Part B - Two Topics from the Following Four Options

Topic 5: Alexander the Great

A partial study of extant sources, selected by the teacher.

The focus of study for this topic is primarily historical. The emphasis is on using a variety of sources as historical documents in order to understand social and political aspects of the topic by exploring the areas suggested for study, and through the students’ own knowledge.

The following are the specified areas for study of the texts:

• Alexander’s youth and upbringing 356-336 BCE.

• Alexander’s strategies for assuming and consolidating power from 336-323 BCE.

• A ‘Global Community’ or ‘Disaffection, conspiracy and mutiny?’; the incorporation of various cultures into the Greek world that led to significant changes in Greek culture and politics and the policies and practice of administrating different parts of his empire.

• Alexander’s military campaigns in Europe (Chaeronea, Theban Revolt, the Northern campaigns), Persian Empire (Granicus, Issus, Gaugamela) and Asia (the war with Porus).

• Challenges of reconstructing the time of Alexander through the available evidence.

Topic 6: Athenian Vase Painting

A chronological study of a range of extant Greek vases created by painters named in the specification below, examined by stimulus based questions.

The focus of study for this topic is primarily thematic. The emphasis is on using a range of extant Greek vases in order to understand social and cultural aspects of the topic by exploring the areas suggested for study, and through the students’ own knowledge.

The following are the specified areas for study:

• The beginnings:

  • The beginnings of Greek art: the geometric style.

  • Narration on Attic vases.

  • The beginning of black-figure technique: vase painting in Corinth.

• Attic black-figure vase painting:

  • How Greek vases were used.

  • Attic black-figure vase painting at the beginning of the 6th century BC.

  • Vase painting with figures on a large scale.

  • Design and decoration of a tondo.

• Early red-figure vase painting

  • The invention of red-figure: bilingual vases.

  • Further developments in red-figure and black-figure.

  • Panathenaic amphorae.

  • Innovations in the rendering of anatomy and foreshortening.

  • Red-figure vase painting in the early 5th century BC.

  • The use of old themes to embody new ideas.

• Early Classical painting and vase painting

  • The depiction of space.

  • Vase painting in the early classical period; the white-ground technique.

• The High Classical period

  • Art in the last quarter of the 5th century BC.

Topic 7: Roman Architecture

A study of the architecture of the Romans in their religious, political, aesthetic, cultural and social context, examined by stimulus based questions.

The topic requires study of:

Architecture.

Society and values.

In order to give the Topic a clear focus, we will be studying the towns of Pompeii (and Herculaneum for houses), Rome and Ostia.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, and the ability to make a reasoned evaluation of the following:

• the layout, construction, decoration and function of the following building types and buildings.

• forum and basilica: Pompeii (including the buildings that surround it); Ostia; Rome, Forum of Augustus; Rome, Forum of Trajan (including its associated structures and Trajan's Markets).

• temples: Pompeii, Capitolium, Temple of Apollo; Ostia, Capitolium; Rome, Temples of Mars the Avenger, Pantheon, Vesta (in Forum Romanum).

• baths and water supply: Pompeii, Stabian Baths; Ostia, Forum Baths; Rome, Baths of Caracalla; water supply to these baths and to the cities of Pompeii and Rome.

• theatres and amphitheatres: Pompeii, Large Theatre (including Gladiatorial Barracks), Small/Covered Theatre, Amphitheatre; Rome, Theatre of Marcellus, Colosseum.

• housing: domus: Pompeii, House of the Faun, House of Loreius Tiburtinus/Octavius Quartio, House of the Menander, House of Sallust, House of the Tragic Poet, House of the Vettii; Herculaneum, House of the Mosaic Atrium, House of the Stags; insulae: Ostia, House of Amor and Psyche, Cassette-tipo, Garden Houses, House of Diana, and Horrea Epagathiana.

• the use of stone, brick and concrete (including opus incertum, opus reticulatum, opus testaceum).

• the use of the post and lintel method of construction and of arches, vaults and domes.

• the religious, political, social, cultural and aesthetic importance of the buildings within the historical context.

• Detailed knowledge of particular wall-paintings, mosaics and statues will not be required.

Topic 8: Augustan Rome

The focus of study for this topic is primarily historical. The emphasis is on using a variety of ancient sources as historical documents alongside selected secondary sources in order to understand social and political aspects of the topic. This should be achieved by exploring the areas suggested for study and through the students’ own knowledge.

The following are the specified areas for study:

• Augustus‘ strategies for assuming and consolidating power from 44-12 BCE

• His reforms and their effects on politics and society

• His policies and practice of administration of different parts of empire

• Challenges of reconstructing the time of Augustus through the available evidence.