ANCIENT HISTORY

2 Unit Ancient History

Ancient History engages students in an investigation of life in early societies based on the analysis and interpretation of physical and written remains. It offers students the opportunity to investigate the possible motivations and actions of individuals and groups and how they shaped the political, social, economic, and cultural landscapes of the ancient world.

The study of Ancient History equips students with the skills used by historians and archaeologists to analyse and challenge accepted theories and interpretations, investigate and synthesise a wide range of written and physical sources from the past and present, and communicate their findings as reasoned, evidence-based arguments in a variety of media.

Preliminary Course

• Ancient Sites and Sources – an investigation of the work of archaeologists.

• Case Study: Troy – discover the ancient city of Troy through an exploration of ancient and modern representations, archaeology, and sources.

• Case Study: Masada – an investigation into the history of the middle eastern city of Masada, a significant site in the history of Judaism.

• Historical Investigation – a self-directed research essay on an ancient historical topic of choice

• Slavery in Ancient Greece and Rome – an opportunity to research and interrogate the ways that the Ancient Romans and Greeks utilised imagery and power to create empires.

HSC Course

• The Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii & Herculaneum – discover the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum through a close study of archaeological sources.

• Persian Society at the time of Darius and Xerxes – an intensive study of the complex ancient society of Persia.

• The Greek World 500-440 BC – this period of Ancient Greek history is rich and exciting. Students investigate the second Persian War and the ways Greece dealt with this threat. Charismatic figures like Leonidas and Themistocles reign supreme here.

• Xerxes – Xerxes, the God King of Persia, is probably the most famous personality of the ancient near east. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of this enigmatic figure. See next page for History