Epigraphic Workshops and Summer Schools | The British Epigraphy Society

There are various workshops and summer schools organised every year that teach practical epigraphic skills, typically focused on particular epigraphic niches. Some upcoming and recently offered programmes are listed below. If you are interested in a future summer school or training programme, it may be worth following up with the previous summer school organiser to find out about the latest plans!

COURSES in 2022

25-29 July 2022: CEC U. Lisbon International Summer School in Epigraphy for the Study of the Latin Language: course information

11-20 July 2022: BSR Postgraduate Course in Roman Epigraphy: course information

20 June-2 July 2022: Paros Greek Epigraphy Summer School of the Hellenic Education & Research Centre: course information

28-29 March 2022 (prov.): CSAD Practical Epigraphy Workshop 2022 - Corbridge & Chesters: course information

COURSES OFFERED IN PREVIOUS YEARS (selection)

4-17 July 2021 - BSA Linear B and Mycenaean Greek Epigraphy Course: course information.

16-29 June 2019 - BSA Postgraduate Course in Greek Epigraphy: course information.

19-24 August 2019 - Friuli Epigraphic Summerschool Saxa loquuntur: course information.

The Society, too, has been organising or assisting with the organisation of epigraphic summer schools and workshops on a number of occasions (some examples are listed below!) which also focus on the practical skills needed for studying epigraphic documents at first hand, in Greek and/or Latin. A knowledge of these skills is essential for those who plan to work in the field or in museum collections, but is equally indispensable for those consulting published editions of inscriptions for research purposes. A key component of these courses is hands-on experience with inscriptions, typically in a museum setting to foster an appreciation for finer points of detail which can only be observed at first hand; this may include the making of drawings, photographs, and squeezes of real inscriptions. Below a snapshot of the instruction in letter-cutting received by one participant at a practical epigraphy workshop from the late Richard Grasby.

For information on past events organised by BES members on behalf of the Society, browse the list below:

02-12 July 2001: Epigraphy Summer School, Oxford.

05-15 July 2004: Epigraphy Summer School, Oxford.

27-28 June 2007: Practical Epigraphy Workshop, Caerleon.

24-26 June 2008: Practical Epigraphy Workshop, York.

22-24 June 2010: Practical Epigraphy Workshop, Newcastle.

28-30 June 2011: Practical Epigraphy Workshop, Corbridge.

19-21 June 2012: Practical Epigraphy Workshop, Oxford.

24-26 June 2014: Practical Epigraphy Workshop, Corbridge

3-7 August 2015: The BES London Summer School in Greek and Latin Epigraphy.

BES Summer School in Greek and Latin Epigraphy 2015

The BES London Summer School in Greek and Latin Epigraphy

The BES London Summer School in Greek and Latin Epigraphy took place between 3-7 August 2015, in collaboration with the British Museum and the Institute of Classical Studies. 24 participants from 10 different countries, representing 22 different institutions and 14 nationalities met for a week’s intensive study of classical epigraphy. The highlight of the School was the work with lapidary inscriptions in the British Museum. The participants produced in pairs, and under supervision of a number of BES members, new or improved editions of a selection of the BM’s epigraphic material, such as epitaphs (including for Margarita, the dog ...), decrees and honorific inscriptions.

In addition to the hands-on training on the inscriptions in the BM, leading UK based epigraphers spoke to the School on such diverse topics as Pompeian graffiti, provincial epigraphies, the display of imperial pronouncements, Louis Robert and the editing of Greek inscriptions, the development of the discipline, digital epigraphy, epigaphic manuscripts, and linguistic practices on stone. Discussion continued over drinks and dinner on four evenings of the School. And the participants’ work on the inscriptions will form part of the BM’s new editions of the inscriptions.

The Summer School was generously supported by the Institute of Classical Studies, the Classical Association, and AIEGL. Our Report provides further impressions from the Summer School!