Year 8 — Classics

Term 1 : The Roman Republic - Part I

In Term 1 the students will study the early legends and history of Rome. The students are first taught the mythological connection to the ancient city of Troy and the foundation of the city by Romulus and Remus. The students will then learn about how Rome existed as an early monarchy and the events that led to the dissolution of the monarchical system. In the next sub-unit, the students will learn about the founding and the nature of the Roman Republic. This includes looking at the social, political and class components of the Republic.

Assessment: Students complete knowledge short answer questions and an extended piece of writing based on a key second order concept.

cenat

dines

ingens

huge

facit

makes

narrat

tells

mortuus

dead

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

Development of students' extended writing skills.

Create a supportive community:

The students develop their understanding of entertainment in other cultures.

Term 2: The Roman Republic - Part II

In Term 2, the students will explore various case studies that look into certain events and conflicts that the Roman Republic was engaged in, such as the titanic war between the Republic and its greatest enemy, Carthage. As with all classical subjects, there is a comprehensive study of various primary sources. The students will be taught how to analyse the utility of the sources, focusing on detecting bias and comparing them to the wider historical context.

Assessment: Students complete knowledge short answer questions and an extended piece of writing based on a key second order concept.

habitat

lives

abit

goes away

imperium

empire

pax

peace

liber

book

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

The students develop their skills in analysing sources.

Create a supportive community:

The students develop their understanding of education in other cultures and the importance of education for a country's progress.

Term 3: Fall of the Roman Republic - Part I

In Term 3, the students learn about the events that led to the fall of the Roman Republic. The students are taught about the major players involved, their reasons for entering into civil war and the consequences of Julius Caesar gaining dictatorial power in the Roman Republic. The students then go on to learn about the events of the second civil war between Caesar and Pompey.

Assessment: Students complete knowledge short answer questions and an extended piece of writing based on a key second order concept.

pugna

fight

nunc

now

placet

it pleases

senator

politician

noster

our

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

The students develop their cause and consequence essay skills.

Create a supportive community:

The students develop their understanding of the different political systems in the ancient world and the impact they had on the political systems of today.

Term 4: Fall of the Roman Republic - Part II

The students continue their study of the fall of the Roman Republic, which includes key events such as the affair of Antony and Cleopatra and the emergence of Octavian as the first Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar. Similar to the first term, the students are taught through the use of primary sources and the students are taught how to thoroughly evaluate the usefulness of those sources for a historical judgement.

Assessment: Students complete knowledge short answer questions and an extended piece of writing based on a key second order concept.

fortiter

bravely

iam

now

mittit

sends

terra

ground

flamma

flame

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

The students develop their extended writing skills with a focus on the second-order concept of 'significance'.

Create a supportive community:

The students develop their understanding of natural disasters and the consequences of them to society, both in the ancient world and now.

Term 5: Roman Society

In Term 5, the students study life and society in ancient Rome. The students explore the role of slaves in Roman society and the various social classes of citizens that existed, including the life of senators, equestrians and urban plebs. Within this, the students learn about the patron and client relationship that was integral in Roman society. Furthermore, the students also learn about the Roman family and the importance of the paterfamilias. The students learn through primary sources and examine the lives of ordinary Romans through various ancient writing and artifacts.

Assessment: Students complete knowledge short answer questions and an extended piece of writing based on a key second order concept.

nolo

I do not want

vita

life

fessus

tired

altar

the other

nullus

not any, no

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

The students improve and develop their understanding of source analysis

Create a supportive community:

The students develop their understanding of the concept of societal divisions.

Term 6: Roman Entertainment

In Term 6, the students study the entertainment that was offered to Romans during the Republican and Imperial periods. The students learn about the Roman Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre), gladiator games, the different types of gladiators, Roman baths, Roman drama and theatre, chariot racing and the Circus Maximus. As in Roman Society, the students will learn about these interesting topics through the use of ancient sources.

Assessment: Students complete knowledge short answer questions and an extended piece of writing based on a key second order concept.

rex

King

deus

god

domina

mistress

apud

among

maritus

husband

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

Analysis of the utility of sources.

Create a supportive community:

The students develop their understanding of different cultures' economic and social systems and the influence that Rome's society has on Western society today.