“He alone seems to live truly and to enjoy his existence who, concentrating on some enterprise, finds a reputation for a distinguished deed or good practice.” Sallust, Cataline’s War. The Classics department at Tytherington School has been encouraging distinguished deeds and good practice since its inception, and the current staff remain committed to this ideal. The study of Classical Civilisation touches on a varied range of topics from ancient philosophy, history and politics to religion, literature and the arts. It encourages excellence in pupils of all abilities and ensures that entrants to university and the jobs market alike will stand out from the crowd. In Year 12, students will look at the roots of Western Literature through the study of the epic poem, Homer’s Odyssey. We shall follow his exploits through the Aegean Sea; learning about fabulous monsters, the Mycenaean World and the nature of heroism along the way. We shall also delve into the tragic, gruesome and at times hilarious world of Greek Theatre. We will study two tragedies and a comedy which have left an indelible mark on the storytelling of modern life along with the political system which allowed its nascence; the democracy of Classical Athens. Year 13 takes us to the superpower of ancient Rome, as we investigate the foundation myth of the Roman people, the epic poem, Virgil’s Aeneid. Will we travel with Aeneas from the burning ruins of Troy to the golden shores of Libya, from the abyss of the underworld to the hills of Rome herself. Combining history, poetry and myth, the Aeneid has all the hallmarks of a masterpiece of world literature. The fall of the Roman Republic comprises the final element of our course, where we shall investigate the collapse of one of the most powerful systems of government through the eyes of the famed lawyer, Marcus Tullius Cicero. We will be enthralled by his rhetoric, opinions and letters as we follow the careers of some of the most notable statesmen of all time, such as Pompey the Great, Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. An A Level in Classical Civilisation provides an excellent general knowledge of the ancient world and is also hugely fun - truly fantastic in every sense of the word.