Latin Set Book
Classes
Wednesday 14 January - Wednesday 25 March 2026, 6pm-9pm
11 sessions -
Check class timetable
Availability limited
Overview
In this Latin Set Book short course we will read the tour de force of wit, literary erudition and creative ingenuity that is book 14 of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. In this book, Ovid continues his dialogue with Virgil’s Aeneid, which began in book 13 (verse 623). The poet reworks several episodes from Virgil’s epic, interweaving the plot of the Aeneid with tales of fantastical metamorphosis and eroticism.
In addition to the Aeneid, Ovid also engages closely with Homer’s Odyssey, as characters such as Circe and Polyphemus reappear memorably in book 14 of Ovid’s epic. As the book moves towards Romulus’ reign, Italian myth and Roman history begin to take centre stage; and the apotheosis of Aeneas and Romulus anticipate the poem’s final imperial episodes, particularly the apotheosis of Julius Caesar and Augustus.
Join us as we read the entire book and explore the text in relation to four major themes:
- Its interactions with Virgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Odyssey
- Its place within the ancient epic tradition
- Ovidian stylistic and thematic innovations; its relation to Ovid’s elegiac works; and its place within the Ovidian oeuvre
- The book’s contemporary political significance
As a student on this course, you will study alongside Birkbeck students enrolled on one of our undergraduate or postgraduate courses, giving you the opportunity to network with a range of Birkbeck current students whilst you learn.
The course will be taught by Professor Catharine Edwards, who is also the contact for queries about entry requirements.
This course is non-credit bearing, so carries no credit points.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
This short course is suitable for anyone interested in studying Latin but not seeking formal qualifications in the language. It involves close study of a Classical Latin text in the original, so it requires substantial prior experience in Latin, but we are flexible with precise qualifications and experience. Please contact Professor Catharine Edwards for further details.
As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.
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How to apply
How to apply
You register directly onto the classes you would like to take. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early. If you wish to take more than one short course, you can select each one separately and then register onto them together via our online application portal. There is usually no formal selection process, although some modules may have prerequisites and/or other requirements, which will be specified where relevant.