A Level Classical Civilisation OCR

This subject is broken down into 460 topics in 11 modules:

  1. Homer's Iliad 32 topics
  2. Homer's Odyssey 37 topics
  3. Virgil's Aeneid 32 topics
  4. Greek Theatre 65 topics
  5. Imperial Image 41 topics
  6. Intervention of the Barbarian 40 topics
  7. Greek Art 69 topics
  8. Greek Religion 30 topics
  9. Love and Relationships 33 topics
  10. Politics of the Late Republic 39 topics
  11. Democracy and the Athenians 42 topics
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  • 11
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  • 460
    topics
  • 177,843
    words of revision content
  • 22+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Classical Civilisation

Homer's Iliad

Iliad: Structure

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Iliad: Structure

The Structure of the Iliad

Overview

  • The Iliad is an Epic poem, composed by the Greek poet, Homer.
  • It consists of 24 books, each contributing to the overall narrative and structure.

In Media Res

  • The Iliad begins 'in media res', meaning 'in the middle of things'. This is a typical feature of epic poetry.
  • The action starts in the tenth year of the Trojan War, bypassing the prior years of conflict.

Rage and Reconciliation

  • The theme of rage and reconciliation underpins the structure of the Iliad.
  • The poem's narrative arc follows the wrath of Achilles, from its outset to its climax and resolution.

Division of Books

  • Each book of the Iliad contributes to the overall story, yet each can stand alone as an individual episode.
  • The division into books may reflect the traditional way of performing the poem, with different sections performed over several days.

Ring Composition

  • The structure of the Iliad is marked by a characteristic known as ring composition.
  • This refers to the narrative’s return to similar scenes or themes, creating a circular or 'ring' effect.
  • For example, the poem begins and ends with a father losing a son, reflecting a full circle in the narrative's structure.

Role of Gods

  • The intervention of the Gods significantly shapes the structure of the Iliad.
  • Important plot developments often occur as a direct result of divine intervention.

Use of Similes

  • The Iliad is notable for its extended use of epic similes, which often interrupt the narrative to make detailed comparisons.

Prominent Figures

  • The narrative is mainly focused on the actions and roles of key heroic figures, especially Achilles, in the Trojan War.
  • Their choices and interactions significantly influence the direction of the epic.

Structure Reflecting Themes

  • The structure of the Iliad also reinforces its key themes, such as honour, glory, and fate.
  • This is demonstrated through its focus on battles, speeches, and other significant events.

Course material for Classical Civilisation, module Homer's Iliad, topic Iliad: Structure

Classical Civilisation

Intervention of the Barbarian

Herodotus' The Histories Books 7.8–19, 7.33–37, 7.100–105, 7.145–152

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Herodotus' The Histories Books 7.8–19, 7.33–37, 7.100–105, 7.145–152

Herodotus' The Histories: Key Points

  • Herodotus presents an elaborate account of the Persian Wars in "The Histories". He brings to life the intricacies of Greek and Persian politics, battles, and cultures.

  • His work embodies the classical Greek perspective of the Persians as a 'barbaric' society threatening the 'civilised' Greek World.

  • Herodotus sourced much of his information from oral accounts, often expressing skepticism regarding some tales, attesting to his aim for a factual history.

Herodotus' Portrayal of King Xerxes

  • King Xerxes of Persia is a dominant figure in these books. His decisions, character, and interactions with his advisors show a sense of authority and arrogance in him.

  • Xerxes is depicted as a stubborn King who is easily manipulated by his advisors. His decision to bridge the Hellespont and invade Greece, ignoring the warnings of his generals, exemplifies this.

  • Xerxes' dream in Book 7.12–19 predicts his defeat but in his hubris, Xerxes ignores it. Again, illustrating the Greek belief in prophecy and fate.

  • An example of Xerxes' arrogance is shown in Book 7.34–35, where he whips the Hellespont as punishment for the destruction of his bridges by a storm.

Herodotus' Depiction of the Persian Empire

  • Herodotus portrays the Persian Empire as a massive force, listing in Book 7.61–70 the nations providing troops to Xerxes' army, attributing a sense of invincibility to the Persians.

  • Despite their power, the Persians are depicted as inferior morally and culturally to the Greeks. They are portrayed as despotic, extravagant, and lacking the virtues of the democratic Greeks.

  • His account of the fight at Thermopylae in Book 7.222–225 portrays the Greeks' bravery and superiority over the 'barbaric' Persians.

Herodotus' Narrative Style

  • Herodotus enriches his narrative with various anecdotes, divine interventions, and human-interest stories, such as the tale of Pythius' sons in Book 7.38–40.

  • His work offers a rich cultural commentary on not just Greek and Persian societies, but also several other peoples like the Egyptians and the Scythians. Despite this, the Greek-Persian divide is always maintained, with the Greeks representing 'civilisation' and the Persians embodying 'barbarism'.

Course material for Classical Civilisation, module Intervention of the Barbarian, topic Herodotus' The Histories Books 7.8–19, 7.33–37, 7.100–105, 7.145–152

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