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NSW Education Standards Authority

11–12Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2027
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Year 11

Investigating ancient history – Case studies

Students study TWO case studies, choosing ONE from List A and ONE from List B. The studies may incorporate methods and issues involved in investigating the ancient past, as relevant.

Teachers may develop their own case studies. These may be designed to provide a context for options selected in the Year 12 course. However, case studies must not overlap with or duplicate significantly any option to be attempted in the Year 12 Ancient History or History Extension courses. Teacher-developed case studies must follow the geographical division indicated in Lists A and B.

List A: Case studies from Egypt, Greece, Rome and Celtic Europe

  • List A: Old Kingdom Egypt
  • List A: Tutankhamun’s tomb
  • List A: Deir el-Medina
  • List A: Alexandria
  • List A: Thera
  • List A: Troy
  • List A: The Roman games
  • List A: The Celts
  • List A: Boudicca

List B: Case studies from Australia, Asia, the Near East and the Americas

  • List B: Ancient Australia
  • List B: The Shang dynasty
  • List B: Ashoka
  • List B: Nineveh
  • List B: Persepolis
  • List B: Civilisations of the river – Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley
  • List B: Masada
  • List B: Palmyra and the Silk Road
  • List B: Teotihuacan

Other possible case studies related to List A could include:

  • the Valley of the Queens
  • Mycenae
  • Greek drama
  • the Etruscans
  • the impact of expansion on Rome
  • Tiberius Gracchus
  • the city of Rome
  • Roman Britain.

Other possible case studies related to List B could include:

  • Jericho
  • Lachish
  • the Akkadian Empire
  • Carthage
  • Hannibal and the Punic Wars
  • the Battle of Red Cliffs
  • the Moche
  • the early Maya.

Teacher-developed case studies must include the aspects of study identified in the following framework:

  • the geographical and historical context
  • the range and issues of sources
  • the historical features, people, places, events and developments of the ancient world selected for study
  • differing interpretations and representations.
List A: Alexandria
The geographical and historical context
  • Location, topography and town planning

  • Historical overview, including Alexander the Great and the foundation of the city, the city under the Ptolemies and the impact of Rome

The range and issues of sources
  • Early excavations and underwater archaeological discoveries

  • The nature of the available written and archaeological sources

  • Architectural features, such as the Pharos lighthouse, the Serapeum and the Great Harbour

Features of society in Alexandria
  • The nature of society, including the Greek elite, Egyptians, Jews and other immigrants

  • The roles and privileges of citizens

  • Significant individuals, such as Ptolemy I Soter, Cleopatra VII, Claudius Ptolemy, Eratosthenes and Hypatia

  • Features of cultural life, such as religious beliefs and practices, the Library of Alexandria, and Hellenistic learning and philosophy

  • Economic life, including trade, commerce, industries and occupations

  • Differing interpretations and representations of Alexandria

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