11–12Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus
The new Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.
2025 and 2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching new syllabuses for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Ancient History Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching new syllabuses for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for new syllabus
Content
Year 12
Through an investigation of the archaeological and written sources of ONE historical period, students learn about the nature of power and authority, significant developments that shaped the historical period, and relevant historiographical issues.
The historical concepts and skills content is to be integrated as appropriate.
Students study key features of ONE of the following historical periods:
- New Kingdom Egypt to the death of Thutmose IV
- New Kingdom Egypt – Amenhotep III to the death of Ramesses II
- The Levant in the period c. 869–586 BCE
- Persia – Cyrus II to the death of Darius III
- Imperial China – the Qin and Han 247–87 BCE
- The Greek world 500–440 BCE
- Greece from 404 BCE to the death of Philip II
- The fall of the Roman Republic 78–42 BCE
- The Augustan Age 44 BCE–14 CE
- The Julio-Claudians 14–68 CE.
The chronological and geographical context of Rome in the Mediterranean and the Near East
The early career of Octavian, the Second Triumvirate and the outcome of the Civil War
Development of the principate, including the settlements of 27 BCE and 23 BCE
The roles and responsibilities of Augustus and the Senate
Titles, honours and images of the princeps
The roles of officials, equestrians and freedmen in the administration of the principate
Augustan reforms, including political, social, legal, religious and administrative reforms
Opposition to Augustus’s rule
The nature and significance of Augustus’s building programs
Literature and propaganda, including the role of Maecenas
The imperial family and problems of succession
The role and influence of imperial women, including Livia and Julia
The role and contribution of Agrippa
Augustus and the army
The nature of provincial government, including imperial and senatorial provinces
Frontier policy and instability