A Level Classical Civilisation

Module 1: ‘The World of the Hero’, an in-depth study of Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’:

A close study of the composition and literary techniques employed, such as epithets and the Homeric simile, of this intense and exciting epic, set during the Trojan War, tracing the tragic consequences of a quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles. We examine the heroic world through a range of themes, concepts and values, concerning honour, glory, pride and homecoming, and the characterisations of a range of other major characters such as Odysseus, Hector and Paris. We study the cultural, social and religious context, examining the role of the gods, the power of fate and the role of women such as Helen. A close study of Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’, again examines the literary techniques and composition, as Virgil traces the adventures of Aeneas as he flees from Troy and leads the survivors to Italy, with an ill-fated love affair en-route. We study characterisations and themes such as Aeneas’ role in Rome’s imperial destiny and in the portrayal of warfare. We examine the cultural, social and religious context, centred on the importance of the Roman values of piety, clemency and fidelity, and the role of the gods and of women. The goddess Juno stirs a dreadful conflict between Trojans and Italians, two peoples who are destined to unite as one and found Rome. This epic poem involves a study of the myth of the foundation of the Roman nation, based around the Homeric Epics and written in the context of Augustan Rome. We specifically examine the historical and political background of the epic and the allusions between the hero Aeneas and Augustus Caesar and the moral and religious changes that had been introduced during his ‘reign’.

Module 2: Beliefs and Ideas, ‘Greek Religion’, an in depth study of visual culture and ideological interpretations of aspects of Ancient Greek Religion:

Greek religion could be connected to the household, to life in the city or life in the countryside; moreover, politics and religion were intertwined to the extent that political decisions were sometimes made on the basis of divine oracular intervention. Religion was also an important tool for the creation of local and Panhellenic identities, as well as of competition between the Greek city-states. Studying the practicalities of religious ritual, and the role it played in society, alongside the functions and layout of famous temple complexes. We will also explore the nature of the gods and their relationship with mortals. Key to this is the depiction of the gods by Homer and Hesiod, whom Herodotus credited with giving the Greeks their first understanding of the characters and responsibilities of the gods. Also included are the very different role of Mystery Cults, such as at Eleusis, the healing cult of Asclepius and the tensions caused by the rise of philosophical thought, led by those such as Socrates.

Module 3: Culture and the Arts, ‘Imperial Image’, an in-depth study of the literature and visual culture of Augustan Rome:

A close study of the Imperial Image of Augustus against the historical background of his rise to power from 43 BC to his death in AD 14. We will be examining his association with Julius Caesar, enabling his Divi Filius (son of the divine) status. We study his military role and position as Imperator and its significance, and the awarding of the name ‘Augustus’ and its religious connotations as well as his revitalisation of Roman religion. We study the hero culture of Augustan Rome, the Golden Age of Rome, and his position as Pater Patriae (Father of the Country), as well as studying later representations of him through Suetonius’ biography. We also study the major structures built during his reign such as the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), the Augustan Forum and the Temple of Martis Ultoris (Mars the Avenger) accompanied by later representations such as the Sebasteion temple at Aphrodisas.

Year 1: A Greek year comprising of a study of Homer’s ‘Iliad’ followed by the study of Greek religion.

Year 2: A Roman year studying the Imperial Image of Augustan Rome followed the contextual study of Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’