CSCPCSCP

AN INTRODUCTION TO

CLASSICAL CIVILISATIONS

Key Stage 3

Rationale

To enable students to:To enable students to: Explore and understand how and Explore and understand how and

what we know about Classical what we know about Classical civilisations and their importancecivilisations and their importance

Question and discuss issues raised Question and discuss issues raised by the mythology and history of the by the mythology and history of the Classical civilisationsClassical civilisations

Relate those issues to contemporary Relate those issues to contemporary situationssituations

ApproachApproach

Ten chapters covering the evidence, a Ten chapters covering the evidence, a selection of historical, mythological and selection of historical, mythological and literary themes, and the influence of Classical literary themes, and the influence of Classical civilisations on the later development of civilisations on the later development of Europe and beyondEurope and beyond

Inter-chapter ‘active-learning’ sections Inter-chapter ‘active-learning’ sections covering scientific, cultural and artistic covering scientific, cultural and artistic achievementsachievements

Accompanying timelines and mapsAccompanying timelines and maps On-line materials and supportOn-line materials and support

Chapter 1: The ContextChapter 1: The Context

How do we know that the Classical How do we know that the Classical civilisations existed?civilisations existed?

How can we understand the evidence?How can we understand the evidence? Where were the Classical civilisations Where were the Classical civilisations

located?located? When did the various Classical civilisations When did the various Classical civilisations

flourish?flourish? Opportunities to consider the evidence and Opportunities to consider the evidence and

think for yourselfthink for yourself

Chapter 2: Socrates & Chapter 2: Socrates & AntigoneAntigone

The Individual and the StateThe Individual and the State The story of Antigone and her fight The story of Antigone and her fight

for justicefor justice The story of Socrates – was he right The story of Socrates – was he right

to challenge the authorities?to challenge the authorities? What questions do the stories of What questions do the stories of

Antigone and Socrates raise?Antigone and Socrates raise? What is our relationship with the law?What is our relationship with the law?

Chapter 3: The Myth of Chapter 3: The Myth of RomeRome

Who were the heroes of Rome? Who were the heroes of Rome? (Aeneas, Romulus & Remus, (Aeneas, Romulus & Remus, Horatius, etc.)Horatius, etc.)

Why did Rome choose these heroes?Why did Rome choose these heroes? The creation of the Roman BrandThe creation of the Roman Brand How myths are created (American How myths are created (American

West, World War II – e.g. West, World War II – e.g. Thermopylae/Battle of Britain – the Thermopylae/Battle of Britain – the Few against the Many)Few against the Many)

Chapter 4: Helen and Troy – Chapter 4: Helen and Troy – myth and realitymyth and reality

The story of ArchaeologyThe story of Archaeology Why is Heinrich Schliemann Why is Heinrich Schliemann

important?important? Who was Helen of TroyWho was Helen of Troy Why was this story so important to Why was this story so important to

the Greeks?the Greeks?

Chapter 5: Dido, Aeneas and Chapter 5: Dido, Aeneas and TurnusTurnus

Aeneas’ story – escape from Troy, Aeneas’ story – escape from Troy, meeting Dido, the ‘lost love’, his meeting Dido, the ‘lost love’, his ‘mission statement’, arrival in Italy, ‘mission statement’, arrival in Italy, defeat of Turnusdefeat of Turnus

What is the Aeneid about? – What is the Aeneid about? – glorification of the Roman glorification of the Roman achievement and the ‘Augustan achievement and the ‘Augustan Brand’Brand’

Exploring political spin and branding Exploring political spin and branding in contemporary societiesin contemporary societies

Chapter 6: Greeks and Chapter 6: Greeks and PersiansPersians

Who were the Persians and how and Who were the Persians and how and why did they become ‘the enemy’?why did they become ‘the enemy’?

How did the Athenian Democracy How did the Athenian Democracy manage the war?manage the war?

Why did the Democracy fail?Why did the Democracy fail? What is it about the East that bothers What is it about the East that bothers

the West so much?the West so much?

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra

Why do they matter?Why do they matter? Who was the real Cleopatra?Who was the real Cleopatra? Why did she get involved with the Romans?Why did she get involved with the Romans? Who was Antony?Who was Antony? Why was Egypt so important to the Why was Egypt so important to the

Romans?Romans? What would have been different if Antony What would have been different if Antony

and Cleopatra had won?and Cleopatra had won? Myth versus Reality – Antony/Aeneas, Myth versus Reality – Antony/Aeneas,

Cleopatra/DidoCleopatra/Dido

Chapter 8: Cretan StoriesChapter 8: Cretan Stories

The Minoans on Crete – myth & realityThe Minoans on Crete – myth & reality What destroyed the Minoans?What destroyed the Minoans? How was the Palace at Knossos How was the Palace at Knossos

discovered?discovered? What stories are connected to the Palace?What stories are connected to the Palace? Minoan Art and Minoan LanguageMinoan Art and Minoan Language Bulls, labyrinths, the Minotaur and Bulls, labyrinths, the Minotaur and

metaphorsmetaphors

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Britain and the Roman Britain and the Roman

EmpireEmpire What was Britain like?What was Britain like? How did it become part of the Empire?How did it become part of the Empire? Caesar and BritainCaesar and Britain Octavian becomes AugustusOctavian becomes Augustus The Augustan EmpireThe Augustan Empire The ordinary peopleThe ordinary people Where are today’s empires?Where are today’s empires?

Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Polis to SPQR to EU?Polis to SPQR to EU?

How the Classical civilisations used How the Classical civilisations used their mythical past to control their their mythical past to control their present and their futurepresent and their future

The influence of the Classical past on The influence of the Classical past on our presentour present

The roadmap from polis to Roman The roadmap from polis to Roman Empire to current economic and Empire to current economic and monetary unionmonetary union

For example:For example: East versus West – economics, politics, East versus West – economics, politics,

religion, culture?religion, culture? Branding and ‘spin’ in contemporary Branding and ‘spin’ in contemporary

political and cultural contextspolitical and cultural contexts The individual and the lawThe individual and the law Family loyalty and betrayal – epics and Family loyalty and betrayal – epics and

soapssoaps What did the Romans & Greeks ever do for What did the Romans & Greeks ever do for

us?us?

Current IssuesCurrent Issues

Inter-Chapter sectionsInter-Chapter sections Archimedes, PythagorasArchimedes, Pythagoras Architecture & the built environmentArchitecture & the built environment Astronomy, navigationAstronomy, navigation Building techniques, roads and water Building techniques, roads and water

supplysupply GeometryGeometry Jewellery, coinageJewellery, coinage MathematicsMathematics Metallurgy, pottery and other technologiesMetallurgy, pottery and other technologies Military technologyMilitary technology