Study of Ancient History in Oxford

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Lectures are seldom published singly unless they have been read on ceremonial occasions to general audiences and their style and subject are suitable thereto. The present lecture is not of that kind. It was delivered to undergraduates beginning the study of ancient history in Oxford; its purpose is to set out in plain words the main features of that study. It aims at emphasizing three points, first, the need - well known to all but realized by few - of chronology and still more of geography, as geography is now understood, in any study of history; secondly, the character of the Oxford ancient history course as a study of short periods based on a close reading of the original authorities; and thirdly, the relation between Greek and Roman history, which by their very differences supplement each other to an extent which learners - and even teachers - do not always see. At the end I have said a word about the connexion between this course and the training of future researchers. Some of my colleagues, who read the lecture in typoscript, tell me that, if published, it would help their pupils and interest others elsewhere who have to do with the study of Roman history.