgs, Greek Transliterator, Sound Designer, Poster Designer, Costume Designer, Makeup Designer, Set Designer/Props Master, Marketing and Social Media Manager. Please email Laura@actorsofdionysus to apply. Closing date for applications is 13 October.

Production poster. Blue grey background with black hand upraised and holding a globe. Silhouette hands of red, white and black reach towards it. Text reads The Clouds KCL Greek Play 2026. Adapted by Giulia Balsamo after Aristophanes.

KCL Students! Apply now for production team roles for our 2026 Greek Play. This year's play is Aristophane's comedy Clouds. Application deadline: 13th October.

Successful applicants will once again be working with the fabulous professional theatre company the Actors of Dionysus.

🏺

We're so excited to be working on this project @aodtheatre.bsky.social and can't wait to get started! Get those applications in soon everyone!

The Clouds Casting call out! Join the Cast of The Clouds

Casting callout! Auditions are open to ALL KCL students for our 2025 Greek Play 'The Clouds'. Audition applications must be made by 20 October (audition date tbc).

actorsofdionysus.com/news/the-clo...

@aodtheatre.bsky.social
@kingsartshums.bsky.social

Fresco of an arrowhead being removed from Aeneas' thigh in the presence of Venus and Aeneas' young son Ascanius. From Pompeii, in Naples National Archaeological Museum

Next Wednesday (15th October). Dr Bobby Xinyue will open the Bristol Classical Association's 2025-2026 speaker series with his talk "Signs and Sons in Virgil's 'Aeneid'"

Tickets from: www.eventbrite.com/e/signs-and-...

@bobbyxinyue.bsky.social

#ClassicsBluesky 🏺

My latest contribution to the ever-growing field (or patch, more like) of Moretum Studies.

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Yay how exciting, I love the KCL Greek play and I especially love when they do a comedy. IMHO Clouds has some of the best jokes in all of Aristophanes.

All roles are open to all KCL students. Please spread the word!
@aodtheatre.bsky.social

Graphic of production team call-out. Roles are Assistant Director, Dramaturgs, Greek Transliterator, Sound Designer, Poster Designer, Costume Designer, Makeup Designer, Set Designer/Props Master, Marketing and Social Media Manager. Please email Laura@actorsofdionysus to apply. Closing date for applications is 13 October.

Production poster. Blue grey background with black hand upraised and holding a globe. Silhouette hands of red, white and black reach towards it. Text reads The Clouds KCL Greek Play 2026. Adapted by Giulia Balsamo after Aristophanes.

KCL Students! Apply now for production team roles for our 2026 Greek Play. This year's play is Aristophane's comedy Clouds. Application deadline: 13th October.

Successful applicants will once again be working with the fabulous professional theatre company the Actors of Dionysus.

🏺

New Orleans couple discovers ancient Roman grave marker in their yard Discovery of 1,900-year-old headstone dedicated to Roman sailor sets off effort to repatriate item to Italy

Incredible journey. This Roman tombstone has travelled further than the man it commemorates. It seems to have come to New Orleans probably through post WW2 looting.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

I'm teaching some tragedies in translation which I usually only read in Greek this year, and it's been a really interesting reminder of the wide range in available translations. Some of the "unpopular" plays are still very limited for options!

Hit and myth: Bacchae brings into view the National’s history of revamping Greek tragedies Following in the footsteps of Peter Hall and Katie Mitchell, Indhu Rubasingham directs an ancient epic at the National Theatre. Bacchae reveals the virtues and vices of creating a new play from old

One of our favorite things: going to see Greek plays performed.

'Hit and myth: Bacchae brings into view the National’s history of revamping Greek tragedies'

www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/s...

Author Sir Michael Morpurgo inspires students at King's Opening of Year Ceremony | King's College London King’s alum, world-renowned author and former Children's Laureate, Sir Michael Morpurgo welcomed students to the new academic year at this year's Author Sir Michael Morpurgo inspires students at King'...

#ThisWeekAtKings world-renowned author and King’s alum, Sir Michael Morpurgo returned to King's to welcome students to the new academic year.

Sir Michael shared reflections from his time at King’s, encouraging students to value both learning and friendship. ⬇️

www.kcl.ac.uk/news/author-...

King's project helps to remove Libyan World Heritage Site from UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger King's MaLiCH project celebrates success as the historic Old Town of Ghadames, Libya is removed from danger list.

When research has a real world impact.

'King's project helps to remove Libyan World Heritage Site from UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger'

www.kcl.ac.uk/news/libyan-...

King's project helps to remove Libyan World Heritage Site from UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger King's MaLiCH project celebrates success as the historic Old Town of Ghadames, Libya is removed from danger list.

When research has a real world impact.

'King's project helps to remove Libyan World Heritage Site from UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger'

www.kcl.ac.uk/news/libyan-...