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 Persia in the Near East and Asia
The decline of the kingdoms of Babylon and Media
The reign of Cyrus II and the establishment of the Achaemenid dynasty
The role and contribution of kings from Cambyses II to Darius III
The nature and significance of Persian kingship
The nature and significance of building programs
The role and significance of the Persian army
The impact on Persia of the invasions of mainland Greece under Darius I and Xerxes I
The suppression of revolts and treatment of subject peoples, including Egypt, Babylon and the Jews
The maintenance and administration of the empire
The Macedonian invasion and the defeat of Darius III
Reasons for the collapse of the Persian Empire