Research

The research of the department of Greek and Latin at the University of Groningen is internationally well-known. The study of the languages themselves and of their texts are central to our research, but we combine our study of ancient literature with a special interest in its cultural and historical contexts. We also study the far-reaching influence of ancient literature in later times. The department has special expertise in the following areas:

• Hellenistic literature (see Hellenistic Poetry)
• Greek syntax and semantics; semantics of value terms
• Ancient Greek religion
• Latin poetry of the Late Republic and Early Empire
• Late Antique Latin Literature
• Relation between Roman literature and material culture
• Crisis, war and their aftermath in antiquity
• The didactics of Greek and Latin in secondary schools
• Digital Humanities
• The reception of Greco-Roman antiquity

Current and recently concluded externally funded research projects at our department include:

• Anchoring the Fascist Revolution. The Classical Languages under Fascism (part of Anchoring Innovation) – Bettina Reitz-Joosse, Nicolò Bettegazzi, Han Lamers (Oslo)

• Landscapes of War in Roman Literature, VENI-grant – Bettina-Reitz Joosse; Marije van der Steege (outreach)

• Polytheism as language. A linguistic approach to divine plurality in the religious experience of Greek worshippers, VENI-grant – Saskia Peels

• After the Crisis: War, Memory and Innovation in Ancient Rome (part of Anchoring Innovation) – Jacqueline Klooster, Ruurd Nauta, Onno van Nijf, Inger Kuin

More information on individual research interests and projects can be found on the profile pages of our staff members.

The department of Greek and Latin is attached to the faculty research institutes ICOG (The Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture) and CLCG (Center for Language and Cognition Groningen), the interfaculty research institute CRASIS (Culture, Religion and Society - Interdisciplinary Studies in the Ancient World), and the national research school for Classical Studies OIKOS. Several members of staff also participate in the OIKOS research agenda ‘Anchoring Innovation’.