Whilst the Greeks and Romans may at first seem distant and enigmatic, the social and political upheavals that took place in the ancient world continue to resonate in the modern era. The world’s first Democratic state, conflict between East and West, world religions and the philosophy of empire all have their origins in the ancient past. The study of Ancient History enables pupils to examine the significant historical events that shaped the world around us and how the legacies of the Greeks and Romans have affected today’s society. Ancient History offers access to the Greek and Roman worlds through a wealth of sources and requires pupils to engage analytically with both the primary evidence and the interpretations of modern historians. Pupils will apply historical methodology to formulate ideas about the past and learn to assess the reliability, significance and value of literary, material and archaeological sources. Alongside gaining a deeper insight into the history of the Greek and Roman worlds, studying A level Ancient History enables pupils to develop a variety of skills that are highly sought after by universities and employers. Studying ancient sources encourages analytical and reasoned thinking, as well as the ability to use a variety of evidence to answer complex questions. Pupils will also develop an ability to understand and make connections between diverse materials in order to both discuss and write thoughtfully about their ideas. There are a wide range of Ancient History and Classical degrees on offer at university without the need to study an ancient language, and many courses, for instance at Cambridge, Durham and Bristol, allow pupils to take up Latin and Greek even if they have not studied it before. Ancient History is an excellent complement to Greek or Latin for those thinking of applying for Classics. It can also be combined with a wide range of subjects and would be especially useful for anyone wishing to pursue History, Politics or another humanities subject at university. Those who study Ancient History have followed a wide range of higher education and career paths. A degree in Ancient History or a Classical subject can lead almost anywhere, from City Finance to Law, from Education to the Intelligence Services, from PR and Marketing to Politics and the Diplomatic Service. Ancient History would also support an application for courses in History, Philosophy, Literature and other humanities. The ability to understand and discuss the nuances of another culture and deal with complex source materials are increasingly important skills in the modern world.