The Arkansas Traveler; Friday, November 9, 2001
(Homecoming Issue)

Members of the Eta Sigma Phi classics fraternity treated frequenters of the Arkansas Union to a taste of the old world Wednesday afternoon.

Students of the classics read Greek and Latin poetry and prose to raise aware ness of the classics in the community, graduate assistant Kirsten Day said.

"We want p eople to know that the classics aren't dead. They are immortal," said Day, who is also known as Magistra Dies by her elementary Latin I students.

Excerpts from Homer's Odyssey, Euripides' Medea, Petronius' Satyricon and the works of Sappho were among the selections, followed by English transla tions of each.

UA sophomore Evin Demirel said he came to the reading to see 'how other peo ple would react to languages to which they had never been exposed.

"I was curious, so I came to check it all out," Demirel said.

Students passing through the Connections Lounge exhibited a wide range of expressions as they listened to languages they had never before heard.

Many showed a great deal of confusion, but others displayed a newly sparked interest.

"I had always been slightly interested in Greek, but I was hesitant to make any commitments," UA freshman Jeff Elliot said. "I think I'm going to take it next semester. The language is beautiful."

While many agreed that the languages were beautiftil, Day showed a bit of frustration with her own performance.

"I should have done the Homer first, which I can do," Day said. "But no, I started with the Sappho, which I completely butchered."

Despite a somewhat less-than-stellar recitation, listeners were encouraged and expected to gain a new understanding through this exposure to the words of the ancients.

"The classics definitely have a place in today's world," Day said. "The themes portrayed in classical poetry, prose and literature are timeless. We hoped to instill an appreciation, knowledge and interest in the languages."Day went on to relate those themes to current events.

"Even though they are separated by thousands of years, many of the themes of these readings - especially those in Medea - fit with the tragedies of today,Day said. "Like I said before they are timeless." Beyond connections to event in the modern world, classical study has a few other advantages- "You just can't beat a guy in a toga,"UA sophomore Jennifer Riddel said.