CLASSICAL STUDIES
Section A: Literature
Topic 1: Greek Epic
Topic 2: Greek Drama
The Odyssey (Homer)
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
ASSESSMENT
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%)
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/f8836a343
4a31a97579b/HORRIBLE-HISTORIESWife-Swap-Spartans-and-Athenians
Greek Drama
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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
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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 Charybdis
The 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