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A Level Ancient History Candidate Style Answers

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A Level Ancient History Candidate Style Answers Qualification Accredited A LEVEL Candidate style answers ANCIENT HISTORY H407 For first assessment in 2019 Component Group 1: H407/11–H407/13 Version 1.1 www.ocr.org.uk/alevelancienthistory A Level Ancient History Candidate style answers Contents Introduction 3 Period study essay questions 4 Interpretation question 12 Depth study essays 15 H407/11 – Questions 5 and 6 16 H407/12 – Questions 5 and 6 24 2 © OCR 2019 A Level Ancient History Candidate style answers Introduction OCR has produced this resource to support teachers in interpreting the assessment criteria for the new A Level Ancient History specification and to bridge the gap between new specification’s release and the availability of exemplar candidate work following first examination in summer 2019. The questions in this resource have been taken from the H407/11–13 specimen question papers, which are available on the OCR website. The answers in this resource have been written by candidates in Year 12 and Year 13. They are supported by an examiner commentary. Please note that this resource is provided for advice and guidance only and does not in any way constitute an indication of grade boundaries or endorsed answers. Whilst a senior examiner has provided a possible mark for each response, when marking these answers in a live series the mark a response would get depends on the whole process of standardisation, which considers the big picture of the year’s scripts. Therefore the marks awarded here should be considered to be only an estimation of what would be awarded. How levels and marks correspond to grade boundaries depends on the Awarding process that happens after all/most of the scripts are marked and depends on a number of factors, including candidate performance across the board. Details of this process can be found here: http://ocr.org.uk/Images/142042-marking-and-grading-assuring-ocr-s-accuracy.pdf 3 © OCR 2019 A Level Ancient History Candidate style answers Period study essay questions 1. ‘Fighting was the only way for states to solve conflicts.’ To what extent do the sources support this view of the relationships between Greek states and between Greek and non-Greek states in this period? You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge to support your answer. [30] OR 2. How far did the changes in relations between Greek and non-Greek states depend upon the strengths and abilities of the leaders of the states during this period? You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge to support your answer. [30] Example 1 – Question 2 Between the years of 492 and 404 BC relations between Greek and non-Greek states faced major upheaval, and it wouldn’t be unfair to attribute this in large part to the leadership of said states. That said it should be noted that this is not the only reason for such drastic change, as opposing systems of government, politics and opportunities for strategic and economic gain all played their part. Leadership was an important, if not the most important, factor in regards to inter-state relations. Herodotus tells us that if not for Xerxes being convinced by Mardonius to attack Greece, the Persian War would have ended after Marathon (490 BC). The war was disastrous for Persia, and Xerxes pursuing it as bad leadership as a result of him being easily led. Herodotus also tells of how the death of Mardonius at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC) caused the Persians ranks to splinter, once again providing evidence for the value of strong leadership – though it should be noted that Herodotus displays a strong anti-Persian bias and could be attempting to paint them as weak. Thucydides also tells us how Alcibiades’ actions in regards to Argos and Mantineia increased tensions with Sparta, and was a result in large of a personal vendetta, and that would not likely have happened without his leadership. Thucydides is considered to be credible source adds to this and shows the importance of leadership. Politics was another major influence on the relations between states. Thucydides tells of how Sparta was reluctant to participate in the Peloponnesian War but were pushed to by their allies, showing that sometimes things weren’t in the hands of just one man. This can further be seen in his account of the incident at Potidaea, wherein Athens acted in order to expel the influence of an enemy from an ally and thus strengthen their position. Again Thucydides is known to be a 4 © OCR 2019 A Level Ancient History Candidate style answers largely reliable source, and this is added to my accounts of those such as Plutarch and things such as the Megarian decree, in which Athens had to be seen to regulate and control their allies (though some attribute this to a personal grudge on Pericles’ part – again showing the value of leadership), showing that many decisions were simply down to politics. Potential for strategic and economic gain are also important factors in regards to motivating states to change their relations. Herodotus speaks of how one of Darius’ motives for invading Greece initially (490 BC) was that it served as a gateway to Europe and thus a key strategic location. It would also help protect the coast of Ionia, which Herodotus also tells us had recently revolted with the help of Athens. Another reason Herodotus references is Greece’s wealth and farmland, which are always attractive to nations and empires in particular. This can further be seen in the Sicilian expedition, which heavily impacted relations between Athens and Sparta despite starting as an Athenian bid for more territory and power, with nothing to do with Sparta. Once more, Thucydides’ general reliability is acknowledged and furthers the idea that strategic and economic opportunity were a big impact. The opposition of different types of government also played its part. Persia, for one, venerated it’s king (as is exemplified on the carvings on their tombs) where Athens took great pride in its democracy (referenced by both Herodotus and Thucydides). This undeniably resulted in tension, distrust and alarm that can be further seen in Athenian and Spartan relations. Spartan oligarchy and Athenian democracy were essentially at odds – Thucydides speaks of how Sparta briefly conspired with oligarchs in Athens, and Xenophon of an oligarchic coup in 411 BC, showing the far reaching impact. Overall, it is clear leadership had a massive impact on the relations between States. However to call it the only factor would be a naive, one dimensional view. 5 © OCR 2019 A Level Ancient History Candidate style answers Example 2 – Question 1 In both theory and practice, states were able to solve conflict without fighting, however not only was this rare, but also often occurred when there was a common enemy to fight. Despite this, there are rare examples of states revolting conflict without fighting. On the one hand it was possible in theory for states to resolved conflict without fighting, as Herodotus records how the Persians sent ambassadors to receive earth and water from the Greek states. Indeed those, who did were not attacked, showing that Greek and non-Greek states were able to resolve conflict without fighting in theory. In addition to this, disagreement between Greek states could be resolved in theory without war, as Thucydides states that the peace of 446 BC between Sparta and Athens ensured that “differences between us should be settled by arbitration.” Therefore it was possible in theory in Greek states to resolve conflicts without war. Moreover it can be inferred from Thucydides’ account that the Peloponnesian League had a bicameral system. Indeed in 440, when Samos revolted against Athens, a debate in the Peloponnesian League led to a vote against war with Athens by intervention in the Samian revolt. Moreover there is evidence that not all Greeks desired war, as the Spartan Archidamus advised against war in 431. Thucydides relates the debate between Archidamus and Sthenelaidas about whether to go to war, showing how there were hawks and doves in each city. Non-Greek states and Greek states at times successfully concluded a disagreement without fighting. Herodotus mentions that during the Greco-Persian wars, Macedon remained neutral, as they resolved their conflict with Persia by offering earth and water and even reportedly housed Xerxes on his journey down through Greece, but there is no record of them ever lending troops to Persian in the war. Consequently they were able to resolve their conflict with both Persian and Greek states without fighting. Conflict between Persian and Sparta in 413 over the Ionian Greeks was also resolved without war between the two. As Thucydides records, the original terms of the alliance stated that “all cities held in the past by the king’s ancestors shall be the king’s.” However this gifted control of not just Ionia to Persia, but also much of central Greece. Consequently, after protracted negotiations, the Spartans persuaded the Persians to conclude another treaty, without this clause in it. Therefore it was possible for Greeks and non-Greek sates to resolved conflicts. There are also examples of Greek states concluding disagreements without fighting. Herodotus states that “Athens and Aegina were at each other’s throat” for a considerable period of time, but the issue of Aeginetan piracy was resolved through the Hellenic League. Indeed the names of both cities were inscribed upon the Serpent column and both nations were able to resolve their differences. Moreover, a discussion over whether to fight at Salamis was similarly resolved. While the Corinthian Adeimantus (according to Herodotus) urged a withdrawal to the isthmus, Themistocles argued for giving battle at Salamis.
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