About Us
Ostraka has been part of Durham University’s Classics Society since 2018. In 2023, we moved from an online blog to a peer-reviewed journal! We're now accredited by the British Library and accept submissions about Classics and Ancient History from undergraduates and master's students all over the world. Our authors have the chance to explore topics of personal interest outside their degrees, and to have their academic and creative work published.
During the Classical era, ostraka were shards of fired clay used to vote in political elections in Athens. The politician with the most votes would be banished (“ostracised”) from Athens for ten years. While The Ostraka Journal does not banish students forever should their work be rejected during a publication cycle, each publication represents a unique undergraduate voice and argument; each one stands out like an individual Athenian politician, bringing to mind the Classical roots of Ostraka’s name.
At The Ostraka Journal, we define the domain of Classics and Ancient History as anything falling between the Chalcolithic (c. 2500 BCE) to the Fall of the Roman Empire (476 CE), and within the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and the Near East. However, this is a flexible guideline, and exceptions to these parameters are considered on a case-by-case basis. We encourage creativity and variety!
Editors-in-Chief
2023-24 | Madeline Hourigan: BA Ancient History
2024-25 | Rosalind Watkin: BA Liberal Arts (Classics and Anthropology)
2025-26 | Indya Burke: BA Classical Civilisation
About Durham University's Classics Society
Durham University’s Classics Society is a student-led organisation. Our socials and events are geared towards any students at Durham University with an interest in Classics and Ancient History, regardless of degree programme: these include our annual Toga Bar Crawl, Saturnalia Dinner, and Floralia Charity Ball. Although the Classics Society is not officially part of the Durham Classics Department, we maintain relationships with members of staff to ensure our members get as much out of their university experience as possible. The Ostraka Journal is the Classics Society’s official student publication.
