Science and industry, the two pillars of society as many people and the government would have you believe. This notion is made even more prevalent by certain programs such as STEM within schools, as well as AP and CIS classes that particularly target advancing minds in science. The question that leaves us with, however, is what about the classics?

Classics, in this case, refers to more than just the study of Greek and Latin literature, or a concentration on ancient pottery or architecture. It can be expanded to look at later creations in history as well, such as William Shakespeare’s famous plays, strategies of both ancient and modern warfare, and even the basis of some the most prevalent languages in the world.

Classics is something that surrounds everyone, whether they realize it or not.

So why is it that majors like classics, history, english, and theatre are all seen as “unemployable”? The reason for this is perception is the idea that you aren’t learning a skill, at least not one that is practical. Of course, what is practical in any field? To be able to write well or vocalize your thoughts clearly?

Or to be able to provide a clear argument for an idea and then support that argument with evidence found through meticulous research and study?

Clearly, according to what society says about these majors, these are worthless skills.

Many classics majors, upon being asked what they’re studying, are asked the follow-up question “and what do you intend to do with that?”

The counterpoint to this question, whether asked in curiosity or in arrogance, is simply what can’t you do with it? In a society that now pushes students to continue their education at the masters and doctorate level, a study and knowledge of classic history, literature, and language are seen as a valuable commodity.

One may ask why this is, but the answer is in fact relatively simple; classics is difficult. Studying anything out of ancient history takes a great deal of time, patience, and imagination. Often what is being put together or deciphered is so archaic that even when fully translated or pieced back together, it still makes very little sense. Often, it is also incomplete, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Yet it still draws people in, people who have enough imagination and devotion to sit down and recreate an entire poem from just three damaged lines in a three thousand year old journal. That level of focus on a project is something that many people, be they recruiters for graduate schools or employers, find admirable.

Do not get the wrong impression, that I’m arguing that the sciences, business, mathematics, or any other major does not also take patience, imagination, and the mentioned skills. They all do. It might be said that these skills can be learned in any of the majors listed before. So why classics specifically? Why is it one of the best majors to learn these skills? Because it is interesting.

The study of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome has fascinated people from all walks of life for thousands of years. The reason these ancient civilizations are still studied is because there is still more to learn, and the more that is learned this way, the more it inspires other generations who can go on to inspire further generations.

William Shakespeare based many, if not all of his plays on myths and stories from Greece and Rome. The military feats of Hannibal, Caesar, and Cincinnatus are still analyzed, and some of their tactics still used in modern warfare. On the local level the ancient stories and plays of the ancient world are still being performed. The most prevalent example of this being the fall play being put on right here at Gustavus. Argonautika is based on one of the most famous myths in ancient times, Jason and the Argonauts, as well as the play Medea written by Euripides on the events that followed the myth.

One may ask why this is, but the answer is in fact relatively simple; classics is difficult. Studying anything out of ancient history takes a great deal of time, patience, and imagination.

The ancient world continues to fascinate, awe, and amuse the people of the modern world, so rather than ask “Why are you studying classics?” it might be better to ask a classics major “What have you learned?” Classics brings imagination and wonder to a modern world that is starting to focus far too much on the harsh and cold world of science and industry, while also providing skills in effective techniques for arguing. So why aren’t you studying classics?