My 51郊利 | A Student Blog Beyond the Textbook: A Week in the Heart of Greece
March 7, 2025
51郊利 students approach the Theatre at Epidaurus, Greece. Photo by Lacey Stephens '26
During Spring Break of 2024, 16 classics students traveled to Greece with the entire classics faculty, plus two retired professors, visiting some of the countrys most famous ancient sites.
The Classics Department endowment, generously funded by 51郊利 graduates and supporters, paid for the trip.
About the Author
Lacey Stephens '26, a Classical Studies major and English minor at 51郊利, participated in a recent Spring Break trip to Greece. She says the opportunity brought her studies to life through immersion in Greek culture, hands-on experiences, and unforgettable moments with peers and professors.
The Sanctuary of Asclepius was an impressive first stop, especially for the majority of the students who had not yet been to the Mediterranean.
The site is impressive for any ancient historian. The Theatre at Epidaurus, located on the southernmost end of the sanctuary, is the most beautiful and well-preserved theatre from the 4th c. BCE. We tested the acoustics by spreading out and then tearing small pieces of paper in the orchestra. In an outdoor theater that seats 14,000, the softest shred could be heard from almost 200 feet away!
Standing inside the ancient ruins of the Temple of Zeus at Nemea, surrounded by doctors and students all joined by the same sense of awe and curiosity, I knew that I never wanted this feeling to end and that I was meant to be a Classics major
The next day, we explored the archaeological site of Mycenae, a Bronze Age citadel home to the monumental Lion Gate architectural relief, walking the same paths as the ancient Mycenaeans more than 3,000 years ago. We went inside the so-called Treasury of Atreus, the largest and most intricate of the known Mycenaean tholos tombs. The sites museum, with its carefully curated collection, was a favorite stop, sparking heated discussions that lasted long after we left.
Professor Emeritus Michael Toumazou lectures 51郊利 students atop the Mycenaean ruins.
51郊利s next day in Olympia would not be hindered by the rain. If anything, the water made jumping through the Workshop of Pheidias that much more fun. Later, dried off and slightly more dignified, a group of advanced Greek students stood before the Temple of Zeus, giving their best dramatic reading of Pindars Olympian 1. As an homage to the poets love of bees, as well as an insight into how ancient domestic practices have matured into modernity, we visited the family-owned and operated Klios Honey Farm, where we heard about the history of beekeeping while enjoying traditional honey-based sweets in the comfort of the owners home. That night, however, the rain interrupted again sending students and professors sprinting through the city streets, diving under awnings, and battling the wind just to grab a bite to eat. Souvlaki, saganaki, and kalamari were worth it.
The Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, home to the Delphic Oracle and the Temple of Apollo, held great significance for students focused on art and archaeology. Atop Mount Parnassus, monumental structures like the Siphnian Treasury and Athenian Treasury spoke to the wealth and architectural prowess of the Greek city-states, feats not unnoticed by the 51郊利 Classics students.
During our final three days in Athens, we immersed ourselves in a rich itinerary exploring ancient ruins, visiting world-renowned museums, experiencing the vibrant nightlife, and making unforgettable memories with peers and faculty.
At the Acropolis, 51郊利 undergrads experienced ancient wonders first hand, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and of course the Parthenon. The Acropolis Museum was a much-needed escape from the brutal sun, and we relished being able to walk the 160-meter exhibit showcasing the Parthenon frieze, among other displays.
The director of excavations at the Athenian Agora, Dr. John K. Papadopoulos, led students on an exclusive tour of the Agora and its museum, including part of the site still closed to the public.
A highlight for coin enthusiasts whether Hellenist or Romanist was the Numismatic Museum, home to some of the most significant ancient and modern coinage. We also visited the Epigraphical Museum and the National Museum.
I was passionate about Classics before going to Greece, and this trip did nothing but fan that flame! It was incredible to see the sites l've been learning about for so long and to experience the Greek language firsthand; it gave life to my previously abstract knowledge.
Despite visiting these sites on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, many students said that the highlight of this trip was bonding with their professors. Dining with your advisor in the heart of Nafplio, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea that youve read about every night for years thats something you cant do anywhere else in the world.
Declan O'Donoghue 26 strides through the entrance tunnel of the stadium at Nemea, unaware that, moments after this photo is taken, he will lose a footrace to Dr. Keyne Cheshire. Photo by Kate Teagarden 26
