Maarit Kaimio
Humanist of the day

Maarit Kaimio

Professor Emerita Maarit Kaimio examines classical Greek drama from both literary and linguistic standpoints, as well as the stagecraft practised in Antiquity. She has translated several Greek tragedies and novels and taken part in Bible translation work. Another perspective on the lives of people living in ancient times is provided by her research on papyrus rolls, which brings documents written over a thousand years ago directly to the scholar’s desk, nowadays via the computer screen.

Maarit Kaimio

Maarit Kaimio (née Vuorenjuuri)
Born April 19, 1941, Helsinki.

Master of Arts (Roman Literature), 1965, Licentiate of Philosophy, 1968, and Doctor of Philosophy, (Greek Literature) 1970, University of Helsinki.

Professor of Greek Language and Literature, 1976–2004, University of Helsinki
Vice-Dean, 1992–1994, 1995–1997, 2001–2003, University of Helsinki
Assistant, Classical Philology, 1965–1968, University of Turku
Assistant, Greek Literature, 1968–1973, University of Helsinki
Docent, Greek Literature, 1972–1975, University of Helsinki
Junior Researcher, State Committee for the Humanities, 1973–1975

Publications, research projects and other academic activities
Research interests: Ancient Greek dramatic literature and theatre, the Greek novel, Greek papyrus documents

Written by Maarit Kaimio and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by John Calton

Tragedy is for ever

There have never been more stagings of ancient Greek tragedies than today. There has to be something eternal and touching in them. And all this arose from the successful cultural policy of one town in the fifth century BC: each year in Athens, thirteen new tragedies and ten new comedies were produced for the entertainment of a theatre-going public. Of this vast output only a small fraction has been preserved.

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Shut up! said Medea

Ancient Greek drama is all too seldom translated into Finnish. The classics should also be available in different translations. A translation which is meant to be read is not necessarily appropriate for the theatre and vice versa.

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Papyrus rolls, from Egypt to Petra

The study of documents written on papyrus has long been a favourite of Greek researchers at the University of Helsinki. In this area my teacher Henrik Zilliacus’ influence has been decisive. It is thanks to him that Finland was able to publish a distinctive collection of papyrus rolls found in Oxyrhynchus in Egypt. I happened to knock on Zilliacus’ office door just when he was opening a package from England...

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My dreams

During my long career at the University I have been happy to notice how Classical Studies in Finland has flourished: the number of researchers is on the rise, the subject matter has become more diversified and we have gained a strong reputation internationally. My dream is that this development continues…

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