Ancient History

AS and A2 Ancient History is based on the study of Greek and Roman history – political, military, social and cultural. It involves the study of original sources, in translation and the reading of modern historians and commentators. It is very similar to Modern History but working on material that was written many hundreds of years ago. The subject involves the evaluation of source material as well as knowledge of its content. The subject provides an opportunity to study the political, cultural and social history of two civilisations which have had significant effects upon the development of later European culture and history.

Who does it suit?

Ancient History will suit you as an AS or A2 subject if you have an enquiring mind and an interest in the people of ancient Greece and Rome. Topics include the trial of Socrates; the development of Athenian Democracy; Athenian culture and society in the 5th century BC (all for AS). For A2 the Age of Augustus; Augustus and Augustan Propaganda; the growth and development of Rome and its population – 33BC-117AD.

Since there is an emphasis on reading the original writers of the period (in English translation) you will have an opportunity to read, on the Greek side, such writers as Plato on his teacher Socrates; Aristotle on Athenian democracy and politics; or the satirical comedies of Aristophanes. On the Roman side, there are the social satires of Juvenal, the colourful biographies of Suetonius or the histories of Tacitus.

To do well at Ancient History, you need a good memory for detail as well as an ability to weigh up the evidence, and propose and argue a balanced answer to a question. As an A2 subject, Ancient History could therefore be combined with Latin, Classical Greek, English or modern languages, for example.

The AS

¨ Unit 1: Document Study – Greek History: two responses to documents in translation on the Trial of Socrates (1 hour).

¨ Unit 2: Source-based Study – Greek History: one essay on questions relating to the Culture of Athens (1 hour).

¨ Unit 3: Thematic Study – Greek History: one essay on questions relating to Athenian Democracy and its development over a century (1 hour).

The A2

¨ Unit 4: Document Study – Roman History: two responses to documents in translation on Augustus and Augustan Propaganda (1 hour 15 min).

¨ Unit 5: Source-based Study – Roman History: two responses to questions relating to the Age of Augustus (1 hour 30 min). This module can be taken as coursework.

¨ Unit 6: Thematic Study – Roman History: two essays on questions relating to the City of Rome and its development over a period of more than a century (1 hour 30 min).

Exam strategy

¨ First year: All AS units are taken in June. No modules are available in January. ¨ Second year: All A2 units are taken in June together with the retake of any AS units if necessary. It is possible to replace one module (the Age of Augustus) with coursework.

The Department

Jane Nimmo-Smith (Classical Civilisation, Latin, Classical Greek, Ancient History) An Oxford graduate, Jane has now been teaching in the Oxford area for many years and has built for herself a reputation as a popular and successful tutor. She is equally at home in any of the classical subjects and as well as teaching has, in recent years, found time to work as a librarian at Oxford Brookes and to contribute to the writing of three children’s reference books. For the last four summer examination sessions, she has acted as an assistant examiner and assessor for AS Ancient History.

Results

In 2004-5, one student took an AS in this subject, gaining an A grade; a second student took the whole A level in one year, gaining an A grade overall and is going on to study English at Oxford University.

Higher Education

Ancient History is a subject that offers a wide range of material for the student to find an interest in. It makes a very suitable subject for those applying for science and arts university courses.