Whangarei Girls’ High School

Year 10 Classics - Gods, Warriors and Lost Cities

Course Description

Ever wondered how the world began, why gods caused so much chaos, or why Roman soldiers never quit? Welcome to the wild world of Classical Studies - where you’ll dive into epic myths, ancient battles, volcanic disasters, and daily life in two of history’s greatest civilisations: Greece and Rome. This course mixes storytelling, history, and investigation, with lots of choice in how you learn and show what you know. Whether you're into gods, warriors, ruins, or weird ancient food - there’s something in here for you. Plus, you’ll see just how much of our world was shaped by theirs.

Learning Opportunities

In this course you will need to:

Develop these skills:	Explore this content:
Thinking and Inquiry Skills - Ask smart questions about the past and dig into what ancient stories really mean. You'll think critically, compare cultures, and use evidence to make sense of history.	Creation Myths: Gods, Chaos, and the Beginning of Everything - Where did the world come from? You’ll compare the Greek creation myth with other ancient stories - from Norse frost giants to Egyptian cosmic eggs to Tāne Mahuta separating Ranginui and Papatūānuku. What do these myths say about the cultures that told them?
Communication and Literacy Skills - Understand, explain, and share ideas about the ancient world. You’ll read myths and sources, write clearly, speak confidently, and interpret visuals.	Hoplites and Heroics: Greek Warfare and Society - Who fought at Marathon and Thermopylae - and why do we still talk about them? Learn how ordinary citizens became fearsome hoplite warriors, and discover what life was really like in ancient Greek cities - at home, at school, and on the battlefield.
Creative and Design Skills - Bring the ancient world to life with imagination and flair. You'll retell myths, design creative projects, and act out scenes from ancient life.	Pompeii: Life (and Death) Under a Volcano - What happens when time freezes in an instant? Travel back to Pompeii in 79 AD and explore a Roman town buried in ash. You’ll become a detective, using real artefacts and ruins to uncover what people ate, how they lived - and how they died.
Research and Evidence Skills - Find facts and back up your ideas like a real historian. You’ll use ancient sources, do research, and support your thinking with evidence.	Marching with Rome: The Roman Army and Imperial Power - Why were Roman soldiers the toughest in the ancient world? Discover their training, weapons, and strategies - and how they helped spread Roman power across the empire. You’ll also explore the Imperial Cult - where emperors weren’t just rulers… they were gods.
Social and Collaboration Skills - Learn with others and explore different points of view. You’ll work in teams, respect different ideas, and join discussions and debates.	Daily Life: From Toga Time to Mice on Sticks - What did Romans eat? How did Greek kids learn? Was slavery normal? Step into the daily lives of ordinary (and not-so-ordinary) people in the ancient world. Expect fast food, fierce fashion, and strange rules that kept society ticking.

Year Levels/Departments:

Year 10, Classical Studies

Resources Required

1B8 Exercise Book
Gluestick
Pens