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
Students develop an understanding of ONE ancient personality, through the investigation of a range of archaeological and written sources 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 personalities:
- Egypt – Hatshepsut
- Egypt – Akhenaten
- The Near East – Xerxes
- China – Qin Shi Huangdi
- Greece – Pericles
- Greece – Alexander the Great
- Rome – Julius Caesar
- Rome – Agrippina the Younger.
The geography of Athens and its neighbours
An overview of the development of Athenian democracy
Family background and education
Early career until 460 BCE
Democratic reforms and policies
Building program
Roles as strategos and politician
Methods of maintaining leadership and influence
Influence on the development of Athenian imperialism
Role and influence in the development of Athens and the ‘Golden Age’
Relationships with prominent individuals
Role in the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War and Pericles’s leadership and strategies during the war
The manner and impact of his death
Impact and influence
Ancient and modern images and interpretations of Pericles
Problems of evidence, including the value and limitations of ONE ancient source or type of source, in the context of other available sources