Oxford Cambridge and RSA
GCSE
Ancient History
H407/23: Emperors and Empire
*1846519634*
Monday 2 June 2025 – Afternoon
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer four questions in total:
Section A: Answer Question 1 or Question 2 and answer Question 3.
Section B: Answer Question 4 and answer Question 5 or Question 6.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 98.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [603/0805/9] DC (WW) 353010/2
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
Section A: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
Answer Question 1 or Question 2 and answer Question 3.
Answer either Question 1 or Question 2.
1* To what extent did the reign of Tiberius set a pattern for the future direction of the
principate?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own
knowledge to support your answer. [30]
2* ‘The imperial women had very little influence during this period.’
, 2
How far do the sources support this view?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own
knowledge to support your answer. [30]
Answer Question 3.
3 Read the interpretation below.
The people most bitter about imperial rule were the aristocrats, who had lost the political
power that had always belonged to their ancestors. The average Roman had never held
more than a token share of this power and could not, therefore, grieve too deeply when
the monarchy of the emperor replaced the aristocracy of the Senate. In fact, many
Romans welcomed this new system of government because it brought peace, stability,
and therefore prosperity. In the republican period, the fate of the common man was
frequently dependent on magistrates who changed every year and who were willing to
sacrifice the welfare of other people to achieve their own political and financial 5
ambitions. In the imperial period, affairs of state were conducted by bureaucrats, not
politicians; by men who had served in one office for a long time and who had no illusions
of securing for themselves supreme control over the Roman world.
J-A Shelton, As the Romans Did (adapted) 10
How convincing do you find Shelton’s interpretation that the majority benefitted from
the Julio-Claudian system of government because it brought ‘peace, stability, and
therefore prosperity’?
You must use your knowledge of the historical period and the ancient sources you have
studied
to analyse and evaluate Shelton’s interpretation. [20] Section B: Ruling Roman
Britain, AD 43–c.128
Answer Question 4 and then either Question 5 or Question 6.
Answer Question 4.
4 Read the sources below.
Arch of Claudius
Tiberius Clau[dius Cai]sar Augu[stus Germani]cus, son of Drusus, pontifex maximus,
in his eleventh year of tribunician power, consul five times, hailed as im[perator 22 (or
23) times, father] of his country; erected by the Senate and people of Rome because
[he received the submission] of eleven British kings, [conquered without] any loss, and
because he first brought barbarian tribes [beyond Ocean] into the dom[inion of the
Roman people].
ILS 216 [AD 51] 5
Mendip lead pig
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, pontifex maximus, in his ninth year of
tribunician power, sixteen times acclaimed imperator, from the British (mines).
RIB 2.1.2404.1 [AD 49]
© OCR 2025 H407/23 Jun25
, 3
How useful are these sources for our understanding of the benefits Claudius gained from
invading Britain in AD 43? [12]
Answer either Question 5 or Question 6.
5* How far can we trust the ancient accounts of the conquest of Britain AD 43–84?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [36]
6* How far did Roman treatment of the Britons cause discontent?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [36]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
.
© OCR 2025 H407/23 Jun25
, GCE
Ancient History
H407/23: Emperors and Empire
A Level
Mark Scheme for June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications
GCSE
Ancient History
H407/23: Emperors and Empire
*1846519634*
Monday 2 June 2025 – Afternoon
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer four questions in total:
Section A: Answer Question 1 or Question 2 and answer Question 3.
Section B: Answer Question 4 and answer Question 5 or Question 6.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 98.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [603/0805/9] DC (WW) 353010/2
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
Section A: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
Answer Question 1 or Question 2 and answer Question 3.
Answer either Question 1 or Question 2.
1* To what extent did the reign of Tiberius set a pattern for the future direction of the
principate?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own
knowledge to support your answer. [30]
2* ‘The imperial women had very little influence during this period.’
, 2
How far do the sources support this view?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own
knowledge to support your answer. [30]
Answer Question 3.
3 Read the interpretation below.
The people most bitter about imperial rule were the aristocrats, who had lost the political
power that had always belonged to their ancestors. The average Roman had never held
more than a token share of this power and could not, therefore, grieve too deeply when
the monarchy of the emperor replaced the aristocracy of the Senate. In fact, many
Romans welcomed this new system of government because it brought peace, stability,
and therefore prosperity. In the republican period, the fate of the common man was
frequently dependent on magistrates who changed every year and who were willing to
sacrifice the welfare of other people to achieve their own political and financial 5
ambitions. In the imperial period, affairs of state were conducted by bureaucrats, not
politicians; by men who had served in one office for a long time and who had no illusions
of securing for themselves supreme control over the Roman world.
J-A Shelton, As the Romans Did (adapted) 10
How convincing do you find Shelton’s interpretation that the majority benefitted from
the Julio-Claudian system of government because it brought ‘peace, stability, and
therefore prosperity’?
You must use your knowledge of the historical period and the ancient sources you have
studied
to analyse and evaluate Shelton’s interpretation. [20] Section B: Ruling Roman
Britain, AD 43–c.128
Answer Question 4 and then either Question 5 or Question 6.
Answer Question 4.
4 Read the sources below.
Arch of Claudius
Tiberius Clau[dius Cai]sar Augu[stus Germani]cus, son of Drusus, pontifex maximus,
in his eleventh year of tribunician power, consul five times, hailed as im[perator 22 (or
23) times, father] of his country; erected by the Senate and people of Rome because
[he received the submission] of eleven British kings, [conquered without] any loss, and
because he first brought barbarian tribes [beyond Ocean] into the dom[inion of the
Roman people].
ILS 216 [AD 51] 5
Mendip lead pig
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus, pontifex maximus, in his ninth year of
tribunician power, sixteen times acclaimed imperator, from the British (mines).
RIB 2.1.2404.1 [AD 49]
© OCR 2025 H407/23 Jun25
, 3
How useful are these sources for our understanding of the benefits Claudius gained from
invading Britain in AD 43? [12]
Answer either Question 5 or Question 6.
5* How far can we trust the ancient accounts of the conquest of Britain AD 43–84?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [36]
6* How far did Roman treatment of the Britons cause discontent?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [36]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
.
© OCR 2025 H407/23 Jun25
, GCE
Ancient History
H407/23: Emperors and Empire
A Level
Mark Scheme for June 2025
Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations
OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of
qualifications to meet the needs of candidates of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications
