Classical
Civilisation AS
Iliad Day 2014
Course Overview
• The Classical Civilisation AS course consists of two
units
• The units are equally weighted – each is worth 50%
of the overall AS grade
• Both units are assessed by exam
• For each exam you will be required to answer one
source-based question and to write one short essay
• Both exams are offered only in the summer
• Unit 1: Women in Greece and Rome
• Unit 2: Homer Iliad
Unit 2 Overview
A critical study of selected books of the Iliad and the
religious, cultural and social values implicit in the text.
The topic requires study in the areas of:
• literature
• society and values
Set Books of the Iliad
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1
3
4
6
9
11
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16
18
19
22
23
24
Areas of Study
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the structure of the plot
characterisation
oral composition
narrative and descriptive techniques and their effects
themes
the religious, cultural and social values and concepts
implicit in the set books, including:
– the role of fate and the gods
– relationships between mortals and immortals, men
and women, fathers and sons
– the heroic code and the concepts of honour and
revenge
– the portrayal of war
Unit Assessment
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Unit 2 is assessed by a single exam in the summer
The exam is 1 hour 30 minutes long
It is marked out of 65
It is ‘closed book’ - you will not be allowed to refer to
a copy of the text during the exam
• It will consist of two sections. In each section there
will be a choice of options. You must answer one
option in each section
Section One
• In this section you must choose one option and answer
all of the questions included in it
• Each option is marked out of a total of 35
• Each option will set questions based on an extract of
the Iliad included on the paper
• Marks will be awarded in the following way:
– Short answer questions: 5 marks
– Analytical question: 10 marks
– Discursive question: 20 marks
Section Two
• In this section you must choose one option and answer
it as fully as possible
• Each option is marked out of a total of 30
• Each option will require you to show broad knowledge
and understanding of the Iliad as a whole, with specific
reference to the set books
• Each option will consist of a single question requiring
you to show ‘how far’ or ‘to what extent’ you agree with
a critical perspective of the text and why
Classics Aquinas
Have a look at the department website, Classics Aquinas.
Here you will find lots of useful material, such as course
specifications, resources, past papers and mark schemes
If you don’t already, follow us on Twitter: @classicsaquinas
30 Mark Question (1)
‘The heroism of the heroes of the Iliad is always tainted.’
How far do you agree with this view? Refer to the books
of the Iliad you have read.
You might include discussion of
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Paris and Menelaus’ duel in Book 3
Agamemnon’s role in battle in Book 11
Patroclus’ assault on the Trojans and death in Book 16
Achilles and Hector’s duel in Book 22
(30 marks)
30 Mark Question (2)
How important are wives in the Iliad?
Refer to the books of the Iliad you have read.
You might include discussion of
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Hera’s relationship with Zeus
Andromache’s relationship with Hector
Helen’s relationships with Paris and Menelaus
The status of captive women as ‘wives’ in the Greek camp
(30 marks)
20 Mark Question (1)
How far do you agree that ‘the Iliad is full of stories that
add little to its overall purpose’? Answer with reference
to the books of the Iliad you have read.
You might include discussion of
• Glaucus telling the story of Bellerophon in Book 6
• Phoenix’s narrative of Meleager in Book 9
• Nestor’s recollection of the Eleans in Book 11
• Agamemnon telling the story of Zeus and Delusion in
Book 19
(20 marks)
20 Mark Question (2)
To what extent do you agree that ‘Patroclus is by far the
most sympathetic character in the Iliad’? Answer with
reference to the books of the Iliad you have read.
You might include discussion of
• Patroclus’ actions in Book 11
• Patroclus talking with Achilles at the start of Book 16
• Patroclus’ contribution to the war effort in Book 16
• Achilles’ dream of Patroclus in Book 23 (20 marks)
10 Mark Question (1)
The confident Eleans meanwhile were besieging the citadel of Thryoessa,
determined on its downfall; but they witnessed a tremendous feat of arms
instead. No sooner had the sun shown his face above the horizon than we
gave battle, with a prayer to Zeus and Athene; and when the two armies
engaged, the first man fell to me and I took over his horses.
He was a spearman called Mulius, a son-in-law of Augeas, married to his
eldest daughter Agamede, who knew every magic herb that grows in the
wide world. As he came at me, I struck him with my bronze-headed spear
and he crashed in the dust. I leapt into his chariot and took my place in the
front rank. The confident Eleans broke and ran in all directions when they
saw their chariot-leader, their best fighter, brought to earth. But I was after
them like a black storm. I captured fifty chariots, and the two occupants of
each were all brought down by my spear and bit the dust. (pgs. 199-200)
How effectively does Homer portray Nestor’s recollections here? (10 marks)
10 Mark Question (2)
Patroclus had by now cut off the nearest Trojan contingents and was
herding them back towards the ships. He defeated all their efforts to get
back to Ilium and there, between the ships, the river and the high wall, he
kept charging in and killing men, exacting the penalty for so many Greek
dead. First he threw his shining spear at Pronous and hit him on the chest
which he had left exposed above his shield: this brought him down, and he
thudded to the ground. Next he attacked Thestor, who was sitting hunched
up in his polished chariot. The man had lost his senses, and the reins had
slipped from his hands. Patroclus came up beside him and stabbed him on
the right side of the jaw, driving the spear between his teeth. Then, using
the spear as a lever, he hoisted him over the chariot-rail, as a fisherman
sitting on a jutting rock pulls a lively fish out of the sea with his line and
shining hook. So with his bright spear Patroclus hauled his gaping catch out
of his chariot and dropped him on his face to die where he fell. (pgs. 284-5)
How typical is this passage of Homer’s descriptions of battle?
(10 marks)
Short Answer Quiz
• Taking responsibility for one of the set books of the
Iliad, come up with short-answer questions worth a
total of 5 marks.
• Your questions should have entirely straightforward
answers – requiring ideally no more than one word
per mark.
• Make your questions challenging but possible – not
completely obvious, but not too narrow either.
• Write out your questions, with their answers, on a
single sheet, then give them to me for checking.
Make your nominations for…
Most under-rated character: who? Why?
Least discussed good bit: where? Why?
Most overlooked useful quotation: what? Why?
Least appreciated divine intervention: when? Why?
Best death: who? Where? What? When? Why?