Further Reading
Below you'll find an annotated version of the further reading list for this component (p. 132).
The further reading has 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.
Blundell, S. (1998) Women in Classical Athens. Bristol: Bristol Classical Press
Blundell’s account of the lives of women in Classical Athens is engaging and accessible. Women of various social classes are considered, and some ancient sources are included and discussed to support conclusions. This book is an excellent source of information and also models a good way of writing about ancient sources and experiences.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for topics: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
Chrystal, P. (2015) Roman Women: The Women Who Influenced the History of Rome. Stroud: Fonthill Media
This book provides biographical accounts of some famous and infamous Roman women. Ancient sources are used as the basis of the accounts, but they contain their fair share of scandalous anecdotes and lurid affairs. A particular strength of this book is that it considers the role that particular women (for example Lucretia) played in Roman culture and values.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
Fantham, E. (1995) Women in the Classical World: Image and Text. New York: Oxford University Press
This text gathers together an impressive range of ancient sources, and would be an invaluable resource for teachers looking to gather non-prescribed source material. The author provides thought-provoking discussion of these sources that will enrich the reader’s understanding considerably, but the language and style would make it inaccessible to all but the most able GCSE students.
Suitable for: Teachers
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
Haward, A. (2006) Penelope to Poppaea. Bristol: Bristol Classical Press
This excellent and accessible book takes a chronological look at the lives of women in the ancient world, starting with the Homeric epics and finishing with Imperial Rome. Literary as well as visual/material sources are included as subjects for discussion, and the commentary draws-out some key differences between Greek and Roman cultures.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
Lefkowitz, M.R. and Fant, M.B. (2003) Women’s Life in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook in Translation. London: Bloomsbury
Teachers looking for additional source material to consider in lessons, use in practice exam papers or to extend the understanding of able students need look no further than this excellent sourcebook.
Suitable for: Teachers
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
MacLachlan, B. (2012) Women in Ancient Greece: A Sourcebook. London: Bloomsbury
Slightly more accessible than Lefkowitz & Fant’s sourcebook, owing to a very clear layout, this tome is suitable for teachers and able students. An excellent repository of ancient Greek sources with some commentary.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
MacLachlan, B. (2012) Women in Ancient Rome: A Sourcebook. London: Bloomsbury
Slightly more accessible than Lefkowitz & Fant’s sourcebook, owing to a very clear layout, this tome is suitable for teachers and able students. An excellent repository of ancient Roman sources with some commentary.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
Pomeroy, S. B. (2015) Goddesses, Whores, Wives and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity. London: Bodley Head
This new edition of Sarah Pomeroy’s seminal 1995 book on women in classical antiquity is as relevant today as when it was published. The text is engagingly written and packed with factual information. It also makes reference to a great range of ancient sources, that could form the basis of a research task or class discussion.
Suitable for: Teachers, Students
Useful for sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
