Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation allows students to immerse themselves in the Greek and Roman culture, regardless of their previous experience studying the ancient world. It is a wide-ranging subject involving the study of literature, art and philosophy, which in turn reveal insights into ancient thought and ideas, and their ancient historical context. You don t need to know any languages, since all the texts are in translation. It also doesn t matter if you haven t studied the Greeks and Romans since primary school; all you need is an interest in the ancient world and its cultures.

Students look at the Odyssey and the Aeneid as part of the compulsory World of the Hero module. These texts encourage students to consider some core concepts that remain relevant today; What is masculinity? What is it to be a hero? What is the nature of the gods? Students will also study Greek Art, focusing on Greek freestanding and architectural sculpture and vases. This gives students an excellent understanding of the development of Western art and allows them to flourish in museum environments (particularly on our regular Classical Civilisation trips). The third and final module of Classical Civilisation is Love and Relationships. Using ancient philosophy and poetry to analyse ancient ideas about love and relationships, students are encouraged to consider key ethical and personal questions which preoccupy cultural discourse even today.

Classical Civilisation is assessed through a series of extended writing questions, which will be developed and enriched by focused study time alongside super-curricular trips, study days and lectures.

5 grade 6s at GCSE including 6s in English and Maths; 6 in any humanity subject

Classical Civilisation helps students develop analytical skills and an excellent, coherent writing style. It also encourages an appreciation for literature, art, archaeology and more. Because of the broad range of skills and content covered in Classical Civilisation, classicists go on to do all sorts of extraordinary and wonderful things from being publishers, curators, broadcasters, musicians, politicians, writers, documentary makers to footballers and even Nobel Prize winners.