A-Level OCR
Classical Civilisation
Why this course Uncover how ancient Greek and Roman literature, art, and ideas shaped the modern world.
You will develop sharp critical thinking skills that prepare you for university study and help you decode culture, literature, and politics today.
By the end, you’ll be able to
Drawn from the course specification1 Analyse foundational Greek and Roman epic literature alongside its cultural and social contexts
2 Evaluate visual art, architecture, and material culture to interpret how ancient societies functioned
3 Assess complex classical debates surrounding power, democracy, religion, and human relationships
4 Construct well-evidenced critical arguments that engage with both ancient sources and modern scholarship
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The World of the Hero: Homer's Iliad
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Oral Tradition, Textual Transmission, and Epic Poetics
Heroic Values: Timē, Kleos, and Moral Codes Soon
Gods, Fate, and Reconciliation in the Iliad Soon
Society, Family, and Mortal Relationships in War Soon
Narrative Study of Set Books: Iliad 1, 3, 4, and 6 Soon
Narrative Study of Set Books: Iliad 18, 19, 22, 23, and 24 Soon
The World of the Hero: Homer's Odyssey
Coming soon
Odyssean Poetics: Structure, Similes, and Narrative Flashback Soon
The Heroic Ideal, Nostos, and Divine Will Soon
Wanderings, Fantasy, and Encounters with the Supernatural Soon
Social Worlds: Xenia, Domestic Life, and Women Soon
Return to Ithaca: Disguise, Revenge, and Recognition Soon
Comprehensive Analysis of Set Odyssey Books Soon
The World of the Hero: Virgil's Aeneid
Coming soon
Epic Artistry: Homeric Imitation, Similes, and Poetic Language Soon
Roman Values: Pietas, Furor, and Imperial Destiny Soon
Aeneas, Tragedy, and Human Relationships in War Soon
The Augustan Context and Ideological Perspectives Soon
Narrative Progression in Prescribed Books: Aeneid 1 to 6 Soon
Narrative Progression in Prescribed Books: Aeneid 7 to 12 Soon
Greek Theatre
Coming soon
Festivals, Civic Context, and the Physical Theatre Space Soon
Staging Drama: Actors, Chorus, Costumes, and Stagecraft Soon
The Nature of Tragedy: Theory, Peripeteia, and Catharsis Soon
Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Euripides' Bacchae Soon
Old Comedy and Aristophanes' Frogs Soon
The Material and Visual Evidence for Ancient Drama Soon
Imperial Image
Coming soon
From Octavian to Augustus: Caesar's Heir and Civil War Soon
Military Leadership, Imperium, and Expanding the Empire Soon
Religious Revival, Secular Games, and the Golden Age Soon
Civic Transformation: Imperial Architecture and Monuments Soon
Moral Reform, Virtues, and the Imperial Family Soon
Augustan Poetry: Horace, Propertius, and Ovid Soon
Invention of the Barbarian
Coming soon
Greek Identity, the Polis, and the 'Other' Soon
The Persian Empire: Achaemenid Realities and Royal Ideology Soon
Persians and Amazons in Visual and Material Culture Soon
Aeschylus' The Persians and Euripides' Medea Soon
Herodotus' The Histories: Portrayal of Barbarian Customs and Wars Soon
Greek Art
Coming soon
Materials, Methods, and Functions of Free-Standing Sculpture Soon
The Evolution of Free-Standing Statues: Kouroi to High Classical Soon
Architectural Sculpture: Temple Pediments, Friezes, and Metopes Soon
Techniques and Vessel Forms in Attic Vase Painting Soon
Black-Figure and Red-Figure Pioneers: Myth and Composition Soon
Greek Religion
Coming soon
The Olympian Gods, Epithets, and Reciprocal Devotion Soon
Civic and Panhellenic Sanctuaries: Acropolis, Delphi, and Olympia Soon
Ritual Practice: Sacrifices, Votives, Priesthoods, and Deme Rites Soon
Mystery and Healing Cults: Eleusis, Dodona, and Asclepius Soon
Challenging Religion: Pre-Socratics, Socrates, and New Philosophy Soon
Love and Relationships
Coming soon
Men, Women, and Marriage in Ancient Greece and Rome Soon
Philosophical Perspectives on Eros: Plato's Symposium Soon
Stoic Views on Passion and Desire: Seneca's Essays Soon
The Poetry of Sappho: Desiring the Divine and the Mortal Soon
Ovid's Ars Amatoria Book 3: Seduction, Gender, and Wit Soon
Politics of the Late Republic
Coming soon
The Late Republican Constitution, Factions, and Social Order Soon
Cato the Younger and Stoic Republican Conservatism Soon
Caesar's Populism, Triumvirate, and the Collapse of the State Soon
Cicero's Ideals: Concordia Ordinum and Cum Dignitate Otium Soon
Rhetoric and State Corruption: Cicero's In Verrem 1 Soon
Insights into Late Republican Crises: Cicero's Letters Soon
Democracy and the Athenians
Coming soon
Early Reforms: Solon and the Road to Popular Participation Soon
Cleisthenic Reorganisation and 5th-Century Radical Reforms Soon
Institutions in Action: Ekklesia, Boule, Courts, and Sortition Soon
Democratic Ideology in Tragedy and Historiography Soon
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Free practice resources
Revise the whole OCR A-Level Classical Civilisation specification with Tutorio: interactive lessons, exam-style questions with instant marking, past papers and progress tracking. Free to start on web, iOS and Android.
About this course
What you'll learn with Classical Civilisation
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