Focus and Enjoy
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 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. Our hope is that each learner gains an interest in exploring the Classical world even more.
We don't believe in 'dumbing down' our material so there's something for everyone, even adults. Workshops are therefore short courses on subjects that interest you or your learner. They do not have assigned academic requirements but they do have an optional quiz that opens after the final session should you want to challenge your knowledge or add the class to your transcript, as you prefer.
Each workshop consists of four 1-hour sessions. In the summer, classes meet four days in-a-row. All summer workshops will also be available by recording until August 15. You may view and review these recordings as many times as you please.The cost of each workshop covers roughly four hours of instruction and access to a class web page with links to important online resources, online games to help challenge and review, and questions-for-thought to serve as discussion starters or writing prompts at home. Workshops are the perfect accent to your own curriculum to spark the interest of younger learners or help older students focus on a particular subject.
When planning your schedule, remember that all of the times listed are Eastern time. Adjust for your time zone accordingly.
Recommended ages: most workshops are appropriate for ages 10 through adult unless otherwise noted.
We don't believe in 'dumbing down' our material so there's something for everyone, even adults. Workshops are therefore short courses on subjects that interest you or your learner. They do not have assigned academic requirements but they do have an optional quiz that opens after the final session should you want to challenge your knowledge or add the class to your transcript, as you prefer.
Each workshop consists of four 1-hour sessions. In the summer, classes meet four days in-a-row. All summer workshops will also be available by recording until August 15. You may view and review these recordings as many times as you please.The cost of each workshop covers roughly four hours of instruction and access to a class web page with links to important online resources, online games to help challenge and review, and questions-for-thought to serve as discussion starters or writing prompts at home. Workshops are the perfect accent to your own curriculum to spark the interest of younger learners or help older students focus on a particular subject.
When planning your schedule, remember that all of the times listed are Eastern time. Adjust for your time zone accordingly.
Recommended ages: most workshops are appropriate for ages 10 through adult unless otherwise noted.
Upcoming Live Online Workshops
Summer 2017 -- all live workshops meet June 12-15, 2017
The First War: Homer’s Iliad 9 am
PG-13—strong warfare themes and some mild sexual situations. Of all ancient stories, no title is more recognizable than Homer’s Iliad. This epic is essential to understanding the national identity of both the ancient Greeks & Romans. This well illustrated workshop will place Achilles and his fellow-warriors in their context by filling in the gaps with the info that Homer assumed you already know. We’ll investigate the site and story-lines that Homer leaves out, plus geographical, cultural context, and themes that make this epic relevant today. Recommended for rising AP Latin IV students who don't plan to take our Mythology series.
Required text: Homer, Iliad, Stanley Lombardo, trans. [this version is strongly recommended].
Note: 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.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Gandalf meets Grendel: a study of first epics 9 am
In this workshop, 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
Note: 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.
Instructor -- Randee Baty
Imperial Murder Mystery 10:15 am
PG-13—workshop covers the assassination of emperors. Join us for palace intrigue & conspiracy! If you thought it might be cool to rule your own empire, this might change your mind. Daggers, poisoned mushrooms, and peril around every corner, the halls of Rome's imperial palaces were not for the faint of heart. From the lifetime dictatorship of Julius Caesar through the first century of the Roman Empire, few emperors died of natural causes. Get caught up in the mystery. Truth is stranger than fiction, and learn 150 years of Roman history along the way!
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Fruitful Fields & Fabulous Feasts: 10:15 am
From the simplest street foods of Pompeii to the elaborate delicacies of a Greek symposium, food fueled the poets and kept the centurions marching. Come explore the food of the ancient Greeks and Romans and the fields and farms that produced it. Learn the importance of agriculture to these ancient civilizations and pick up a few recipes too. For those who enjoy cooking, gardening, ancient cultures, and eating, this workshop will provide everything from “eggs to apples.” We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Sue Fisher
Bizarre Ancient Languages and Alphabets 11:30 am
How did people first agree on an alphabet and then learn to read and write it? This class will show you some of the first written words and some of the weird writing systems that developed in the ancient world. We’ll examine the mysteries, alphabets and ideas behind Linear A, Linear B, Cuneiform, Hieroglyphics, Greek, Hebrew and many more. Maybe create a new font, design a language or even learn a very ancient one! We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Art of Roman Warfare 1 PM
PG-13—warfare themes. When Athens was at the height of its power and influence, Rome was a still just a struggling village. Several centuries later Rome had transformed itself from backwater town to ruler of an empire stretching from the Persian Gulf, to the farthest reaches of Spain and the island of Britain. Learn how a citizen militia became the most formidable and successful army in the Mediterranean. Look at personalities, organizational developments, technical advancements, and turning-point battles.
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Vase Painters & Story Tellers 1 PM
If you've ever spent time in a good museum looking at Greek and Roman pots, you know that vase painters not only painted beautifully, but they also told stories with their art. Learn how the pots were created and then go on to hear the tales they had to tell! Get ready to see some beautiful art and be prepared to decode ancient pots with skill. We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Sue Fisher
Of Men and Monsters: Homer’s Odyssey 2:15 PM
PG-13— some mild sexual situations. One of the first recorded adventure stories was written so well that modern readers include 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. Especially recommended for rising AP Latin IV students who don't plan to take our Mythology courses.
Required text: Homer, Odyssey, Stanley Lombardo, trans. [this version is strongly recommended].
Note: 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.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Art of Greek Warfare 3:30 PM
PG-13—warfare themes. 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.
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Troy: Horses, Heroes, History 4:45 PM
Maybe you’ve heard of the Trojan horse, the Iliad or Odyssey - but did you know that the city of Troy was real? 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 (this workshop is taught by an archaeologist that worked there!). We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Right Ratio: Greek Architecture 6 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. We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Regan Barr
PG-13—strong warfare themes and some mild sexual situations. Of all ancient stories, no title is more recognizable than Homer’s Iliad. This epic is essential to understanding the national identity of both the ancient Greeks & Romans. This well illustrated workshop will place Achilles and his fellow-warriors in their context by filling in the gaps with the info that Homer assumed you already know. We’ll investigate the site and story-lines that Homer leaves out, plus geographical, cultural context, and themes that make this epic relevant today. Recommended for rising AP Latin IV students who don't plan to take our Mythology series.
Required text: Homer, Iliad, Stanley Lombardo, trans. [this version is strongly recommended].
Note: 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.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Gandalf meets Grendel: a study of first epics 9 am
In this workshop, 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
Note: 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.
Instructor -- Randee Baty
Imperial Murder Mystery 10:15 am
PG-13—workshop covers the assassination of emperors. Join us for palace intrigue & conspiracy! If you thought it might be cool to rule your own empire, this might change your mind. Daggers, poisoned mushrooms, and peril around every corner, the halls of Rome's imperial palaces were not for the faint of heart. From the lifetime dictatorship of Julius Caesar through the first century of the Roman Empire, few emperors died of natural causes. Get caught up in the mystery. Truth is stranger than fiction, and learn 150 years of Roman history along the way!
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Fruitful Fields & Fabulous Feasts: 10:15 am
From the simplest street foods of Pompeii to the elaborate delicacies of a Greek symposium, food fueled the poets and kept the centurions marching. Come explore the food of the ancient Greeks and Romans and the fields and farms that produced it. Learn the importance of agriculture to these ancient civilizations and pick up a few recipes too. For those who enjoy cooking, gardening, ancient cultures, and eating, this workshop will provide everything from “eggs to apples.” We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Sue Fisher
Bizarre Ancient Languages and Alphabets 11:30 am
How did people first agree on an alphabet and then learn to read and write it? This class will show you some of the first written words and some of the weird writing systems that developed in the ancient world. We’ll examine the mysteries, alphabets and ideas behind Linear A, Linear B, Cuneiform, Hieroglyphics, Greek, Hebrew and many more. Maybe create a new font, design a language or even learn a very ancient one! We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Art of Roman Warfare 1 PM
PG-13—warfare themes. When Athens was at the height of its power and influence, Rome was a still just a struggling village. Several centuries later Rome had transformed itself from backwater town to ruler of an empire stretching from the Persian Gulf, to the farthest reaches of Spain and the island of Britain. Learn how a citizen militia became the most formidable and successful army in the Mediterranean. Look at personalities, organizational developments, technical advancements, and turning-point battles.
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Vase Painters & Story Tellers 1 PM
If you've ever spent time in a good museum looking at Greek and Roman pots, you know that vase painters not only painted beautifully, but they also told stories with their art. Learn how the pots were created and then go on to hear the tales they had to tell! Get ready to see some beautiful art and be prepared to decode ancient pots with skill. We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Sue Fisher
Of Men and Monsters: Homer’s Odyssey 2:15 PM
PG-13— some mild sexual situations. One of the first recorded adventure stories was written so well that modern readers include 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. Especially recommended for rising AP Latin IV students who don't plan to take our Mythology courses.
Required text: Homer, Odyssey, Stanley Lombardo, trans. [this version is strongly recommended].
Note: 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.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Art of Greek Warfare 3:30 PM
PG-13—warfare themes. 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.
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Troy: Horses, Heroes, History 4:45 PM
Maybe you’ve heard of the Trojan horse, the Iliad or Odyssey - but did you know that the city of Troy was real? 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 (this workshop is taught by an archaeologist that worked there!). We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Amy Barr
Right Ratio: Greek Architecture 6 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. We expect students of all ages for this class.
Instructor -- Regan Barr
Autumn 2017
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.
*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.
Spring 2018
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.
*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.
