Time to Focus and Enjoy without Assignments with Workshops

Workshops at the Lukeion Project are specially designed to ignite an interest in the ancient world or fan the flames for an already avid Classics buff. Each session is full of the interesting stuff that makes history, art, architecture, or archaeology come to life. If learners have questions, we answer them live and on the spot. After each session, learners may visit the class web page to play specially designed review games, follow links to museum or excavations sites, or read pertinent news stories or additional primary texts.
We don't believe in 'dumbing down' our material so there's something for everyone, even adults, in all sessions. Workshops are short courses on subjects that interest you or your learner. There are no assigned academic requirements so enjoy the topic in store.
Each workshop topic consists of four 1-hour sessions. In the summer, classes meet four days in-a-row. All summer workshops will then also be available by recording until August 21. You may view and review these recordings as many times as you please until then. The cost of each workshop covers roughly four hours of instruction.
When planning your schedule, remember that all of the times listed are Eastern. Adjust for your time zone accordingly.
Recommended ages: most workshops are appropriate for ages 10 through adult unless otherwise noted.
Lukeion workshops are à la carte. You are not required to take any other classes with the Lukeion Project to participate in these.
Please be aware: registration for participation in these workshops includes access to the recordings of the workshops ONLY for a limited time as published below.
We don't believe in 'dumbing down' our material so there's something for everyone, even adults, in all sessions. Workshops are short courses on subjects that interest you or your learner. There are no assigned academic requirements so enjoy the topic in store.
Each workshop topic consists of four 1-hour sessions. In the summer, classes meet four days in-a-row. All summer workshops will then also be available by recording until August 21. You may view and review these recordings as many times as you please until then. The cost of each workshop covers roughly four hours of instruction.
When planning your schedule, remember that all of the times listed are Eastern. Adjust for your time zone accordingly.
Recommended ages: most workshops are appropriate for ages 10 through adult unless otherwise noted.
Lukeion workshops are à la carte. You are not required to take any other classes with the Lukeion Project to participate in these.
Please be aware: registration for participation in these workshops includes access to the recordings of the workshops ONLY for a limited time as published below.
Special Offerings
College Application Essay-Writing Symposium 2023
*special dates: June 5, 12, 19 - 11:30 am ET
This workshop is $75 due to plenty of instructor feedback. We will walk you through the process of writing that scary college application essay. Find out what admissions officers really want and get your essay finished during our special 3-sessions! We’ll start with a rough draft and help you finish a well-crafted essay with 2 rounds of feedback while we cover essential college success skills and a hearty dose of encouragement towards excellence. This symposium is meant to be attended live and includes instructor feedback and guidance on the essay (the limit to which will be stated by instructor in class). Contact the instructor in advance if you will need to miss any portion of this program.
Instructor -- Randee Baty
*special dates: June 5, 12, 19 - 11:30 am ET
This workshop is $75 due to plenty of instructor feedback. We will walk you through the process of writing that scary college application essay. Find out what admissions officers really want and get your essay finished during our special 3-sessions! We’ll start with a rough draft and help you finish a well-crafted essay with 2 rounds of feedback while we cover essential college success skills and a hearty dose of encouragement towards excellence. This symposium is meant to be attended live and includes instructor feedback and guidance on the essay (the limit to which will be stated by instructor in class). Contact the instructor in advance if you will need to miss any portion of this program.
Instructor -- Randee Baty
Self-paced Summer Review Programs for Greek & Latin
Available May 15 - August 18, 2023
Latin Review for Rising Latin 2 - A. Barr
Get ready for second year Latin! Review Wheelock's Latin, chapters 1-19 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text 38 Latin Stories, 5th ed (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0-86516-289-1). Students set their own pace as they translate 17 short passages; review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer; and finally view recordings of the translations in action.
Latin Review for Rising Latin 3 - A. Barr
Get ready for third year Latin! Review Wheelock's Latin, chapters 20-40 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text 38 Latin Stories, 5th ed (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0-86516-289-1). Students set their own pace as they translate 21 short passages; review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer; and finally view recordings of the translations in action.
Students who have taken a *longer* hiatus from Latin than usual or who completed a non-grammar focused Latin program elsewhere should consider taking both review programs during the summer prior to Latin 3.
Greek Review for Rising Greek 2-R. Barr
Get ready for second year Greek! Review Athenaze Book 1 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text WORKBOOK, Athenaze Book 1 (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0190607685). Students set their own pace as they translate 16 short passages and review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer. After each segment, students will view recordings of the translations in action.
Greek Review for Rising Greek 3-R. Barr
Get ready for third year Greek! Review Athenaze Book 2 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text WORKBOOK, Athenaze Book 2 (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0190607692). Students set their own pace as they translate 32 short passages and review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer. After each segment, students will view recordings of the translations in action.
Students who have taken a *longer* hiatus from Greek than usual should consider taking both review programs during the summer prior to Greek 3.
Get ready for second year Latin! Review Wheelock's Latin, chapters 1-19 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text 38 Latin Stories, 5th ed (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0-86516-289-1). Students set their own pace as they translate 17 short passages; review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer; and finally view recordings of the translations in action.
Latin Review for Rising Latin 3 - A. Barr
Get ready for third year Latin! Review Wheelock's Latin, chapters 20-40 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text 38 Latin Stories, 5th ed (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0-86516-289-1). Students set their own pace as they translate 21 short passages; review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer; and finally view recordings of the translations in action.
Students who have taken a *longer* hiatus from Latin than usual or who completed a non-grammar focused Latin program elsewhere should consider taking both review programs during the summer prior to Latin 3.
Greek Review for Rising Greek 2-R. Barr
Get ready for second year Greek! Review Athenaze Book 1 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text WORKBOOK, Athenaze Book 1 (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0190607685). Students set their own pace as they translate 16 short passages and review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer. After each segment, students will view recordings of the translations in action.
Greek Review for Rising Greek 3-R. Barr
Get ready for third year Greek! Review Athenaze Book 2 with chapter-linked translations assigned from the text WORKBOOK, Athenaze Book 2 (purchase this text--ISBN 978-0190607692). Students set their own pace as they translate 32 short passages and review the associated chapter, vocabulary, grammar, and forms throughout the summer. After each segment, students will view recordings of the translations in action.
Students who have taken a *longer* hiatus from Greek than usual should consider taking both review programs during the summer prior to Greek 3.
Workshop Week: these classes meet LIVE ONLINE Week June 5-8, 2023
Note: summer workshops may ALSO be attended by recording if you can't attend live. Summer session recording access ends August 18, 2023
All times listed are ET (adjust for your time zone)
Academic Essentials Series
Students are expected to know how to use apps like MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel throughout their academic years, especially in college. In fact, most colleges/universities now include these programs in their battery of placement exams to determine remedial assignments before the first day of class. We have designed these workshop classes to give students all the big basic academic skills to effectively use these tools both now and in the future. Students of all ages are invited to attend but they must have access to their own copies of these programs (example: loaded on home devices or available through a parent, sibling device, etc.).
Love of Learning Series
These meet live during workshop week, June 5-8, 2023, at the times listed for each. Adjust for your time zone. You may attend by recording any time between the original air date - August 18, 2023
First War: Homer’s Iliad - 10:15 am - Of the many stories generated by the epic Trojan War, no title is more recognizable than Homer’s Iliad. It’s absolutely essential to understanding the national identity of both the ancient Greeks and Romans. But did you know that it doesn’t include the whole Trojan story? This illustrated workshop will place Achilles and his fellow-warriors firmly in their context by filling in the gaps with the info that Homer assumed you already know. We’ll investigate the site, the foundational story-lines that Homer leaves out, the geographical and cultural context, and the themes that make this epic still relevant to modern readers. -A. Barr
Of Men & Monsters: Homer’s Odyssey - 1 PM - This is one of the first recorded adventure stories, but it’s written so well that modern readers still put it on their favorites list. Clashing rocks, one-eyed man-eating monsters, evil villains and undying love – it has something for everyone. You’ll be surprised at the number of literary, artistic and cultural allusions that have been inspired by the Odyssey – they’re all around you! This illustrated workshop will help you better understand the great work by including discussions from archaeology, geography, and related literature that all illuminate this masterpiece of Greek literature. Students will read approximately a quarter of the text for each class session. -A. Barr
Troy: Horses, Heroes, History - 4 PM - Maybe you’ve heard of the Trojan horse, the Iliad or even the Odyssey - but did you know that Troy was a real city? Archaeologists have proven that it was a well-fortified prosperous city that was so important in the ancient world that several modern nations still claim it as their founding city. Check out the myth and the reality of this 5000-year-old city (taught by an archaeologist that worked there!) -A. Barr
Gandalf meets Grendel: a Study of First Epics - 9 am - Avid readers will learn how Beowulf, the first great epic in English borrowed Homer’s epic elements while inspiring Tolkien’s creation of his own great epic, The Hobbit. Students should be familiar with The Hobbit and Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey while enjoying this fascinating study of Beowulf. Required text: The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology Students should either complete this epic before starting the workshop or attempt to keep up with the reading during the 4-day course. We cover, roughly, a quarter of the epic each day. R. Baty
Diseases, Dreams, & Dung: The Ancient Medical Arts - 10:15 am - Thank your doctor with a statue of your fixed broken arm? Kiss a mule’s nose to get rid of a persistent bad smell? Use dung as a medical tool? Discover ridiculous and surprisingly savvy cures plus the theories that inspired them. Ancient doctors, healing centers, plagues & magical herbs! -K. Powell
Classical Skies: Constellation Mythology & How the Ancients Used the Stars - 4 PM - Gaze at the night sky and see the same stars that the Greeks and Romans saw. Learn the stories of the constellations and how the ancient people used the stars for everything from calendars and farming to seafaring and even the world’s first analog computer. You’ll never look at the sky quite the same way again! - S. Fisher
Astounding Ancient Gadgets - 1 PM - We all know about the marvels of the ancient world, but did you know there are a myriad of smaller scale discoveries and devices that are just as impressive? This workshop looks at the ancient technologies that changed every day life. K. Powell
Drawing & Dancing, Music & Math - 2:30 PM - Art and math would seem to be as distant as possible — cold rationality versus emotional creativity — until we examine symmetry and harmony, both essential concepts in art and math. We will explore visual art, dance, and music in the light of mathematics. K. Johnson
The Art of Greek Warfare - 11:30 am - Remarkably, the ancient Greeks seemed to define themselves by conflict, though only the Spartans truly developed a standing professional army prior to the rise of Macedonia. Nevertheless, they stopped the advance of the mighty Persian Empire and tutored the Romans in the art of warfare. This illustrated workshop begins with what we know of warfare in Bronze Age Greece and continues through the siege warfare of the Hellenistic period. Along the way we investigate arms and armor, battle tactics and defining conflicts in Greek history.-R. Barr
Right Ratio: Greek Architecture - 2:30 PM - Anyone who has seen the most elegant buildings of our nation’s first century benefits from ancient Greek principles of detail, balance and ratio. This workshop unpacks the secrets behind the development of the architectural orders and the design principles behind Greek monumental architecture. Perfect workshop for anyone interested in architecture, and engineering.-R. Barr
Fantastic Ancient Beasts: Real & Imagined Animals in the Ancient World - 1 PM - Lions & hydras & boars, oh my! From mythical creatures to beasts of burden, meet the animals that kept company with ancient people and occupied their imaginations. Meet the original 3-headed dog & prototypes for modern fantasy creatures. Have your own build-a-beast after learning the importance of ancient animals both real & imagined. S. Fisher
Puzzling games & Playful Puzzles - 11:30 am - Come explore the world of games and puzzles, both abstractly and by playing them together. We will also talk about serious mathematics behind these leisure activities, from simple logic to probability to strategy.
K. Johnson
All times listed are ET (adjust for your time zone)
Academic Essentials Series
Students are expected to know how to use apps like MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel throughout their academic years, especially in college. In fact, most colleges/universities now include these programs in their battery of placement exams to determine remedial assignments before the first day of class. We have designed these workshop classes to give students all the big basic academic skills to effectively use these tools both now and in the future. Students of all ages are invited to attend but they must have access to their own copies of these programs (example: loaded on home devices or available through a parent, sibling device, etc.).
- Academic Essentials: How to Use MS Word - 2:30 PM ET- Primer in the skills necessary to format documents for most academic projects at all levels using the most common word processing program available. Students must have MS Word and will be tasked with formatting projects for practice. -Randee Baty
- Academic Essentials: How to Use MS Excel - 9 am - Excel is useful for everything from basic calculating, accounting tasks, charting, working out project management, repaying a loan, working out time sheets, coming up with a schedule, recording transcripts, the list continues. Everyone should have a basic idea about using this essential app before college. -R. Barr
- See also College Application Essay-Writing Symposium (listed above); Meet the Greeks (autumn - basic essentials for all Greek language students); Meet the Romans (spring - basic essentials for all Latin language students, especially those taking the National Latin Exam). See descriptions below.
Love of Learning Series
These meet live during workshop week, June 5-8, 2023, at the times listed for each. Adjust for your time zone. You may attend by recording any time between the original air date - August 18, 2023
First War: Homer’s Iliad - 10:15 am - Of the many stories generated by the epic Trojan War, no title is more recognizable than Homer’s Iliad. It’s absolutely essential to understanding the national identity of both the ancient Greeks and Romans. But did you know that it doesn’t include the whole Trojan story? This illustrated workshop will place Achilles and his fellow-warriors firmly in their context by filling in the gaps with the info that Homer assumed you already know. We’ll investigate the site, the foundational story-lines that Homer leaves out, the geographical and cultural context, and the themes that make this epic still relevant to modern readers. -A. Barr
Of Men & Monsters: Homer’s Odyssey - 1 PM - This is one of the first recorded adventure stories, but it’s written so well that modern readers still put it on their favorites list. Clashing rocks, one-eyed man-eating monsters, evil villains and undying love – it has something for everyone. You’ll be surprised at the number of literary, artistic and cultural allusions that have been inspired by the Odyssey – they’re all around you! This illustrated workshop will help you better understand the great work by including discussions from archaeology, geography, and related literature that all illuminate this masterpiece of Greek literature. Students will read approximately a quarter of the text for each class session. -A. Barr
Troy: Horses, Heroes, History - 4 PM - Maybe you’ve heard of the Trojan horse, the Iliad or even the Odyssey - but did you know that Troy was a real city? Archaeologists have proven that it was a well-fortified prosperous city that was so important in the ancient world that several modern nations still claim it as their founding city. Check out the myth and the reality of this 5000-year-old city (taught by an archaeologist that worked there!) -A. Barr
Gandalf meets Grendel: a Study of First Epics - 9 am - Avid readers will learn how Beowulf, the first great epic in English borrowed Homer’s epic elements while inspiring Tolkien’s creation of his own great epic, The Hobbit. Students should be familiar with The Hobbit and Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey while enjoying this fascinating study of Beowulf. Required text: The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology Students should either complete this epic before starting the workshop or attempt to keep up with the reading during the 4-day course. We cover, roughly, a quarter of the epic each day. R. Baty
Diseases, Dreams, & Dung: The Ancient Medical Arts - 10:15 am - Thank your doctor with a statue of your fixed broken arm? Kiss a mule’s nose to get rid of a persistent bad smell? Use dung as a medical tool? Discover ridiculous and surprisingly savvy cures plus the theories that inspired them. Ancient doctors, healing centers, plagues & magical herbs! -K. Powell
Classical Skies: Constellation Mythology & How the Ancients Used the Stars - 4 PM - Gaze at the night sky and see the same stars that the Greeks and Romans saw. Learn the stories of the constellations and how the ancient people used the stars for everything from calendars and farming to seafaring and even the world’s first analog computer. You’ll never look at the sky quite the same way again! - S. Fisher
Astounding Ancient Gadgets - 1 PM - We all know about the marvels of the ancient world, but did you know there are a myriad of smaller scale discoveries and devices that are just as impressive? This workshop looks at the ancient technologies that changed every day life. K. Powell
Drawing & Dancing, Music & Math - 2:30 PM - Art and math would seem to be as distant as possible — cold rationality versus emotional creativity — until we examine symmetry and harmony, both essential concepts in art and math. We will explore visual art, dance, and music in the light of mathematics. K. Johnson
The Art of Greek Warfare - 11:30 am - Remarkably, the ancient Greeks seemed to define themselves by conflict, though only the Spartans truly developed a standing professional army prior to the rise of Macedonia. Nevertheless, they stopped the advance of the mighty Persian Empire and tutored the Romans in the art of warfare. This illustrated workshop begins with what we know of warfare in Bronze Age Greece and continues through the siege warfare of the Hellenistic period. Along the way we investigate arms and armor, battle tactics and defining conflicts in Greek history.-R. Barr
Right Ratio: Greek Architecture - 2:30 PM - Anyone who has seen the most elegant buildings of our nation’s first century benefits from ancient Greek principles of detail, balance and ratio. This workshop unpacks the secrets behind the development of the architectural orders and the design principles behind Greek monumental architecture. Perfect workshop for anyone interested in architecture, and engineering.-R. Barr
Fantastic Ancient Beasts: Real & Imagined Animals in the Ancient World - 1 PM - Lions & hydras & boars, oh my! From mythical creatures to beasts of burden, meet the animals that kept company with ancient people and occupied their imaginations. Meet the original 3-headed dog & prototypes for modern fantasy creatures. Have your own build-a-beast after learning the importance of ancient animals both real & imagined. S. Fisher
Puzzling games & Playful Puzzles - 11:30 am - Come explore the world of games and puzzles, both abstractly and by playing them together. We will also talk about serious mathematics behind these leisure activities, from simple logic to probability to strategy.
K. Johnson
Autumn 2023
Meet the Greeks - recording only, autumn semester
*Available mid-September-December 1. The Greeks were one of the most influential cultures in the development of western civilization. Many inventions & innovations that we think of as "Roman" were actually discovered by the Greeks first. After Alexander, many parts of Greek culture were spread from India to Spain, from Egypt to Great Britain. You'll be surprised how much began among these creative people! Workshop includes art, culture, history & society. Perfect introduction for anyone studying the Greek language. Working on World History? This is much better than the few pages you’ll find in your textbook. We expect students of all ages for this class. Those who register for this workshop have access ONLY until December 1, 2023.
*Available mid-September-December 1. The Greeks were one of the most influential cultures in the development of western civilization. Many inventions & innovations that we think of as "Roman" were actually discovered by the Greeks first. After Alexander, many parts of Greek culture were spread from India to Spain, from Egypt to Great Britain. You'll be surprised how much began among these creative people! Workshop includes art, culture, history & society. Perfect introduction for anyone studying the Greek language. Working on World History? This is much better than the few pages you’ll find in your textbook. We expect students of all ages for this class. Those who register for this workshop have access ONLY until December 1, 2023.
Spring 2024
Meet the Romans - recording only, spring semester
*Available mid-February-May 1. The Romans had a profound influence on western society in architecture, politics, art, city planning, legal matters, warfare and more. This workshop is a great introduction to the Romans or a fun refresher for those who just love the ancient world. Great for those studying Latin and cultural topics from the National Latin Exam. We include the founding myths, early history, Republican political institutions, transformation to empire, what Romans wore, their homes, engineering and more. We expect students of all ages for this class. Those who register for this workshop have access ONLY until May 1, 2024.
*Available mid-February-May 1. The Romans had a profound influence on western society in architecture, politics, art, city planning, legal matters, warfare and more. This workshop is a great introduction to the Romans or a fun refresher for those who just love the ancient world. Great for those studying Latin and cultural topics from the National Latin Exam. We include the founding myths, early history, Republican political institutions, transformation to empire, what Romans wore, their homes, engineering and more. We expect students of all ages for this class. Those who register for this workshop have access ONLY until May 1, 2024.