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CLASSICAL CIVILISATION at HILLS ROAD
Classical Civilisation is:
open to everyone: the course is open to any students, no matter what their GCSE subjects. All
texts are studied in translation, so no knowledge of any language other than English is needed.
If you have done Classical Civilisation or Latin GCSE you will find that you have a head start on
some topics. We do not, however, expect any prior knowledge: more than half the students in
your class will never have studied any classical subject and the AS and A2 will be very different
from what any of you have done before.
has links with many subjects, especially English, History, Theatre Studies, Archaeology and
Politics. It works well as a complement to any of these subjects or as a contrast to sciences.
is full of variety: you will be studying both Literature and Ancient history, both Greek and
Roman; you will be reading texts well over 2000 years old, looking at battles for power in the
classical world and getting inside the minds of extraordinary individuals. The options we have
chosen will give you great variety and will help you to develop a broad range of skills.
We shall draw on art as well as literature and there will be optional visits to museums,
conferences, plays and, for some, to Greece or Rome!
is relevant today: many modern concepts, practices and ways of thinking in politics,
philosophy, literature, art, architecture and even science have their origins in the classical world.
Study of issues and people in the classical world also adds greatly to the understanding of
modern events and people. Discussion will arise, for example, on why nations go to war, the
nature of jealousy and revenge, the power of persuasive speech, the intoxicating and isolating
effect of absolute power.
develops a wide range of skills: as well as learning to write well argued essays, you will have
plenty of opportunities for shorter written work, individual research, oral debate and personal
response to sources. In some years students keen on drama have produced their own version
of plays or set up web-sites on their favourite aspect of Classics.
leads to any number of higher education courses and careers: many students of AS/A2
Classical Civilisation decide to pursue the subject further, doing degrees in Classics (with or
without learning Latin or Greek), Ancient History or Classical Archaeology. Others continue with
quite different subjects or vocations but skills learnt during the course will be valuable whatever
career you pursue.
ASSESSMENT: There is no coursework. In each year there are two written exams in May/June.
COSTS: charges for essential materials over the two years of the course do not exceed £40, but most can be
borrowed from the library. Optional trips to conferences, plays and other events can total up to £60. The trips to
Rome (approx. £360) or Greece (approx. £500) are optional and made by fewer than half the students. Application
for funding of essential or strongly recommended materials/events may be made in confidence by writing to the
Principal.
COURSE CONTENT
Awarding body: AQA
AS Unit 1: (CIV1F) Roman History: The Life and Times of Cicero.
This is a critical study of the career of Cicero, the famous Roman lawyer and politician, from 80
to 43 BC. Through a selection of Cicero’s letters and his famous speeches against Verres
(which are the primary sources in this topic), we can get a fantastically clear view of what it must
have been like to have been an eye-witness to this most dramatic period of Roman history –
one which featured ambition, war and treachery and led to the final dissolution of the republican
ideal of government. We also gain an insight into the social and family life of Cicero as we read
letters to his friends and relations, never intended for publication.
Exam: 90 minutes: Part A: quote/s from primary sources (Cicero’ trial of Verres and/or Cicero’s
letter) with context questions and essay (35 marks);
Part B: essay (30 marks) on a topic related to Cicero and the fall of the Republic: this will require
to show very good understanding and knowledge of the primary sources and the period [1st
century BC]
AS Unit 2: (CIV2A) Greek Literature: Homer’s Iliad
Homer’s Iliad is one of the earliest and most influential epic poems in ancient literature. You will
follow the story of the anger of Achilles in the tenth year of the Trojan war and look at themes in
the poem such as:
what makes a good hero
the pity and glory of war
gods and men
jealousy and revenge
Exam: 90 minutes: Part A: quote/s from primary source (Iliad) with context questions and essay
(35 marks);
Part B: essay (30 marks) on a theme relevant to the Iliad. This will require to show very good
understanding and knowledge of the primary source.
A2 level
Unit 3: (CIV 3C) Greek Tragedy
This topic features some of the earliest plays written and performed, involving themes such as
honour, love, revenge, the nature of political leadership and relationships between men and
women, fathers and sons, gods and humans. We look at Athenian society of the time, beliefs
and ideas as well as the way the plays were produced and their impact on their audience. The
plays to be studied by those starting Classical Civilisation in September 2012 are:
Two plays by Sophocles: Oedipus The King and Antigone and two plays by Euripides: Medea
and Hippolytus.
Exam: 90 minutes: Part A: quote/s from one of the plays with context questions and essay (35
marks);
Part B: essay (40 marks) on a theme relevant to all plays. This will require to show very good
understanding and knowledge of the plays and 5th Century BC Athenian culture. The essay will
test the ability to draw comparisons and develop analytical arguments.
Unit 4: (CIV 4D) Tiberius and Claudius
The Roman Emperors Tiberius and Claudius had extraordinary power over a vast area of the
western world, yet the former became a recluse and the latter was mocked as a fool when
young and said to be dominated by his wives in later life. During this time both the crucifixion of
Jesus and the conquest of Britain took place. We look at the handling of absolute power, at
intrigue and the governing of Rome and the Empire, as well as at the characters of the
Emperors themselves. The primary sources for this module are part of Tacitus’ Annals and
Suetonius’ very readable biographies of the two Emperors.
Exam: 90 minutes: Part A: context questions and essay (35 marks);
Part B: essay (40 marks) synoptic essay