Introducing Dr Steve Kershaw | Article
We speak to our new expert lecturer Dr Steve Kershaw to find out about his passions
We are excited to announce the addition of Classical tours to our programme for 2025, designed for those with an enthusiasm for ancient history and classical civilisations. Leading these tours is Dr Steve Kershaw, our new expert lecturer in Greek history.
We’re delighted to add you to our team of experts for the 2025 season. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself please?
Yes, I’d be delighted. I’m Steve Kershaw and I’m a Classicist. So essentially, I’m an “it’s all Greek to me”/“Latin is a language, dead as dead can be, first it killed the Romans, now it’s killing me” person. I live in the wonderful world of dead languages and the art and culture of the people who don’t speak them anymore! I’ve been a Classics tutor for some 35 years now, operating at all levels from complete beginner to PhD, and I’ve spent much of that time travelling in the world of the ancient Greeks, both physically and intellectually. The core of my work has been at Oxford University, but I also teach on courses at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Some of my former students include the Princess of Jordan, and I translated Matthew Pinsent’s 4th Olympic Gold Medal for him after his victory in Athens. You might have seen or heard me on documentaries and podcasts for the likes of BBC Radio 4, Channel 5, and the History Channel, or you’ve possibly read one or two of my various publications, maybe Three Epic Battles that Saved Democracy: Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis or my children’s book Mythologica. I’m also a jazz double bass player, by the way, touring and performing in clubs, concert halls and festivals all over the world.
What initially sparked your interest in Greek architecture?
A couple of things, really. My father was an architect, so I grew up surrounded by all things architectural. But my special interest in the world of the Ancient Greeks really happened when I was introduced to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey by an inspirational teacher at my primary school – all those gods, monsters and heroes were so exciting. And they still are!
Can you share a particular moment or experience that solidified your passion for this field?
I think it really was reading about those gods, monsters and heroes with my torch under the bedclothes at the age of 10. Then, when they made me do Latin at my Grammar School, I was actually quite excited about it, and the opportunity to do Ancient Greek was pure bliss. It still is!
Can you discuss a favourite Greek architectural site or structure and explain why it captivates you?
I have so many favourites. Usually, it’s the last one I’ve been to, or the one I’m just about to go to! But the Parthenon at Athens never fails to captivate me. There’s a real ‘wow’ factor as you approach it, and once you get over the power of the mighty first impression, the subtle nuances of its construction start to filter through. The whole story of its creation, through its transitions from a pagan temple to a church, then a mosque, and ultimately to a highly symbolic monument is riveting. And, of course, there are the stunning sculptures that once adorned it, and the lively and ongoing debates about the ‘Elgin Marbles’ and where they should reside. It’s endlessly fascinating.
Can you share an anecdote about a memorable research trip or excavation related to Greek architecture?
I’ll always remember an extraordinary visit to the Temple of Apollo at Bassai, high up in the mountains of Arcadia in Greece. You ascend through an incredibly beautiful natural environment where eventually your only companions are the goats blocking the road, until you find the temple, which is now preserved under a high-tech tent to protect it from the harshness of the climate. On this occasion, it began to snow just as we arrived. As we sheltered in the tent, exquisite white columns of snow tumbled through the holes in the roof structure, in a silent dialogue with the majestic limestone columns of the building itself. It was awesome, in the true sense of the word…
Join Steve on an Art Pursuits Study Tour in 2025 now!
- ATHENS The Artistic excellence of Ancient Greece | 9 – 16 May 2025
- MINOAN GLORIES The Art and Architecture of Bronze Age Crete | 15 – 21 October 2025
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