OCR A Level Ancient History H407/11 Sparta and the Greek World Combined
Question Paper and Mark Scheme
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A Level Ancient History
H407/11 Sparta and the Greek World
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
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] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ) 354032/3 Turn over
*1844980432*
, 2
Section A: Relations between Greek states and between
Greek and non-Greek states, 492– 404 BC
Answer Question 1 or Question 2 and answer Question 3.
Answer either Question 1 or Question 2.
1* ‘The Persians were consistent in their policy and actions towards the Greek states from
492–431 BC.’
To what extent do the sources support this statement?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [30]
2* How far would you agree that the Peace of Nicias of 421 BC was always the most likely outcome
of the first ten years of the Peloponnesian War?
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.
So the Megarian decree had economic effects, and was surely intended to. Of course the
Athenians took good care not to be wrongfooted morally: hence a religious aspect was
needed for the punishment of an ostensibly religious offence. … But the Megarian decree
was seen, with justification, as Athenian aggression, and Corinth, remembering the 460s,
must have thought Athens was up to her old intrigues. … It seems then that for much 5
of the 430s war looked imminent, and to that extent Thucydides, who under-reports the
earlier stirrings and expansion, should be corrected. But his general picture of Athenian
expansion, forcing the Spartans to war, stands.
S. Hornblower, The Greek World 479–323 BC (adapted)
How convincing do you find Hornblower’s interpretation of the Megarian decree and the reasons
for the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War?
You must use your knowledge of the historical period and the ancient sources you have studied
to analyse and evaluate Hornblower’s interpretation. [20]
, 3
Section B: The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC
Answer Question 4 and answer Question 5 or Question 6.
Answer Question 4.
4 Read the passages below.
Lykourgos gave the greatest possible attention to girls’ upbringing also. For them, before
puberty, he instituted a physically tough curriculum of running, wrestling, discus and
javelin throwing, so that the products of their wombs should have a really strong start in
a powerful body, and develop all the more strongly. As a result the mothers would also
better tolerate childbirth and be able to endure labour pains more easily and successfully. 5
He had no time for the idea of a sheltered upbringing for girls any more than boys, and
eliminated all forms of feeble effeminacy, …
Plutarch, Life of Lykourgos (Lycurgus), 14.1–2 [Lactor 21 D70]
As far as Lykourgos was concerned, there were enough female slaves to produce clothing,
whereas the most important task for freeborn women was producing children. So as a first
priority he laid it down that physical fitness was as important for women as for men. So
he established women’s competitions in both running and wrestling, in the belief that the
offspring of two strong parents would be all the more robust. He saw, too, that among other 5
nations generally when a newly married woman joined her husband’s household his initial
response was to spend an inordinate amount of time with her. His policy was the exact
reverse. He ordained that it was a disgrace for a man to be seen going into or leaving his
wife’s room. With such constraints imposed upon their association, it was inevitable that
the husband’s sexual desire would be all the greater, and any consequent children will be 10
more vigorous than if their parents had had too much of one another.
Xenophon, Constitution of the Spartans, 1.4–5 [Lactor 21 D68]
How useful are these passages for our understanding of the importance of motherhood in
Sparta? [12]
Answer either Question 5 or Question 6.
5* ‘The Gerousia was the only body which could influence political decisions in Sparta.’
To what extent do the sources agree with this statement?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [36]
6* ‘During the period 478–404 BC, the Battle of Mantinea was the only time Sparta could be
deemed militarily successful on the battlefield.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
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 H407/11 Jun25
Question Paper and Mark Scheme
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A Level Ancient History
H407/11 Sparta and the Greek World
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
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] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ) 354032/3 Turn over
*1844980432*
, 2
Section A: Relations between Greek states and between
Greek and non-Greek states, 492– 404 BC
Answer Question 1 or Question 2 and answer Question 3.
Answer either Question 1 or Question 2.
1* ‘The Persians were consistent in their policy and actions towards the Greek states from
492–431 BC.’
To what extent do the sources support this statement?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [30]
2* How far would you agree that the Peace of Nicias of 421 BC was always the most likely outcome
of the first ten years of the Peloponnesian War?
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.
So the Megarian decree had economic effects, and was surely intended to. Of course the
Athenians took good care not to be wrongfooted morally: hence a religious aspect was
needed for the punishment of an ostensibly religious offence. … But the Megarian decree
was seen, with justification, as Athenian aggression, and Corinth, remembering the 460s,
must have thought Athens was up to her old intrigues. … It seems then that for much 5
of the 430s war looked imminent, and to that extent Thucydides, who under-reports the
earlier stirrings and expansion, should be corrected. But his general picture of Athenian
expansion, forcing the Spartans to war, stands.
S. Hornblower, The Greek World 479–323 BC (adapted)
How convincing do you find Hornblower’s interpretation of the Megarian decree and the reasons
for the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War?
You must use your knowledge of the historical period and the ancient sources you have studied
to analyse and evaluate Hornblower’s interpretation. [20]
, 3
Section B: The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC
Answer Question 4 and answer Question 5 or Question 6.
Answer Question 4.
4 Read the passages below.
Lykourgos gave the greatest possible attention to girls’ upbringing also. For them, before
puberty, he instituted a physically tough curriculum of running, wrestling, discus and
javelin throwing, so that the products of their wombs should have a really strong start in
a powerful body, and develop all the more strongly. As a result the mothers would also
better tolerate childbirth and be able to endure labour pains more easily and successfully. 5
He had no time for the idea of a sheltered upbringing for girls any more than boys, and
eliminated all forms of feeble effeminacy, …
Plutarch, Life of Lykourgos (Lycurgus), 14.1–2 [Lactor 21 D70]
As far as Lykourgos was concerned, there were enough female slaves to produce clothing,
whereas the most important task for freeborn women was producing children. So as a first
priority he laid it down that physical fitness was as important for women as for men. So
he established women’s competitions in both running and wrestling, in the belief that the
offspring of two strong parents would be all the more robust. He saw, too, that among other 5
nations generally when a newly married woman joined her husband’s household his initial
response was to spend an inordinate amount of time with her. His policy was the exact
reverse. He ordained that it was a disgrace for a man to be seen going into or leaving his
wife’s room. With such constraints imposed upon their association, it was inevitable that
the husband’s sexual desire would be all the greater, and any consequent children will be 10
more vigorous than if their parents had had too much of one another.
Xenophon, Constitution of the Spartans, 1.4–5 [Lactor 21 D68]
How useful are these passages for our understanding of the importance of motherhood in
Sparta? [12]
Answer either Question 5 or Question 6.
5* ‘The Gerousia was the only body which could influence political decisions in Sparta.’
To what extent do the sources agree with this statement?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as your own knowledge
to support your answer. [36]
6* ‘During the period 478–404 BC, the Battle of Mantinea was the only time Sparta could be
deemed militarily successful on the battlefield.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
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 H407/11 Jun25
