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Advice for teachers -
Classical
Greek

Teaching and learning activities

Unit 2: Reading Classical Greek literature

Unit 2 Area of Study 1: Language acquisition

Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical forms and rules used in Classical Greek literary text.

Examples of learning activities

  • Read extracts of Classical Greek literary text in class.
  • Identify and classify new vocabulary.
  • Memorise principal parts of new verbs.
  • Add new items to a vocabulary database.
  • Consolidate knowledge by completing crosswords and engaging in class quizzes.
  • Identify new grammatical forms and rules.
  • Complete exercises from a textbook and / or associated website.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of new grammatical forms under test conditions.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Parse sections of Classical Greek text.
Example icon for advice for teachers

Detailed example

Parse sections of Classical Greek literary text

  • Create a grid with four columns and an appropriate number of rows.
  • Enter the following headings for the columns: WORD, TYPE, FORM, FUNCTION.
  • Analyse the words in sentence order.

Example

τὸ ἐργαστήριον ἐλθόντες τὰ ἀνδράποδα ἀπεγράφοντο. ἐγὼ δὲ Πείσωνα μὲν ἠρώτων εἰ βούλοιτό με σῶσαι χρήματα λαβών.

WORDTYPEFORMFUNCTION
ἠρώτων-αω verb1st person singulardirect statement, main verb
ἐρωτάωimperfect active
 indicative
εἰconjunctionNAintroducing subordinate clause
βούλοιτο-ω verb irregular3rd person singularindirect question, historic sequence
βούλομαιpresent middle
optative
με1st person personalaccusative singulardirect object of σῶσαι
pronoun ἐγώ
χρήματαnoun 3 neuteraccusative pluraldirect object of λαβών
χρῆμα   χρήματος

  • Use the parsing grid to respond to questions in a class discussion format.

Unit 2 Area of Study 2: Comprehending Classical Greek literary text

Outcome 2

Demonstrate understanding of content and context in passages of Classical Greek literary text.

Examples of learning activities

  • Preview and review grammatical forms and rules featured in the Classical Greek literary text set for study.
  • Use lexical and grammatical resources to read the set text section by section.
  • Refer to exegetical resources to enhance understanding.
  • Develop a commentary explaining aspects of the socio-cultural and historical background of the set text.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Compare versions of the set text by professional translators.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the set text by translating it into accurate and fluent English, and by responding to questions on its content and context.
  • Apply acquired skills and knowledge to the comprehension of unseen Classical Greek literary text.
Example icon for advice for teachers

Detailed example

Compare two versions of a portion of the set text by professional translators

Example: Aristophanes Αχαρνης 1–42 translated by B. B. Rogers (1924) and by Alan H. Sommerstein (1979)

  • Read the target passage in Classical Greek.
  • Read the two translations referring closely to the Greek text.
  • Compare the translations in terms of accuracy and fluency, and their treatment of figurative, comical and technical language.
  • Compile a list of differences and similarities.
  • Discuss the merits of the two translations.
  • Translate the passage into fluent English.

Unit 2 Area of Study 3: Exploring ideas and techniques

Outcome 3

Identify and discuss the ideas contained in passages of Classical Greek literary text, and the techniques employed by the author to present them.

Examples of learning activities

  • Devise a profile of the author and his work(s).
  • Research and record characteristics of the literary genre of the work under study.
  • Create a timeline of the historical background relevant to the work.
  • Identify the author's purpose in writing the work.
  • Establish the major theme(s) of the work.
  • Read the set text with attention to the ideas contained in it.
  • Example icon for advice for teachers
    Develop a mind map to represent the ideas encountered in the set text.
  • Identify literary techniques employed in the set text.
  • Use a range of exegetical resources to enhance understanding of ideas and techniques contained in the set text.
  • Add notes on ideas and techniques to a commentary on the set text.
  • Engage in class discussion on the merits of the ideas and techniques encountered in the set text.
  • Demonstrate understanding in written responses to questions on the ideas and techniques of the set text.
Example icon for advice for teachers

Detailed example

Develop a mind map of ideas in the set text

This can be done as an individual, group or class activity.

  • Read the set text and identify the ideas contained in it.
  • Devise or download a template for the mind map.
  • Categorise the ideas under headings such as themes, issues, motifs, concepts, opinions, assumptions.
  • Establish the author’s purpose as the central focus.
  • Record each idea with at least one key quotation from the text, supplemented by references to other occurrences.
  • Publish the end product on the class homepage.