CLASSICAL STUDIES

Section A: Literature

Topic 1: Greek Epic The Odyssey (Homer)

Topic 2: Greek Drama Medea (Euripides)

Oedipus Rex (Sophocles)

Section B: Society, Culture and History

Topic 4: Greek Society, Fifth Century BC

Athens & Sparta

Section C: Special Study On an aspect of the

Greco-Roman classical world

School Assessment (70%) • Assessment Type 1: Folio (Research and

analysis exercises; multimodal) (40%)• Assessment Type 2: Essays (3 essays;

3 hours) (30%)

External Assessment (30%)• Assessment Type 3: Special Study (30%)

ASSESSMENT

The Holidays

• Read first four books of Homer’s Odyssey

• Consider the construction of the epic hero as presented in these books

• Be prepared to discuss tutorial questions for first two books at first tutorial

• First lecture on Homer and the world of Odysseus

Course Outline

Term 1: Greek Epic

Term 2: Greek Society

Term 3: Greek Tragedy

Greek Society 5th C BC

• Much comparison of Sparta and Athens

• Relationship of people to their city state (polis) and their family group (oikos)

• Education in both cities

• Roles of women and marriage

• Class groups in each place

Athenian Society

Athenian Society

ATHENIAN GOVERNMENT:

Assembly:  all male citizens over 20 years of age

Council of Five Hundred:  citizens over 30 years of age

Court:  chosen by lot from the citizens

Archons:  nine citizens who at one time were all-powerful, but after reforms the Council of Five Hundred took over most of their powers 

Spartan Society                           

Spartan Society                           

SPARTAN GOVERNMENT:

Five Ephors:  unlimited power

Council of Elders:  28 members all over 60 years of age

Kings:  two kings elected by the Assembly

Assembly:  all citizens over 30 years of age 

Spartan Society vs Athenian Society

http://www.schooltube.com/video/f8836a3434a31a97579b/HORRIBLE-HISTORIES-Wife-Swap-Spartans-and-Athenians

Greek Drama

• Origins in Dionysiac revelry

• Tragedy in 5th C BC

• Individual vs the state

• Loyalty to the gods

• The place of women

• The faults of humans

Special Study

• 30% of year’s mark

• You choose the topic

• 50% min Greco-Roman classical world

• Polished essay of 2 000 words

• Must be an argument, not a report

• Close contact with teacher at each stage

The Odyssey

• Epic poem – what is that?

• One of first works of literature

• Relations between gods and men, men and women, heroes and their environment

• The importance of revenge and honour

• The evolving concept of hero

How ‘epic’ is Odysseus?

• He is a mythical figure • He always seeks honour and glory• He possesses qualities of intelligence,

courage and physical strength• He displays excellence in debate and action• He travels widely• He is helped by the gods• He is not perfect

Trojan War

Cicones

Lotus Eaters

Polyphemus

Poseidon

Circe

Sirens

Scylla

Scylla and CharybdisThe Straits of Messina are very narrow and rocky, with strong currents and noise. Charybdis is on the Sicilian side, while Scylla is on the mainland of Italy.

Calypso

Athene

Slaughter of the suitors

Peace