Introduction to the Ancient World
This module will look at the chronology of ancient Greece and Rome, with emphasis on how the two civilisations were related, and several case studies from Minoan Crete and Olympia to Livy’s Early History of Rome. Students will be assessed using an open-book knowledge retrieval and comprehension test, which will include elements of chronology and Classical terminology.
The Gods
The activities in this module centre around study of the polytheistic theories for the creation of the universe and a comprehensive study of the Greek and Roman pantheon, with emphasis on their representation in Greek and Latin art. Students will be assessed using a closed-book visual source analysis test on the representation of Greek and Roman deities in Classical artwork.
Homer’s World of the Hero
This module will look at the select works of Homer’s Odyssey, Iliad and the Homeric Hymns, with emphasis on the cultural context of this famous bard and what we can learn about the ancient world from his literature. Students will be assessed using a closed-book literary source analysis test on the world of the hero as represented in Homer’s epic poetry.
The Universal Hero: Heracles/Hercules
The activities in this module centre around a comprehensive study of both visual and literary sources pertaining to the birth, life, death and deification of the universal hero, as well as how and why he is remembered as such an iconic Classical figure to this day. Students will be assessed using an open-book literary and visual source analysis test on the universal hero, covering both Greek and Roman conceptualisations.
Myth and the City: Temples
This module will look at the design, decoration and iconography of Greek and Roman temples, using the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Pantheon and Temple of Portunus as case studies. Students will be assessed using a closed-book visual source analysis test, focusing on the iconography, terminology and cultural significance of temples in the case studies.