A 32-week, leisurely great books challenge designed for busy adults.

Complete the Challenge for a free copy of the forthcoming Aeneid Reader’s Guide
in eBook format + 50% off print edition.

This challenge exists to help adults read the great books at a leisurely pace throughout the year! Join over 2,000 parents on this epic journey.

JOIN THE CHALLENGE!

STEP ONE: FREE SIGN UP!

Welcome to the 2025 Great Books Challenge!

This form will officially register you for the 2025 Great Books Challenge through Vergil’s Aeneid, and is required for the 32 emails and completion prize. 

For access to all the materials, simply sign into the NEW Roman Roads app.

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History and Background of the Great Books Challenge

Since 2016 Roman Roads Press has hosted a Great Books Reading Challenge for parents and adults who wish to go through the great books using Old Western Culture at a leisurely pace, experiencing the curriculum and a taste of classical education for themselves. Starting in 2020, this was accompanied by weekly emails, with over 2,000 parents signing up to read the great books through Old Western Culture. This reading challenge is designed to both encourage and help you through this adventure, providing weekly support, resources, light accountability, and community.

STEP TWO: ACCESS THE APP

Now that you’re signed up, you will receive emails reminding you about the challenge, with direct links. But you can jump right in! Download the Roman Roads App to your phone or tablet, or use it on the web.

PRIZE FOR COMPLETION

Complete the Challenge in 2025, and receive a FREE copy of the forthcoming Aeneid Reader’s Guide in eBook format (available through our new app), + 50% off the print edition!

32 resource-packed lessons over 32 weeks

This year we are making the Reader’s Challenge ENTIRELY FREE with sign up.

Free Registration includes:

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

Everything needed for the 2025 Challenge is included with free registration. However, the materials below are recommended, mostly in the case of physical books.

WHY DO A GREAT BOOKS CHALLENGE?

Why the Great Books Challenge ?

Parents love Old Western Culture because they see their children coming to the dinner table full of stories, and thirsty for knowledge and wisdom. But Old Western Culture is not just for students! Over 2,000 parents joined us in 2023 to read through Dante or Homer, and hundreds of parents, teachers, and even grand-parents have told us they have used Old Western Culture to, as they often put it, “catch up on the classical education I never received.” Make this the year you dive into the great books yourself!

RULES, FAQ, and ABOUT

Can I jump in mid-year?

YES! The challenge is set to a very leisurely pace, so while the deadline is set at December 31st for completion of the unit, it is very easy to jump in and catch up at almost any time.

Who is this for?

Created with adults and busy parents in mind, the challenge is open to anyone!

What must I complete?

You must read (or listen) to the assigned reading for the challenge, and watch the 12 lectures associated with it by December 31st, 2024. You do not need to complete written workbook assignments or exams.

Is there a required purchase for the Challenge?

There is no purchase required for the challenge, but we recommend your favorite edition of Vergil’s Aeneid in physical print format. A digital edition is provided (Dryden translation).

Is there a deadline?

Yes! The deadline for this challenge is December 31st, 2024.

“What if I already read the associated great books? Does that count?”

Part of what places a book in the canon of the “great books” is that it is worth reading and re-reading many times. For this challenge, you must read the book(s) and watch the associated lectures from the unit you chose between January 1st, and December 31st 2025.

A Few Testimonials from Previous Challenges

We have over 100 testimonials, and will highlight more as we organize them. But here are just a few to give you a taste of what parents are telling us.

“My high school son and I watched the lectures together and deeply enjoyed them. We learned so much.”
– Saran M

“The background information certainly helped demystify the works, and having the lectures and emails made reading these translated works more accessible. Even with a household of toddlers, the schedule made staying on track easy, for a work I otherwise might not attempt in this phase of life. I’m really looking forward to going through the great books with my children, and am excited to see what Roman Roads produces in the coming years.”
– Amanda B.

“As a college graduate from a major university in 1990, with nearly straight A’s, I realized with a heavy heart that I was uneducated. Homeschooling my own children beginning in the late ‘90’s began the education that I had always longed for, but didn’t know how to pursue. Old Western Culture is becoming my favorite “mid-life” “empty-nesting” resource, though it’s intended for high schoolers. The parent challenge for 2021-22 was the invitation I didn’t know I needed to become more deliberate and less happenstance about this expansive and joyful endeavor. Thank you for your mighty work! It blesses not only me, but all in my circle of influence. Unexpectedly, I’m closer to God because of participating in this challenge, and HE is the needful thing that makes all the difference.”
– Jill L.

Hello!
I wanted to let you know that I have completed the Great Books Challenge using the Aeneid. Actually, my husband and I did it together after we put the kids to bed (they are in elementary grades) and called it a weekly ‘date night’. 😉
Being publicly educated, we didn’t have the education that we hope to give our children and had very little exposure to most of the ‘greats’ (both books and individuals). I suggested we begin to learn these things now, though our children are younger, so we will know a bit about what we will be teaching when the time comes. Your great books challenge was just the impetus we needed to dive in- and we are so glad we did!
We were both amazed at the vast knowledge that just seeps out of Wes Callihan–it is clear he is not reading from a script but teaching through conversation…a style we both loved. And he teaches in such a way that even huge spans of history or daunting subjects can be made both understandable, fascinating and downright pleasant to discover.
We are very excited for this incredible resource for ourselves presently and for our children in the future! 
– Rebecca and Matt