SU Classics students celebrated ἐξελαύνω (exelauno) / progredior Day on March 4th. These words translate as “March fo[u]rth” and provide an opportunity to enjoy and promote the study of Classics. Students “marched forth” throughout the campus wearing garlands, singing “Gaudeamus Igitur,” and tasting Greek delicacies.

The Greek verb “Exelauno” features prominently in Xenophon’s Anabasis, an account of a late 5th cent. BCE military campaign in Persia. Xenophon accompanied a group of 10,000 mercenary soldiers hired by the Persian king Cyrus the Younger. Marching forth through hostile territory northward toward the Black Sea, these Greek soldiers finally were able to shout the famous “thálatta, thálatta”, “the sea, the sea!”

Southwestern students enjoyed an eclectic Exelauno Day on campus. Libations of coffee for the early morning Greek 2 class charged students up and emboldened them to wear their ivy garlands. Garlanded Vergil students, energized by various sugary treats, sang a rousing (?) rendition of “Gaudeamus Igitur.” Greek Civilization students were treated to various Greek delicacies, including spanokopites (spinach pies), keftedhes (Greek meatballs), dolmadhes (stuffed grape leaves), and tzatziki (garlic dip). Latin 2 students earned their treats with a piñata event.

Please click here for a photo gallery of exelauno / progredior day.