Classics is the term given to the study of the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome in all their aspects: language, literature, history, philosophy, art, and archaeology. Traditionally, the study of Classics focused on Greek and Latin language and literature. In recent decades, however, there has been a great flourishing of courses on Greek and Roman civilization in which the literature is studied in translation, and in which consideration is also given to the non-literary achievements of the ancient world, such as its art, architecture, and society. At Maynooth, Ancient Classics may be studied either with a direct focus on the ancient languages or through our hugely popular course on Greek and Roman Civilization.

The Department teaches all of these subjects at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Most modules forming part of the undergraduate programme are also available to visiting international students.