Ancient History (Classics)

Course summary

The study of Ancient Greek and Roman history. You will learn about some critical periods in the history of these civilisations that have done so much to shape the societies of Western Europe in terms of politics, philosophy, law, arts and language. In lessons we will be preparing you for the full A Level. Students can take AS Ancient History but only if they are willing to prepare for the specifics of this paper independently. Year 12 units: • Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492-404 BC (a study of the relationships and wars between Athens, Sparta and Persia) - 25% of A Level. • The Julio-Claudian emperors 31BC – AD 68 (a study of the first five Roman emperors, including some of the most notorious in Roman History: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero) - 25% of A Level. Year 13 units: • The rise of Macedon, 359-323 BC (a study of the rise of the Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great and his father, Phillip of Macedon - 25% of A Level • Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43 – c128 – (From the conquests of the Emperor Claudius who captures Colchester and much of southern Britain to Hadrian’s consolidation of the frontier in the north with a wall and fortifications) - 25% of A Level. Students will study original authors in translation, e.g., Plutarch, Thucydides, Tacitus and Suetonius and critically analyse and evaluate them as evidence. Coins, artefacts and buildings are also used as evidence. Lessons will involve discussion, debate, presentations, source analysis, group work and use of multi-media materials. There will be an opportunity for all pupils to visit the impressive ancient collections of the British Museum in London. Ancient History is valued as an academic A-level by universities and it is an obvious choice if you want to study Archaeology, Classics, Ancient History or History at university. Also, if you are interested in law and politics, then this course will give you an excellent grounding in different political systems, the development of democracy and the exercise of power. The course provides particularly good training for research based careers because the emphasis on using original, translated, Greek and Roman sources will give students a practical insight into how to undertake research and use information gleaned.