GCSE
Classical Civilisation
H408/33: Politics of the late republic
A Level
*1882267730*
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 all the questions in Section A and one question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 75.
• 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 [603/0726/2] DC (CJ) 354989/2
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
Section A
Start your answer to each 10, 20 and 30 mark question on a new page.
Source A
Cicero’s speech against Verres in 70 BC, In Verrem 1. 7–8
, 2
Now, that most audacious and insane man thinks this: he knows that I have come into court so
well prepared and equipped, so that I might fix his thefts and crimes not only in your ears, but
in the very eyes of all. He sees that many senators are witnesses to his audacity, that many
Roman knights are too, and numerous citizens and allies besides, to whom he himself has
done notable harm. He also sees that such numerous, important embassies from the cities of 5
our closest allies have convened, armed with public authority and evidence from their
respective states.
Although this is the case, he still thinks so badly of all good men, and still believes the
judgements of the senators to be corrupt and depraved to such an extent that he keeps
boasting openly that he was not greedy for money for no reason, since he now finds it offers 10
such great protection, and that he has bought the time of his trial itself (which would have
been the hardest thing of all), in order to be able to buy everything else more easily
afterwards; so that, since he was in no way able to evade the force of the accusations made
against him altogether, he might avoid the most violent gusts of the storm.
1 Who defended Verres in this trial? [1]
[1
2 What was the final verdict in this trial?
]
[1
3 What did Verres do at the conclusion of the trial? ]
4 Analyse how persuasively Cicero makes Verres appear guilty in Source A. [10]
Cato the Younger and the optimates opposed the rise of individual power in the
Late Republic, believing that it went against the traditional Roman political values
which they wished to maintain.
5 Which political faction opposed the optimates during the Late Republic? [1]
6 In what year did Cato commit suicide? [1]
7 Discuss how Cato’s relationship with Pompey was consistent with Cato’s principles.
[10]
8* ‘Cicero and the optimates had very similar political ideals.’
Assess to what extent you agree with this opinion.
You may use Source A as a starting point in your answer.
[Section A Total: 45] Section B
Answer one question from this section.
Use classical sources, and secondary sources, scholars and/or academic works to
support your argument. You should also consider possible interpretations of sources by
different audiences.
Either
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
, 3
9* ‘Throughout his whole political career, Caesar was only interested in reforms which
benefited the ordinary people of Rome.’
Evaluate how far you agree with this statement.
Or
10* ‘The letters of Cicero show that he was only interested in writing when it benefited his
political career.’
Evaluate how far you agree with this statement.
[Section B Total: 30]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
.
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
Classical Civilisation
H408/33: Politics of the late republic
A Level
*1882267730*
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 all the questions in Section A and one question in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 75.
• 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 [603/0726/2] DC (CJ) 354989/2
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
Section A
Start your answer to each 10, 20 and 30 mark question on a new page.
Source A
Cicero’s speech against Verres in 70 BC, In Verrem 1. 7–8
, 2
Now, that most audacious and insane man thinks this: he knows that I have come into court so
well prepared and equipped, so that I might fix his thefts and crimes not only in your ears, but
in the very eyes of all. He sees that many senators are witnesses to his audacity, that many
Roman knights are too, and numerous citizens and allies besides, to whom he himself has
done notable harm. He also sees that such numerous, important embassies from the cities of 5
our closest allies have convened, armed with public authority and evidence from their
respective states.
Although this is the case, he still thinks so badly of all good men, and still believes the
judgements of the senators to be corrupt and depraved to such an extent that he keeps
boasting openly that he was not greedy for money for no reason, since he now finds it offers 10
such great protection, and that he has bought the time of his trial itself (which would have
been the hardest thing of all), in order to be able to buy everything else more easily
afterwards; so that, since he was in no way able to evade the force of the accusations made
against him altogether, he might avoid the most violent gusts of the storm.
1 Who defended Verres in this trial? [1]
[1
2 What was the final verdict in this trial?
]
[1
3 What did Verres do at the conclusion of the trial? ]
4 Analyse how persuasively Cicero makes Verres appear guilty in Source A. [10]
Cato the Younger and the optimates opposed the rise of individual power in the
Late Republic, believing that it went against the traditional Roman political values
which they wished to maintain.
5 Which political faction opposed the optimates during the Late Republic? [1]
6 In what year did Cato commit suicide? [1]
7 Discuss how Cato’s relationship with Pompey was consistent with Cato’s principles.
[10]
8* ‘Cicero and the optimates had very similar political ideals.’
Assess to what extent you agree with this opinion.
You may use Source A as a starting point in your answer.
[Section A Total: 45] Section B
Answer one question from this section.
Use classical sources, and secondary sources, scholars and/or academic works to
support your argument. You should also consider possible interpretations of sources by
different audiences.
Either
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
, 3
9* ‘Throughout his whole political career, Caesar was only interested in reforms which
benefited the ordinary people of Rome.’
Evaluate how far you agree with this statement.
Or
10* ‘The letters of Cicero show that he was only interested in writing when it benefited his
political career.’
Evaluate how far you agree with this statement.
[Section B Total: 30]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
.
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
