Classical Civilisation

Assessment

There are three papers to be examined at the end of Year 13. Half of Paper 1 (The Odyssey) and Paper 2 will be studied in Year 12. Paper 1: The World of the Hero (40%) Students will study Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid, two of the most important works of Western literature. This module looks at aspects of epic poetry such as heroism, the depiction of the gods and religion as well as the role of women and the historical context. Paper 2: Culture and the Arts (30%) Students will study ‘Imperial Image’ which looks at how the first Roman emperor Augustus manipulated media and used propaganda as part of his campaign to establish autocracy. Students will study literary sources as well as visual sources such as statues and architecture. Themes covered include Augustus as a military, moral and religious leader, his connection with Julius Caesar and his wider reception today. Paper 3: Beliefs and Ideas (30%) Students will study ‘Democracy and the Athenians’. This paper involves a study through literary and visual material of the birth of democracy in C5th BC Athens and its interlinkages with today’s systems of government. Themes covered include democracy and Athenian identity, the pros and cons of direct representation (including referenda), the threat from populist leaders and the satirical relationship between democracy and Comedy.