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Classics: Ancient History (OCR AS/A2 spec at a glance)

GENERAL

AS - Greek History from Original Sources
Option 3: Politics and Society of Ancient Sparta

Literary Sources
o Aristophanes, Lysistrata 980–1321
o Diodorus, 11.50
o Herodotus, 1. 65–68, 5. 39–51, 6. 56–86d, 7. 202–239
o Plutarch, Lycurgus, 6–9, 12–14, 24–26, 28
o Thucydides, 1. 79–87, 101–103
o Tyrtaeus, 10–12
o Xenophon, Constitution of the Spartans

Topics
o Social Structure of Sparta (incl. Spartiates, Perioikoi & Helots)
o Political Structure of Sparta (incl. Kings, Gerousia, Ephors & Assembly)
o Education and Values in Sparta | Role of Men and Women
o Sparta and the Peloponnese, 480-404 BC (Corinth, Tegea, Argos & Messenia)
o Views of Sparta from other states (Athens)
o Spartan Mirage and Myth of Lycurgus (ref. Plutarch)

AS - Roman History from Original Sources
Option 1: Cicero and Political life in late Roman Republic

Literary Sources
o Cicero, Against Catiline II. 17–23, IV. 7–10, 20–22
o Cicero, Pro Sestio 75–79, 96–105
o Pro Murena 21–25
o Cicero, Selected Letters 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16
o Quintus Cicero, Commentariolum Petitionis
o Sallust, Catiline 7–13, 20, 36–39, 51–52
o Plutarch, Life of Cicero 9–23, Caesar 13–14, Pompey 47
o Suetonius, The Deified Julius 10, 19–20

Topics
o Nature and Workings of Republican Politics (late 60s / early 50s BC)
o Role of the Senate, Elections and the Cursus Honorum
o Importance of Rhetoric and Public Speaking
o Factions in Rome - Optimates & Populares | Patrons & Clients
o Effects of Competition between Individuals and Groups in Roman Politics
o Growing Influence of Military Leaders (incl. Pompey, Caesar & Crassus)
o The Catilinarian Conspiracy and Cicero's Role

A2 - Greek History: Conflict & Culture
Option 1: Greece & Persia, 499-449 BC

Topics
o Expansion of the Persian Empire and its Impact upon the Greek World
o Relations between Persia & Greek City-States, 499-479 BC
o Role of Individuals & City-States in the Defence of Greece
o Continuing Conflict between Greeks & Persians in Asia Minor & the Eastern Mediterranean to 449 BC
o Greek Representations of Themselves & Non-Greeks
o Importance of Herodotus for our view of Conflict between Greece & Persia in the Fifth Century BC

A2 - Roman History: The Use & Abuse of Power
Option 1: The Fall of the Roman Republic, 81-31 BC

Topics
o Changing Distribution of Power during this Period
o Importance of Institutions & Individuals (incl. Sulla, Pompey, Crassus, Caesar, Cicero, Cato, Clodius, Catiline, Antony & Octavian)
o Challenges made by these Individuals & Factions to the Authority of the Senate, and the various Responses to Emergencies
o Extent of Participation by Citizens and the Growing Importance of the Plebs and their Demands
o Means by which Politicians in this Period Achieved Success
o Development of Violence & Fraud as a Political Tool in Rome
o Developing Importance of Military & Provincial Commands in the Roman Political System
o Social & Economic Effects of Conflict on the Roman World

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