Classic Civilisation

Do you want to broaden your horizons with a GCSE course where you can study fascinating aspects of the ancient world?

If so, Classical Civilisation is the course for you. This subject focuses on the civilisations of Greece and Rome, and is a wide ranging subject involving the study of literature, art, artefacts, archaeological sites, and the ancient historical context.

This course will particularly suit students who enjoyed study of epic narrative in year 7 and who enjoy the challenge of a broad and knowledge-based curriculum.

What will I study?

Beauchamp College follows the OCR Classical Civilisation specification. This offers a broad and rewarding study of the classical world, and will allow you to develop your critical thinking, knowledge and understanding in a range of interesting and engaging topics.

You will study towards two exams, both worth 50% of the overall GCSE and lasting 1 ½ hours. Both papers include a mixture of short, knowledge-based questions and longer, essay answers.

Your knowledge will be supported and enhanced by our annual trip to the British Museum to see sources in context, along with our long-standing partnership with Leicester University School of Ancient History and Archaeology.

At Beauchamp, the options you will study are:

Myth & Religion

Many students come to Classical Civilisation due to a love of the mythology of the ancient world, and so this forms a central part of our course.

You will study myths regarding the role of the gods and heroes in the founding of Athens and Rome and the importance of Heracles/Hercules to both the Greek and Roman world. Myth as a symbol of power will also be explored, as will ever popular myths about the underworld.

You will also look at the role of religion in the everyday lives of ancient Greeks and Romans. The study of temples, sacrifice, festivals, death and beliefs in the afterlife will give a broad overview of religion in the ancient world, and provides opportunity for the study of a wide variety of material remains, including remarkable temples and works of art.

You will make comparisons between Greek and Roman ideas and use literature and visual/material culture to inform your judgements, including discussion of why or how the sources may present things differently from each other.

The Homeric World

This component provides the opportunity for the study of a fascinating period of history and a work of literature with great enduring appeal.

Homer’s Odyssey forms the literary half of this component. The selection of books combines the fantastical and enjoyable tales of Odysseus’ journey (such as his encounter with the Cyclops), with those which give an insight into everyday life; including aspects such as palace life and the lives of women. The final books, which focus on the battle between Odysseus and the suitors, are exciting in themselves and also pose interesting questions about revenge and punishment

You will also study of life in Mycenaean times. This includes the study of sites, their archaeology and the role they play in our understanding of the age. The Mycenaean Age is also rich in sculpture, frescos and jewellery, as well as tombs and their accompanying treasure, meaning that you will study a wide range of fascinating materials. Everyday life in Mycenaean times is also explored, allowing you to consider what life was like for real people in this period.