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 legacy of Marius and Sulla
The significance of Pompey’s military and political career, including the consulship of 70 BCE, his extraordinary commands and the Eastern Settlement
The role and significance of Cicero
The aims, roles and activities of Pompey, Crassus and Caesar in the First Triumvirate
The significance of Caesar’s military campaigns
The role and influence of the Senate
Political crises, including the use of the army for political purposes and urban violence
The breakdown of the First Triumvirate and the outbreak of the Civil War 49–45 BCE
The Civil War from Pharsalus to Munda
The significance of Caesar's dictatorship
Reasons for the assassination of Caesar
The impact of the assassination of Caesar, including political instability, the formation of the Second Triumvirate and the Battles of Philippi