Level 3 Classical Studies*

• Reading and writing - how to plan and write extended essays. Students will read chapters of the Aeneid and examine how the ideas and values of Ancient Rome are evident in the text. All assessments are written and it is strongly recommended that students are confident in their writing.

• Ideology of the Classical World (3.4 Internal): Either Roman Religion - Discover how the Romans understood the sacred and their relationship with the divine: Study Roman religious rituals, ceremonies, and festivals, explore beliefs about the gods, spirits, and household worship, investigate how religion influenced daily life, politics, and social identity in Ancient Rome.

  Or

• Greek Death and the Afterlife - Explore ancient Greek beliefs about mortality and what comes after: Examine Greek views on death, the soul, and the underworld, study key myths related to the afterlife, such as Hades, Persephone, and the Fields of Asphodel, and investigate how ideas about death shaped Greek culture, morality, and rituals.

• Critical thinking - exploring ideas from ancient society and how these are reflected in modern society.  

• Influence Across Time (3.5 Internal): Either The Lasting Legacy of the Amazons - Explore the powerful myth of the warrior women and their impact across cultures: Analyse gender roles, power, and societal challenges through Amazon myths, investigate how the Amazons represented ideas of strength and rebellion in ancient Greece, and understand the ongoing influence of the Amazons in later cultural, literary, and historical contexts.
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• Classical Myths in Greek and Post-Classical Art - Discover how ancient myths have been depicted and reinterpreted in art across history: Examine mythological scenes on Greek vases and pottery, analyse Renaissance and modern artworks inspired by classical myths, and understand how artists adapt and transform mythological stories to reflect changing values and ideas.

• Communication skills - contributing to group and class discussions. Classics is a discussion based subject and students will learn through class and group discussions to develop their critical thinking of the content. Written communication is also important for success in this subject.

Virgil's Aeneid (3.1 External): Dive into Virgil’s masterpiece, The Aeneid (Roman Odyssey), the epic story of Aeneas fleeing the ruins of Troy to found Rome. Explore Aeneas’ complex love affair with Queen Dido, analyse divine intervention and fate in Roman mythology, and investigate what makes Aeneas the model Roman hero.

• Research Skills - how to research credible information and integrate this into your written work. This is important for the assessments as well as class work.

Greek Vases (3.2 External) - Learn to “read” ancient Greek pottery as a window into everyday life and myth: Study vase imagery and iconography, explore how these artworks reveal social customs, beliefs, and stories, and develop skills in visual analysis and interpretation.