To the Editor:

It is a worrying sign that the Classics Department at Princeton University has gotten rid of the requirements for ancient Greek and what worries me more is that this was a decision made for the students by the faculty who should be the first to love the ancient languages and culture. Will students who do not know Greek or Latin be able to read and understand the work of ancient philosophers? I was even more surprised that this was done, as they said, to address systemic racism in the institution. I cannot understand how racism is linked to classical education.

In response to those who decided to abolish these courses I quote from an article by Mr. Ioannis Efthymiopoulos on education, which I read recently in your newspaper: “The value of classical education for a person of today is precious, unique and is the highest existential good. And this is because it is the only thing that can make a person redefine their position, role and value with thought, education, mind, heart and language.”

Thank you.

Kostas Martinopoulos

New York, NY