So you have decided to study
Classical Civilisation at A Level?
 This pack contains a programme of activities and resources to prepare you to
start A level in Classical Civilisation in September.
 It is aimed to be used after you complete your GCSE throughout the remainder
of the Summer term and over the Summer Holidays to ensure you are ready to
start your course in September.
 For the majority of you many of the ideas, concepts and topics will be brand
new to you – use this summer to start to explore the nature of the Classical
world: its people, societies, history, geography and culture.
 You must complete the tasks on the next page before September and bring
them completed to your first Classics lesson.
 The rest of the pack is designed to get you engaging with Classical Civilisation at
a more advanced level. We are not expecting you to complete the entire pack (it
is just to give you ideas) but use this as an opportunity to discover, explore,
investigate, read and learn something new or in more depth about this
fascinating period of history. Immerse yourself in the Classical World!
A level Classics will use your skills from GCSE and build on this to help you understand new and more demanding ideas.
Complete the following tasks to make sure you are ready to start studying. The following tasks should be completed
before September and brought to your first History lesson completed. Remember that Classical Civilisation in September
2016 still follows the old AS/A Level system so Year 12 will be worth 50% of your overall A Level.
Unit 1: Greek Art and Architecture
A study of the development of Greek temples and sculpture in the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries. Students will explore
sites such as the Athenian Acropolis and examine important works of art including Myron’s Diskobolos and the Riace
Warriors. Students will also explore Ancient Greek values, society and history as part of the course.
Tasks:
Research the Elgin marbles and find out (you could make Cornell notes if you wish – see
Next page):
- What are the Elgin Marbles?
- What are they so controversial?
- Should they be returned to Athens? Research the debate
Use this website as a starting point:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/news_and_press/statements/parthenon_sculptures.aspx
Visit the Parthenon Gallery (free) at the British Museum.
- Take a picture of an object that you find interesting.
- Find out as much as you can about the object.
Bring your notes and picture to the first Classical Civilisation lesson in September
Unit 2: Homer’s The Odyssey
A critical study of selected books of the Odyssey and the religious, cultural and social values within the text. The Odyssey is a
fantastic tale of adventure filled with gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters.
Tasks:
Research Homer and the context of his work. Try to find answers to the following questions:
• Who was Homer?
• When did he live/work?
• What was Greece like during Homer’s lifetime?
• What are his poems about?
Use the Cornell notes system on the next page to structure your research findings.
Core texts for the course
You should try to buy the following texts over the summer. They will
be used by you during Year 12 – you will need to annotate on them.
We also suggest that you make sure you have ring-binders to file
your handouts for Greek Art.
1.
Homer, Odyssey, tr. E V Rieu, Penguin, rev. ed. 1991 (reprinted
2003), ISBN 978- 0140449112
2. Susan Woodford, An Introduction to Greek Art (a colour version
has been printed recently but either is fine)
Research, reading and note making are essential skills for A level Classical Civilisation study.
For the tasks on the previous page you are going to produce ‘Cornell Notes’ to summarise
your reading.
1. Divide your page into
three sections like this
3. Use the large box
to make notes. Leave
a space between
separate idea.
Abbreviate where
possible.
2. Write the name,
date and topic at the
top of the page
4. Review and
identify the key
points in the left hand
box
5. Write a summary
of the main ideas in
the bottom space
Images taken from http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cornellnotes.html
Entertaining and informative documentaries have been made over the years particularly by the
BBC about the Classical World. They are great for bringing archaeological sites and ancient
cities to life. The majority are usually available to watch on youtube.co.uk. Watch out for the
cheesy background music and dramatic voiceovers!
In Search of the Trojan War by
Michael Wood (BBC, 2005)
A documentary classic. Michael
Wood searches for the elusive
site of Troy, the famous city at
the heart of the Trojan War.
Pompeii: Life and Death
in a Roman Town by Mary
Beard (BBC, 2010)
Pompeii: one of the most
famous volcanic eruptions
in history. We know how
its victims died, but this
film sets out to answer
another question - how
did they live?
Rome: Empire Without
Limit by Mary Beard (BBC,
2016)
How did a mediocre city in
central Italy become to
dominate such a large
area? What tore its
Empire apart? This new
documentary looks at the
secret of Rome’s success.
Building the Ancient City:
Athens and Rome (BBC,
2015)
This two episode
documentary by
archaeologist WallaceHadrill focuses specifically
on these two ancient
cities. Excellent context
for the Greek Art unit in
Year 12 and the Aeneid in
Year 13.
Meet the Romans by
Mary Beard (BBC, 2012)
Another Mary Beard
documentary but this time
the focus is on the lives of
the ordinary people and
their contributions to their
Empire.
Greece with Simon Reeve
(BBC, 2016)
Interested in current
affairs or economics?
Simon Reeve travels
around modern Greece
attempting to understand
its modern economic crisis
and its impact on the
country.
How Art Made the World
by Nigel Spivey (BBC,
2006)
Interested in art history?
Embark on a thrilling journey
through time and five
continents to the heart of
creativity. Fusing social
history, politics, science,
nature, archaeology and
religion, this international
landmark series unravels a
universal mystery - why the
world around us looks like it
does.
Kick back this summer with a good read. The books below are all popular Classical
Civilisation books and are great for extending your understanding of the Classical World.
The Greek and Roman
Myths by Philip
Matyszak
This handy guide to the
Greek and Roman myths
brings Classical
Mythology to life. Myths
were the background of
their religion, art , history
and society!
It’s All Greek To Me by
Charlotte Higgins
A bluffer’s guide to the
Classical World giving
you a helping hand
around the Parthenon,
Persian Wars and Greek
gods. An introduction
that aims to bring the
Classical World back the
mainstream.
SPQR, A History of Ancient Rome by
Mary Beard
Another blockbuster of a book by
Mary Beard for those interested in
the fascinating rise and fall of the
Romans and their Empire. This will
be excellent preparation for the Year
13 course.
Classical Art by Mary
Beard
Arguably the most famous
Classicist Mary Beard will
take you on a journey
about how art changed
from the early Greeks to
the Romans. This will
prepare you and extend
your knowledge for the AS
module in Greek Art and
Architecture.
The Mighty Dead – Why Homer
matters by Adam Nicolson
Wonder why so many Hollywood film
writers still chose to follow the same
epic storytelling structure? Nicolson
sets out to explain why these great
ancient poems still have so much to
say about what it is to be human, to
love, lose, grow old and die. In Year 12
you will study Homer’s The Odyssey.
Interested in ancient societies?
Women in the Ancient World by
Jenifer Neils
From the faithful wife to the
powerful queen, the untouchable
priestess to the high-living prostitute,
the daily lives and roles of women in
the ancient world of Greece and
Rome, Egypt and the Near East were
fascinating and varied. Packed with
illustrations this book is both thought
provoking and surprising.
A more challenging read…
Homer’s The Iliad
An ancient epic that underpins
the whole of western literature.
The story focuses on the struggle
between the Greeks and Trojans
in the final days of their ten year
war.
Everyone loves a good story and Hollywood has reproduced many of the Classical epics over
the years. Here are some of the picks of the best or most entertaining films based on the
classical world. Great watching for a rainy day. We warn you now that they might not be that
realistic!
Troy (2004)
An unrealistic yet epic
telling of the clash
between the Greeks and
the Trojans in the Trojan
war starring Brad Pitt and
Orlando Bloom amongst
others.
O Brother Where Art Thou?
(2000)
The Coen Brothers own unique take
on Homer's Odyssey sets the action
in 1930s Mississippi, where three
clueless convicts escape a chain
gang and go in search of buried
treasure. This leads to a series of
unlikely adventures - involving oneeyed con-men, seductive sirens and
Ku Klux Klan lynchings - which
culminate with the boys
inadvertently discovering fame as
hit recording artists The Soggy
Bottom Boys. Starring George
Clooney, John Turturro and Tim
Blake Nelson as the hapless heroes.
Gladiator (2004)
This big budget epic and
tear-jerker starring Russell
Crowe follows General
Maximus (Crowe), made a
slave and then a gladiator
who seeks revenge against
the Emperor…
Disney’s Hercules (1997)
Disney’s take on the
classic Hercules story. In
an attempt to prove
himself to his father
Hercules sets out on an
adventure with Pegasus
the flying horse and Phil
his personal trainer.
However Hades hopes to
scupper his plans…
“In Athens, one of the very first theatres, the formal theatres of performing arts in
Western civilisation was a festival in Athens called the City Dionysia, which was
dedicated to him. And they had this competition, it was a bit like the X Factor. All
these playwrights came together and competed for who had the best play. And
they were dedicated to Dionysus, and Dionysus was... I guess he was the god of
performing. Without him, there’d be no actors.”
Tom Hiddleston, star of The Night Manager and Classics graduate.
Ben Hur (1960)
This film winning 11
Oscars on its release in
1960 and inspiring the
later Gladiator film follows
Ben Hur, a Jewish Prince
who is enslaved and
enacts revenge against
the Romans…
If you have 30 minutes to spare, here are some great presentations and talks (and free!) from
world leading academics and researchers on a variety of topics. They provide some interesting
answers and ask some thought-provoking questions. Use the link to view:
The History of our World in 18 minutes
Available at :
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_christian_big_history
Backed by stunning illustrations, David Christian narrates a complete history of the
universe, from the Big Bang to the Internet, in a riveting 18 minutes. This is "Big
History": an enlightening, wide-angle look at complexity, life and humanity, set
against our slim share of the cosmic timeline.
2600 years of history in one object
Available at :
http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_macgregor_2600_years_of_hi
story_in_one_object
A clay cylinder covered in Akkadian cuneiform script, damaged and
broken, the Cyrus Cylinder is a powerful symbol of religious tolerance
and multi-culturalism. In this enthralling talk Neil MacGregor,
Director of the British Museum, traces 2600 years of Middle Eastern
history through this single object. Neil Macgregor was the former
head of the British Museum and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s ‘A History
of the World in 100 objects’ series.
Revealing the lost codex of Archimedes:
Available at :
http://www.ted.com/talks/william_noel_revealing_the_lost_co
dex_of_archimedes
Interested in maths and scientific methods? How do you read a twothousand-year-old manuscript that has been erased, cut up, written on
and painted over? With a powerful particle accelerator, of course!
Ancient books curator William Noel tells the fascinating story behind
the Archimedes palimpsest, a Byzantine prayer book containing
previously-unknown original writings from ancient Greek
mathematician Archimedes and others.
BBC Radio 4’s ‘In Our Time’
Available at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl
Radio series covering everything from science to culture to history featuring
respected academics in their field. Many previous episodes are about the
classical world and can be downloaded using their podcasts or listened to from
their website. Relevant episodes include topics such as Greek Myths, Comedy in
Ancient Greek Theatre, Thucydides, Alexander the Great and the Roman
Republic.
Enjoy stand up comedy?
BBC Radio 4’s ‘Natalie Haynes Stands up for Classics’
Available at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01wb0wp
Something a bit more light hearted! Comedian Natalie Haynes takes a fresh look at the
ancient world in her radio comedy series, creating stand up routines on famous figures
in the ancient world.
If you are on holiday in the UK, or on a staycation at home, why not plan a day trip to one of these :
English Heritage has 381 sites
around the country of
historical interest including
the 1066 battlefields, castles
and grand houses. Use their
handy search tool to find a
site near you or your holiday!
http://www.englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/
The National Trust
also protects some
fantastic sites
around the
country. Check out
their website at
https://www.natio
naltrust.org.uk/
Other excellent and relevant
museums in the UK include:
 The Ashmolean Museum,
Oxford
 The Cast Museum, Cambridge
There are some great Roman
sites to explore in England
including:
- Hadrian’s Wall
- Bath
- Fishbourne Roman Villa
- Bignor Roman Villa
- Roman London
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/t
hings-to-do/visit-thecity/walks/Pages/self-guided.aspx
London is also full of some great historical
‘attractions’ and museums related to Classics
including:
 Museum of London (free)
 Museum of London Roman site openings
and walking tours of London
 Roman Amphitheatre under the Guildhall
(free)
 The British Museum (free)
 Tour the archaeological Archive run by the
Museum of London
 Petrie Egyptian Museum, London (free)
 British Museum currently has two special
exhibitions running related to the
Classical World – Sunken Seas about
Alexandria and Sicily.
Classics websites
These websites all offer an amazing collection of resources that you should use again and again
through out your course.
Might seem difficult to access at first but this website is a
massive database of literature and archaeological
evidence of the classical world. Designed to be used by
all including university students – excellent for research.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/
Spark Notes, a classic website used regularly by
students. It has a good study guide for The Odyssey
which is again useful for revision or as a starting
point to make your plot summaries.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/
Shmoop is an example of a good study guide
website for The Odyssey. Useful as a starting
point or for revision.
http://www.shmoop.com/odyssey/
The Classics Library is a hub for students, academics and teachers
of the Classical World. The website has a great section for events
which is updated regularly – make sure you check it to find out
anything that’s happening near you.
http://www.theclassicslibrary.com/
See over for The Khan Academy
Classics on Social Media
Follow on Twitter:
King’s Classics – The Classics Department at King’s College London – news, events and open days
@kingsclassics
Classics @ Cambridge – regular interesting tweets with news and events from the Classics
Department at Cambridge.
@CamClassics
The Classical Association – Membership organisation representing Classicists and students. Students
can become members for a cheap rate and attend events and talks locally at University of
Roehampton.
@Classical_Assoc
Mary Beard – twitter feed for one of Britain’s best known Classicists.
@wmarybeard
Find on Facebook:
Classics Library – regular updates with breaking news, events, new finds and anything of interest to
Classicists!
British Museum – profile page of the UK’s most visited attraction
History Today – an ‘on this day’ type profile page
Classics: Volunteering!
Day 4 of the holidays and boredom has set in?
There are loads of ways that you can volunteer in a Classics related way if you are really keen. Some of our
ideas include the following places – contact them or look at their websites to see if they have any current
opportunities. Remember that you can volunteer in something that is related to history, society or
literature as sadly we have few Greek villas in England!
 Hampton Court
 Ham House or another National Trust Property
 Your local museum
 Your local archaeological society – you might be able to join them on local digs or walks
 The British Museum or other museum in London
In the past Classics students have also found part-time jobs in libraries, historical houses and bookshops
which they have found useful for their university UCAS forms.
Want to stand above the rest when it comes to UCAS? Now is the time to
act.
MOOCs are online courses run by nearly all Universities. They are short FREE
courses that you take part in. They are usually quite specialist, but aimed at
the public, not the genius!
There are lots of websites that help you find a course, such as edX and Future
learn.
You can take part in any course, but there are usually start and finish dates.
They mostly involve taking part in web chats, watching videos and
interactives.
Completing a MOOC will look
great on your Personal
statement and they are dead
easy to take part in!
Khan Academy - A brilliant website for Unit 1: Greek Art
and Architecture. Use to review, consolidate and introduce
works of art through clearly explained videos. You can also
use it to extend your knowledge into other areas such as
pottery that we don’t cover at A Level. A must for this
course! https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/arthistory/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art