CLASSICS - Imperial Image: Propertius, Elegies 3.11

This KS5 resource is designed for OCR A Level Classical Civilisation: Imperial Image and focuses on Propertius’ Elegies 3.11. Due to the amount of contextual and analytical work included, the resource can be taught across one extended lesson or two lessons.

Students begin with a scaffolded analysis of a section of the poem, using guided questions before reviewing an example of developed analysis. Contextual material explores Roman expectations of masculinity and femininity and the presentation of Antony, with an opportunity for teachers to revisit the Battle of Actium before students independently analyse the remainder of the prescribed poem.

Students investigate Propertius’ use of women from mythology and Roman history, initially questioning the significance of these figures before further explanation is provided. The lesson then moves into comparison, with students examining the different presentations of Cleopatra across the prescribed sources studied so far.

The resource concludes with an exam-focused question drawing together students’ understanding of the poem and its presentation of Augustus, Antony and Cleopatra. Homework directs students to an online podcast to extend their understanding beyond the classroom.

This is a substantial, student-led and task-driven resource, combining scaffolded teacher modelling with increasingly independent analysis and comparison as students become more confident working with the Imperial Image prescribed sources.