Portland Place School Classics Department
AS Classical Civilisations Revision Programme 2011
AQA - 1021
In May you will sit a paper for each of the two topics you have studied this year – Greek
Architecture and Sculpture (CIV1A) and Homer Iliad (CIV2A). It is essential that you make a real
effort with the revision of these topics if you are to perform well in May. Upon your return from
the Easter break we will not be revising content, but completing as many past papers as possible
in the lead up to the exams. What follows is an outline of what you should be revising for each
topic.
Use it as a guide and under each area of content make relevant notes on the focus questions. Do
not simply read through your text and notes for each topic as this is not effective revision. Plan
your revision time well and approach your studies with diligence.
Unit CIV1A: An introduction to an aspect of Classical Civilisation
Greek Architecture and Sculpture
We have studied the significant aspects of the development of Greek public buildings,
freestanding and architectural sculpture in the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries BC. In your exam
you will be expected to show knowledge, understanding and the ability to make a reasoned
evaluation of:
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the of changes in architectural style, and the reasons for them
the main characteristics of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Orders, and their use in the
buildings studied
the relationship between sculpture and architecture
the use of space and the relationship between buildings
the uses of Greek sculpture in its public and religious context
the techniques and effects of working in marble and bronze
the religious, political, cultural, social and aesthetic context of the architecture and
sculpture studied.
Greek Architecture:
The fifth century temples and Propylaea of the Athenian Acropolis
The temples of Hera (both stages) and Zeus, and the Philippeion at Olympia
The Tholos at Epidauros
The temples at Bassae and Paestum (Hera I, II and Athena)
Focus Questions:
 What are the purposes, functions and features of Greek sanctuaries?
 What is the significance of the use of space and the relationship between buildings in a
sanctuary complex?
 How were buildings made?
 What is the function of a Greek temple?
 How did temple architecture develop?
 What are the standard features of a Greek temple?
 What are the features of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Order?
 How did temple architecture progress through the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries BC?
With respect to:
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Function
Material
Layout, size and proportions (including internal and external plans, orientation, size,
colonnade, entrances, column ratio, elevation and use of optical illusion)
Order
Decoration (internal and external)
Architectural Sculpture:
The sculptures of the temples of Aphaia on Aegina
The sculptures of the temples of Zeus at Olympia
The sculptures of the temples of Parthenon
Focus Questions:
 What is the purpose and function of architectural sculpture?
 What is the relationship between the architecture and sculpture of a building?
 How is architectural sculpture constructed?
 What are the techniques and effects of working in marble?
 What are the problems associated with pediment, metope and frieze design?
 How did architectural sculpture progress through the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries
BC? With respect to:
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Subject matter – myth, clarity and appropriateness (relationship to architecture)
Composition – use of space, focal point, repetition vs. visual variation, symmetry vs.
balance, overlapping, strong accents (horizontals, verticals and diagonals), and
contrasting ideas
Physical form – facial features, anatomy and hair
Drapery
Pose
Movement
Characterisation – portrayal of gods, goddesses, heroes and mortals
Emotion
Sculpture:
Archaic – New York kouros, Berlin kore, Anavyssos kouros, Peplos kore and Kritios Boy.
Classical – Tyrannicides, Charioteer from Delphi, Zeus / Poseidon from Artemision, Riace
Warriors, Myron’s Diskobolos, Polykleitos’ Doryphoros and Paionios’ Nike at Olympia.
Hellenistic – Kephisodotos’ Eirene and Ploutos, Praxiteles’ Hermes and Dionysos, Apollo
Sauroktonos and Knidian Aphrodite, Marathon Boy, and Lysippos’ Apoxyomenos
Focus Questions:
 What is the purpose and function of freestanding sculpture?
 How are sculptures constructed?
 What are the techniques and effects of working in marble and bronze?
 How did architectural sculpture progress through the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries
BC?
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Function
Material
Stylistic features of the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic style
Design (including viewpoint and relationship between the viewer and sculpture)
Physical form – facial features, anatomy and hair
Drapery
Pose
Movement
Characterisation - portrayal of gods, goddesses, heroes and mortals
Emotion
Grave monuments:
The grave monuments of Hegeso and Dexileos
The funerary stele from the River Ilissos
Focus Questions:
 What is the purpose and function of grave monuments?
 How are monuments constructed?
 What are the techniques and effects of working in marble?
 How did sculpture progress through the sixth, fifth and fourth centuries BC? With
respect to:
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o
o
o
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o
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o
Function
Material
Subject matter – narrative, clarity and appropriateness
Composition – use of space, focal point, repetition vs. visual variation, symmetry vs.
balance, overlapping, strong accents (horizontals, verticals and diagonals), and
contrasting ideas
Physical form – facial features, anatomy and hair
Drapery
Pose
Movement
Characterisation - portrayal of gods, goddesses, heroes and mortals
Emotion
Unit CIV2A: An introduction to an aspect of Classical Civilisation
Homer Iliad
We have made a critical study on selected books (1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24) of the
Iliad and analysed the religious, cultural and social values implicit in the text. In your exam you
will be expected to show knowledge, understanding and the ability to make a reasoned evaluation
of:
 the structure of the plot
 characterisation
 oral composition
 narrative and descriptive techniques and their effects (including the use of speeches,
similes and other imagery)
 themes
 the religious, cultural and social values and concepts implicit in the books prescribed,
including
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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.
Teacher in charge of Classics
Lucy Price January 2011