Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation involves the study of Greek and Roman civilisation and covers aspects of classical history, society, religion and culture, models of heroism and citizenship, the visual arts and architecture. It can be studied at GCSE as well as at AS and A2 Level. Keen historians often opt for Ancient Classical History in addition to History, and in fact, given the different challenges presented by the source material, the two disciplines do not overlap.

Why study Classical Civilisation?

Studying the civilisations of Ancient Greece and Rome helps us to understand the ideas and forces which have shaped much of the modern world we live in. It helps to improve pupils’ skills as thinkers, and opens their minds to thinking about how cultures develop and differ from one another. Our aim is that pupils should gain an insight into the societies, cultures and civilisations of the Greek and Roman worlds and appreciate the western world’s debt to these two ancient societies.

GCSE: At this level, there is opportunity for pupils to study Roman and Greek Life and culture including topics based on the ancient Gods, myth and symbols of power, festivals and the universal hero, plus literature-based topics. There are two examined modules – Myth and Religion and Roman City Life. Classical Civilisation encourages pupils to be flexible and open-minded and willing to participate in class discussion, in order to develop understanding. OCR is the exam board at this level.

AS/A2 Level: There is no requirement to have studied this subject at GCSE and most recently boys have studied Alexander the Great, Greek philosophy – Socrates, Greek tragedy, Augustus, Roman architecture and the Emperors: Claudius, Nero, Domitian and Trajan. There are two exams at both AS and A2 and Cambridge International is the course we follow.