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On April 16th, 2024, Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA) was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in their “Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education” grant stream. The two-year award will be used to initiate the higher education tier of SASA’s Archaeogaming Education Program . Begun in 2021, this flagship program of SASA produces and helps implement Open Educational Resources that utilize the rich worlds of commercial video games with historical settings to help educators engage students in teaching about the ancient world. SASA has pioneered the adaptation for educational purposes of the fresh concept, “archaeogaming,” the exploration of video games for their historical content. This NEH award marks a huge milestone for SASA as an organization, and will help us impact introductory-level collegiate audiences across the country. Not only are we at SASA excited about this project, but the NEH itself touts our work in their press release  about all 238 grants awarded this April: “These grants will also create open educational ‘archaeogaming’ resources that use immersive footage from commercial video games accompanied by maps, photos, voiceovers, and other historical and instructional materials to teach middle school and undergraduate students about ancient history.” The funded project, directed by SASA Executive Director, David Danzig, and Archaeogaming Education Team Leader and Project Co-Director, Paige Brevick, will revise and update two of our Archaeogaming Education Modules, which currently are designed for middle school level, for use in undergraduate courses. The modules will be piloted in introductory Art History, Western Civilization, and World History courses at three underserved colleges - California State University - Stanislaus, Cisco College, and Salish Kootenai College. For the uninitiated, “archaeogaming” is a term coined by Andrew Reinhard in 2013 to explain how modern video games may be explored using archaeological techniques and terminology. Since then, this definition has expanded to include the educational use of video games to help learners explore archaeological ideas, as well as the history and culture of different populations, which appear in contemporary commercial video games. For example, the game Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey , reflects the life, art, and environment of ancient Greece, enabling players to experience the culture at a more personal level than a book or movie can provide. SASA has embraced the concept of archaeogaming in innovative ways, by creating a suite of Archaeogaming Education Modules on topics related to distinct ancient civilizations and their material culture. These modules use video game footage, paired with expert narration and supporting curricular materials, to engage and teach students about ancient studies topics in the classroom. SASA’s primary goal has always been to increase understanding and appreciation of ancient studies among audiences outside of academia, and this starts with history or social studies class in primary education. The mission of the Archaeogaming Education Program therefore, is to encourage students to draw connections between their own video gaming for fun and the body of knowledge held within those games. Our modules allow teachers to engage students where they are. The end result is a more interested and passionate ancient studies learner, who develops a greater appreciation for, and interest in, the deep past of global cultures. For this new initiative in undergraduate education, the same concept applies: students who play video games for fun will engage more readily with the content in the classroom that aligns with these games. Freshman college students, despite having gone through over a decade of education, may begin their college career having little interest in or knowledge of ancient studies, which may seem irrelevant to them. As today’s university students become more focused on how their studies will impact their pursuit of a career, they begin losing touch with the rich knowledge and deep human understandings of the past. By creating these modules with highly relatable content for the contemporary learner and in a plug-and-play style for professors of introductory humanities courses, SASA will provide and implement Open Educational Resources that bridge the gap between college-age students and ancient studies. This NEH funded project is the first step toward creating a complete set of supplemental Archaeogaming Education Modules to support undergraduate survey courses of Art History I, Western Civilization I, and World History I. Special thanks to our Grant Writing Team, particularly Daryl Bassin and Francesca Meneghetti, and SASA Ambassador Fred Winter, for their time and dedication. Learn more about SASA’s vision for archaeogaming in our Archaeogaming Program Overview , and in this introductory video . Free access is available to the current middle school modules via our Archaeogaming Education page .

SASA's Archaeogaming Live Team  has some exciting games lined up for this fall and winter season. The team is led by Drs. Kate Minniti and Alex Vandewalle, who both love gaming and Ancient Studies. Currently, the team is streaming weekly on Friday at 5pm EDT on SASA’s Twitch channel , playing Age of Mythology: Retold  and recently played the demo for  Rogue Titan . Upcoming games include Achilles: Legends Untold  and Tchia . Alexander Vandewalle Kate Minniti Age of Mythology: Retold is a real-time strategy game developed by Forgotten Empires and World's Edge. You get to play as a mythological god from Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and Atlantean pantheons. All of these cultures co-exist together and are in a struggle for dominance, where you will fight to come out on top. The Archao-gaming team will be taking a look at how the game perceives the subject of mythology. They will also examine how the game differs from its 2002 predecessor. And will look at how the game crafts mythological storytelling. Achilles: Legends Untold  is an Action-Roleplaying game created by Dark Point Games. It focuses on the mythological hero Achilles as he performs quests for Hades. The game is set in Greece after the Trojan War. The Archao-gaming team will be taking a look at how the game perceives the ancient world, with special focus on the dark aesthetic commonly depicted in mythology games. They will also look at the gameplay mechanics, how soulslike games (games  that are similar to the video game Dark Souls). relate to the ancient world. There are also potential parallels/divergences with the epic cycle in the game. Tchia  is an Action-Adventure game set in a fictional archipelago inspired by New Caledonia, an island east of Australia. You play as a young girl who can possess the bodies of animals and inanimate objects. This ability is used to help find your father. For this game, the team will be looking into cultural heritage, representation of minority communities, and how representation differs between indie and AAA games.  Give the SASA Twitch a follow  to be alerted to when the team next goes live.

SASA is delighted to invite you to a spooktacular week of fun with our 2024 Halloween Bash! To celebrate our continued success and the change of the seasons, a signifier of death and rebirth in many ancient cultures, we have put together 8 unmissable days of free, fun and informative events. Taking place from the 24th to the 31st October, these events are perfect for those new to our mission and supporters more familiar with our work.  SASA’s Halloween Bash annually brings together elements of research and narratives from every facet of Ancient Studies in exploration of the strange and frightful. Skin Crawling stories hide beneath all of our cultures, past and present! Check out the  Halloween Bash Website   and RSVP now! SASA’s Halloween Bash annually brings together elements of research and narratives from every facet of Ancient Studies in exploration of the strange and frightful. Skin Crawling stories hide beneath all of our cultures, past and present! Check out the Halloween Bash Website   and RSVP now! The Halloween Bash is also the time of year that we look for SASA Supporters , recurring donors who help keep SASA and our many programs running. As we continue to impact more students and the public, we work toward our goal of revitalizing Ancient Studies as the new beacon of the humanities. Be a part of SASA  and help us bring together and grow the community of Ancient Studies people! Donations directly support SASA’s various projects focused on reviving ancient studies, such as Live Events, Archaeogaming Learning Modules, Open Access Database, Research on the Downward Trend, and much more! So, join us to explore the history of Halloween and the related festivals and figures from the ancient world. This year, we offer three live events, a raffle to win an exclusive meeting with a publisher, and a costume party! Interested? Here’s the full schedule of events ready for you to sink your teeth into!   Archeo-Gaming live, Friday October 25th, 2pm EST Join Dr. Kate Minniti, Alexander Vandewalle, Julie Levy, and David Serrano Lozano and special guest Dr. Briana Jackson as they explore Ancient Egyptian ruins, collect treasure, unravel mysteries and try to survive in Forewarned, navigating the horrors of the game and what the creators got wrong, got right and how we can learn from this.  Watch live on our Youtube  or Twitch ! Master Class; Magic, Monsters, and Miracles: The Saga of the People of Eyri, Sunday, October 27th, 11am EST   Explore the amazingly terrifying Eyrbyggja saga, written in the 13th century in Iceland. Old lore, pagan practices and Christian superstitions are mystically interwoven to create the perfect Halloween story with this master class led by Dr. Irina-Maria Manea.  RSVP for the Mater Class here! Watch live on our Youtube  or Twitch   Panel Discussion; Ancient undead,   Saturday, October 26th, 11am EST Panelists Dr. Irina Manea, Howard Williams, Brian Smith, Martine Diepenbroek and host Lauren Kubosch discuss the intricacies of the ancient ideas of death and the undead. Each of these expert panelists will help us explore questions like ‘How did Ancient people understand death and the undead?’ ‘Do you have a favorite story of the ancient undead?’ ‘What constitutes the “Undead” in ancient storytelling?’  and many more! RSVP for the Panel Discussion here!   Watch live on our Youtube  or Twitch   Win an Exclusive Meet and Greet with a leading Publisher!   Enter from October 1st - October 31st Are you interested in Humanities and Classics Publishing? SASA is offering 5 lucky winners a unique chance to connect with a leading figure in academic publishing! By participating in our Publishers Meet-and-Greet Raffle this Halloween, you can win an exclusive one-on-one conversation with Brandon Jones, Managing Editor of Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics. ​ How to Enter  Your donations support our mission, and you’ll have the chance to win big! 1 Entry for $15 5 Entries for $60 – Boost your chances with multiple entries! Special Bonus: Become a recurring donor during the Halloween Bash, and get 2 free entries! Monthly donors are critical to SASA’s mission and will be recognized as key supporters of ancient studies. Buy your ticket here!   Costume Contest: A Ball for the Gods,   Thursday, October 31st, 6pm - 8pm EST Are you ready to step back into history and haunt the night at SASA's Halloween Costume Ball! Whether you're channeling an ancient spirit or reviving a legendary figure, we want to see your most creative and spooky costumes. Free and open to all, this is your chance to join a community of history lovers and show off your Halloween spirit with haunting tunes, fun games, and lively celebrations as we dance, play, and enjoy the spooky spirit of the season! Caught your fancy? Enter online by completing a Costume Contest Entry Form  or email HalloweenBash@saveancientstudies.org  from October 24th to 31st to submit your photo entry, including your name and email address so we can contact you if you’re spooky enough to win!  Or join us for the Costume Ball! Celebrate with us on October 31, from 6-8 PM EDT on Zoom where the winners will be announced during the last 20 minutes of the Ball and via email. Our judges will score you on creativity and originality, adherence to the theme, presentation and accuracy, so to be in with a chance of winning one of our ‘Best Of’ categories with a prize of up to $25, get ready and get scary!  Prizes Sent via Email: Winners will be notified by email and will receive their Visa gift cards directly. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to blend history with Halloween! RSVP now  and start planning your costume. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Don't forget to RSVP for the Zoom call or you may be faced with an unexpected scare and not be able to show off your hard work! We’re looking forward to sharing a scare with you this year!

SASA is delighted to announce that we will be continuing our Summer Reading Groups into the Summer of 2024, with a number of new features. Our Reading Groups are free to anyone interested in the topic and provide a forum to engage with ancient texts in English translation in the context of a discussion group with like-minded individuals from around the world. Thanks to the generous grant from the Delmas Foundation, SASA presents a wide range of excellent groups this summer, all for free! We are joined by a team of fantastic leaders who will facilitate 19 reading groups across a breadth of fascinating subjects in the Ancient World, offering students of all levels, backgrounds, and support networks an opportunity to dive into the study of the past with a subject expert.  Topics are from many locales in the ancient world, from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Through discussion of texts and ancient history, topical issues of antiquity and today, participants will engage with the past in rich and vibrant ways that apply to modern contexts. This summer, our Reading Groups will be of three types: one-time Master Classes 3-Week Reading Groups 5-Week Continuing Education Reading Groups The new format of Continuing Education Groups is specially designed for teachers to count toward their continuing education units (CEUs) required for licensure renewal in all states of the US. For more information about the CE Groups, please see our event listings, and feel free to contact our Continuing Education Team Leader, Kara Brown . Groups are spread out over the course of the summer, falling between June 11 and August 27, 2024. All groups are free to attend. RSVP NOW! Master Classes “Norse Myth in the Poetic Edda” Dr. Irina Manea (Verdandi Skuld) Tuesday, June 25 @ 2pm EDT “Reading Tolkien in the Ancients” Dr. Lillian Céspedes González Friday, July 19 @ 12pm “Why the Flavians Matter: Power, Images, and Legacy” Dalida Agri Wednesday, July 24 @ 11am "Herodotus in Egypt: a Greek in a Land of Wonders” Dr. Kate Minniti Sunday, August 11 @ 2pm “Uluburun: Secrets of a Bronze Age Shipwreck” James Dean Parnau Tuesday, August 27 @ 3pm 3-Week Reading Groups “Origins: Studies in the Cosmogony of the Ancient Near East” Alistair Robertson Tuesdays @ 11 am, June 11 - 25 “Peripheries: Religious Dissent and Conflict in Antiquity. The Case of Christian Communities in the Sasanian Empire” Aitor Boada-Benito Wednesdays @ 1 pm, June 12 - 26 “Entrances and Exits: Erotic Ascent and Descent in Plato’s Symposium” Tuhin Bhattacharjee Tuesdays @ 11am, July 2 - 16 “Mesopotamian Anti-Witchcraft Rituals” Raquel Robbins Fridays @ 1 pm, July 12 - 26 “Art and Environment in the Ancient Mediterranean” Alice Clinch Wednesdays @ 11am, July 17 - 31 “Talking Donkeys: Smart Ass Fables from 1st Century Rome” Bethany Abelseth Tuesdays @ 4 pm, July 23 - August 6th “The Milindapañha: A Conversation Between a Greek King and an Indian Buddhist Sage” Edward A. S. Ross Thursdays @ 11 am, July 25th - August 8th “Horror in the Ancient World” Kenneth Connally Thursdays @ 2 pm, August 8 - 22 5-Week Continuing Education Reading Groups “Pakal’s Legacy: The Boy King of Palenque and His Mythical Narratives” Catherine Nuckols (Mesoamerican Studies Online) Thursdays @ 3 pm, June 13 - July 11 “Imperial Encounters: Material Culture under Roman Rule in Egypt” Louise O'Brien Saturdays @ 11 am, June 15 - July 13 “DiscOdyssey - An Ancient Voyage Through Modern Sounds” John Hayden Saturdays @ 5pm, June 15 - July 13 “Sexuality and Power in the Ancient World” Yentl Love Mondays @ 11 am, June 17 - July 15 “Decoding the Past: A Guide to Reading Archaeological Maps” Habiba Hussein El-Tayeb Thursday @ 10 am, June 27 - July 25 “Teaching Ancient Egypt” Paige Brevick Fridays @  9 am, July 12 - August 9

We are delighted to invite you to the Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA) Virtual Conference 2024; an intellectually stimulating event that will explore the theme “Representations of the Past in Ancient and Modern Times.”  This free public conference, set to take place on Sunday July 21st  and Monday 22nd, 2024 @10am , promises a wealth of knowledge and discussion from leading experts in ancient history. The event will be livestreamed on SASA’s YouTube , Facebook , Twitter , and Twitch , with chat functions enabling real-time interaction and questions. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Wenner-Gren Foundation, this conference will also feature live translations in English, Arabic, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a global audience.   Presenters will be able to present in their native tongues, and presentations spoken in English will be interpreted into those languages.  With this conference, it is our goal to encourage dialogue and initiatives related to public engagement and academic inclusivity and by hosting an open conference accessible to all, we hope to foster a shared community centered around our mutual admiration for ancient studies. This year's theme, “Representations of the Past in Ancient and Modern Times” , delves into the portrayal of history throughout different eras. While recent discussions have primarily focused on how the past is perceived in connection to Western colonialism and contemporary media, this conference aims to broaden the scope to encompass a more universal perspective on cultural representations of the past. Through adopting an interdisciplinary approach through the lens of ancient studies, we aim to explore how societies across time have interpreted and adopted their deep historical roots, emphasizing the cultural construction of history as a shared human experience.  Keynote Speakers Our conference will feature presentations from three renowned scholars: Dr. Martha Tepepa Covarrubias ; a current professor at Western Connecticut State University who holds an MA in Cultural Anthropology from Columbia University (New York), as well as a PhD in Urban Environmental Studies from El Colegio de México (Mexico City). Dr. Laura Castro Royo ; an art historian who boasts an MA in Medieval Studies from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid as well as a PhD from the School of Art History and School of Modern Languages, University of St Andrews (Scotland). She is also the Director of the online public project ‘Las Plumas de Simurgh (Mesopotamia  and Iran)’. Prof. Marian Feldman ; a current professor at Johns Hopkins University who received a Ph.D. in art history at Harvard University in ancient Near Eastern Art. Additionally, she holds the W.H. Collins Vickers Chair in Archaeology, a position she has been in since 2018. Previous Conferences SASA has a rich tradition of hosting annual virtual conferences that prove to foster intellectual exchange and collaboration. Here is the list of our three most recent conferences: 2023 : This conference centralized on the topic of ‘ Discovery, Science, and Technology in the Ancient World - Traditions and Innovations ’, which examined technological advancements and scientific discoveries of ancient civilizations, emphasizing their enduring legacies and innovative practices. 2022 : Revolving around the topic ‘ Who Has the Power? - Leaders and Leadership in the Ancient World ’, our 2022 conference delved into the political and social power structures of ancient societies. 2021 : Focusing on the fields of ‘ Religion, History, & Culture ’, this year’s conference presented a comprehensive exploration of the interplay between religion, historical events, and cultural expressions across different societies and epochs. Our Partners We are honoured to collaborate with the following organizations and individuals in order to reach a wider audience and enhance the depth and breadth of our conference, providing many platforms for scholarly discourse: World History Encyclopedia ( Youtube , Website , Instagram ) Digital Hammurabi ( Youtube , Website ) Per Hay Studio ( Website , Youtube ) New Classicists ( Facebook ) History with Kayleigh ( Youtube , Instagram ) Archthot ( Tiktok ) World of Antiquity ( Youtube ) Kaelyn Grace Apple ( Website , Youtube ) Ollie Bye ( Youtube ) Join Us! In order to participate in this enriching experience, make sure to RSVP for the conference; offered in these three languages:  English , Español , المؤتمر Mark your calendars for July 21st  & 22nd 2024 , and join a global community dedicated to understanding how the past is represented in both ancient and modern contexts. Whether you are a scholar, student, or enthusiast, the SASA Virtual Conference (2024) promises to be an enriching and engaging experience. Stay connected with us for updates and additional information through our social media channels on YouTube , Instagram ,  Facebook , and our official SASA page . We look forward to your participation and the stimulating discussions that lie ahead! Lastly, please check out our conference schedule  to see where our keynote presentations will take place and when.

SASA is proud to announce the long-awaited establishment of our Mentorship Program! Led by our very own Mentorship Team, the new Mentorship Program is targeted at high school and undergraduate students who wish to pursue, or further their current journey of higher education in Ancient Studies. The principal goal of this program is to ultimately empower our mentees by assisting them in making conscious choices regarding their education and career path. Our program aims to supplement those of educational institutions, through the provenly effective cohort model (Schunk and Mullen, 2013). This model of dividing mentees into cohorts is meant to help them participate more meaningfully and with purpose. Activities include and are not limited to peer discussions, career advice, and one-on-one meetings with mentors, all in remote monthly sessions. Mentors of the program will be thoroughly vetted members of various fields relating to Ancient Studies. As the program aims to address the concerns of a diverse range of individuals and questions, such as international students and admissions concerns, the mentors will reflect that range. Furthermore, as the mentors in the program are also provided with inter-networking opportunities, they will not just be individual tutors, but members of a community who are working towards a common goal. At SASA, we recognize that successful participation in a mentoring relationship requires willingness and a lot of practice. By providing our mentees with an additional way to learn about Ancient Studies disciplines and academia, we aim to see them become proactive and put learned skills into application. In line with our commitment to increasing accessibility to Ancient Studies, our mentoring program is designed to be accessible to all. Participation in the program is free. Are you interested in becoming a Mentor? Becoming a mentor in our program can be a great way to connect with younger students, give back to the community, and gain experience in mentoring practices. We welcome mentors with a Bachelor's degree in any discipline related to Ancient Studies who are passionate about outreach and mentoring and are willing to comply with the program's regulations. For the time being we are unable to offer financial compensation for mentors, hence this is an unpaid position. Stay tuned for further details! Please contact Agnieszka Arcisz with any questions at aarcisz@saveancientstudies.org .

Through accessible and engaging history, SASA aims to reignite passions for ancient research. It would not be possible to achieve this goal without the work of our team members. One member of our Outreach Team, Khaled Khalil, who volunteers as an Arabic translator, is starting his Master's program. We got a chance to speak with him about it. As a member of the Outreach team, Khaled has used his skills in Arabic translation to help bring initiatives and institutions interested in working in Ancient Studies. He also now works as an Arabic translator, translating invitations, parts of the website, and more. Perspective has been a big hurdle when translating ancient studies topics to the Arabic-speaking world. There are differences in things like terminology, which must be accounted for. Defining terminology and helping bridge the gap between academics and initiatives between the Arabic- and non-Arabic-speaking worlds will be vital to improving outreach. His efforts have been essential in increasing outreach to Arabic speaking countries. He helped with virtual conference prep, by providing a live Arabic translation.  Khaled has an educational background in Architectural Engineering. After graduating, he worked in graphic design studios as a freelance designer and researcher. Other research projects he's participated in include a project with Sonic Spaces that explored how sound can affect every aspect of our lives socially or spatially.  Now, he's working on his master's in Landscape Architecture at the University of Greenwich in London. He hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the environment and ourselves. He also wants to gain more experience in research, and a greater knowledge of things like sustainability, landscape design, and inclusion. Social infrastructure has not only a social component but a spatial one as well. Khaled is hoping to figure out how integrations or marginalized communities can participate or affect the landscape. Khaled has a chapter coming out in a book that is about how home can in certain contexts turn into a liminal space rather than a cozy place.  Khaled hopes to one day have his own studio where he can focus on his own projects. He also wants to help make our world a more livable place, including our cities. One day he would like to have a place where people from all backgrounds can participate in helping solve the problems we have across the world. He sees a positive future ahead for the relationship between Ancient Studies and Landscape/Architecture. What was the process in creating a sense of place in ancient studies, how was it dealt with socially and technically? People have for centuries given a lot of meaning to objects and places. As a member of SASA Khaled hopes to explore these by increasing initiatives and helping in research and translation. We at SASA wish Khaled great success with his Master's program!

Julie Levy (she/they), the Managing Director of SASA is an independent scholar with multiple higher degrees in ancient Greek and Roman studies, as well as a writer and activist. Their scholarly interests include archaeogaming, comparative history and linguistics, and Greek lyric poetry.  Julie Levy presented their most recent work, titled, "Dice Forge: Agency, Heroism, and the Gods on the Board," at the Celtic Classics Conference , which was held at Cardiff University on July 9-12. Julie presented their paper remotely as part of the ‘ ReConstructing and Narrativizing Antiquity through Contemporary Tabletop Gaming’ panel organized by Charles Oughton and Hamish Cameron. Julie Levy's presentation was the first paper of the session, offering a thought-provoking analysis of their game, Dice Forge,  a unique resource gathering game, within the context of Greek mythology. Below is the abstract of Julie’s paper: Dice Forge: Agency, Heroism, and the Gods on the Board "Board games offer a unique opportunity for asking questions of how players receive antiquity through a fictional lens. Using Dice Forge as an exemplum, this paper will explore questions of player agency, narrative incentivisation, and implied conclusions about the mythology received within the game. Dice Forge is a particularly interesting example for a few reasons.  The players take on the role of heroes in a competition for divine favor in a pantheon resembling the Greek gods, which is an unusually apt take on the ancient Greek view of heroism.  And perhaps most importantly, the main mechanic of the game is rolling dice, and the players can determine not what they will receive, but what the faces will be.  The physical aspect of the dice allows for a tactile recreation of more ancient games, and, as the divine tools of the heroes, those dice are 'forged' in the manner of Hephaestos forging armor for their mythic counterparts. This compares interestingly to other popular board games receiving Greek antiquity.  More often, games evoke the historical setting among the poleis, as in 7 Wonders or Attica.  Such games are often concerned with war or territory control.  Most often, the mechanics are abstracted. Dice Forge thus allows us to ask several meaningful questions about assessing the impact of reception in board gaming.  How does player positioning impact their understanding?  How do the mechanics of the game interact with the messaging of the narrative?  And how do the aesthetics of a game further its narrative?" A Closer Look Into Dice Forge : Dice Forge is a unique resource-gathering board game that seamlessly blends Greek mythology with innovative gameplay mechanics, setting itself apart from its counterparts in the ancient gaming genre. The game's standout feature is the ability for players to customize their dice, akin to the crafting of divine tools by Hephaestus, the Greek god of blacksmiths. By immersing players in a competition for the favor of the gods, Dice Forge swaps out the typical focus on war and territorial conquest for a deeper exploration of heroism and divine intervention. This shift in emphasis prompts players to reflect on the essence of heroism in the ancient world, creating a more thoughtful gaming experience. What truly sets Dice Forge apart is the element of player agency, where heroes actively shape their destinies by navigating challenges and seeking blessings. This engagement not only boosts player involvement but also aligns with the game's thematic resonance, mirroring the autonomy and valor celebrated in Greek mythological narratives. As players make choices, take risks, and reap rewards, they contribute to a cohesive storytelling experience that deepens their connection with the ancient world. Julie Levy’s presentation at the Celtic Classics Conference shed light on the intricate relationship between board games, ancient myths, and player engagement. Through her analysis of Dice Forge, Julie highlighted the importance of player agency, narrative incentivization, and thematic consistency in creating a compelling gaming experience. By bridging the gap between ancient history and modern gameplay, Julie’s research opens up new avenues for exploring and interpreting the stories of the past in a contemporary context. Contact: jlevy@saveancientstudies.org @zyllable on Bluesky and Mastodon Find my most recent writing on archaeogaming and language on Paizomen And my board game media criticism on my YouTube channel, Zylla’s Athenaeum

SASA's Teaching Ancient Studies: Continuing Education Reading Groups are small, informal discussion groups for K-16 educators. These groups offer a platform to earn continuing education units (CEUs) while exploring diverse topics in ancient studies. Each Reading Group is designed by its Group Leader, who curates engaging materials – including scholarly articles, primary sources, and multimedia resources – to foster lively discussion and enrich participants' perspectives. These materials are provided to participants beforehand and hosted on the designated Google Classroom for each course. At the weekly sessions, the Group Leader facilitates the discussion and may provide additional context to enhance understanding. While the first offering of these sessions took place in June, we plan to make them a yearly tradition alongside our text-in-translation reading groups. Description : A slide from Teaching Ancient Egypt. Using a tomb painting as an example, participants explored how to creatively use these works of art in the classroom. In this case, exploring using them to engage with the natural world, or ancient religion.  The blue box indicated educational standards that would apply to these topics. For this summer, we were able to offer 6 sessions this summer due to a grant from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. These groups were: Pakal’s Legacy : The Boy King of Palenque and His Mythical Narratives (Led by Dr. Catherine Nuckols of Mesoamerican Studies Online) DiscOdyssey : An Ancient Voyage Through Modern Sounds (Led by John Hayden) Imperial Encounters : Material Culture under Roman Rule in Egypt (Led by Louise O’Brien) Sexuality and Power in the Ancient World  (Led by Yentl Love- The Queer Classicist) Decoding the Past : A Guide to Reading Archaeological Maps (led by Habiba Hussein El-Tayeb) Teaching Ancient Egypt  (Led by Paige Brevick) Exciting Additions! For this summer, Google Classroom was a new addition to our reading groups because we wanted a space where people could interact with the material and each other. We also want these groups not only to explore topics covered currently in classrooms, but also to explore teaching strategies and frameworks. -   Examples: DiscOdyssey helped link modern music with the classical world to encourage students to make these connections in their own modern lives.  Sexuality and Power introduced and helped participants apply Queer Theory to the ancient world. Description : Screen grab from the Google Classroom for Sexuality and Power in the Ancient World. Not only did participants have assigned readings, but group leaders were also able to add additional materials that related to conversations that occurred during weekly sessions Description : A slide from DiscOdyssey during a session where participants discussed the classical references in pop music. This slide takes images from Ariana Grande’s God is a Woman music video and explores the different visual references to the classical world including- the Participant Feedback Below is some participant feedback from various people who loved this initiative and their reasons why. “It was an excellent way to learn more about ancient history with specificity and to connect with other people who are passionate about ancient studies.” “The tour of ancient themes in a range of musical genres was expertly presented in a brilliantly informative and engaging way. I highly recommend the leader and course and will happily participate again anytime! Thank you so much for inspiration, discussion and challenge to think more widely and to make connections”. “I really enjoyed embarking on the "DiscOdyssey" lead by John Hayden and hosted by Kara Brown. The "DiscOdyssey - Ancient Voyage Through Modern Sounds" SASA CUE Reading Group allowed me the opportunity to stop and reflect on how the roots of Classical poetry were still actively being used in modern music and performance art. Such discussions allow modern researchers/students/etc., to remember to empathize with the past humans we often study as set data points and static time stamps. Would highly recommend taking the chance to join a SASA CEU Reading Group, or any SASA lecture, regardless if you know nothing or "everything" about Ancient Studies. Everyone deserves the chance to learn something new.”

We are beyond excited to welcome our new interns to Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA)! Thank you for choosing to join us in our mission to preserve and promote the study of ancient cultures and materials.  Aanya Agarwal, Access Team Kimberlly Baldwin, Inspire Team Brooke Bentley, Archaeogaming Team Danny Cavanna, Team Major Donor Samantha Dotson, Outreach Team Jayonna Griffin, Grant Writing Team Hannah Herzog, Inter-org Team Ankita Kumari, Fundraising Team Shuhan Liang, Outreach Team Charlotte Quint, Inter-org Team Laila Ramadan, Archaeogaming Team Haley Snyder, Access Team Disha Banerjee, Virtual. Conference Team Tara Bange, Access Team Shahana Begum, Data Analytics/ Executive/ Technical Team Sayantika Biswas, Fundraising Team Alison Cayetano, Virtual Conference Team Esther Cho, Research Team Asli Erem, Archaeogaming Team Hannah Gibbs, Outreach Team Kiersten Guzman, Mentoring Team Jaclyn Johnston, Grant Writing Team Sanket Mahana, Grant Writing Team Saikat Mondal, Access Team Da Hye Oh, Outreach Team Erin Passmore, Continuing Education Team Anne Poole, Research Team Tanya Pough, Inspire Team Madigan Shepherd, Inter-org Team Kavitha Sundaravel, Salesforce Team Madeline Weisbecker, Inspire Team A Closer Look Into Our Fall 2024 Interns: Charlotte Quint - We are pleased to introduce Charlotte Quint, a dedicated and driven third year Classical Studies student at the University of Exeter. Charlotte is apart of the Inter-org Team here at Saving Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA). Her professional experience includes participating in the Future Skills Program at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter, where she crafted engaging events for all age groups and gained insight into museum operations. Charlotte's passion for education and cultural exchange was evident during her role as a Monitor and Activity Leader at the Heathfield International Summer School in Ascot, where she nurtured a supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, her tenure as the Publicity Secretary of the University of Exeter Calisthenics Society showcases her adeptness at social media management and event marketing. With a strong foundation in research, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, along with proficiency in Ancient Greek and Latin, Charlotte's academic pursuits reflect her keen interest in exploring the complexities of the ancient world and its societal implications. Her dissertation focus on funerary archaeology further underscores her dedication to unraveling historical mysteries and challenging contemporary perspectives. With her impressive track record and dedication to ancient and cultural studies, Charlotte is sure to make a valuable contribution to our Inter-org Team here at SASA. Sayantika Biswas - Sayantika Biswas, a dedicated history student with a background in India's Lost and Found Heritage, brings a wealth of research experience and a keen eye for analyzing historical topics to the Fundraising Team at Saving Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA). With a strong foundation in content creation, idea generation, and project realization, she is enthusiastic about leveraging her academic journey to make impactful contributions to SASA. Graduating with History Honors from Shri Shikshayatan College and currently pursuing her Masters in Modern History at the University of Calcutta, Sayantika has showcased her expertise by critically analyzing rare heritage sites in India, presenting research papers, and even contributing to published journals. Her proactive involvement in clubs and societies has honed her communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team, making her a valuable asset for SASA. With a focus on high-quality work delivered within set timelines and a strong aptitude for both independent and collaborative projects, Sayantika is ready to embrace the diverse opportunities that lie ahead while showcasing her skills in project management, public relations, teamwork, time management, leadership, effective communication, and critical thinking. Welcome to SASA Sayantika! We are absolutely thrilled to have our new interns with us and look forward to the dedication, fresh perspectives, and innovative ideas each one of you will bring. We are excited to embark on this journey with all of you and to host this wonderful cohort! Welcome to the SASA family!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Outgoing Interns As our current internship program draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible interns. Over the past few months, your dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work have made a profound impact on our mission at Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA). Achievements and Projects Olga Nikonenko helped regularize Professional Development and Tech Lesson events. Pemberly Farmer- Helped create the new tiers for recurring donors, helped design the revamp for the bazaar and assisted in developing strategies for increasing donor engagement and attendance. Pemberly has ended her internship in order to attend law school, we wish her all the best!  Lacey Liu- Decided to stay on with us as a volunteer after her internship ended. Lacey helped create and has been responsible for writing up the new donor engagement email that keeps our donors informed of all of the upcoming events that SASA will be holding for the month. These emails have successfully increased attendance at our Reading Groups and Master Classes over the Summer. We are glad to have her continued support! Both interns helped plan and run the fundraising teams' new donor appreciation events and monthly trivia nights. Research Mentoring Fundraising Taha Ahmad Kevin Lopez Cruz Pemberly Farmer Outreach Fundraising Virtual Conference Sarah Knowlton Lacy Liu/Hongyue Liu Andy Llamas Inspire Outreach Research Jade Peters Shasta Power Risha Priyanshi Research Communications Archaeogaming and Inter-org Luisa Short Agnes Tate Shania Winter Executive Yufei Xiong Fundraising Inter-org Outreach Hanna Brighi Arin Edwards Hongyu Guan Inter-org Executive, Managing, Director, Julie, Assistant Communications Caitlin Mann Olga Nikonenko Isabelle Olson Inspire Graphic Designer-Executive Grant Writing Tanya Pough Jason Sadel Sophia Staniunas Mentorship Research Graphic Designer-Executive Jenna Stuebs Kara Stogsdill Bethany Thompson Your time and effort have not only enriched our organization but also helped in preserving and promoting the study of ancient cultures. You have been a vital part of our team, bringing fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and unwavering dedication. As you move on to new adventures, we are confident that the skills and experiences you have gained here will serve you well. Whether you continue in the field of ancient studies or pursue other passions, we know you will achieve great things. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being an essential part of SASA. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope you stay connected with us. Remember, you will always be part of the SASA family.

The Save Ancient Studies Alliance is delighted to announce a new partnership with Flyover Zone, the world leading innovative technology company whose pioneering work in virtual reality opens new avenues for experiential learning of the ancient world. This collaboration represents a promising future for our mission to preserve and promote ancient history through cutting-edge technology.  Flyover Zone was founded in 2022 by Dr. Bernard Frischer, a leading figure in the field of virtual heritage and professor emeritus at University of California Los Angeles, University of Virginia, and Indiana University. Flyover’s team of experts creates immersive VR tours of ancient sites, combining modern aerial footage and 3D digital reconstructions. Their work brings wonders of the ancient world back to life, restoring them to the height of their former glory. By revitalizing the bright colors of the Parthenon's Frieze and the white limestone covers of the Pyramids of Giza, the work Dr. Frischer and his team reverses the sands of time to give their users a truly unique experience of the ancient world.  Through their proprietary platform, Yorescape, students take virtual field trips across the world to countries such as Egypt, Greece, and Italy, totaling to 15 locations to visit, and more in the works. Flyover Zone’s immersive VR tours of ancient sites and commitment to the education of its uses with the integrated explanations and lessons taught by experts aligns perfectly with SASA’s commitment to making historical education accessible and engaging for a global audience. This partnership perfectly encapsulates what the study of the ancient world can look like!  Featured in the Google Play store, New York Times, and the Smithsonian Magazine, Flyover Zone is recognized as a trailblazer in the use of VR for educational purposes. In May 2024 Flyover Zone expanded into the K-12 education space, supporting more teaching opportunities with shorter, more classroom friendly tours and audio lessons suitable for a range of students.   It is no wonder they have established partnerships with many colleges and universities across the US, and continue to expand their offerings. We are excited to invite educators, history enthusiasts, and the general public to engage with FlyOver Zone’s VR experiences. Stay tuned for more updates as we unveil how FlyOver Zone’s virtual tours can contribute to our Archeogaming Education Modules. We are grateful for this opportunity to continue our shared mission of safeguarding and celebrating the rich tapestry of ancient history. Links: http://www.flyoverzone.com/ https://yorescape.com/ Yorescape to Be Adapted for Use in K-12 Education