Welcome to Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) at Penn State!
CAMS is the study of cultures that arose and flourished around the Mediterranean basin (including Egypt, Greece, Rome, Anatolia, Israel, Mesopotamia, and North Africa) from ancient Mesopotamia (ca. 4000 BCE) to the end of Greco-Roman antiquity (ca. 600 CE). CAMS investigates the whole scope of the ancient Mediterranean world and trains students to interpret the linguistic, historical, and archaeological evidence of its cultures.
Committed to Diversity
The Department of Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) at Penn State is devoted to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all who study the ancient world. As an open and welcoming academic community, we embrace a view of the ancient Mediterranean and its legacies as the common heritage of all people, regardless of gender, color, race, nationality, religion, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
In keeping with our conviction that scholarship on antiquity benefits from a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, CAMS supports diversity in research areas, classroom activities, and above all in its membership, especially among groups historically under-represented in the field.
We affirm Penn State’s commitment as a public institution of higher education to effectively serve the members of our communities at all levels – on campus, across the state, and beyond – and we welcome the input of our students, colleagues, and friends as we pursue this goal.
McCarter selected as Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies marshal
Samantha Doleno
Congratulations to CAMS student Samantha Doleno, who has been selected the French and Francophone Studies major student marshal for spring 2021 commencement! A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, Sam is graduating with B.A. degrees in History, French Language and Culture, and Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, as well as minors in Latin and Ancient Greek. Following graduation, Samantha plans to attend graduate school and ultimately earn her Ph.D. in classics.
Sept. 3, 2021: Dr. Jackie Murray (University of Kentucky) on Race in Greek and Roman Epic
Oct. 8, 2021: Dr. Nathan Pilkington (University of North Carolina Wilmington) on Carthage
Jan. 14, 2022: Dr. Bet Hucks (University of Heidelberg) on Roman Aegyptiaca
Feb. 11, 2022: Dr. Julia Rhyder (Harvard University) on Ritual in Early Judaism
Mar. 18, 2022: Dr. Jeremy Simmons (University of Maryland) on Long-Distance Trade in Antiquity
Apr. 15, 2022: Dr. David Lewis (University of Edinburgh) on War and Violence on Ancient Crete
Apr. 22, 2022: Dr. Mathura Umachandran (Cornell University) on New Trends in Classical Reception Studies
