Topic 1: Daily life

In this topic students explore the social history and daily life of one or more societies.  Examples include:

• fifth-century BCE Athens and Sparta (Greece)
• Republican Rome
• New Kingdom Egypt to the death of Horemheb
• Han Dynasty (China)
• Gupta Empire (India)
• Sargonid period (Assyria).

Students study the organisation of the chosen society, including the class structure, the role of the family, and political structures. They extend their social understanding and awareness through the study of relationships between individuals and social groups, and how these have shaped ancient and contemporary societies. Students consider the ideologies and values of the society. Through studying the daily life of people and their status and position, including gender divisions and roles, participation in community life, and social rights and duties, students understand domestic and public life. They explore the experience of childhood and education as preparation for adult life, and occupational and leisure opportunities. Students consider how evidence about daily life from the ancient world is authenticated, including the origins of artefacts and documents, and how differing perspectives have been contested.