Ancient History
Head of Department: Mr J D Gedye
Exam board: OCR
Qualification name: Ancient History
Qualification codes: GCE A Level H407
What you will study
Lower Sixth:
Depth Study: Society and Politics of Ancient Sparta
Ancient Greek history studied through the interpretation and evaluation of original sources.
Period Study: Augustus to Nero (31BC-14AD)
Roman history studied through the interpretation and evaluation of original sources: The Reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Gaius(Caligula) and Nero.
Upper Sixth:
Depth Study : Roman Britain 43AD- 125AD
The Conquest of Roman Britain and the impact of the Romans in Britain through the study of original sources, both literary and archaeological.
Period Study: Relations between Greek States and between Greece and Persia 492BC-404BC A study of the Greek world of the 5th Century BC, focussing on their relations with each other and with Persia
How you will be assessed
Paper 1 : Rome – a 2hr 30 minute paper including source questions, modern historical debate and two essays. (50% of A level)
Paper 2: Greece – a 2hr 30 minute paper including source questions, modern historical debate and two essays. (50% of A level)
Why choose Ancient History?
Studying classics at A level gives students the chance to acquire and develop historical and literary skills through the study of topics selected from the classical and Roman world.
Course requirements
There is no need to have studied classics at GCSE in order to study the subject at A level. However, an ability to comprehend texts, as well as to communicate effectively on paper, is important, as is an interest in the classical world.
Related subjects at Sixth Form
History, Politics, English and Religious Studies all complement the
skills required to do well in Ancient History.
Where could this lead?
Classics and Ancient History are highly regarded degree subjects at university, as are related subjects such as Archaeology and Anthropology. An A level in classics is valued for any number of arts-based degree courses, which in turn can lead to many different career paths.
Further important information
To further enhance our study of Ancient History, we undertake a number of field trips – locally to Hadrian’s Wall and other sites and also to either Italy or Greece ( one of these every two years).
