Classical Civilisation - A Level

Ready to explore the ancient world? Delve into the fascinating history, literature, myths, religion, politics, philosophy, and culture of the Greeks and Romans with A Level Classical Civilisation. This course is designed to give you a detailed understanding of these ancient civilisations and an appreciation of their massive influence on our world today. No prior knowledge is needed to embark on this exciting journey!

What You'll Explore
You'll encounter some of the most famous people and events from Greece and Rome, sharpening your critical thinking and analytical skills as you make sense of these captivating stories and personalities. You'll consider a culture that grapples with fundamental aspects of human existence in unique and fulfilling ways.

Here's a glimpse of what you'll cover:
* AS Unit 1: The World of the Hero (Homer's The Odyssey) How much suffering can a person endure for the love of their partner and home? Homer's The Odyssey, a renowned epic poem rooted in Greek myth, is considered the starting point for all literature in the ancient world. You'll explore tales of Greek gods and the exploits of heroes like Odysseus, Achilles, and Agamemnon, allowing you to delve into Greek customs and value systems. You'll analyse how Odysseus faces his many challenges and judge characters by their actions and behaviour.

* AS Unit 2: Culture and the Arts (Greek Tragedy and Comedy in context). How secure are humanity's greatest achievements? Greek Tragedy introduces you to some of the most powerful dramatic productions ever performed. The universal themes within plays by Sophocles and Euripides, such as power and pride in Oedipus the King and the might of the gods in The Bacchae, still resonate today. All tragic plays ask fundamental questions about human existence and experience.

* A2 Unit 3: The World of the Hero (Roman Epic) Is freedom a price worth paying for peace? Roman Epic focuses on Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, famous for bringing peace. You'll explore the defining events of the Augustan Age, including the assassination of Julius Caesar, the story of Antony and Cleopatra, and Hannibal's campaigns against the Roman Empire, all of which shaped the Roman character. You'll focus on Virgil’s epic poem, The Aeneid.

* A2 Unit 4: Democracy and the Athenians. What made Athenian society 'radical'? You'll investigate how democracy permeated Athenian identity, how it was celebrated and idealised, and also how it faced criticism. Concepts of 'popular' leaders misleading the people or a public not fully informed on issues may resonate with you today. Finally, you'll study extracts from Aristophanes' comedies, whose sharp wit and satire continue to captivate audiences, just as they did in ancient times.