Classical Greek culture, society, and language are still immensely influential in the modern world. The Olympics, as we know them, have been going on for 130 years, with only a few cancellations during the World Wars. Much of American democracy, even the word itself, comes from Greek and is based on ideals drawn directly from the Ancient Athenians. 

 

Greek philosophy has had a major impact on intellectual thought throughout history. We’ve gotten a huge chunk of our language, directly or indirectly, from Greek (from Greek to Latin/other Romance languages before being picked up by English).

 

As of 2014, only 2,200 high school students studied classical Greek, and those students were primarily enrolled in private, preparatory, or classical education movement schools. That number has been declining for over a century.

 

Dr. Mash, Leesville Latin teacher, has decided to change that. Mash has a Doctorate in the Classics, so he fluently understands Latin along with Greek. Classical Greek I and II Honors are being offered at Leesville next year. Mash has been stressing to his students just how big a deal Greek being offered as a class in a public high school is. Mash said, “I’m very excited to be able to teach Greek as it was the focus of my classical degrees.”

 

Learning old languages can be very helpful in understanding how to use English more effectively. Grady Rodgers, junior, said, “I’ve taken Latin I and II, and while I haven’t necessarily had to use it [Latin] in conversation, it’s been really helpful with English vocab and essays.”

 

According to Dr. Mash’s class announcements, Greek I Honors will cover the Greek alphabet and essential grammar to lay a foundation for more advanced language understanding through the class textbook Introduction to Greek (written by one of Dr. Mash’s former professors). Dr. Mash will also spend class time exploring the Greek origins of over 150,000 English words throughout modern medicine, law, and theology. 

 

Greek II Honors will delve deeper into primary sources from Greek historians and philosophers and analyze specialized vocabulary in science, mathematics, and the humanities. 

 

Both classes will focus on Classical Greek from the 5th and 4th century BCE, the Golden Age of Athens; this would include most ancient Greek culture people are familiar with: Socrates, Plato, the Greek scientific revolution, the peak of Athenian democracy, the Peloponnesian War, and the Greco-Persian War.

 

Dr. Mash is hoping to have enough students sign up to expand past Greek II in the future, so make sure to talk to your counselor about taking Greek next year.