Looking for an online Ancient Greek course? Our active teaching method can help you master the language.
What is the Active Method?
Our teaching method, using both volumes of Athenaze by Maurice Balme and Gilbert Lawall centres on active involvement and thorough understanding of Ancient Greek. This approach provides students with an immersive experience, allowing them to learn Greek naturally through carefully structured readings, exercises, and dialogues. Athenaze presents Greek as a language to be actively used and understood, fostering a strong foundation in vocabulary and grammar. Lessons are meticulously sequenced, enabling both beginners and advanced students to gain fluency and confidence in reading, thinking, and responding in Ancient Greek. Additionally, those who complete the full course will be ready to read, without difficulty, original texts by Plato, Thucydides, Herodotus, and Aristophanes, as the second volume integrates adapted passages from these authors into its narrative, allowing students to engage with the language and ideas through the very words of the ancient writers.
Brief description
Beginners I-III
Students will develop a vocabulary of 700 words while using Logos and Athenaze vol. I. They will master the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd declensions, the present tense, and 13 core prepositions.
Pre-Intermediate I-III
With a 1,500-word vocabulary, students advance through Logos and Athenaze vol. I and II. Focus areas include the aorist and future tenses, irregular 3rd declension, and syntax of the aspect. Readings include the Gospel, Herodotus, and Xenophon.
Intermediate I-III
Expanding to 2,680 words, this level covers Athenaze vol. II. Students tackle -μι verbs, syntax of the subjunctive and optative moods, the perfect tense, duals, conditionals, and read Attic and Koine prose authors.
Advanced
This course is designed for students with a strong foundation in ancient Greek grammar and experience reading and discussing texts in the language. Throughout the year, we will explore texts ranging from Homer to early Byzantine authors, focusing on different literary styles. The aim is to develop a deep understanding of Greek idioms and nuances. Seminars will guide students through stylistic imitation of various authors, with an emphasis on narrative, dialogues, and deliberative speeches. Practical exercises include both analysis and writing in the style of ancient authors.
Detailed description
Beginners I
At this level we use Logos and Athenaze I as the main textbooks. Students are required to be familiar with the Greek alphabet before they start, but the ability to read fluently will be acquired during the course. Students will be introduced to basic grammar concepts (gender, number, declension, conjugation) and will use them in their most basic forms whilst speaking and writing. By the end of this level, students will have learned the second declension, and become familiar with the first declension and some forms of the third declension. They will also have learned the present imperative, indicative, and infinitive of εἰμί and -έω verbs, as well as the periphrastic future. Lastly students will have learned a range of prepositions: ἀνά, ἀπό, ἐκ, πρός, εἰς, ἐν, ὑπό; and particles: καί, ἀλλά, ἤ, γάρ, οὖν, οὔτε… οὔτε…, μέν… δέ…, εἴτε… εἴτε….
Beginners II
At this level we use Athenaze I as the main textbook and Logos as an ancillary textbook. We cover the full first and second declensions, including most exceptions. Students are guided in vocabulary acquisition skills in order to learn increasing amounts of vocabulary per class. By the end of this level they will have mastered 250 new vocabulary words. At this level we teach more prepositions (μετά, παρά, περί, ἀνά, κατά, ἅμα, ἐπί) and a thorough overview of the personal pronouns and possessive adjectives. We also teach all the present indicative imperatives and infinitives of the -ω, -έω and -άω conjugations. By the end of this level, students should be able to write coherent paragraphs in the present tense.
Beginners III
At this level we use Athenaze I as the main textbook and Logos as a supplementary textbook. We introduce the passive and middle voices, as well as contracted and uncontracted verbs in the indicative, infinitive, imperative and participial forms of the present tense. We also deepen students’ understanding of the syntax of cases and prepositions by reviewing them in more complex sentence structures. We teach most of the third declension, cardinal numbers, and introduce the syntax of the participles. By the end of this level, students should be able to narrate grammatically complex tales in the present tense.
Pre-Intermediate I
At this level we use Athenaze I as the main textbook and Logos as a supplementary textbook. Students are expected to be proficient in the present active/middle/passive paradigm of all verbs and the first, second, and third declensions. We pay further attention to the syntax of the participle, including absolute constructions, and introduce the concept of aspect, particularly in the present and aorist tenses. Students will be introduced to the concepts of root aorists and augment, and will learn all the forms of second aorist and the imperfect. They will also learn the semivowel paradigms (e.g. βασιλεύς and πόλις) and review the interrogative pronouns.
Pre-Intermediate II
At this level we use Athenaze I as the sole textbook. Here we teach all forms of the first aorist (including the liquid roots), and further explore the concept of aspect and the differences between imperfect, aorist, and present aspect in all their forms. We also introduce the stems in -s and the comparative and superlative adjectives. Students will survey the relative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, indefinite pronouns and locative adverbs. The new vocabulary introduced at this level (approximately 320 words) will allow students to read easy narrative texts, such as the Gospel, with some assistance.
Pre-Intermediate III
At this level we use Athenaze I and II as the main textbooks. Here we teach all the forms of the third aorist, as well as the rest of the irregular paradigms of the third declension. We also give an overview of numerals (cardinal, ordinal and frequentative), and teach all forms of the future active and middle, as well as further developing the concept of aspect. This level includes an introduction to oratio obliqua (“indirect speech”), using forms of οἴομαι and φημί. At this point, students should be able to read more complex narrative texts, such as Xenophon and Herodotus, with some assistance, and easier narrative texts, such as the Gospel, independently.
Intermediate I
At this level we use Athenaze II as the main textbook. Students are now expected to be familiar with all noun morphology and all thematic verb aorist, present, and future tenses. At this level, students will become acquainted with most forms of δίδωμι, τίθημι, ἵστημι, and ἵημι, along with their most common compounds. They will also learn constructions with verbs such as λανθάνω, τυγχάνω, φθάνω and φαίνομαι, as well as reviewing the genitive absolute. They will also begin learning the subjunctive. Students will be asked to learn a great deal of vocabulary (approximately 400 words). By the end of this level, students should be able not only to read simpler passages of Plato with some assistance, but also to express most of their thoughts in relatively uncomplicated Greek.
Greek Grammar Intensive
The Greek Grammar Intensive covers essential aspects of ancient Greek grammar, including noun declensions, verb conjugations (tenses and moods), participle usage, and key syntactic structures like conditionals and indirect statements. Participants will also review pronouns, prepositions, common irregular verbs, accentuation rules, and the syntax of the moods. This course is suitable for intermediate students and above.
Intermediate II
At this level we use Athenaze II as the main textbook, as well as unadapted passages from Plato and Thucydides. The main morphologies to be learned at this level are the optative, the subjunctive, and the aorist passive. Students will learn to differentiate between formal and informal language in various contexts, and then to imitate the hallmark writing styles of certain authors. They will finish learning all the varieties and connotations of oratio obliqua (“indirect speech”). At this point, students should be able to start reading passages from Plato, Aristotle, Lysias, Demosthenes, and narrative Thucydides without a dictionary.
Intermediate III
At this level we use Athenaze II and original passages from across Greek literature as the main texts. We address the rest of Greek morphology (including the perfect tense, pronouns ἕ and σφεῖς, and the irregular verb οἶδα) and develop the uses of optative and ἄν in more complex constructions including conditionals. Students will be introduced to the main Greek literary dialects (eg. Ionic, Doric, Aeolic and Homeric) through reading the works of various ancient poets. At this point, students should be able to read with relative fluency any Attic and Koine prose author, and most poetry without much difficulty.
Advanced
This course is intended for students with a sound knowledge of ancient Greek grammar and prior experience in reading ancient Greek texts as well as discussing them in ancient Greek. We will read a selection of texts from different authors spanning from the age of Homer to the early Byzantine period. The selection will aim to expose students to a variety of different styles. We will focus on discussing the texts in their literary context as well as trying to internalize ancient Greek idiom in order to develop an intuitive feel for the language and its finest nuances.
Beginners I-III
Students will develop a vocabulary of 700 words while using Logos and Athenaze vol. I. They will master the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd declensions, the present tense, and 13 core prepositions.
Pre-Intermediate I-III
With a 1,500-word vocabulary, students advance through Logos and Athenaze vol. I and II. Focus areas include the aorist and future tenses, irregular 3rd declension, and syntax of the aspect. Readings include the Gospel, Herodotus, and Xenophon.
Intermediate I-III
Expanding to 2,680 words, this level covers Athenaze vol. II. Students tackle -μι verbs, syntax of the subjunctive and optative moods, the perfect tense, duals, conditionals, and read Attic and Koine prose authors.
Advanced
This course is designed for students with a strong foundation in ancient Greek grammar and experience reading and discussing texts in the language. Throughout the year, we will explore texts ranging from Homer to early Byzantine authors, focusing on different literary styles. The aim is to develop a deep understanding of Greek idioms and nuances. Seminars will guide students through stylistic imitation of various authors, with an emphasis on narrative, dialogues, and deliberative speeches. Practical exercises include both analysis and writing in the style of ancient authors.
Beginners I
At this level we use Logos and Athenaze I as the main textbooks. Students are required to be familiar with the Greek alphabet before they start, but the ability to read fluently will be acquired during the course. Students will be introduced to basic grammar concepts (gender, number, declension, conjugation) and will use them in their most basic forms whilst speaking and writing. By the end of this level, students will have learned the second declension, and become familiar with the first declension and some forms of the third declension. They will also have learned the present imperative, indicative, and infinitive of εἰμί and -έω verbs, as well as the periphrastic future. Lastly students will have learned a range of prepositions: ἀνά, ἀπό, ἐκ, πρός, εἰς, ἐν, ὑπό; and particles: καί, ἀλλά, ἤ, γάρ, οὖν, οὔτε… οὔτε…, μέν… δέ…, εἴτε… εἴτε….
Beginners II
At this level we use Athenaze I as the main textbook and Logos as an ancillary textbook. We cover the full first and second declensions, including most exceptions. Students are guided in vocabulary acquisition skills in order to learn increasing amounts of vocabulary per class. By the end of this level they will have mastered 250 new vocabulary words. At this level we teach more prepositions (μετά, παρά, περί, ἀνά, κατά, ἅμα, ἐπί) and a thorough overview of the personal pronouns and possessive adjectives. We also teach all the present indicative imperatives and infinitives of the -ω, -έω and -άω conjugations. By the end of this level, students should be able to write coherent paragraphs in the present tense.
Beginners III
At this level we use Athenaze I as the main textbook and Logos as a supplementary textbook. We introduce the passive and middle voices, as well as contracted and uncontracted verbs in the indicative, infinitive, imperative and participial forms of the present tense. We also deepen students’ understanding of the syntax of cases and prepositions by reviewing them in more complex sentence structures. We teach most of the third declension, cardinal numbers, and introduce the syntax of the participles. By the end of this level, students should be able to narrate grammatically complex tales in the present tense.
Pre-Intermediate I
At this level we use Athenaze I as the main textbook and Logos as a supplementary textbook. Students are expected to be proficient in the present active/middle/passive paradigm of all verbs and the first, second, and third declensions. We pay further attention to the syntax of the participle, including absolute constructions, and introduce the concept of aspect, particularly in the present and aorist tenses. Students will be introduced to the concepts of root aorists and augment, and will learn all the forms of second aorist and the imperfect. They will also learn the semivowel paradigms (e.g. βασιλεύς and πόλις) and review the interrogative pronouns.
Pre-Intermediate II
At this level we use Athenaze I as the sole textbook. Here we teach all forms of the first aorist (including the liquid roots), and further explore the concept of aspect and the differences between imperfect, aorist, and present aspect in all their forms. We also introduce the stems in -s and the comparative and superlative adjectives. Students will survey the relative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, indefinite pronouns and locative adverbs. The new vocabulary introduced at this level (approximately 320 words) will allow students to read easy narrative texts, such as the Gospel, with some assistance.
Pre-Intermediate III
At this level we use Athenaze I and II as the main textbooks. Here we teach all the forms of the third aorist, as well as the rest of the irregular paradigms of the third declension. We also give an overview of numerals (cardinal, ordinal and frequentative), and teach all forms of the future active and middle, as well as further developing the concept of aspect. This level includes an introduction to oratio obliqua (“indirect speech”), using forms of οἴομαι and φημί. At this point, students should be able to read more complex narrative texts, such as Xenophon and Herodotus, with some assistance, and easier narrative texts, such as the Gospel, independently.
Intermediate I
At this level we use Athenaze II as the main textbook. Students are now expected to be familiar with all noun morphology and all thematic verb aorist, present, and future tenses. At this level, students will become acquainted with most forms of δίδωμι, τίθημι, ἵστημι, and ἵημι, along with their most common compounds. They will also learn constructions with verbs such as λανθάνω, τυγχάνω, φθάνω and φαίνομαι, as well as reviewing the genitive absolute. They will also begin learning the subjunctive. Students will be asked to learn a great deal of vocabulary (approximately 400 words). By the end of this level, students should be able not only to read simpler passages of Plato with some assistance, but also to express most of their thoughts in relatively uncomplicated Greek.
Greek Grammar Intensive
The Greek Grammar Intensive covers essential aspects of ancient Greek grammar, including noun declensions, verb conjugations (tenses and moods), participle usage, and key syntactic structures like conditionals and indirect statements. Participants will also review pronouns, prepositions, common irregular verbs, accentuation rules, and the syntax of the moods. This course is suitable for intermediate students and above.
Intermediate II
At this level we use Athenaze II as the main textbook, as well as unadapted passages from Plato and Thucydides. The main morphologies to be learned at this level are the optative, the subjunctive, and the aorist passive. Students will learn to differentiate between formal and informal language in various contexts, and then to imitate the hallmark writing styles of certain authors. They will finish learning all the varieties and connotations of oratio obliqua (“indirect speech”). At this point, students should be able to start reading passages from Plato, Aristotle, Lysias, Demosthenes, and narrative Thucydides without a dictionary.
Intermediate III
At this level we use Athenaze II and original passages from across Greek literature as the main texts. We address the rest of Greek morphology (including the perfect tense, pronouns ἕ and σφεῖς, and the irregular verb οἶδα) and develop the uses of optative and ἄν in more complex constructions including conditionals. Students will be introduced to the main Greek literary dialects (eg. Ionic, Doric, Aeolic and Homeric) through reading the works of various ancient poets. At this point, students should be able to read with relative fluency any Attic and Koine prose author, and most poetry without much difficulty.
Advanced
This course is intended for students with a sound knowledge of ancient Greek grammar and prior experience in reading ancient Greek texts as well as discussing them in ancient Greek. We will read a selection of texts from different authors spanning from the age of Homer to the early Byzantine period. The selection will aim to expose students to a variety of different styles. We will focus on discussing the texts in their literary context as well as trying to internalize ancient Greek idiom in order to develop an intuitive feel for the language and its finest nuances.