Further Reading
Below you'll find an annotated version of the further reading list for this component (p. 133).
Sources have been divided into topics for which they are most useful; in many instances, the books will appear in more than one topic. Stretch & Challenge (S&C) has been placed next to books that are aimed beyond GCSE but would provide good extended reading for able students.
Beale, A. (2011) Greek Athletics and the Olympics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Beale includes all a student needs to know about Olympia and the Olympic games. The text is laced with contemporary sources on each topic giving students an opportunity to see what the ancients thought of the Olympic festival.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.2, 1.3
Beard, M., North, J. and Price, S. (1998) Religions of Rome Volume 1: A History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Beard, M., North, J. and Price, S. (1998) Religions of Rome Volume 2: A Sourcebook. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
This is an invaluable resource for the study of Roman religion. It comes in two separate books with A History making references to A Sourcebook throughout. The language is very technical and goes way beyond GCSE level, aiming more at university level and higher, so is most suited to teachers. Sections include discussion of the cult of Hercules in Rome.
Suitable for: Teachers
Useful for topics: 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
Boardman, J. (2005) Greek Sculpture: The Classical Period. London: Thames & Hudson
Boardman takes you on a tour through the classical world of sculpture examining both free-standing and monumental architecture. The book contains very useful information and images on the Temple of Zeus and the Parthenon. It also contains many varying sculptures of gods from the Classical period.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Bradley, P. (2000) Ancient Rome: Using Evidence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Bradley, P. (2000) Ancient Greece: Using Evidence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
These two books are an excellent resource for studying the historical context of the periods covered in this component. As the title suggests, Bradley’s focus is on sources, making this a good text for students to use. Notable highlights of the book are the sections on Augustus, the Roman Forum, the Augustan Forum and the Ara Pacis which are useful for the Myth and Symbols of Power topic. The book is aimed at A-Level and higher learning but would be suitable for GCSE students in small chunks.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: 1.6
Burkert, W. (1987) Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical. Oxford: Blackwell
Burkert covers all a student of classics could need when studying Greek religion. Its technical language makes it more suitable for teachers than students.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7
Cooley, M.G.L. (2008) Lactor 17: The Age of Augustus. London: London Association of Classical Teachers
This provides excellent contemporary sources for the reign of Augustus including the Ara Pacis and Forum of Augustus. It also has a lot of sources useful for S&C.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: 1.6
Croaly, N. (2011) Classical Literature: An Introduction. Oxford: Routledge
This book gives an excellent overview of the ancient authors used in this component and is a good book for students to use for research. Croaly includes discussion of problems and practise when using different authors and interpreting meaning which, on a basic level, is what students need to be doing in this component.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: General reading for background on all Prescribed Sources authors
Dugdale, E. (2008) Greek Theatre in Context. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Dugdale includes all a student needs to know about Greek theatre, including the City Dionysia. The text is laced with contemporary source on each topic giving students an opportunity to see what the ancients thought of theatre.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.5
Jones, P. and Sidwell, K. (1997) The World of Rome: An Introduction to Roman Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
A great S&C book to provide an overview to Roman life.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: 1.5
Mikalson, J. (2005) Ancient Greek Religion. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing
Although aimed at higher education, Mikalson’s language makes this book accessible to students of GCSE and above. A notable example is his explanation of a sanctuary in which he uses the requirements of a sanctuary to walk the student through creating their own. The same approach is taken to temples and sacrifices.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students (S&C)
Useful for topics: 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7
Renshaw, J. (2015) In Search of the Greeks (Second Edition). London: Bloomsbury
This book covers many aspects of Greek life including a detailed section on Greek gods, temples, sacrifice and death. This is a great all-round book for someone interested in the Greek world.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7
Renshaw, J. (2019) In Search of the Romans (Second Edition). London: Bloomsbury
This book covers many aspects of Roman life, including a detailed section on Greek gods, temples, sacrifice and death. This is a great all-round book for someone interested in the Greek world.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7
Spawforth, T. (2006) The Complete Greek Temples. London: Thames & Hudson
This provides an excellent overview of Greek sanctuaries in addition to plans, images and information to the temple of Zeus at Olympia and the Parthenon. The inclusion of temples from across the Greek world makes for excellent S&C information.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.3
Walsh, P.G. (2000) Livy: His historical aims and methods. Cambridge: Bristol Classical Press
This book provides excellent background information for Livy but goes far beyond the requirement of GCSE. This is most suited to teachers.
Suitable for: Teachers
Useful for topics: 1.4
Woodford, S. (1986) An Introduction to Greek Art. London: Duckworth
Woodford provides excellent information and images on the sculpture of the Parthenon and Temple of Zeus. The book is aimed at A-Level and higher education students but would be suitable for GCSE students.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.2, 1.3, 1.6
