Events

Classics for All’s Lawyers’ Group Mock Trial is returning on Thursday 22 October from 6pm at the UK Supreme Court.

The format is simple: a controversial figure from antiquity is selected and taken to court for their actions. The verdict will be presided over by Lord Briggs, but our audience members in person and online will make up a jury.

Who’s on trial this year? Well, he’s wily, he’s cunning and he’s on everyone’s minds: it’s Odysseus, King of Ithaca. The charge brought against him is, ‘for failure by the master of a vessel to preserve the safety of his ship and those serving under his command,’ and, ‘the reckless navigation by the master of a vessel, thereby endangering the lives of those serving aboard, contrary to the Ithacan Merchant Shipping Act 1195 BC.’

Alison Morgan KC and Mohan Rao will be counsel for the prosecution to discern if Odysseus was guilty of a negligent failure to return his fleet and his 600 men home. Charles Gibson KC and Mark Baldock will lead the defence, indicating that Odysseus and his journey were indeed more complicated and many-faceted than may be initially believed. 

Our previous trials can be found on our YouTube channel here to view a sample of how entertaining and popular they are.

The event is an exclusive event for our Lawyers’ Group, but to purchase livestream tickets, click: here.

Get creative with clay and make moves on the dance floor to learn about the gestures and symbols of diplomacy in the ancient Roman world!

In this fun, hands-on workshop you’ll make your own version of an ancient token of guest-friendship and learn about the power of non-verbal communication and body gestures by developing your own dance from ancient tales of interactions between different communities. What similarities and differences between you and the ancient Romans will you discover?

We recommend this event for families and children aged 8-12. Booking is essential: please book your place on either our morning or afternoon session to avoid disappointment. 

Children must be accompanied by their guardian. We recommend participants wear comfortable, loose clothing they can move easily in and to bring refreshments (water and snacks).

This event is part of Being Human Festival , the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5-14 November 202 6. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see Being Human Festival.

As Being Human Festival events are free, not everyone who asks for tickets comes to our events. To make sure we have a full house we allocate more tickets than there are seats/places. Admission is on a first come, first served basis, so please arrive in good time for the start of the event.

There are two workshops running: one in the morning (11:00-13:00) and one in the afternoon (13:30-15:30). You will be able to select the session when booking.

Both sessions start with storytelling and crafting activities (working with air drying clay and colouring-in options), followed by a choreography workshop.

We will provide small boxes to carry your craft work home with you, and will invite you to have your artwork photographed for an Online Legacy gallery.