Classical Greek GCSE
Course overview
Component 1: Language
The OCR GCSE in Classical Greek consists of three elements, one based on language, one on literature (and for us this will mean the prose option) and a cultural element.
The first module (J292/01), consisting of 50% of the marks available, is a compulsory element and is centred around the study of the language.
Learners study texts and stories in Classical Greek to build knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, accidence and syntax. In addition, learners will practice reading and translating extended passages in Greek. Learners will also gain practice translating short sentences and passages from English into Greek (this an option that may be taken in the examinations).
Finally, it will be possible to start learning about verse and metre in Greek.
In each session, learners will be taken through the main points of grammar, then given some practice questions to complete. An accompanying pair of text books will help to navigate this material.
Component 2: Prose and Verse Literature
The second module gives learners a choice to select two components from five (making up the second 50% of the marks). Each is worth 25%.
Dr Beer has selected Prose Literature A and Literature and Culture
Texts for the 2023 and 2024 exams
The selections are from Herodotus, from an accompanying textbook.
Prose Literature A
Tales from Herodotus Sections II (Psammetichus), III (Crocodiles), IV (Mycerinus), XVa (Pygmies)
Learners will be guided through the Herodotus texts, gaining a good translation and will consider the way the writer uses literary techniques to bring his material to life.
The examination for this is one hour long.
Texts for the 2025 and 2026 exams
Prose Literature A
Tales from Herodotus Sections XIa (First Capture of Babylon), XII (Rebuff to Darius), XIII (The Babylonian Wife Market), XIVb (Megacles’marriage)
Again, learners will be guided through the Herodotus texts, gaining a good translation and will consider the way the writer uses literary techniques to bring his material to life.
The examination for this is one hour long.
Greek theatre of Syracuse, Sicily
Image credit: Antonio Sessa
Component 3: Literature and Culture
For this component, the learner will look at a range of prescribed and extra sources about the two topics.
Topics for exams in 2023 and 2024:
The Olympic Games
- Preparation and Organisation Layout of Olympia, Olympic truce, selection and role of officials.
- Competing in the Olympics Selection of competitors, training of athletes, prizes, the glory of winning, cheating.
- Events Running races, chariot races, pankration, wrestling, boxing, pentathlon.
- Religious Aspects Importance of Zeus, temple to Zeus, Pheidias’ statue of Zeus, sacrifices and rituals during the games.
Women in Ancient Greece:
- The Status of Women in Athens Status of women both within the oikos and outside.
- Marriage in Athens Marriage ceremony, when and who to marry, expectations and role of a wife.
- Women’s Household Duties in Athens Motherhood, weaving, supervision of slaves.
- Women in Sparta Education of girls, marriage, status of women.
Topics for exams in 2025 and 2026:
- Women in Ancient Greece
- Athenian Society
Acropolis, Athens
Image credit: Pat Whelen
At the end of the modules there will opportunities to review and revise material before practising skills and knowledge through some examination-type papers.
This examination for this component is a one hour written paper.
Links to the mark schemes further help candidates to understand what is required by the examiners to achieve the highest grades.
Theatre of Dionysus Acropolis Athens Greece
Wikimedia Commons
Classical Greek GCSE at a glance
The course consists of 3 components:
Component 1: Language
Component 2: Prose and Verse Literature
Component 3: Literature and Culture
Important information
Please note: the content for Components 2 and 3 changes every 2 years.
The content for the different years is clearly listed in the course menu.
Students who are planning to sit the exams*, select the clearly labelled sections for the relevant year.
*Some students follow the courses to improve their language skills but do not plan to sit the exams.
Course overview
The OCR GCSE in Classical Greek consists of three elements, one based on language, one on literature (and for us this will mean the prose option) and a cultural element.
Language component
The first module (J292/01), consisting of 50% of the marks available, is a compulsory element and is centred around the study of the language.
Learners study texts and stories in Classical Greek to build knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, accidence and syntax. In addition, learners will practice reading and translating extended passages in Greek. Learners will also gain practice translating short sentences and passages from English into Greek (this an option that may be taken in the examinations).
Finally, it will be possible to start learning about verse and metre in Greek.
In each session, learners will be taken through the main points of grammar, then given some practice questions to complete. An accompanying pair of text books will help to navigate this material.
Prose and verse Literature Component
The second module gives learners a choice to select two components from five (making up the second 50% of the marks). Each is worth 25%.
Dr Beer has selected Prose Literature A and Literature and Culture
Texts for the 2023 and 2024 exams
The selections are from Herodotus, from an accompanying textbook.
Prose Literature A
Tales from Herodotus Sections II (Psammetichus), III (Crocodiles), IV (Mycerinus), XVa (Pygmies)
Learners will be guided through the Herodotus texts, gaining a good translation and will consider the way the writer uses literary techniques to bring his material to life.
The examination for this is one hour long.
Texts for the 2025 and 2026 exams
Prose Literature A
Tales from Herodotus Sections XIa (First Capture of Babylon), XII (Rebuff to Darius), XIII (The Babylonian Wife Market), XIVb (Megacles’marriage)
Again, learners will be guided through the Herodotus texts, gaining a good translation and will consider the way the writer uses literary techniques to bring his material to life.
The examination for this is one hour long.
Greek theatre of Syracuse, Sicily
Image credit: Antonio Sessa
Literature and Culture component
For this component, the learner will look at a range of prescribed and extra sources about the two topics.
Topics for exams in 2023 and 2024:
The Olympic Games
- Preparation and Organisation Layout of Olympia, Olympic truce, selection and role of officials.
- Competing in the Olympics Selection of competitors, training of athletes, prizes, the glory of winning, cheating.
- Events Running races, chariot races, pankration, wrestling, boxing, pentathlon.
- Religious Aspects Importance of Zeus, temple to Zeus, Pheidias’ statue of Zeus, sacrifices and rituals during the games.
Women in Ancient Greece:
- The Status of Women in Athens Status of women both within the oikos and outside.
- Marriage in Athens Marriage ceremony, when and who to marry, expectations and role of a wife.
- Women’s Household Duties in Athens Motherhood, weaving, supervision of slaves.
- Women in Sparta Education of girls, marriage, status of women.
Topics for exams in 2025 and 2026:
- Women in Ancient Greece
- Athenian Society
Theatre of Dionysus Acropolis Athens Greece
Wikimedia Commons
At the end of the modules there will opportunities to review and revise material before practising skills and knowledge through some examination-type papers.
This examination for this component is a one hour written paper.
Links to the mark schemes further help candidates to understand what is required by the examiners to achieve the highest grades.
FAQs
The course costs £129 for 12 months access and £159 for 24 months access. It is also possible to pay via instalments.
Yes. Please scroll down to see the instalment options.
The course will prepare students for the GCSE exams in 2024.
The course fee does not include individual tutor support. Our courses provide exceptional, comprehensive material at an affordable cost. There are distance learning providers who offer tutor support and their fees reflect this. The support is usually via email.
Students following our courses benefit from the expertise of our course contributors. Dr Beer, for example, has contributed material for the current A Level Classical Civilisation syllabus and brings a wealth of teaching experience to the creation of our Classics courses.
As students progress through our courses they are able to check their understanding with study tasks, questions (and answers). It is also possible for students to revisit the sessions as often as required, allowing plenty of time to absorb and reflect on the material.
We consider our courses to be excellent value and hope you will too.
We offer this choice to provide flexibility. The length of time you need to cover the material depends on many factors such as work commitments, other courses, holidays, past times and previous knowledge of the subject.
A GCSE takes an approximately 100 to 140 hours to complete. An A Level takes approximately 350 hours.
We suggest planning a realistic timetable of how many hours (maybe commit to certain days and times) per week you can spend on the course, allowing for other time commitments. If you are taking the exams (some students follow the courses just out of interest) you will need to allow time for revision.
No, there is no difference in the content.
Do get in touch if you have any further questions. We endeavour to answer questions promptly and you should receive a reply within 24 hours, often sooner. Our email is info@sulislearning.co.uk. Or you can click on Contact Us. You may also find answers to your questions under FAQs.
