In this episode of The Case for Classics, I sit down with the President of the Society for Classical Studies & University of Pennsylvania Professor Emeritus of the Humanities and Classical Studies, Ralph Rosen, to explore why the ancient world remains worth studying today.

Professor Rosen traces his journey from discovering Greek and Latin to a distinguished career studying ancient literature, satire, comedy, and medicine. We discuss surprising connections between Homeric poetry, jazz, and modern rap; the enduring influence of the Odyssey; and what ancient medicine can still teach us about the human experience.

We also tackle one of the central questions of this podcast: Why study Classics? Professor Rosen challenges us to look beyond practical benefits like critical thinking and stronger writing and instead appreciate the ancient world for its richness, complexity, and enduring ability to help us better understand ourselves, our history, and the world around us.