Portland Classics Society is a place for lovers of ancient literature, philosophy, history and languages to come together and discuss timeless texts which have shaped Western civilization. In our reading groups, we value questions over answers and the desire to learn over the desire to know. We seek to develop a profound and shared understanding of a text and to examine its relevance both to its own time and ours.
Reading Groups:
Our reading groups focus on one author (and typically just one text, depending on length). Groups consist of around 10 students. We meet for three “terms” and meetings are held in-person (there may be Zoom options in the future). There is assigned reading from the text each week, as well as suggested supplemental secondary-source readings, should a participant wish to dive deeper.
Since space is limited, we ask that participants who sign up for a reading group make every effort to attend each week for the duration of the term and only miss session for sickness, emergencies, etc.
This year, our plan is to read Homer’s Iliad in Fall, Homer’s Odyssey in Winter and Vergil’s Aeneid in Spring.
Upcoming Reading Groups:
Fall 2023: Homer’s Iliad
September 19 - December 5 (no meeting Thanksgiving Week)
Tuesdays 7-8:30 PM
Location: SW PDX/Multnomah Village (Email for details)