Society — OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation
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Society explained
This topic explores the role of temples in ancient Greek and Roman religion, focusing on their layout, use, and the function of associated officials and rituals.
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It covers specific Greek temples (Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia) and Roman temples (Temple of Fortuna Virilis, Pantheon), alongside the roles of priests, priestesses, and sacrificial practices.
What to demonstrate
- Understanding of temple layout including the naos/cella and cult statue
- Knowledge of the position and function of the altar
- Roles and responsibilities of Greek officials (hiereus, hiereia, mantis)
Show all 7 objectives
- Roles and responsibilities of Roman officials (Pontiffs, Pontifex Maximus, Augurs, Vestal Virgins, Haruspex)
- Understanding the purpose and process of animal sacrifice
- Ability to compare Greek and Roman temple use and religious practices
- Knowledge of specific prescribed temples: Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Pantheon, Temple of Fortuna Virilis
Society exam tips
Topic Overview
In OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation, the topic 'Society' explores the structures, values, and daily life of ancient Greek and Roman civilisations. You will examine how social hierarchies, gender roles, slavery, and citizenship shaped the classical world, and how these elements influenced politics, culture, and religion. This topic is essential for understanding the context behind the literature, art, and history you study elsewhere in the course.
Society is a thematic study that draws on a range of sources, including archaeological remains, inscriptions, and literary texts. You will learn to analyse evidence critically, considering issues of bias and reliability. For example, when studying Athenian democracy, you must recognise that our main sources (like Thucydides or Plato) often reflect elite male perspectives, excluding women, slaves, and metics.
Mastering 'Society' is vital because it provides the backdrop for all other topics in Classical Civilisation. Whether you are analysing Homer's epics or Roman architecture, understanding social norms and power structures deepens your interpretation. This topic also encourages you to reflect on your own society, comparing ancient and modern ideas about equality, justice, and citizenship.
Key Concepts
- →Citizenship: In Athens, only adult male citizens had political rights; in Rome, citizenship was a legal status that could be extended to allies and freedmen.
- →Slavery: Both Greek and Roman economies relied on slave labour, but the treatment and roles of slaves varied widely, from domestic servants to skilled craftsmen or gladiators.
- →Patronage: In Roman society, the patron-client system structured relationships, with patrons providing legal and financial support in exchange for loyalty and political backing.
- →Gender roles: Women in classical Athens were largely confined to the home (oikos) and had few rights, while Roman women had more freedom but were still under male authority (paterfamilias).
- →Social hierarchy: Both societies were highly stratified; in Rome, the senatorial class (patricians) held power, while plebeians and freedmen had limited influence.
Marking Points
- Understanding of temple layout including the naos/cella and cult statue
- Knowledge of the position and function of the altar
- Roles and responsibilities of Greek officials (hiereus, hiereia, mantis)
- Roles and responsibilities of Roman officials (Pontiffs, Pontifex Maximus, Augurs, Vestal Virgins, Haruspex)
- Understanding the purpose and process of animal sacrifice
- Ability to compare Greek and Roman temple use and religious practices
- Knowledge of specific prescribed temples: Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Pantheon, Temple of Fortuna Virilis
Examiner Tips
- 💡Ensure you can identify and describe the key features of the prescribed temples
- 💡Be prepared to compare the role of priests and priestesses in both cultures
- 💡Use specific terminology (e.g., naos, cella, hiereus, haruspex) accurately
- 💡Practice linking visual evidence from temple architecture to the literary descriptions of sacrifice
- 💡Use specific examples from the prescribed sources (e.g., the Parthenon frieze for Athenian society, or the Res Gestae for Augustus' social reforms). Examiners reward precise references.
- 💡When writing about social groups, always consider multiple perspectives. For instance, discuss how slavery was viewed by both slave owners and slaves, using evidence like the Satyricon or Cato's advice on managing slaves.
- 💡Link social structures to political and cultural developments. For example, explain how the patron-client system underpinned Roman politics, or how Athenian democracy relied on the labour of slaves to free citizens for political participation.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the roles of specific Greek and Roman religious officials
- Failing to link the physical layout of the temple to its religious function
- Generalising religious practices without distinguishing between Greek and Roman contexts
- Neglecting to use both literary and visual/material evidence in arguments
- Misconception: All slaves in ancient Greece and Rome were treated cruelly. Correction: While slavery was brutal, some slaves (e.g., in Athens) could earn wages, buy their freedom, or hold responsible positions like mine managers or tutors.
- Misconception: Athenian democracy was a direct democracy where all people voted. Correction: Only adult male citizens (about 10-20% of the population) could participate; women, slaves, and metics were excluded.
- Misconception: Roman women had no rights. Correction: Roman women could own property, run businesses, and influence politics behind the scenes, though they could not vote or hold office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the role of women in ancient Greek society?
In ancient Athens, women were largely confined to the home and had few legal rights. They managed the household, raised children, and participated in religious festivals, but could not vote, own property, or attend public assemblies. In Sparta, however, women had more freedom—they could own land and receive physical training, as they were expected to produce strong warriors. Roman women had greater legal rights than Greek women, including the ability to own property and run businesses, but they were still under the authority of their father or husband (paterfamilias).
How did slavery work in ancient Rome?
Slavery was integral to the Roman economy. Slaves were acquired through warfare, trade, or birth. They worked in households, farms, mines, and workshops. Some slaves, especially those with skills, could earn money (peculium) and eventually buy their freedom (manumission). Freedmen (liberti) became Roman citizens but still owed duties to their former masters. However, conditions varied greatly: agricultural slaves often faced harsh treatment, while urban domestic slaves might have better lives. The revolt of Spartacus (73-71 BC) highlights the brutality of the system.
What is the difference between patricians and plebeians?
Patricians were the aristocratic families in early Rome who held political power and religious offices. Plebeians were the common people, including farmers, artisans, and merchants. Over time, plebeians fought for equal rights through the Conflict of the Orders (494-287 BC), gaining the right to elect tribunes and have laws written down (Twelve Tables). By the late Republic, the distinction blurred, but patricians still held social prestige. During the Empire, the class system evolved into senatorial, equestrian, and plebeian orders.
How did Athenian democracy work?
Athenian democracy was a direct democracy where male citizens over 18 could vote on laws and policies in the Assembly (Ekklesia). Key institutions included the Council of 500 (Boule), which set the agenda, and the popular courts (Dikasteria), where citizens served as jurors. Ostracism allowed citizens to exile a threatening figure for ten years. However, only about 10-20% of the population were citizens; women, slaves, and metics (resident foreigners) had no political rights. Pericles' Funeral Oration (as recorded by Thucydides) celebrates this system.
What was the patron-client system in Rome?
The patron-client system (clientela) was a social and political relationship where a wealthy patron (patronus) provided legal protection, financial support, and favours to a client (cliens). In return, the client offered loyalty, political support, and services. This system was crucial for Roman politics: patrons built networks of clients to secure votes and influence. For example, a senator might have hundreds of clients who would attend his morning salutation (salutatio) and support his career. The relationship was hereditary and formalised by social custom.
How did the Greeks view foreigners (barbarians)?
The Greeks called non-Greeks 'barbarians' (barbaroi), a term that originally meant people who spoke unintelligible languages (sounding like 'bar-bar'). They often viewed barbarians as inferior, uncivilised, and prone to tyranny, in contrast to Greek ideals of freedom and democracy. This attitude was reinforced by the Persian Wars (490-479 BC), where Greeks portrayed Persians as decadent and despotic. However, some Greeks, like Herodotus, showed curiosity about other cultures, and there was trade and cultural exchange, especially with Egypt and the Near East.