Classical Civilisation A Level

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language.

The civilisations of Ancient Greece and Rome are arguably the foundations of modern western society and this course at SCG covers the literature and culture of the Roman and Greek worlds. This is a very varied course taught by specialist teachers. You’ll study the myths, literature, history, politics, art and architecture, philosophy and the way people lived in Greece and Rome. You should have an interest in Greek and Roman history and society.

Some modules in Classical Civilisation include:

Homer’s Odyssey – We learn about the gods and the general myths surrounding the siege of the city of Troy. Odysseus is a hero who helped get inside Troy by building a wooden horse. He angers the god Poseidon by blinding his son, the Cyclops and so is punished on the way home. We read Homer’s epic story in English and find out about the way the Heroic society in Greece functioned.

Imperial Image – In 44BC Julius Caesar was assassinated. No one expected his 18-year-old grandnephew, Octavian to become the next ruler. Young, inexperienced and with plenty of opposition, Octavian became Emperor Augustus. We study some of the historical events of his Principate and look at how his image needed to change from warrior to man of peace.

Virgil’s Aeneid – The war at Troy was a disaster for the Trojans and according to legend, one man, Aeneas escaped and sailed to Italy. His son was called Lulus who was an ancestor of Julius Caesar. This epic story tells the tale of Aeneas’ escape from Troy and eventual arrival in Italy where he battles Italian tribes for supremacy.

Democracy and the Athenians – In the C5th BC a new form of government, democracy, was born. Or was it?! We study the reasons that Athens developed this new form of government, what it meant to them and whether it really was democracy. This is a study of history, politics, comedy, and Athenian Society.

Three written exams:

• 2 hours 20 minutes for the module “World of the Hero” to include material on the myths and legends of Greece and Rome and a study of Homeric and Roman heroes
• 1 hour 45 minutes for the module “Imperial Image” to include visual and written material on the rule of the Emperor Augustus, his literature, history, art and architecture
• 1 hour 45 minutes for the module “Democracy and the Athenians” to include visual and written material on the history and politics of Athens in the C5 B.C.

Students study courses at university such as ancient history, classics (Latin and Greek), classical civilisation or history, English, law, theatre studies, social sciences and archaeology. Careers can include legal and public services, teaching, travel and tourism, the Civil Service, journalism, politics, museum, and historical archives.

Previous students have entered national competitions including Ancient World / Classic Essay at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Classical Civilisation has benefitted from guest speakers from top universities including Oxford/Cambridge and Prof. Edith Hall in March 2018.