OCR GCSE Ancient History

• Cyrus the Great and the Empire 3 notes
  • Cyrus the Great's Background and Accession
  • Conquests and Treatment of Conquered Peoples
  • Pasargadae and the Death of Cyrus

• Cambyses II and Darius 2 notes
  • Cambyses II: The Conquest of Egypt and Death
  • The Rise of Darius I and the Overthrow of Smerdis

• Reign of Darius 4 notes
  • Governance, Culture and Consolidation under Darius
  • Building Projects and Early Imperial Expansion
  • The Ionian Revolt and Relations with Athens
  • Persian Invasions of Greece: 493–490 BC

• Xerxes I and Greece 3 notes
  • Xerxes' Accession and the Suppression of Revolts
  • The Persian Invasion of Greece and Military Organisation
  • Xerxes’ Building Projects and the Battle of Eurymedon

• Athens Under Tyrants 3 notes
  • The Nature and Structure of Peisistratid Rule
  • The Assassination of Hipparchus and its Aftermath
  • The Spartan Invasion and the Fall of Hippias

• Tyranny in Samos 4 notes
  • Polycrates' Rise to Power and Public Works
  • Polycrates' International Relations and External Opposition
  • The Succession Crisis: Maeandrius, Syloson, and Persia
  • Comparing Samian and Athenian Tyranny

• Emergence of Democracy 2 notes
  • Cleisthenes’ Rise and the Reforms of Athenian Democracy
  • The Spartan Reaction and Corinthian Opposition to Tyranny

• Democracy in Action 3 notes
  • Democratic Institutions: Strategoi, Archonship and Ostracism
  • Athenian Foreign Policy and the Ionian Revolt
  • War and Leadership: Marathon, the Navy and Key Individuals

Appendix 5d Ancient Sources

• Herodotus
• Thucydides
• Other Literary Sources 2 notes
  • Aristotle and The Old Oligarch: Constitutional Sources
  • Plutarch and Cornelius Nepos: Biographical Sources
• Archaeological Sources

• Workings of Athenian Democracy 3 notes
  • Athenian Citizenship and the Leadership of Pericles
  • The Institutions and Procedures of Athenian Democracy
  • Rhetoric, the Sophists and the Practice of Ostracism

• Athens, Sparta, and Foreign Policy 3 notes
  • The Development of the Athenian Empire
  • Tensions with Sparta and the Causes of Conflict
  • Pericles' Strategy and the Archidamian War

• Cultural and Religious Life 3 notes
  • The Periclean Building Programme and the Acropolis
  • Athenian Festivals and the Significance of the Gods
  • Athenian Self-Identity and the Funeral Oration

• Women in Athens 2 notes
  • The Social and Legal Status of Women in Athens
  • Representations of Women: Literature, Religion, and Case Studies

Appendix 5e Ancient Sources

• Thucydides
• Plutarch and Aristotle
• Other Literary Sources 4 notes
  • Aristophanes: Social and Political Commentary
  • Culture and the Role of Women in Tragedy and Philosophy
  • Xenophon and Domestic Life
  • Ancient Descriptions of Art and Architecture
• Archaeological Sources 2 notes
  • Archaeological Evidence: Inscriptions and Pottery
  • The Acropolis: Topography, Architecture and Sculpture

• Alexander's Life and Character 3 notes
  • Alexander's Youth and the Influence of Philip and Olympias
  • Alexander's Character, Beliefs and Persian Customs
  • Alexander's Relationships with his Companions

• Campaigns and Battles 4 notes
  • Motives and Evolving Aims of the Expedition
  • Major Battles: Granicus, Gaugamela, and the Persian Gates
  • Pursuit of Darius and the Indian Campaign
  • Foundation Cities and the Return Journey

• Significant Events 4 notes
  • The Assassination of Philip II
  • Major Battles: Granicus and Gaugamela
  • Imperial Policy: Persepolis and the Susa Marriages
  • Conflict and Final Days: The Murder of Cleitus and Alexander's Death

• The Macedonian Army 3 notes
  • Composition, Weapons and Armour of the Macedonian Army
  • Battle Tactics and Siege Warfare
  • Alexander’s Relationship with his Army

Appendix 5f Ancient Sources

• Arrian
• Other Literary Sources
• Archaeological Sources 2 notes
  • Visual Battle Narratives: The Alexander Mosaic and Sarcophagus
  • Documentary and Monetary Evidence: The Babylonian Diary and Coinage

• Legendary Kings 4 notes
  • Foundations and the Reign of Romulus
  • Numa Pompilius and Roman Religious Identity
  • The Reigns of Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Marcius
  • Historical Evidence for the Regal Period

• The Etruscan Kings 4 notes
  • Etruscan Kings: Accession, Power, and Evidence
  • The Reign of Servius Tullius: Reforms and Omens
  • Tarquinius Superbus: Tyranny and Military Record
  • Urban Development and Military Reorganisation

• Origins of the Republic 3 notes
  • The Overthrow of the Kings and the Establishment of the Republic
  • Internal Tensions and External Military Challenges
  • Historical Evidence for the Origins of the Republic

• Securing the Republic 3 notes
  • The First Secession and Early Plebeian Reforms (494-471 BC)
  • The Decemvirate, the Twelve Tables and the Laws of the 440s
  • Class Relations, Military Influence and Historical Evidence

• Outbreak of War 3 notes
  • The Aftermath of the First Punic War
  • The Colonisation of Iberia
  • Carthaginian Politics and Hannibal’s Motivations

• Hannibal’s Leadership 3 notes
  • Opening Campaigns: Saguntum and the Alps
  • Major Victories: Trebia, Trasimene and Cannae
  • Strategic Failures and Logistical Challenges

• Rome’s Response 3 notes
  • Early Roman Leadership and Military Failures
  • Fabius Maximus and the Fabian Strategy
  • Scipio Africanus and the Counter-Offensive

• Defeat of Carthage 3 notes
  • Hannibal’s Withdrawal from Italy and Hasdrubal’s Death
  • The Battle of Zama and the Numidian Cavalry
  • Analysis of Hannibal's Defeat and the Impact on Rome and Carthage

Appendix 5g Ancient Sources

• Polybius
• Livy
• Plutarch
• Archaeological Sources

• Life and Character

• Cleopatra as Queen 3 notes
  • Cleopatra's Accession and the Ptolemaic Civil War
  • Territorial Expansion and Relationship with Subjects
  • Public Persona and the Cult of Isis

• Relationships with Caesar and Antony 3 notes
  • Rome and Egypt: Geopolitical and Economic Context
  • Cleopatra and Julius Caesar
  • Cleopatra and Mark Antony

• The Battle of Actium 3 notes
  • The Outbreak of War and Preparations for Actium
  • The Course and Interpretation of the Battle of Actium
  • The Fall of Antony and Cleopatra: Suicides and Aftermath

Appendix 5h Ancient Sources

• Plutarch
• Other Literary Sources
• Archaeological Sources

• Claudius’ Invasion 3 notes
  • Motives and Political Context of the Invasion
  • The Initial Invasion and Claudius’ Role
  • The Second Phase: Vespasian’s Campaign in the Southwest

• Policies of Roman Governors 4 notes
  • Early Roman Governors: Scapula and Gallus
  • Middle Roman Governors: Veranius to Maximus
  • The Flavian Governors: Bolanus, Cerialis, and Frontinus
  • Agricola and the Role of Emperors

• Cooperation and Roman Rule 3 notes
  • Submission of Tribes and the Client Kingdom System
  • Romanisation and the Economic Impact of Rome
  • Early Urban Development: Camulodunum, Fishbourne and Aquae Sulis

• Resistance to Invasion 3 notes
  • Campaigns of British Resistance Leaders
  • Analysis of Resistance: Motivations, Success, and Roman Responses
  • Source Portrayals of British Resistance

Appendix 5i Ancient Sources

• Tacitus
• Other Literary Sources
• Archaeological Sources