GCSE Classical Civilisation OCR

This subject is broken down into 50 topics in 5 modules:

  1. Myth and Religion 10 topics
  2. Women in the Ancient World 10 topics
  3. The Homeric World 10 topics
  4. Roman City Life 10 topics
  5. War and Warfare 10 topics
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Classical Civilisation

Myth and Religion

Gods (Greek and Roman)

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Gods (Greek and Roman)

Greek Gods and Goddesses

  • The Ancient Greeks were polytheistic, which means they believed in multiple gods.

  • The supreme god was Zeus, he ruled the sky and was also considered the king of all gods.

  • Hera was Zeus's wife. She was the goddess of marriage, family and childbirth.

  • Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.

  • Athena was the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. She was also the patron goddess of Athens.

  • Apollo was the god of the sun, music, poetry, and truth.

  • Artemis was Apollo's twin sister and she was the goddess of hunting, wilderness, and animals.

  • The goddess of love and beauty was Aphrodite.

  • Hermes was the messenger of the gods and the god of trade and thieves.

  • Ares was the god of war, representing its violent and physical aspects.

  • Hades was the god of the underworld, ruling over the dead.

  • Demeter was the goddess of harvest. She is also associated with fertility and the cycle of life and death.

  • Hephaestus was the god of fire and metalworking, often associated with blacksmiths.

Roman Gods and Goddesses

  • The Romans also practiced polytheism, adopting many Greek gods but renaming them.

  • Jupiter was the equivalent of Zeus, king of the gods and god of the sky and thunder.

  • Juno, Jupiter's wife, was the goddess of marriage and childbirth, similar to Hera.

  • Neptune took Poseidon's place as the god of the sea.

  • The goddess of wisdom was known as Minerva in Roman mythology, equivalent to Athena.

  • Apollo kept his name and attributes in Roman mythology.

  • Diana was the Roman Artemis, goddess of the hunt.

  • The goddess of love was Venus, the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite.

  • Mercury was the Roman Hermes, god of trade and also the messenger of the gods.

  • Mars was the Roman god of war, with a more honourable representation than his Greek counterpart, Ares.

  • Pluto was the Roman counterpart to Hades, ruling the underworld.

  • Ceres was the Roman Demeter, goddess of harvest.

  • Vulcan was the Roman god of fire and metalworking, analogue to Hephaestus.

Course material for Classical Civilisation, module Myth and Religion, topic Gods (Greek and Roman)

Classical Civilisation

The Homeric World

Literature: Techniques and Composition

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Literature: Techniques and Composition

Epic Poetry

  • Epics like the Iliad and the Odyssey are long, narrative poems that are central to Greek literature.
  • Homeric verse is written in a pattern known as dactylic hexameter, a rhythm based on syllable length.
  • These poems often begin with an invocation to the Muses, the nine goddesses of inspiration.

Epithets and Similes

  • Homeric epics frequently use epithets, descriptive phrases used to characterise people or things. Examples include "rosy-fingered Dawn," and "swift-footed Achilles."
  • Similes, or comparisons using 'like' or 'as,' are another trademark of Homeric poetry, often used to add dramatic flair to scenes or descriptions.

Structure and Themes

  • Homer's work tends to follow a particular structure, often beginning in medias res (in the middle of things), then using flashbacks and predictions to fill in key background information.
  • Recurring themes include honour, courage, the will of the gods, and the fate of heroes.

Oral Tradition

  • The Homeric epics are believed to have been recited orally for centuries before they were written down.
  • They include certain patterns and phrases, known as formulas, to help the bard remember them.

Characters and Motivation

  • The characters of Homer’s world are driven by a range of motivations, such as the desire for glory, to fulfill their duty, or to achieve revenge.
  • Heroes often have a tragic flaw or hamartia, such as Achilles' pride or Odysseus' hubris, which leads to their downfall.

The Role of the Gods

  • The Olympian gods play a central role in the action of The Iliad and The Odyssey, often interacting directly with the human characters and influencing events.
  • Different gods support different sides in the Trojan War, reflecting the themes of political conflict and the fickleness of fate.

Remember, analysing the Homeric World involves identifying these techniques and understanding their significance in the context of the narrative.

Course material for Classical Civilisation, module The Homeric World, topic Literature: Techniques and Composition

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