Classics

Higher Classical Studies    

We study the World of Classical Athens in the 5th Century B.C and the Roman Republic        & early Empire (100 B.C. - A.D 100) We study each culture through the following themes. 

Classical Society - Athens - Citizenship, Structure of Democracy & Government, Athenian Legal System, Slavery, Women/Gender and Athenian Colonialism & Imperialism.

We learn the origins of democracy and what this term actually means, whilst learning that Classical Athens was the birthplace & cultural testing ground of much of our modern European world. 

Classical Society Rome - Citizenship, Structure of Republican & Imperial Government, Fall of the Republic, Slavery, Gender Inequality, Roman expansion and Imperialism & Rebellions. 

We learn about one of the worlds ancient superpowers, how they ran their State & Empire and that they had a H-Q & Base in Musselburgh long before it was the 'Honest Toun'.  

Classical Literature - We also read 2-3 Classical Greek Plays (in translation) in order to    study the broad themes of Gender, Leadership, Heroism, Fate & Free Will & Conflict. These mythical stories of Gods, Adventures & Tragedies were a reflection of the society that produced and the audience that enjoyed them. They provide invaluable insight into the birth of modern theatre & performance and the ways in which this reflects our wider cultural belief systems. 

The plays we read are Euripides' Medea, Sophocles' Antigone & Aristophanes' Lysistrata.    Written c.2,500 years ago and just as valid & informative now as they were millennia ago.  

Skills & Marks

Final Exam is worth 80 marks -                                                                                                             30 marks for Classical Literature & 50 marks for Classical Society     

There's also 30 marks for the Extended Response course work element - This is where students pick, research & learn an extended response essay question which is then written up with a 250 word support sheet under Exam Conditions & sent/marked by SQA. 

Total marks for Course = 110