Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation explores the worlds of ancient Greece, Rome and Persia through literature, art and archaeology – attempting to understand the society and beliefs of these civilisations.

Course content:

Year 12

Students will read about the adventures of Odysseus as he returns from Troy in Homer’s Odyssey. They will learn how to analyse ancient literature and write confidently about key characters and issues in the book. They will also consider the concept of ‘barbarians’. This topic will tackle ideas of race, identity and stereotypes as well as examining the realities of life and culture in ancient Persia. Students will read the famous tragedies Persians and Medea alongside studying historical evidence and artefacts.

Year 13

Students read one of the most influential works in western literature, The Aeneid. It tells the story of Aeneas, the origins of Rome and the forming of a national identity. Students will develop the ability to apply context to derive a deeper meaning from the book, including potentially a political message. They also examine love, relationships and ethics across the Greco-Roman world through its key philosophers and poets and consider how this has influenced society today.