Classical Greek

Assessment

The A-level examination consists of four papers, all taken at the end of the sixth form. Details of each module are given below: Verse Literature (2h) This paper looks at Greek poetry and drama, in particular the Athenian tragedians of the 5th Century BC and Homer. Although the precise choice of text depends on the teacher, in 2025 and 2026 the set texts are Homer’s Iliad, book 16 and Euripides’ Hippolytus. Aristophanes’ Frogs may also be studied in year 13. These seminal works of literature are studied in both Greek and translation, and literary criticism is paired with historicist interpretation of the texts in their original context. The paper is worth 35% of the total. Prose Literature (2h) In this paper, pupils may either read extracts from the opening book of Herodotus’ account of the Persian Wars or look at the Republic of Plato, the father of Western Philosophy. Plutarch’s Antony may also be studied in year 13. As with the verse paper, it is examined through both commentaries and essays; the paper is worth 25% of the total. Unseen Translation (1h 45) Candidates translate one passage of prose (approximately 140 words) and one of verse (of approximately 18 lines) into English. The passages are drawn from Xenophon and Euripides or Thucydides and Sophocles. The paper is worth 33% of the total.