Classics

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

Board

OCR

Outline of the Course

Year 10 – Thematic study – Women in the Ancient World

• This unit is split into 8 subtopics covering content such as Women of Legend, Women and Religion, ‘Improper’ women, Young women and Women to be Feared
• For each subtopic students will compare the respective position of women in the Greek world (Athens and Sparta) with those in the Roman world forming complex judgements as to how attitudes change over time, how and why roles differ and in which society women played a more significant role
• In each subtopic are a number of case studies of women that had an impact for that topic, including Cleopatra, Medea and Aspasia
• Study a wide range of source material from the ancient world covering: comic and tragic plays, epic poetry, letters and biographies as well as visual sources and archaeology

Year 11 – Literature and Culture – Roman City Life

• In the culture section students will focus on topics such as political and social structure in the Roman world, housing and infrastructure and leisure and entertainment
• Students will analyse a number of case study examples from various sites in the Roman world such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome
• In the literature section students will analyse 3 satirists (Horace, Juvenal and Petronius) and 6 letters from Pliny and analyse how useful these are as sources for finding out about the experiences of everyday life in the Roman world.
• Key questions covered in the literature unit include: How dangerous was it living in the city of Rome? How important were dinner parties to wealthy Romans? Why might some Romans dislike going to the chariot races? How useful are the satirists as sources of evidence about the Roman world?

Over both units learn and enhance key skills such as debating and forming coherent arguments, analysis of source material and evaluating the usefulness of a wide range of different source material. You do not have taken/be taking Latin or Greek, no language study involved.

Assessment

GREEK 

Board

OCR

Outline of the Course

The course is offered on a voluntary basis during Years 9 & 10. The GCSE Exam is taken at the end of Year 10. Lessons take place off-timetable. The GCSE in Classical Greek helps learners develop their understanding of the Classical Greek language and the related ancient literature, values and society. Specifically, it enables learners to:

• develop and deploy their knowledge of vocabulary, morphology and syntax in order to read, understand and interpret Classical Greek
• develop their knowledge and understanding of ancient literature, values and society through the study of original texts, adapted and abridged, as appropriate
• select, analyse and evaluate evidence to draw informed conclusions from the literature studied to: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the historical, literary and cultural context of a text.

Additionally, Classical Greek encourages learners to:

• develop insights into the relevance of Classical Greek and of ancient literature and civilisation to our understanding of our modern world of diverse cultures
• deploy their knowledge and understanding of Classical Greek to deepen their understanding of English and other languages
• relate their knowledge and understanding of the ancient world to other disciplines
• develop research and analytical skills which will empower them to become independent learners and enquirers, equipping them for further study in arts, humanities and sciences.

Language Component (50%)

• Develops the understanding of Classical Greek grammar and syntax
• Sharpens the key skills of precise and accurate translation and comprehension

Literature Component (50%)

• Studying a verse text in Classical Greek: those taking GCSE in 2025 and 2026, will study a section from Homer Iliad.
• Studying a prose set text in Latin: those taking GCSE Latin in 2025 and 2026, will study a section from Herodotus.
• Learning analytical skills – through appreciation of and writing about the texts we study
• Discussing with confidence the ideas presented by the set authors

Assessment

 LATIN

Board

OCR

Outline of the Course

• The course builds on the foundations laid in Years 8 and 9 of the Cambridge Latin Course, combining Latin Language work with the study of Roman Britain and Roman Alexandria, touching on such diverse topics as slavery, science and technology, through to the Romanisation of Britain, religion and ritual, travel, transport, governance, the Roman legionary army and the links with Rome.
• The study of Latin not only exposes students to the enormous influence of Rome and Roman culture on the modern world and modern European languages, and some of the foundational texts of our culture; it equips students with key transferable skills including logical thinking, problem-solving, precision & clarity of thought and expression, and a richer understanding of the world we live in.
• The GCSE curriculum is broadly split into the study of Latin Language, and the study of prescribed original Latin Texts, as follows:

Language Component (50%)

• Develops and deepens the understanding of Latin grammar and syntax.
• Sharpens the key skills of precise and accurate translation and comprehension
• Introduces the practice of translation of sentences into Latin.

Literature Component (50%)

• Studying a verse text in Latin: those taking GCSE Latin in 2025 and 2026, will study a section from Virgil’s Aeneid I depicting the aftermath of the Trojan War.
• Studying a prose set text in Latin: those taking GCSE Latin in 2025 and 2026, will study Tacitus’ account of the life and downfall of Messalina, the wife of Emperor Claudius.
• Learning analytical skills – through appreciation of and writing about the texts we study
• Discussing with confidence the ideas presented by the set authors.

Assessment

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

Minimum Entry Criteria

Desired: 7 in Classical Civilisation or 7 in English Language or English Literature (or other humanity)

Essential: 6 in Classical Civilisation or 6 in English Language or English Literature (or other humanity)

Board

OCR

Outline of the Course

Unit 1: The World of the Hero (H408/11) Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid

• Study two of the cornerstones of Western Literature. Analyse the plot and characters present in the set books of both pieces of epic poetry and compare themes such as heroism, the role of the gods and fate, the position of women and the context in which both texts were composed

Unit 2: Culture and the Arts: The Greek Theatre (H408/21)

• This unit takes a holistic approach to the topic. You will study two tragedy plays (Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Euripides’ Bacchae) and one comedy play (Aristophanes’ Frogs) and analyse key themes and plot devices. Also you will look at the context in which the plays are set, theatre conventions and our sources of information on the Greek theatre and what it reveals about Greek society

Unit 3: Beliefs and Ideas: Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33)

• Study in detail the political structure of 78-43BC and key individuals such as Sulla, Julius Caesar, Cicero, Pompey and Crassus who drastically changed the political landscape of the time. Analyse set sources to look at the causes and consequences of political scandals, alliances and civil wars

Assessment

GREEK (CLASSICAL)

Minimum Entry Criteria

Essential: 7 in Greek

Please note: this course will only run if there is sufficient interest

Board

OCR

Outline of the Course

OCR’s A Level in Classical Greek allows learners to develop their understanding of the Classical Greek language and the related ancient literature, values and society. It enables students to:

• acquire the language skills which enable learners to read literary texts, both prose and verse, in the original language
• develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, the literary, historical and cultural features of the ancient world
• acquire the literary skills which enable learners to read ancient literature, both prose and verse, in its original language with appropriate attention to literary techniques, styles and genres
• apply analytical and evaluative skills at an appropriate level which show direct engagement with original texts in the ancient language
• make an informed personal response to the material studied
• begin to develop a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally
• develop research and analytical skills to enable them to become independent learners.

Component 1: Unseen Translation – Students build their knowledge of and fluency in the language, including vocabulary, linguistic structures, and style to enable them to translate unseen passages of Latin prose and verse.

Component 2: Comprehension – Students develop and demonstrate their knowledge of vocabulary and language structure by showing understanding of an unseen prose text through comprehension and questions on grammar and syntax.

Component 3: Prose Literature –Students taking A Level in 2025-2026 will study two texts selected from Herodotus, Plato, or Plutarch

Component 4: Verse Literature – Students taking A Level in 2025-2026 will study two texts selected from Homer, Euripides or Aristophanes.

Both literature components involve translation of the text, literary analysis and commentary, and essays.

Assessment

 LATIN

Minimum Entry Criteria

Essential: 7 in Latin

Board

OCR

Outline of the Course

OCR’s A Level in Latin allows learners to develop their understanding of the Latin language and the related ancient literature, values and society.It enables students to:

• acquire the language skills which enable learners to read literary texts, both prose and verse, in the original language
• develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, the literary, historical and cultural features of the ancient world
• acquire the literary skills which enable learners to read ancient literature, both prose and verse, in its original language with appropriate attention to literary techniques, styles and genres
• apply analytical and evaluative skills at an appropriate level which show direct engagement with original texts in the ancient language
• make an informed personal response to the material studied
• begin to develop a sensitive and analytical approach to language generally
• develop research and analytical skills to enable them to become independent learners

Component 1: Unseen Translation – Students build their knowledge of and fluency in the Latin language, including vocabulary, linguistic structures, and style to enable them to translate unseen passages of Latin prose and verse.

Component 2: Prose Composition or Comprehension – Students develop and demonstrate their knowledge of vocabulary and language structure by – translating unseen material from English to Latin; or showing understanding of an unseen prose text through comprehension and questions on grammar and syntax.

Component 3: Prose Literature – Students will be introduced to a range of prose authors, including Tacitus, Apuleius, Caesar; Students taking A Level in 2025-2026 will study Cicero’s Pro Caelio

Component 4: Verse Literature – Students will be introduced to a range of verse authors, including Catullus and Ovid; Students taking A Level in 2025-2026 will study Virgil’s Aeneid II depicting Aeneas’ escape from Troy.

Both literature components involve translation of the text, literary analysis and commentary, and essays.

Assessment