Classical Civilisation
Classical Civilisation at A Level provides an opportunity to explore the history and culture of the
Ancient Greek and Roman Societies. The impact of these societies on the development of the Europe
was huge and still resonates to this day. The AQA course provides a rigorous and engaging insight into
the many facets of these key periods in history, and will give students the opportunity to develop a
wide range of skills, whilst developing their interest in the Classical World. It is important to note that,
whilst the study of Classical Civilisation would certainly complement the study of the Ancient
Languages, there is no requirement to have studied Latin or Greek in order to follow the course; all
texts will be studied in English.
The modules covered in the A Level Classical Civilisation course engage with aspects of the Classical
world which have had a significant and lasting impact on the development of modern society,
including its literature, architecture and modes of governance. For students opting for Classical
Civilisation in September 2016, they will take two AS modules in Year 12, and two A2 modules in Year
13, leading to the overall A Level qualification:
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Greek Architecture & Sculpture (AS): Classical architecture has been a significant
influence for thousands of years; we will look at the inception of the various styles and
their development, from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE, alongside the study of the statuary
& sculpture of the time period. How were such grand buildings and emotive sculptures
created, and what can they tell us about the society in which they were created?

Homer’s Odyssey (AS): The archetypal tale of nostos, a journey home, has resonated with
audiences since its conception, influencing everyone from Euripides to James Joyce and
the Coen Brothers. As we follow Odysseus on his return from the Trojan War, we’ll
look at such topics as the role of the Classical hero, the composition of the poem,
interactions with the gods, and so much more.
Augustus & the foundation of the Principate (A2): The young Octavian’s rise to power as
Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is a tale ripe for analysis from a modern
perspective; was the long peace he established worth the bloody rise to seize power?
How did he manage to maintain his power in this transitional period with its change in
governance? What roles were played by the gods, fate, propaganda, social reforms etc.?
All will be revealed!
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
Roman Epic (A2): Virgil’s Aeneid is one of the finest works of Classical literature, a
product of the Augustan period in which it was composed, but heavily influenced by
the works of Homer which preceded it. We shall look at the context of its composition,
analysing the text in detail, to see what it can tell us about Roman attitudes towards
their own history & foundation, fate & the gods, race relations, heroism and much more.
The Classics Department undertakes a wide range of
extra-curricular activities in the school, which would
certainly be of interest to those studying Classical
Civilisation. The Sixth Form students have
introduced a weekly Classics Club in which they
research and deliver presentations on a variety of
topics which interest them – past discussions have
centred on horses of the Classical world, the
relationship between Achilles & Patroclus, the
impact of the Classical world on modern society, and
much more! We have also been very pleased to collaborate with the Philosophy of History Society
in welcoming Classical Speakers to the school. We also offer the opportunity for Sixth Form
students to broaden their Classical knowledge and understanding via various excursions. The
students enjoy a biennial visit to an important site within the Ancient World: previous trips have
been to Rome and Sorrento (taking in the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pompeii, Herculaneum and
the treasures from these towns at the Naples Archaeological Museum) and, most recently, to Sicily,
in collaboration with the Geography department, (visiting the beautiful sites of Agrigentum,
scaling a snow-capped Mount Etna, and exploring the volcanic islands of Vulcano and Lipari). The
next trip is scheduled to run in Easter 2017, so watch out for more information! We also provide
the chance for students to attend a number of academic lectures and theatre visits, including the
historic Cambridge Greek Play, which has run every three years since 1882, delivered in Greek with
English surtitles!
By undertaking all of these activities, we hope to give students an enriched understanding of the
Classical World and to fuel their enthusiasm for the study of Classics.