Classical Civilisation is an exciting and absorbing subject which focuses on the literature and culture of the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds. In the first year of the course you will study Homer’s famous epic poem, The Odyssey, and read some of the best known tragic plays in world literature. In the second year you will extend your knowledge of Greek and Roman culture to include Homer’s Iliad (the story of Troy), the Roman epic of Virgil’s Aeneid and a selection of Greek and Roman Comedies. So what does that actually mean? Journey with Odysseus as he struggles with angry gods and mythical monsters, battles against human enemies who hold all the aces, and finds out that falling in love is a dangerous business. Follow the story of Medea, a scorned wife with magical powers who gains revenge on her husband and his lover but at a terrible cost to her own family. Meet King Agamemnon as he returns home from the Trojan War to danger lurking in his own palace. And that’s just in year one… In year two we fight alongside the Trojan hero Hector, journey with Trojan prince Aeneas from Troy as he strives to reach Italy and found the Roman race and we have a laugh at the knockabout and vulgar humour of the Greeks and Romans. Although all our texts are studied in translation you will have the opportunity, if you wish, to study GCSE Latin as a separate subject. This is very useful for classicists and for those intending to pursue careers in medicine, the legal profession, or for anyone who is looking for an academic challenge!

Classical Civilisation is a highly-rated subject. A range of universities offer lively, exciting Classics courses, many of which offer the chance to study abroad or include archaeology, philosophy, drama and art. Classicists become solicitors, barristers, accountants, bankers, librarians, teachers and journalists amongst other things. The wide range of skills you develop will make you highly desirable in the eyes of potential employers.