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GCSE Ancient History OCR

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Content Overview

215 topics in 8 modules

  1. โ˜‘๏ธ Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) 26 topics
    • Alexander's Youth
    • The Character, Political and Personal Influence of Olympias
    • Alexander's Relationship with Philip
    • Alexander's Character and Beliefs
    • The Course of his Life and his Relationships with Companions
    • The Initial Reasons for the Expedition against Persia
    • The Battles at the Granicus, Gaugamela and the Persian Gates
    • The Pursuits of Darius and Bessus
    • The Final Campaign in the Indus Valley
    • The Difficulties Encountered on the Return Journey to Babylon
    • The Changing Aims of his Expeditions and Changing Views of Persians and the Persian Empire
    • The Nature and Role of his Foundation Cities
    • The Murder of Philip and the Differing Interpretations of the Events Surrounding it
    • The Events of the Battles at the Granicus and Gaugamela
    • The Burning of Persepolis
    • The Murder of Cleitus
    • The Mass Marriages at Susa
    • Alexander's Death and the Differing Explanations of the Events Surrounding it
    • The Use of the Cavalry
    • The Use of the Phalanx
    • The Use of Specialist Troops
    • The Weapons and Armour of the Army
    • The Significance of the Tactics Used at the Main Battles
    • The Use of Siege Warfare at Tyre and the Aornus Rock
    • The Actions of Alexander and his Army During the Final Capture of Tyre
    • Alexander's Relationship with his Army
  2. โ˜‘๏ธ Athens in the Age of Pericles (462-429 BC) 22 topics
    • Citizenship after the Reforms of Ephialtes and Pericles
    • Pericles as a Leader in Athens
    • The Workings of the Ecclesia (Assembly), Boule (Council), Archontes (Magistrates) and Strategoi (Generals)
    • The Role of the Assembly in Law Making
    • The Role of Public Speaking
    • The Use of Ostracism in Removing Cimon and Thucydides
    • Contextual Background for the Rising Tensions between Athens and Sparta
    • Athens as a Leader in the Greek World
    • The Significance Ascribed to the Megarian Decree by Aristophanes
    • Moving the Delian League Treasury to Athens
    • Pericles' Strategy During the Archidamian War and its Impact
    • The Importance of Pericles' Building Programme
    • The Buildings on the Acropolis
    • The Cultural and Religious Significance of these Buildings
    • Criticisms of the Building Programme
    • The Events of the Panathenaia and City Dionysia and their Religious and Cultural Significance
    • The Significance of Athena and Poseidon for Athenians
    • Athenian Views of Themselves as Seen in the Funeral Oration
    • Role and Position of Women in Daily Life
    • Position of Women in the Democratic System and the Enhanced Status of Athenian Citizen Women after Pericles' Citizenship Law
    • Depictions of Women in Medea
    • The Arrephoroi and Aspasia in Reflecting Athenian Attitudes to Women
  3. โ˜‘๏ธ Britannia: From Conquest to Province (43-84) 19 topics
    • Caesar's Earlier Attempts to Invade, the Political Situation in Southern Britain
    • The Main Events of the Invasion
    • Claudius' Role in the Invasion and its Propaganda Value to him
    • The Second Phase
    • Ostorius Scapula's Campaigns
    • Didius Gallus' Policies towards the Silures and Brigantes
    • The Significance of the Appointments of Quintus Veranius, Suetonius Paulinus, Publius Petronius Turpilianus and Trebellius Maximus
    • Campaigns and Achievements of Bolanus, Cerialis and Frontinus
    • Agricola's Campaigns and Achievement
    • The Submission of the Tribes to Claudius at Camulodunum
    • Creation of Client States: the Atrebates, the Iceni, and the Brigantes
    • Client States and their Relations with Romans
    • Romanisation: the Effects of Roman Rule and the Extent of Change
    • The Economic Impact of the Roman Army and Traders
    • Early Development in Camulodunum, Fishbourne and Aquae Sulis as Examples of the Effects of Roman Influence
    • The Resistance Campaigns of Caratacus, Boudicca, Venutius and Calgacus
    • The Reasons for their Resistance and the Extent of their Success
    • The Nature of the Roman Response to Resistance
    • The Sources' Portrayal of the Britons, Particularly those who Resisted Roman Rule
  4. โ˜‘๏ธ Cleopatra: Rome and Egypt (69-30 BC) 30 topics
    • Cleopatra's Family and Macedonian Heritage
    • Her Likely Education and Upbringing
    • Her Character as Depicted in the Sources
    • The Death of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra's First Years as Queen
    • Civil War between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII
    • Cleopatra's Relationship with her Brothers and Arsinoe
    • The Expansion of Egyptian Territory under Cleopatra
    • Cleopatra's Relationship with her Subjects
    • Her Graeco-Egyptian Public Persona and Representation in the Archaeological Sources
    • The Promotion of Isis as her Patron Goddess and the Rationale for this
    • Rome's Relationship with Client States and Attitude to Foreigners
    • The Importance of Egypt for Rome Economically and Politically
    • Overview of Rome's Involvement with Egypt in the 60s and 50s BC
    • Cleopatra's Initial Meeting with Caesar and his Decision to Support Her
    • Cleopatra's Personal and Political Relationship with Caesar and its Impact on both Rome and Egypt
    • The Birth of Caesarion
    • Cleopatra's Visit to Rome and her Reception
    • Mark Antony's Position in Roman Politics after Caesar's Death
    • Cleopatra's Meeting with Mark Antony at Tarsus
    • The Development of the Political and Personal Relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony and its Significance for both Egypt and Rome
    • The Role Played by Cleopatra in the Breakdown of Mark Antony and Octavian's Relationship
    • Causes of the War between Octavian and Antony/Cleopatra
    • Preparations for the Battle
    • Key Events of the Battle
    • The Outcome and the Reasons for it as Described by the Sources
    • Different Views of the Battle in the Sources
    • Impact of the Battle on Cleopatra's and Antony's Careers
    • The Method of Cleopatra's Suicide and Reasons for her Actions
    • Mark Antony's Suicide
    • The Significance of the Suicides for Octavian
  5. โ˜‘๏ธ From Tyranny to Democracy (546-483 BC) 31 topics
    • The Concept of Tyranny
    • The Peisistratids, their Actions and Characteristics of their Rule
    • The political Structure Under the Tyrant
    • Harmodios and Aristogeiton's Involvement in the Assassination of Hipparchus
    • Changes to the Nature of Hippias' Tyranny after Hipparchus' Death
    • Invasion by Sparta to Remove Hippias
    • The Fall of Hippias
    • Accession of Polycrates
    • Polycrates' Treatment of Political Opponents
    • policy towards Egypt and Persia
    • Spartan and Corinthian Opposition to his Tyranny
    • Building and Engineering Achievements of Polycrates
    • Failed Succession of Maeandrius
    • Persian Interference in Samian Politics
    • Support for the Accession of Syloson
    • Comparison with Athenian Tyranny
    • Cleisthenes and his Rivalry with Isagoras
    • The Introduction of Isegoria by Cleisthenes
    • Cleisthenes' Reforms
    • Spartan Attempt to Restore Hippias
    • Corinthian Arguments against Restoring Hippias as Tyrant in Athens
    • Corinthian Opposition to Tyranny on Principle โ€“ the examples of Cypselus and Periander
    • Athenian Democratic Policy toward Persia
    • Establishment of the Ten Strategoi
    • Athenian Decision to Support the Ionian Revolt and Subsequent Withdrawal
    • The Development of Democracy in Ionia after Ionian Revolt
    • The Development of the Navy Under Themistocles and its Significance for Democracy
    • The Battle of Marathon and its Significance for Democracy
    • Changes to the Status of the Archonship
    • Onset and Uses of Ostracism
    • The Role and Treatment of Miltiades, Themistocles and Aristides in the Newly Democratic Athens
  6. โ˜‘๏ธ Hannibal and the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) 21 topics
    • The Impact of the First Punic War on the Balance of Power between Rome and Carthage
    • The Impact of the Treaty of Lutatius on Carthage
    • The Significance of the Colonisation of Iberia by Hamilcar and Hasdrubal
    • The Development of a War Party within Carthage Demanding Revenge or Renegotiation of the Treaty of Lutatius
    • Hannibal's Personal Motivations for War against Rome
    • Hannibal's Leadership and Tactics during the Siege of Saguntum, the Battles on the Rhone and the Crossing of the Alps
    • Hannibal's Leadership and Tactics during the Invasion of Italy
    • Hannibal's Failure to March on Rome and Inability to Counter Fabian Tactics
    • The Leadership of Sempronius, Flaminius, Servillius, Varro and Paullus
    • Roman Mistakes in the Campaign and the Reasons for them
    • The Impact of Fabius Maximus upon Roman Tactics
    • Minucius' Failure and Fabius' Success in Isolating Hannibal from his Allies and Cutting off his Supply Routes
    • The Impact of Scipio Africanus on Roman Tactics
    • Scipio Africanus' Appointment and Successful Campaign in Iberia
    • Debate in Senate between Scipio Africanus and Fabius Maximus
    • Scipio's Invasion of Africa to Draw Hannibal Out of Italy
    • Reasons for Hannibal's Withdrawal from Italy
    • The Significance of the Numidian Cavalry Supporting Rome and Regional Unrest Caused by the Roman Invasion of Africa
    • Hannibal's Refusal to Fight and the Murder of Hasdrubal
    • The Battle of Zama
    • The Reasons for Hannibal's Defeat and its Consequences for Carthage and Rome
  7. โ˜‘๏ธ The Foundation of Rome: From Kingship to Republic (752-440 BC) 39 topics
    • The Aeneas and Romulus Foundation Myths
    • Romulus' Political Initiatives
    • Rome's Relationship with the Sabines
    • The Role of the Senate
    • Romulus' Death and the Succession of Numa
    • Numa's Diplomacy and Religious Policies
    • The Legal System in the Reign of Tullus Hostilius
    • Ancus Marcius' Expansion of Rome
    • Romulus' Religious Initiatives
    • Numa's Religious Reforms
    • Romulus' Organisation of the Roman Army
    • Romulus' Conflicts with Neighbouring Communities
    • Tullus Hostilius' Conflict with Alba Longa
    • The Manner in which Each Monarch Gained Power
    • The Methods Adopted by the Etruscan Kings to Secure their Power
    • Servius Tullius' Reforms
    • The Tyranny of Tarquinius Superbus
    • The Development of the City of Rome
    • The Influence of Omens Ascribed to Servius Tullius
    • The Importance of the Tarquin's Personal Wealth in Gaining Popularity
    • Reorganisation of the Army
    • The Political and Economic Significance of Tarquinius Priscus and Servius Tullus' Victories
    • The Impact of Tarquinius Superbus' Military Record
    • The Removal of Tarquinius Superbus
    • The Creation of the Early Republic
    • Impact of the Foundation of the Republic Upon the Plebeian and Patrician Class
    • Military Challenges to the Early Republic and the Roman Response
    • The Nature and Origin of the Historical Evidence for this Period
    • The Development of Plebeian Influence on Government
    • Sicinius and the First Secession of the Plebeians
    • The Volero Publilius Uprising and the Reforms of 471
    • The Decemvirate, Second Secession and Twelve Tables
    • The Valerio-Horatian Laws and the Other Reforms of the 440s
    • Change and Continuity in Patrician and Plebeian Lives
    • The Power of the Patricians Relative to the Plebeians
    • Problems Facing the Plebeian Class
    • The Impact of Appius Claudius' and his Family upon Patrician and Plebeian Relations
    • The Military Implications of the Plebeian Revolts and the Role of Soldiers in those Revolts
    • Impact of War upon Roman Politics
  8. โ˜‘๏ธ The Persian Empire (559-465 BC) 27 topics
    • The Background and Accession of Cyrus
    • The Conquest of Lydia
    • The Conquest of Babylon
    • Cyrus' Attitude towards Conquered People and his Liberation of the Jews
    • The Construction of Pasargadae
    • The Circumstances of Cyrus' Death
    • Cambyses' Conquest of Egypt
    • Cambyses' Attitude towards the Egyptians and their Culture
    • The Circumstances of Cambyses' Death
    • Darius' Overthrow of Smerdis/Bardiya/Gaumata
    • Darius' Pacification of the Empire
    • Construction of Susa, Persepolis and the Egyptian Canal
    • Persian Expansion into the Aegean Sea
    • The Campaign in India
    • The War with the Scythians
    • Persian Culture and Religion under Darius
    • Darius' Organisation and Administration of the Persian Empire
    • The Ionian Revolt
    • Persian Relations with Athens prior to the Revolt
    • Mardonius' Expedition of 493-492 BC
    • The Expedition to Greece in 490 BC and its Aftermath
    • Death of Darius and Accession of Xerxes
    • The Suppression of Revolts in Babylonia and Egypt
    • The Invasion of Greece
    • Persian Military Organisation and Fighting Techniques
    • The Completion of Darius' Building Projects
    • The Battle of Eurymedon and Plutarch's 'Famous Peace'

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Alexander the Great (356-323 BC)

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