A subject not commonly offered by many school sixth-forms and colleges, Classical Civilisation offers the opportunity to study the literary and material culture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. You will explore aspects of classical civilisation which have been significant in the creation of the modern world, and develop an important understanding of classical societies and their culture and values. This course will particularly appeal to students with an interest in literature, history, art and philosophy, and combines well with subjects including Ancient History, History, English Literature, Drama, Art and Philosophy. Areas of study include Homer's The Odyssey (the study of epic poetry, the historical background and culture of ancient Greece), Tragedy (Bacchae by Euripides, Oedipus the King by Sophocles) and Comedy (Frogs by Aristophanes). Virgil’s great work The Aeneid is also a key text of the course, the epic poem focuses on Aeneas and the creation of Rome and the parallels that can be drawn with Augustan Rome. We also spend time looking at the Greek and Roman view of love and relationships with specific interest in Plato, Sappho, Seneca and Ovid.