H407/12 The Politics and Culture of Athens (H407)

Posters detailing the changes to the political structure in Athens in the 5th century BCE, including the political bodies, like the assembly and the jury courts, as well as the re-organisation of the tribes in Athenian-owned Attica.

Focusing on the account of Herodotus, his Histories, what reasons did he give for the victory over the Persians during the Graeco-Persian War? This essay is based on a in-depth reading of Herodotus and details the key reasons he gives for the Greek victory over the Persians, and as such is a brilliant example of the sort of analysis required of ancient sources at this level of study.

During the Peloponnesian War, how did each side conduct themselves? Did they prioritise diplomatic methods or military? Did they talk things through or meet on the battlefield? There were many interactions between the Athenians and the Spartans during the Peloponnesian War, some diplomatic and some military. This essay details key examples of both with references to ancient sources to back them up.

In the time period between the Graeco-Persian War and the Peloponnesian War, did Athens always choose peace over war when encountering conflict? This essay details various events in which the Athenians choose either peace or war during this time, with references to back them up.

An important part of academia is assessing modern scholarship and that remains true for this Ancient History module. Drawing on knowledge of the history itself, combined with the skills to pick out and analyse the important parts of the modern scholarship, this essay is a brilliant example of what is expected of these types of questions. This essay in particular analyses the view that the Athenians lost the Peloponnesian War because they lost all their competent leadership.

An essay detailing why the Persians choose to invade Greece in the 5th century BC. There were many reasons and this essay describes the key points with references to back them up.

A sample essay answering one of the core questions for this module (H407/12): What were the reasons for the victory over the Persians in 480-479BC? Like many historical events, there is more than one reason and this essay details the key points, with references to back it up.