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Ancient History
( Humanities & Social Sciences / Further Education / Full Time / A Level / Truro College )
A Level Ancient History studies significant events, individuals, societies, developments and
issues within their broad historical context demonstrating both breadth and depth through the
study. At AS students will study two period studies, demonstrating breadth, complimented at
A2 by two depth studies, as well as gaining an understanding of historians’ debates
surrounding the events studied as part of the period studies. The period study examines the
unfolding narrative of a substantial span of Greek and Roman history of at least 75 years.
The length of the period study will encourage students to develop their interest in, and understanding of the events, individuals and
issues and provides sufficient a chronological range to be able to comment on change, both short-term and long-term. The depth study
focuses on a substantial and coherent short time span and requires learners to understand the complexity of historical events and the
interplay of different factors within it. Students will be required to study a variety of historical topics covering both Roman and Greek
history from a chronological range of at least 400 years, in order to create a qualification that is both broad and coherent.
Course Content
AS
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Module 1 Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC
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Module 2 The Julio-Claudian emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
Module 1 - This period study will focus on the unfolding narrative of the relations between the Greek city-states and their relations with
the Persian Empire during the period 492–404 BC, within five key time spans: The challenge of the Persian Empire 492–479 BC, including
the Persian invasions led by Darius and Xerxes, including the battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis and Plataea; Greece in conflict
479–446 BC, including the rise of the Delian League and the First Peloponnesian War,; Peace and conflict 446–431 BC, including the
revolt of Samos and causes of the Second Peloponnesian War; The Archidamian War 431–420 BC, including the plague in Athens and the
Peace of Nikias; The end of the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath 419–404 BC, including the Sicilian Expedition and relations with
Persia.
Module 2 - This period study will focus on the unfolding narrative of the establishment and development of the principate under
Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius and Nero, with a particular focus on their military, social and political achievements, their relations
with the Senate, Equestrians and plebeians; and their treatment by the ancient sources. Augustus, victory at Actium; constitutional
settlements of 27 BC and 23 BC; military achievements; importance of Livia and Agrippa; restoration of the Republic; revival of traditional
Roman values; attitude towards religion; administrative changes to Rome and the provinces; building programme; challenges to his rule;
establishment of a dynasty and issues of succession; the Res Gestae; Tiberius, views of classical authors on Tiberius’ reign; Tiberius’
relationships with Germanicus and Sejanus; conspiracies and challenges to his reign; treason trials; attitude towards religion, the Imperial
Cult. Gaius, presentation of Gaius’ character and personality as emperor by the ancient sources; assassination in AD 41; attitude towards
religion, the Imperial Cult; administrative changes to Rome. Claudius, difficulties of the accession; presentation of Claudius’ role in, and
motives for, the invasion of Britain; importance of his wives and freedmen; relationship with Nero and Britannicus; events surrounding his
death; administrative changes to Rome. Nero, AD 54–68, presentation of Nero as emperor by the ancient sources; early part of his reign
and the changing role of Agrippina; Piso conspiracy in AD 65; Tacitus’ and Suetonius’ accounts of the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64;
achievements of Corbulo in Armenia; revolt of Vindex; death of Nero and the accession of Galba; Nero’s attitude towards religion,
Imperial Cult;
A2
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Module 1 Macedon and the Greek World; the period study of AS, plus the depth study on ‘The Rise of Macedon c. 359 – 323
BC’
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Module 2 Republic and Empire; the period study of AS, plus a depth study on the ‘Breakdown of the Late Republic 88 - 31
BC’.
​Module 1 - ‘The Rise of Macedon 359-323 BC’. This depth study focuses on the interplay of political, military, social, economic, cultural
and religious factors that contributed to the rapid rise to pre-eminence of Macedonia from c. 359 BC. A particular focus on Philip and thus
placing the campaigns of Alexander more fully in context. In doing so learners will gain insight into the factors and beliefs that motivated
two of the most renowned men in ancient history. The five key areas of study are: The growth in Macedonian power and the role of Philip
in that process, including the Battle of Chaeronea; The major events of Alexander’s career and their significance, including his actions at
Troy and Gordium, the victories Granicus, Issus and Gaugemela, the marriages in Susa and the crossing of the Gedrosian Dessert;
Change and continuity in the aims of Philip and Alexander, including Alexander and Philip’s aims during their careers, including personal,
political, military, economic, exploratory and cultural considerations; The character and beliefs of Philip and Alexander; The relationships
between the monarchs and others, including the army and Greek and conquered states.
Module 2 - ‘Breakdown of the Late Republic 88 - 31 BC’. This depth study focuses on the interplay of political, military, social and
economic factors that the late Roman Republic faced, and ultimately brought about its disintegration and reformation under the sole rule
of Octavian and is focussed on five key topics: The Constitution, including the makeup, role and responsibilities of the Senate and
assemblies, the tribunes of the plebs and the problems in 88 BC, including the issues stemming from the Gracchi and Marius; Spartacus’
slave revolt; The challenges to the Constitution, the reforms of Sulla and their undoing through the 70’s, Pompey and Crassus consuls 70
BC; the role of the tribunes; the Catilinarian Conspiracy; the First Triumvirate, unrest through the 50s BC; reasons for the Civil War of 49
BC; Caesar’s dictatorship and social change; Caesar’s assassination and aftermath, Anthony against the Senate and The Second
Triumvirate; Octavian’s successes: unification of Italy, victory at Actium and in Egypt; The means by which politicians achieved success
and their importance in the breakdown of the Republic, including Patron-client relationships; factions, land bills; largesse: games and
donatives; intimidation; violence; bribery; corruption; military commands of Pompey, Caesar, Antony and Octavian; threat of military
action; army and veteran support; rhetoric/oratory; political marriages; Social and Economic relationships and their importance in the
breakdown of the Republic including, the social and economic standing of Senators and Equestrians; the changing role of the rural and
especially the urban poor – the Plebs; patron-client relationships; inequality in wealth; reaction of possessors of ager publicus to land
reform; migration of the rural poor to Rome, buying the support of the poor through largesse, land bills and corn doles; Roles of
individuals in the breakdown of the Republic, Sulla; Lepidus; Pompey; Cicero; Crassus; Catiline; Caesar; Cato; Clodius; Brutus and Cassius;
Antony; Lepidus; Sextus Pompeius; Octavian.
Assessment
Your achievement in this subject is dependent upon excellent attendance, punctuality and effort. You will learn in a
friendly atmosphere, using a variety of assessment methods:
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You will be assessed regularly on written essay work that is conducted either as homework or under timed conditions in class and given
feedback on your progress. You also will be assessed regularly on linguistic terminology.
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Discussions are a vital part of our assessment process and you will be expected to contribute to those and reading exercises.
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Personal research is also a requirement.
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You will review your own performance in 1:1 sessions with your tutor.
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You will undertake mock examinations on each unit in advance of your final exams.
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You will be formally examined on each unit that you study. The examinations are two 1.5 hour papers at the end of both the first and
second years
Information & Support
All textbooks are provided by the College. You will be able to participate in trips to enhance your wider knowledge of the periods
investigated with the possibility of college trips to Rome, Athens and western Turkey to enhance your studies.
We encourage all students to read widely and conduct their own research into language, especially those who wish to study language or
linguistics at degree level. We will offer opportunities for you to conduct independent field research.
Progression Opportunities
Successful completion of the assessment for AS Level enables you may progress onto A Level in the second year.
An A Level qualification in Ancient History is a popular and highly regarded qualification by both Higher Education establishments and
employers. Ancient History students from Truro have gone on to a wide variety of degrees at university. As Ancient History is of general
educational value, students of Ancient History gain access to a wide variety of careers including business, law, marketing, media, politics
and the retail trades; as well as career pathways specifically involving historical skills, e.g. archaeologist, archivist, curator and teacher.
Entry Requirements
Ancient History is available to students with no previous experience of the study of the subject at GCSE. Success in Ancient History
requires a good standard of written work and we would expect students to have passed GCSE English at Level 6 or above. Students also
need to be highly motivated and capable of independent research and reading.
Awarding Body
OCR