Classics, YouTube, and sometimes me
So, I’m here to talk about Classics, YouTube, and sometimes me. If you were to peruse the main educational channels on YouTube, and then to focus on history channels, you would perhaps be hard-pressed to find a large, multiple-tens-of-thousands-of-subscribers channel focused on the Classics in any fashion. There are very, very few exceptions. The most prominent that I am aware of is Historia Civilis, run by a self-described ‘Rome Freak’ who has been creating ten-twenty (or even -thirty) minute long videos focused on particular events of Roman (and some Greek) history, detailing something like the Spartan system of institutions, or even exploring the usage of tunnel bears in antiquity.
Not to say that one cannot enjoy seeing the Classics on other popular, often animated, history channels on YouTube. One can actually find plenty of videos on Classics out there. Sometimes they are limited to single one-offs such as on BazBattles, where he goes over … battles which include Greek and Roman ones such as the Battle of Adrianople. One can also find some on Smarthistory. art, history, conversation., which occasionally features works of art from ancient Greece and Rome amongst their other topics. However, there are also mini-series published on large channels such as Kings and Generals (such as one on Alexander), Extra Credits (such as one titled The Brothers Gracchi), and the extremely recommended Overly Sarcastic Productions (where one of the two creators there is actually someone who has studied Classics, and frequently produces videos on the topic) or on somewhat smaller channels like Cogito (who is creating a series on Byzantines and is starting from Constantine the Great). But among the big, mainstream YouTube channels, those that focus entirely on Classics are few and far between.
However, if one were to stick to the four or three or even two digit subscriber channels, one can most assuredly find many dedicated almost entirely to the realm of Classics. One particular area that has caught my attention is channels — sometimes with infrequent uploads, unfortunately — that aid in the study of ancient languages. Examples include David Schwei, who produces videos on Latin grammar, and ScorpioMartianus, whose videos would greatly help one get a better sense of listening to Latin (though one can come to a local Circulus Dunelmensis for that as well — hint hint). If one wishes to practice listening to Greek, one can find a video of a performance of Aristophanes’ Frogs entirely in the original Greek. Speaking of hearing, another small channel is Ancient Blogger, who nowadays uploads podcasts (interspersed with some videos) on a variety of Classical topics. There are even channels like that of the Literature and History Podcast, which has made some quite hilarious animated rap battle videos based on ancient literature.
Another area of smaller Classics channels are those created by academics and professional Classicists interested in demonstrating some of their own work in a form other than an article. One such example is Armand d’Angour, who has posted a mini-documentary on his work in reconstructing and performing ancient music. Another academic who has made YouTube videos is Guy de la Bédoyère, under the channel name Classical Civilization; however, unlike d’Angour, he has not focused much on his work, but instead has an extensive catalogue of short videos where he walks through various buildings such as some in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ostia — a visual boon during my self-study for the City Life in Roman Italy module at A-levels for which I am eternally grateful.
Of course, this is only covering a small amount of what is out there. But I am going to end now with a bit with my own halting experience making videos — for indeed no-one is limited to just viewing them. My first foray was for the Cambridge Ancient World Film Competition — a good example of a growing awareness of the usefulness of YouTube for outreach. I submitted a probably sub-par animated video on Catiline’s Conspiracy which failed miserably before much more well-polished — and non-animated — student-made videos, including a runner up which was also, funnily enough, on Catiline’s Conspiracy. I got third-place in a Swansea competition, but frankly that video is best left forgotten in my view. Perhaps the video I am most proud of in terms of quality and half-decent, primary source-focused research is the one on the most bizarre of topics — did Romans wash their mouths with urine? I had seen this claim elsewhere on YouTube and, as a reader of Catullus 39, I was absolutely convinced it had to be thoroughly investigated. And it was. For far too long. If any reader happens to gain an interest in making a YouTube video on a Classical topic, I merely ask that they make it well and perhaps on a less unsavoury topic than that.
Do you have a suggestion for a future topic? Do you have an idea to share with your friends? Send us a message and follow the Durham University Classics Society on Twitter (@DUClassSoc) and Facebook (@DUClassics Society) to keep up with this blog and our other adventures!
