Students must have studied Latin at GCSE to take this course, and must have achieved a level 6 or above. If you didn’t take Latin at GCSE, or don’t want to continue with the language but are still interested in Classics, you can take Classical Civilisation. 

Assessment overview 

• Throughout the year we will be reading authors from across the Roman Empire writing in a wide range of genres.

• The examination comprises two passages to translate (one prose, one verse).

• Students will build on their GCSE vocab knowledge by learning the AS Level word list.

• This examination is a series of short-answer comprehension and grammar questions on a prose text, similar to the style of the GCSE language paper. 

• Cicero was one of the most prominent figures in 1st century BC public life and his Latin is regarded as unsurpassed. In this speech from the king of Roman politics and law, he delivers a masterclass on defence of the seemingly indefensible. His dramatic and persuasive style is still recognisable in the speeches of barristers and politicians today. 

• The exam is in the form of a series of short-answer questions about the content of a passage, and then a longer answer discussing the style of a particular extract. These questions are similar to those encountered in the Latin Literature paper at GCSE level. 

• In this iconic & exciting piece of Latin poetry students will read about the conflict between the gods and Fate, the destiny of a refugee from Troy, and an encounter with the Queen of Carthage herself, Dido.  

• Virgil wrote this work as a commission for the new Emperor Augustus; but how supportive of the new regime is it really? Many later poetic works are derived from this one and the story told has echoed down the ages: human nature never changes and victims of war still abound.

• The exam is in the form of a series of short-answer questions about the content of a passage, and then a longer answer discussing Virgil's style. These questions are similar to those encountered in the Latin Literature paper at GCSE level. 

WHY CONTINUE LATIN FROM GCSE?

• A challenging course that helps you stand out from the crowd. Having something different on your CV is of great value

• Closely connected to (and recommended for) top professions like law, medicine, politics

• Cross-curricular links with all other subjects

  • Latin’s language skills support MFLs; 

  • Latin’s logical and problem solving skills support the sciences (including Maths, Computer Science and Economics); 

  • Latin’s literature skills and lasting legacy supports English, Film, Drama & Art. 

  • Latin’s academic rigour supports all other A Level subjects! 

• Massive scope for university study: perfect if you are unsure about future career options.

• Allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of art, literature and culture.

• Offered by top universities: an attractive degree for top companies or government agencies like GCHQ.

You will need to arrive in Year 12 still confident with your GCSE vocabulary list. You should have at least attempted to learn the principal parts (the middle column). 

Vocab can be tested here: https://latinvocabularytester.com/ 

You must be familiar with recognising and translating all verb endings. If you are bored of your GCSE word list and want a challenge, use this AS Level vocab list. You can test on the website above (however there is no requirement to have learned any of these words before starting!).

If you are unconfident with your Latin skills and want to brush up before September, there are a number of excellent Latin summer schools and summer camps available, regularly advertised on the Latin GCSE Google Classrooms. 

Finally, it’s advisable to read over your GCSE Latin Literature again, at least in translation, to refresh your memory before starting Year 12. Have a look at our reading list for more Classics-related books, or visit the Classics Office to borrow a book from our Classics Library. 

One of the best ways of discovering more about Classics is to read Omnibus, the journal produced twice a year by the Joint Association of Classical Teachers specially for sixth-formers. Every issue contains a dozen or so short articles on aspects of Classics, written by those who teach in universities. It costs only £3 and both the current number and back-numbers are available from https://classicalassociation.org/publications/omnibus/ We also have a fairly large collection in the office, available for students to borrow on request. 

SPQR. A History of Ancient Rome, Mary Beard, (2015)

Women and Power, Mary Beard (2018)

An Introduction to Virgil’s Aeneid, W. A. Camps,  (paperback, Oxford 1969)

Further Voices in Vergil’s Aeneid, R. O. A. M. Lyne, (paperback, Oxford 1992)

Roman Blood, Steven Saylor (the first in a series)

The Mythos series, Stephen Fry