Classics and Ancient History Program
Program Overview
Lucius Sergius Catilina (108-62 BCE), commonly referred to by his cognomen as “Catiline,” was a high-born Roman politician. Unobtrusively successful during the early phase of his career (the cursus honorum), he repeatedly failed in his bid for Rome’s highest office, the consulship.
Not much is known about Catiline, as our primary sources are the speeches and letters by the Roman orator and politician Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43) and The Catilinarian Conspiracy by the Roman historian Gaius Sallustius Crispus (86-34).
What lessons can be learned from studying The Catiline Conspiracy?
Eureka Alumni from this program have received admission offers to Stanford University, Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, University of Chicago, Amherst College, and other top US universities.
Alumni from this program have gone off to pursue majors in Economics, English Literature, and Applied Mathematics.
The research experience and skills students receive at the Eureka Program have helped students win prestigious awards in the Latin Oratory and Literature Contests of the National Junior Classical League Convention. Some alumni from this program have also received eminent recognition for their work with Classics Studies, such as getting their work published in The Concord Review, a journal with a 5% acceptance rate.
Many students from this program are also very engaged in their communities, starting Latin oratory societies and even self-designing a Latin curriculum for 30 younger students. One alumni even created a website where Latin aficionados can publish their own works on the Classics.
The below sections will provide more insight into the students that have attended this program and share their experiences and successes.
Research Topic Samples
The Problem with ‘Accurate’ History: Complexity within Sallust’s Bellum Catilinae
Sallust's Bellum Catilinae is a primary account of Catiline's conspiracy that has intrigued historians for its complex portrayal of its protagonist. Sallust portrays Catiline as a complex character rather than a simple villain or hero. He uses Catiline to represent the widespread decline in the late Roman Republic. Sallust includes four speeches by Catiline, Caesar, and Cato to show the complexity of history by allowing historical figures to express their viewpoints in their own persuasive voices. Sallust draws attention to the complexity of history in his analysis of Catiline to warn contemporary readers about the Republic's danger. An alumni of this program authored this thesis to further his love for classics, which could have supported his admission to Harvard, Princeton and Stanford University.
College Admission Results
Attended Eureka
2019
High School Name
Kent School
Admission Offer Received
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Stanford University
Eureka Research Title
The Problem With 'Accurate' History: Complexity Within Sallust's Bellum Catilinae
Attended Eureka
2019 Summer
High School Name
Webb Schools Of California
Admission Offer Received
• Princeton University
• Stanford University
• Brown University
• Columbia University
Eureka Research Title
Research Topic - Undisclosed
Attended Eureka
2019
High School Name
Stuart Country Day School
Admission Offer Received
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Eureka Research Title
Sign Language Documentation: Why And How
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
Indian Springs School
Admission Offer Received
• (ED) Amherst College
Eureka Research Title
De Coniuratione Catilinae