Competitions
University of Exeter History Competition
The competitions are open to A-Level, IB, BTEC and GCSE students in any subject. The winning entries will receive £100 in vouchers and a University of Exeter hoodie.
Classical Association Mythology Competition
Students are invited to submit a piece of creative writing, art or an animation in response to all or a part of:
KS2 – Hercules’ 11th Labour: The Apples of the Hesperides
KS3 – Jason and Medea take the Golden Fleece
Submissions should be made by 23:59 (BST) on Friday 16th April 2027.
Creative Writing
This can be a play, a retelling, a poem or any other creative written response. There is a word limit of 500 words; 10% over is acceptable, but over that the first 550 words will be marked only. All entries must be in English.
Art
This can be a painting, a sculpture in any material, a collage or any other artistic endeavour. Please do not submit digital Art as it will not be judged; all pieces submitted should be 100% original and hand drawn or crafted.
Animation
This can be silent, spoken or sung! It can be animated or use, for example, Play Mobil figures or home-made puppets. It should not use real people. The entries should be no longer than 5 minutes.
East Midlands Association of Classical Teachers - ART COMPETITION 2027
Are you an artist with an interest in the history, mythology, and cultural traditions of the Classical Mediterranean? We invite creative entries exploring the theme Heroes and Villains.
This theme encourages participants to consider the complex relationship between historical figures, mythological traditions, and the ways individuals and events have been remembered and represented.
Submissions might explore figures from Greek and Roman history and myth and their wider Mediterranean connections, including rulers, warriors, philosophers, poets, and other influential individuals. Students may consider how historical and mythological figures have been transformed into legendary or heroic characters through literature, art, and later cultural traditions.
Submissions may include paintings, drawings, photographs, or photographic series.
The competition is open to students in KS2–KS5.
Deadline for submissions: Monday 5 July, 2027.
2027 Gladstone Memorial Essay Competition
Through the generosity of the Gladstone Memorial Trust Omnibus is again in 2027 able to offer prizes for excellent essays on classical themes.
The first prize stands at £200, the second at £100.
The competition is open to anyone under 19 and still in full-time pre-university education.
Essays must not exceed 2000 words.
Deadline: 2 pm (BST) on Wednesday 7th July 2027
The topics for 2027 are as follows. You may, and are encouraged to, discuss the questions in relation to one (or more) particular speech, play, book or artefact, as relevant.
1. ‘Much better without the gods’. Discuss with reference to EITHER Homer OR Virgil.
2. Is ancient speech-making excessively focused on character?
3. What does the chorus add to EITHER Greek tragedy OR Greek comedy?
4. Can we write a history of the Greek world that is not focused on war and citizen men?
5. ‘Roman culture is all derivative from Greek’. Is this a fair assessment of EITHER Latin literature OR Roman art?
6. The Roman Empire proves that integration and inclusion are key to a successful state. Discuss.
7. What archaeological discovery has most changed our understanding of the ancient world in the last century?
8. Select one historical OR literary figure from the ancient world you think has been misunderstood or misrepresented. Explain your reasons.
2027 Omnibus Sam Hood Translation Competition
Omnibus now invites entries (just one per person!) for the 2027 Sam Hood Translation Prize.
The judges are keen to encourage elegant and stylish creative translations from Greek and Latin prose and verse. Try your hand at translating any one of the following passages (verse passages may be translated into either verse or prose, as you consider most appropriate):
Livy 1.59.3–10
Virgil, Eclogue 9.1–29
Juvenal, Satires 1.1–30
Sophocles, Aias 646–76
Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazousai 383–413
Lucian, Dionysos 7
Texts of these passages can be found on the website of the Classical Association (https://classicalassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Sam-Hood-Prize-2027.pdf), but you may use any text that is available to you, provided that you include with your translation a copy of the text you have translated.
The judges will be looking for accuracy but also, and especially, for creativity when making their decisions. The competition is open to anyone under 19 and still in full-time pre-university education.
The prize-winner will receive not only a cheque for £75 but also a book of classical poetry.
Deadline: 2 pm (BST) on Wednesday 7th July 2027