CLSG

Classical civilisation

The opportunity to study Greek and Roman civilisations pushes students to consider the influence these two cultures have on our current social, political and cultural values.

Classical civilisation at City

The Classical civilisation department oversees a sustained interest in the Graeco-Roman culture with regular trips to to international sites of classic interest.

Why study classical civilisation at City?

At City we study outstanding achievements in art, architecture, drama and literature in classical civilisation. Such breadth enables students to relate what they have learnt from the classical world to a modern context. We develop skills which can be transferred to other disciplines such as the ability to observe, abstract and analyse information.

Students learn to pay due regard to evidence and develop a sympathetic awareness of the motives and attitudes of people of a different time and culture. The subject is a great partner to all arts and science subjects and is highly regarded by all universities including Oxbridge.

Our Staff

Dominic Themistocleous, BA (Oxon)
Head of Classical Languages
Elly Nicoll, MA (Oxon), MA (London)
Head of Lower school; Teacher of Classical Languages
Camilla Williamson, BA (Cantab)
Teacher of Classical Languages

Curriculum

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"Classics is such a wonderful subject because it combines so many areas of study, from ancient history to philosophy and of course the languages. You find that Latin and Greek have influenced so many other languages and learning them is such a fantastic experience."

Hero, year 12

Beyond the curriculum

Members of the department organise a joint classics and geography trip for year 7 to Italy. Here we visit the archaeological sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis, as well as Mount Vesuvius and the volcano at Solfatara. For students in year 10-13 we visit Athens and Delphi where we explore the archaeological sites of the Acropolis and Ancient Agora at Athens, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion and the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. We also visit the Acropolis Museum and National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Archaeological Museum at Delphi and the church of Osios Loukas near Delphi.

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