Ancient Literature Live

Description

This live Zoom course walks students through the great stories of the ancient world while helping them become confident writers and thoughtful Christian thinkers. Designed for high school students ages 14+, the class meets weekly and pairs classic works with literary analysis, guided discussion, and clear writing instruction.

Each session opens with a short lecture offering historical context, author background, and key literary concepts. Students then move into discussion-based learning—much like a book club—where they explore themes, character development, plot, and symbolism. They’re encouraged to form and share their own opinions, even when they dislike a book, as a way to develop discernment and independent thinking.

Students write approximately 10 essays across the year and will learn to:

• Build and defend a clear thesis
• Organize academic papers logically
• Incorporate and cite outside sources
• Revise based on teacher feedback
• Strengthen grammar and structure where needed

Assignments are spaced to allow deep reading and reflection without overload. Each student receives helpful writing instruction before each paper and personalized feedback after grading.

This class nurtures a love of literature, develops critical thinking, and equips students to see ancient texts through the lens of Scripture and truth.

What’s Included

• Weekly live Zoom classes with lecture and discussion
• Readings from foundational works of ancient literature
• 10+ writing assignments with in-depth instruction and feedback
• Teaching in thesis writing, organization, and source citation
• Integration of Christian worldview and ancient cultural context

Class Details

Credit: Full Credit in High School Literature/English

Ages: 14+ (This course is taught at the high school level.)

The class will meet weekly over Zoom on Wednesdays, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. The format will be lectures and discussion each week. See the schedule below.

The course can be used alongside Dave Raymond’s Antiquity course, but is also structured to stand alone.

About the Instructor

Mary Pierson Purifoy was homeschooled through high school and graduated from Liberty University. With years of experience teaching literature, she brings warmth, insight, and encouragement to every class. Her goal is to help students not just complete assignments, but grow in their love for reading, their ability to write well, and their understanding of God’s truth in the midst of great stories.

List of Readings

Bold items need to be purchased separately.

1. The Epic of Gilgamesh (selections)
2. Tales of Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green (selections)
3. Greek Mythology by Edith Hamilton (selections)
4. The Iliad by Homer (selections) [Richard Lattimore translation]
5. The Odyssey by Homer [Richard Lattimore translation]
6. The book of Isaiah in The Holy Bible
7. Histories by Herodotus (selections)
8. History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides (selections)
9. Phaedo by Plato
10. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare [Norton Critical Edition]
11. Selections from Roman histories, speeches, and poetry
12. The Aeneid by Vergil (selections) [Rolf Humphries translation]
13. The Man Born to Be King  by Dorothy Sayers

Schedule of Class Meetings

All Wednesdays, all scheduled from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. Exact dates subject to slight change.

Aug 13 – No reading
Aug 20 – The Epic of Gilgamesh
Aug 27 – Tales of Egypt
Sep 3 – Greek Mythology
Sep 10 – Greek Mythology
Sep 17 – Iliad
Sep 24 – Iliad
Oct 1 – Iliad
Oct 8 – Fall Break
Oct 15 – Odyssey
Oct 22 – Odyssey
Oct 29 – Odyssey
Nov 5 – Odyssey
Nov 12 – Isaiah
Nov 19 – Isaiah
Nov 26 – Thanksgiving Break
Dec 3 – Herodotus
Dec 10-Jan 6 – Winter Break
Jan 7 – Herodotus
Jan 14 – History of the Peloponnesian War
Jan 21 – Phaedo
Jan 28 – Phaedo
Feb 4 – Julius Caesar
Feb 11 – Julius Caesar
Feb 18 – Julius Caesar
Feb 25 – Julius Caesar
Mar 4 – Speeches
Mar 11 – Spring Break
Mar 18 – Aeneid
Mar 25 – Aeneid
Apr 1 – Easter Break
April 8 – Aeneid
April 15 – Aeneid
April 22 – The Man Born to Be King
April 29 – The Man Born to Be King
May 6 – The Man Born to Be King

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t attend the live Zoom sessions?

All the sessions will be recorded and posted for enrolled families to watch at their convenience. You can use the recordings to review or catch up if you missed a session.

Families who can’t make the schedule above can still participate in the class assignments and group discussions by watching the recordings and communicating in the group on My Compass Classroom.

What kinds of assignments and assessments are included?

Assignments include weekly readings and papers corresponding with various pieces of literature.  All are designed to help students think deeply, write clearly, and enjoy great literature.

Will my student receive a final grade?

Yes! The instructor, Mary Pierson, will provide a suggested final grade based on submitted assignments and participation. Since this is a live homeschool course, the parent has the final authority and may use this grade as part of their student’s official transcript or records.

Is there a minimum enrollment required?

All live classes are subject to minimum enrollment in order to hold. If minimum enrollment is not reached before the first scheduled session, all families will be notified and refunded completely.

Do you offer refunds on live classes?

We think you will love this class. If you don’t, you may request a refund but must do so no later than before the second scheduled class after your enrollment (purchase) date. This gives you the chance to experience an entire live class session to make your decision.

How long will I have access to the class?

Recording access expires 6 weeks after the last live session. Families are free to continue working through the course on their own during this time. However, no submissions will be graded after the final class meeting, or as directed by the instructor.