Greece - Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371bc

Option I Greece: Spartan society to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BC

Principal Focus:

371 BC, through a range of archaeological and written sources and relevant historiographical

issues.

The investigation of key features of Spartan society to the Battle of Leuctra

Students learn about:

1 The geographical setting

– the geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta

– significant sites: Sparta

2 Social structure and political organisation

– the issue of Lycurgus (the Great Rhetra)

– roles and privileges of the two kings

– government:

ephorate, gerousia, ekklesia

– social structure: Spartiates,

– role of the Spartan army

– control of the helots: the military,

perioeci, ‘inferiors’, helotssyssitia, krypteia

– artisans, helots

– educational system:

agoge

– role and status of women: land ownership, inheritance, education

3 The economy

– land ownership: agriculture,

– technology: weapons, armour, pottery

– economic roles of the

– economic exchange: use of iron bars, trade

kleroi, helotsperiokoi (‘dwellers around’) and helots

4 Religion, death and burial

– gods and goddesses: Artemis Orthia, Poseidon, Apollo

– myths and legends: Lycurgus and the Dioscuri

– festivals:

Hyakinthia, Gymnopaedia, Karneia

– religious role of the kings

– funerary customs and rituals

5 Cultural life

– art: sculpture, painted vases, bone and ivory carving

– architecture: Amyklaion, Menelaion, the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia

– writing and literature: Alcman and Tyrtaeus

– Greek writers’ views of Sparta: Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Aristotle,

Pausanias, Plutarch

6 Everyday life

– daily life and leisure activities

– food and clothing

– marriage customs

– occupations.

The Near East - Xerxes

Option E The Near East: Xerxes

Principal Focus:

Students gain an understanding of Xerxes in the context of his time.

Students learn about:

1 Historical context

– geography, topography and resources of the Persian empire

– overview of Persian political, social and military structures

– expansion of the Persian empire

– overview of religion in the Persian empire

– Persian concept of kingship

2 Background and rise to prominence

– family background and status

– succession to kingship

3 Career

– administration of the Persian empire

– revolts in the empire: Egypt, Babylon

– religious policy

– building program: Persepolis

– images and representations of Xerxes as king

– foreign policy: role in invasion of the Greek mainland

– relationship with prominent Persians and non-Persians

– manner and impact of his death

4 Evaluation

– impact and influence on his time

– assessment of his life and reign

– legacy

– ancient and modern images and interpretations of Xerxes.

Cities of Vesuvius - Pompeii and Herculaneum

Students learn to:

• comprehend and analyse a range of archaeological and written sources relevant to the core

study of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum

• use sources to reconstruct aspects of life in Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79

• evaluate the implications of gaps in the evidence for reconstructing life in Pompeii and

Herculaneum in AD 79

• describe and assess different methods used by archaeologists, historians and other

specialists to investigate the sites over time

• evaluate different representations of Pompeii and Herculaneum over time

• discuss relevant issues of conservation and reconstruction; custodianship of the sites and

the display of human remains

• present the findings of investigations of key features or issues relevant to the study of

Pompeii and Herculaneum

• communicate effectively in oral and written forms to describe and analyse features and

issues of the study.

Students learn about:

Non-examinable background

• stages of occupation

• brief historical overview up to and including the eruption of AD 79

• early discoveries and brief history of the excavations

• representations of Pompeii and Herculaneum over time

Examinable content:

1 Geographical context

• the physical environment: the geographical setting, natural features and resources of

Pompeii and Herculaneum

• plans and streetscapes of Pompeii and Herculaneum

2 The nature of sources and evidence

• the range of available sources, both written and archaeological, including ancient

writers, official inscriptions, graffiti, wall paintings, statues, mosaics, human and

animal remains

• the limitations, reliability and evaluation of sources

• the evidence provided by the sources from Pompeii and Herculaneum for:

– the eruption

– the economy: trade, commerce, industries, occupations

– social structure; men, women, freedmen, slaves

– local political life

– everyday life: leisure activities, food and dining, clothing, health, baths, water

supply and sanitation

– public buildings – basilicas, temples, fora, theatres, palaestra, amphitheatres

– private buildings – villas, houses, shops

– influence of Greek and Egyptian cultures: art, architecture, religion

– religion: temples, household gods, foreign cults, tombs.

3 Investigating, reconstructing and preserving the past

• changing methods and contributions of nineteenth and twentieth century

archaeologists to our understanding of Pompeii and Herculaneum

• changing interpretations: impact of new research and technologies

• issues of conservation and reconstruction: Italian and international contributions and

responsibilities; impact of tourism

• ethical issues: study and display of human remains