Greek Student Wins 1st Prize in Ancient Greek Language Competition

Eleni Patrika, a second-year high school (Lyceum) student from Veria, Greece, won the first prize at the 16th annual international competition of Ancient Greek Language “Certamen Viterbiense Della Tuscia” held in Viterbo, Italy, from May 16th to 19th 2012.

The competition was joined by some 90 contestants from Greece, Italy and Russia. Greece was represented by students from seven different high schools.

The participants were called to translate a passage from an unknown Isocrates work and provide a philological, historical and/or literary commentary.

Composed by university professors and philologists, the Board of Examiners of the competition commented on the exceptional and academic-style analysis Patrika made on Isocrates’ work.

The competition is considered to be one of the most competitive of its kind, since both the Italian and Russian participants are being taught ancient Greek and Latin at the Classic Lyceums of their respective countries. In fact, the teaching of ancient Greek in Italian Classic Lyceums is compulsory for three years and is a requirement to attain entrance into many universities.

The awarded Greek student has not yet decided on the course of her future studies but claims to be fascinated by ancient languages such as Greek and Latin.

The annual competition is co-organized by Liceo Ginnasio “M. Buratti” in cooperation with University degli Studi della Tuscia, with l’Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per il Lazio, with l’Amministrazione Provinciale di Viterbo, with il Comune di Viterbo and with  Regione Lazio.