A Level Classical Civilisation

A Level Classical Civilisation is the study of ancient Greek and Roman culture, philosophy, mythology, literature, and society. During your studies, you’ll explore the creation and function of Greek vases, the evolution of Greek sculptures, and the themes behind Greek religion. You will also delve into classical texts Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid. Depending on your future career and university plans, the A Levels we recommend studying alongside this course are A Level History,  A Level Politics, and A Level Law.

Degrees this subject could lead to

The knowledge and skills gained during your A Level Classical Civilisation studies, provide you with a solid foundation for degree-level studies in business, marketing, politics, and law, as well as historical areas such as archaeology or education.

Future career options

This course is ideal if you’re hoping to one day work in one of the following careers:

• Business management
• Marketing
• Law
• Public services
• Archaeology
• Museum curation
• Tour guide
• Teaching

A Level CLASSICAL CIVILISATION via distance learning

This A Level Classical Civilisation course is exactly the same as an A Level you would study at school or college, meaning you will take the same exams and get the same qualification. The only difference is that our courses are designed to be studied from home at your own pace, and you will receive full tutor support via email.

Course Content

Qualification Code: H408

Topic 1 Beliefs and ideas: Greek religion

• Olympian deities
• Relationships between gods and morals
• The significance of Homer and Hesiod for Greek ideas about gods
• Personal experience of the divine
• Historical and mythical background to mystery cults
• The myth of Demeter and Persephone
• Archaeology of the Telesterion at Eleusis
• Religion and society
• Religious authority
• Links between politics and religion
• The PanAthenaia and its significance for Athens
• Places of worship
• Rituals and priests
• Religion and philosophy

Topic 2 Culture and the arts: Greek art

• Vase painting: attic black-figure vases in the sixth century
• Vase painting: the transitional period with reference to the bilingual amphora
• Vase painting: attic red-figure vases in the fifth century
• Greek free-standing sculpture: the development of kouroi
• Greek free-standing sculpture: the development of korai
• Greek free-standing sculpture: the transitional period
• Greek free-standing sculpture: the work of Polykleitos
• Greek free-standing sculpture: female figures in the fifth century
• Greek free-standing sculpture: fourth century sculpture
• Architectural sculpture: the problems and solutions of designing metopes
• Architectural sculpture: the problems and solutions of designing Ionic continuous friezes
• Architectural sculpture: the problems and solutions of designing pediments
• Architectural sculpture:

Topic 3 The world of the hero

• Odyssey: literary structure and composition
• Odyssey: the heroic world - characterisation and themes
• Odyssey: social, religious and cultural context
• Aeneid: literary techniques and composition
• Aeneid: the heroic world - characterisation and themes
• Aeneid: the social, cultural and religious context
• Aeneid: historical and political background