Classical Greek

Course summary

You must have studied GCSE Greek to enable you to follow this course. Please note that you can choose to study AS or A Level Greek since the material for the AS is covered during the Lower Sixth Year; a decision can be made during the year. There are two elements to this course: language and literature. Why should I study Greek? • You will continue to develop your understanding of the Greek language and the related literature, values and society and, by making comparisons, achieve a better understanding of your own culture. • You will continue to develop a wide range of transferable skills (e.g. literary criticism, enhanced knowledge of English – including derivations, problem-solving, analysis, historical and textual evaluation, and attention to detail). • You will read a wide range of interesting and entertaining literature which has influenced the development of European literature and culture. • You will develop insights into the relevance of Greek and ancient literature and civilisation to our understanding of our modern world of diverse cultures. • If you are enjoying Greek so far, you will relish the opportunity to study this fascinating subject in even greater depth. There are four components: • Unseen Translation: You will continue to study the Greek language and widen your vocabulary, beginning with the Defined Vocabulary List. You will read extracts from Xenophon for the Prose Unseen and extracts from Sophocles for the Verse Unseen. You will also learn how to scan iambic trimeters. • Comprehension: You will read a variety of Greek oratory, practising translation and the relevant type of comprehension questions; you will also practise the type of questions which will be asked about accidence and syntax. • Prose Literature: You will study selections from Book 1 of Herodotus’s Histories, in which Herodotus announces his intention to record why the Greeks and their neighbours came into conflict, beginning with Croesus and the Lydians. You will also study selections from the Republic by Plato, in which Socrates and dinner companions discuss the nature of justice. In addition, you will read further selections from the Republic in English, to enable you to understand the context of your set text more clearly. • Verse Literature: You will study selections from Book 16 of Homer’s Iliad, in which Patroclus begs to be permitted to fight in Achilles’ armour. You will also read selections from Book 24 of the Iliad in Greek, and the whole of Books 16 and 24 of the Iliad in English, to enable you to discover the far-reaching consequences of this decision.