Topic outline
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Mid A Level Mocks
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A-Level Ancient History Mid-A-level Mock examination for Year 12 Summer 2020.
There are two mid A-level Mock exams for Ancient History, each lasting one hour and 30 minutes. Each paper is worth 50 marks. Your final mark will be the total of your two scores.
Full details of the A level specification can be found here https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/313570-specification-accredited-a-level-ancient-history-h407.pdf
1. Greek Period Study: Relations between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC.
You will be required to answer two questions:
A. An essay. 30 marks.
Answer one question from a choice of two.
You may be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of any of the following. Creating a structured argument and demonstrating detailed and critical knowledge of the primary sources are key to writing a successful essay.
The challenge of the Persian Empire
492–479BC
Mardonius’ expedition of 492 BC; Persian approaches to the Greek states; the Battle of Marathon; Greek and Persian strategy; the threat of Greek medising; Sparta’s response; Persian aims and intentions in 480s: Darius’ and Xerxes’ policies towards the Greek states; Greek and Persian preparations in 480s; differences in responses to the Persians among the Greek states, including medising; the formation of the Hellenic League and its leadership; the states involved in the Hellenic League; the involvement of Greek states in the events of 480–479, including examples of medising, co-operation and conflict, debates and differences of opinion before Salamis and Plataea on strategy.
Greece in conflict
479–446 BC
The consequences of victory for the Greek states, especially relations between Sparta and Athens; the growth of Athenian power in the Delian League; Sparta’s concerns; the consequences for relations between Sparta and Athens and their respective allies of the earthquake and helot revolt 465–464 BC; the events of the First Peloponnesian War 461–446 BC that involved changing relationships between Greek states: Megara’s defection from the Peloponnesian League; Corinth’s relations with Megara, Sparta and Athens; the Battle of Tanagra; continued conflict with the Persians followed by the cessation of hostilities in 449 BC; the Spartan invasion of Attica 446 BC.
Peace and Conflict
446–431 BC
The Peace of 446 BC; the balance of power outlined in the Peace of 446 BC and the relations between Athens and Sparta; the role of Corinth and Sparta in the revolt of Samos; the events leading up to, and the causes of, the outbreak of war in 431 BC.
The Archidamian War
431–420 BC
Athenian and Spartan strategies in the Archidamian War 431–421 BC; the invasions of Attica and their effects on the states, including the plague in Athens; the course of the Archidamian War: Pylos and Sphacteria, and its effects on Spartan war effort and reputation.
B. An interpretations question. 20 marks.
You will be expected to respond to a passage by a modern historian on any one of two historical debates surrounding the following issues:
• the reasons for the victory over the Persians in 480–479 BC
• the cause of the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC
You will not have the choice of which debate to respond to as only one question will be set.
2. Roman Period Study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
You will be required to answer two questions:
A. An essay. 30 marks.
Answer one question from a choice of two.
You may be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of any of the following. Creating a structured argument and demonstrating detailed and critical knowledge of the primary sources are key to writing a successful essay.
Augustus
31 BC–AD 14
The presentation of Augustus’ victory at Actium; the constitutional settlements of 27 BC and 23 BC; Augustus military achievements; the depiction of Augustus and Augustan Rome in the poetry and coinage of the period; the importance of Livia, Agrippa, Tiberius and Germanicus; the restoration of the Republic and the revival of traditional Roman values and practices; Augustus’ attitude towards religion, including the Imperial Cult inside and outside Rome; administrative changes to Rome and the provinces; relations with the Senate, Equestrians and ordinary people of Rome; Augustus’ building programme; challenges to his rule including conspiracies; the establishment of the dynasty and issues of succession; the Res Gestae as an account of Augustus’ reign.
Tiberius
AD 14–37
The views of classical authors on Tiberius’ reign; Tiberius’ relationships with Germanicus and Sejanus; conspiracies and challenges to his reign, including mutinies and revolts; the treason trials; Tiberius’ attitude towards religion, including the Imperial Cult inside and outside Rome; relations with the Senate, Equestrians and ordinary people of Rome.
Gaius
AD 37–41
The presentation of Gaius’ character and personality as emperor by the ancient sources; the assassination in AD 41; his attitude towards religion, including the Imperial Cult inside and outside Rome; administrative changes to Rome; relations with the Senate, Equestrians and ordinary people of Rome.
Claudius AD
41–54
The difficulties of the accession; the presentation of Claudius’ role in, and motives for the invasion of Britain; the importance of his wives and freedmen; Claudius’ relationship with Nero and Britannicus; the events surrounding his death; administrative changes to Rome; relations with the Senate, Equestrians and ordinary people of Rome.
Nero
AD 54–68
The presentation of Nero as emperor by the ancient sources; the early part of his reign and the changing role of Agrippina; the importance of his wives; Piso conspiracy in AD 65; Tacitus’ and Suetonius’ accounts of the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64; the achievements of Corbulo in Armenia; the revolt of Vindex; death of Nero and the accession of Galba; Nero’s attitude towards religion, including the Imperial Cult inside and outside Rome; administrative changes to Rome; relations with the Senate, Equestrians and ordinary people of Rome.
B. An interpretations question. 20 marks.
You will be expected to respond to a passage by a modern historian on any one of three historical debates surrounding the following issues:
• the extent to which Augustus actually restored the Republic.
• the characters of Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius and Nero.
• the benefits of Imperial rule for the inhabitants of Rome.
You will not have the choice of which debate to respond to as only one question will be set.