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GCSE Ancient History OCR

This subject offers 215 topics in 8 modules:

  1. Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) 26 topics
  2. Athens in the Age of Pericles (462-429 BC) 22 topics
  3. Britannia: From Conquest to Province (43-84) 19 topics
  4. Cleopatra: Rome and Egypt (69-30 BC) 30 topics
  5. From Tyranny to Democracy (546-483 BC) 31 topics
  6. Hannibal and the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) 21 topics
  7. The Foundation of Rome: From Kingship to Republic (752-440 BC) 39 topics
  8. The Persian Empire (559-465 BC) 27 topics
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  • 8
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  • 215
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  • 73,399
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  • 9+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Ancient History

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)

Alexander's Youth

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Alexander's Youth

Early Life

  • Born in 356 BC, Alexander was the son of King Philip II and Queen Olympias.

  • He was raised in the Macedonian capital of Pella.

  • His education was no less than royal, having had great philosophers as tutors such as Aristotle.

  • Aristotle inspired love for literature, science and medicine in Alexander.

Personal Traits

  • Alexander was noted for his exceptional physical courage and endurance.

  • From a young age, he demonstrated keen intelligence, competitiveness, and ambition.

  • It was said that he had a fiery temper and a brutal streak, traits inherited from his parents.

Training and Education

  • Alexander was tutored by Lanike, his nurse, before being tutored by the philosopher Leonidas.

  • When he was 13, Aristotle was appointed as his tutor. Alexander studied variety of subjects including politics, philosophy, arts, and medicine under him.

  • He had a deep love for Homer's Iliad, which was gifted by Aristotle and it accompanied him during his campaigns.

Early Career

  • Alexander's impressive thinking and courageous spirit was visible from his early age. He tamed a wild horse named Bucephalus at a tender age of 12 which others failed to do.

  • He had early exposure to military life as a child, often observing military campaigns led by his father.

  • At 16, he was left in charge of Macedonia as regent whilst his father waged a military campaign. This gave him an early taste of leadership.

  • He proved his military skills by suppressing a Thracian rebellion during his time as regent.

Relationship with Parents

  • Alexander was closer to his mother, Olympias, who instilled in him a sense of his destiny as a great leader.

  • Alexander and his father had a complex relationship. While Philip II recognized his son’s potential, their relationship deteriorated due to Philip's multiple marriages and the political issues associated with them.

  • After the assassination of his father in 336 BC, Alexander accused rivals and even his stepmother of conspiring in the murder, which paved his way to ascend to the throne.

Course material for Ancient History, module Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), topic Alexander's Youth

Ancient History

From Tyranny to Democracy (546-483 BC)

Spartan and Corinthian Opposition to his Tyranny

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Spartan and Corinthian Opposition to his Tyranny

Spartan and Corinthian Opposition to Tyranny

Overview

  • The Spartans and Corinthians were two major powers who opposed tyranny in the sixth century BC. Their opposition was rooted in both ideological differences and practical political concerns.

Spartan Opposition

  • The Spartans had a unique political system that rejected the concept of tyranny. They were ruled by two kings and an oligarchic assembly, favouring a balanced power structure.
  • Spartans were strong advocates of discipline and austerity, clashing with the often extravagant and centralised power of tyrants.
  • In particular, the Spartan military was a significant power player in Greece, often used to interfere and overthrow tyrannies in other city-states. For instance, it was Spartan intervention that ultimately led to the expulsion of the tyrant Hippias from Athens.

Corinthian Opposition

  • The opposition from Corinth was more personal and centred around the rule of the tyrant Periander, who ruled Corinth in the late seventh and early sixth centuries BC.
  • Periander was initially a popular ruler but became increasingly repressive, which led to growing discontent and opposition.
  • The Corinthians were particularly resentful of Periander’s harsh rule and extravagant lifestyle, which came at the expense of the public treasury. Periander's excess was distinctly at odds with the frugal and modest lifestyle preferred by most Corinthians.
  • After Periander’s death, the Corinthians overthrew his son and successor and established an oligarchy, reflecting their rejection of the tyranny model.

Implications for Democracy

  • The opposition to tyranny paved the way for other forms of government, including democracy. As the tyrants were overthrown, power was often given back to the citizens or an oligarchic assembly.
  • Thus, despite their differences, both Spartan and Corinthian opposition significantly contributed to the transition from tyranny to democracy in Ancient Greece.

Course material for Ancient History, module From Tyranny to Democracy (546-483 BC), topic Spartan and Corinthian Opposition to his Tyranny

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