2025 OCR GCSE Ancient History
J198/02 Rome and its neighbours
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Tuesday 3 June 2025 –
Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Ancient History
J198/02 Rome and its neighbours
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 all the questions in either Section B or
Section C or Section D.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [603/0664/6]
OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (PQ) 352052/5
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The foundations of Rome: From kingship to republic, 753–440 BC
1
(a) State one building Tarquinius Superbus was said to have built. [1]
(b) Identify one of the features from the myth of Romulus’ childhood. [1]
(c) Identify two rights that were said to have been granted by the Twelve Tables. [2]
2 Outline how the Etruscan kings improved Rome. [6]
Passage A
The siege continued. Grain was running out and prices rising. Porsena’s hope of
capturing the city was undone by a noble youth… Gaius Mucius reached the heart of
Porsena’s camp, he found a large crowd of soldiers receiving their pay from the king.
Not knowing who the king was, he stepped forward and killed the wrong man… As
the king’s bodyguard seized him, he said, ‘I am Gaius Mucius, a citizen of Rome. I
came here to kill you, and I am ready to die… because I am not the only one to feel
this way. Behind me stands many more who seek to kill you.’
The king reacted in both anger and fear and ordered Mucius to be thrown into the
flames. ‘Look at me,’ Mucius replied, ‘and realise what you face from those who will
kill you.’ He thrust his hand into the fire and kept it there and gave no sign of pain…
(Fearing for his life) Porsena offered Rome peace.
3 Using details from Passage A and your own knowledge, what can we learn about how Rome
overcame Lars Porsena? [10]
4 Using details from Passage A and your own knowledge, explain the importance of individuals
during the foundation of the Roman Republic. [15]
5 ‘Ancient historians only tell us about Roman successes and achievements in the period
753–440 BC.’
To what extent do you agree with this view? [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
© OCR J198/02
2025 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Hannibal and the Second Punic War, 218–201 BC
6
(a) Name the mountain range Hannibal crossed with his army in 218 BC. [1]
(b) Name a Roman consul who led the Roman army at Cannae. [1]
(c) Identify three reasons why Hannibal withdrew from Italy in 203 BC. [3]
Passage B
© Polybius, Trans W. R .Paton, Polybius: The Histories, Volume II, Books 3-4 , Loeb, 1989. From first line "Hannibal said that at the time when his father was intending to make an expedition to Spain with his forces," to last line "For he [Hannibal] would do everything he could to harm the Romans
7 What can we learn from Passage B about Hannibal’s reasons for attacking Rome? [5]
8 Using details from Passage B, how accurate do you think Polybius’ account of Hannibal’s reason
for attacking Rome is? [5]
9 Explain the importance of Spain to the outcome of the Second Punic War. [10]
10* ‘Cannae was the most important battle in the Second Punic War’
To what extent do you agree with this view?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as supporting your
answer with your own knowledge. [20]
© OCR J198/02 Turn over
2025 Jun25
, 4
Section C
Cleopatra: Rome and Egypt, 69–30
BC
11
(a) Name the man who ordered the execution of Cleopatra’s sister (Arsinoe). [1]
(b) State two features of Cleopatra’s likely education and upbringing. [2]
(c) Identify two events from the civil war between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII in 48–47 BC. [2]
Passage C
So Cleopatra pretended to love Antony with passion, and with little food, she
allowed her body to waste away; when Antony was nearby, she would let her eyes
fill with desire for him; when he went away, she would look faint and ill. She would
find ways often to be seen crying, and then would quickly wipe away the tears and
hide them, as if she wanted him not to notice them… Her flatterers worked hard on
Antony for her; they used to complain that Antony was harsh and cruel and
determined to destroy a mistress who was devoted to one man, him alone. They
would tell Antony that Octavia had married him for politics and for her brother, and
took pleasure in having
the name of wife. Cleopatra on the other hand, queen of so many men, was called
Antony’s lover; she did not avoid this name nor think it unworthy of her, as long as it
was possible for her to see him and be with him. If he drove her away, she could not
12 What can we learn from Passage C about Cleopatra’s relationship with Mark Antony? [5]
13 Using details from Passage C, how accurate is Plutarch’s description of Cleopatra’s relationship
with Mark Antony? [5]
14 Explain the significance of the birth of Caesarion. [10]
15* ‘The Battle of Actium destroyed everything Cleopatra achieved.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as supporting
your answer with your own knowledge. [20]
© OCR J198/02
2025 Jun25
J198/02 Rome and its neighbours
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Tuesday 3 June 2025 –
Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Ancient History
J198/02 Rome and its neighbours
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 all the questions in either Section B or
Section C or Section D.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist terminology will be
assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [603/0664/6]
OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (PQ) 352052/5
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The foundations of Rome: From kingship to republic, 753–440 BC
1
(a) State one building Tarquinius Superbus was said to have built. [1]
(b) Identify one of the features from the myth of Romulus’ childhood. [1]
(c) Identify two rights that were said to have been granted by the Twelve Tables. [2]
2 Outline how the Etruscan kings improved Rome. [6]
Passage A
The siege continued. Grain was running out and prices rising. Porsena’s hope of
capturing the city was undone by a noble youth… Gaius Mucius reached the heart of
Porsena’s camp, he found a large crowd of soldiers receiving their pay from the king.
Not knowing who the king was, he stepped forward and killed the wrong man… As
the king’s bodyguard seized him, he said, ‘I am Gaius Mucius, a citizen of Rome. I
came here to kill you, and I am ready to die… because I am not the only one to feel
this way. Behind me stands many more who seek to kill you.’
The king reacted in both anger and fear and ordered Mucius to be thrown into the
flames. ‘Look at me,’ Mucius replied, ‘and realise what you face from those who will
kill you.’ He thrust his hand into the fire and kept it there and gave no sign of pain…
(Fearing for his life) Porsena offered Rome peace.
3 Using details from Passage A and your own knowledge, what can we learn about how Rome
overcame Lars Porsena? [10]
4 Using details from Passage A and your own knowledge, explain the importance of individuals
during the foundation of the Roman Republic. [15]
5 ‘Ancient historians only tell us about Roman successes and achievements in the period
753–440 BC.’
To what extent do you agree with this view? [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
© OCR J198/02
2025 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Hannibal and the Second Punic War, 218–201 BC
6
(a) Name the mountain range Hannibal crossed with his army in 218 BC. [1]
(b) Name a Roman consul who led the Roman army at Cannae. [1]
(c) Identify three reasons why Hannibal withdrew from Italy in 203 BC. [3]
Passage B
© Polybius, Trans W. R .Paton, Polybius: The Histories, Volume II, Books 3-4 , Loeb, 1989. From first line "Hannibal said that at the time when his father was intending to make an expedition to Spain with his forces," to last line "For he [Hannibal] would do everything he could to harm the Romans
7 What can we learn from Passage B about Hannibal’s reasons for attacking Rome? [5]
8 Using details from Passage B, how accurate do you think Polybius’ account of Hannibal’s reason
for attacking Rome is? [5]
9 Explain the importance of Spain to the outcome of the Second Punic War. [10]
10* ‘Cannae was the most important battle in the Second Punic War’
To what extent do you agree with this view?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as supporting your
answer with your own knowledge. [20]
© OCR J198/02 Turn over
2025 Jun25
, 4
Section C
Cleopatra: Rome and Egypt, 69–30
BC
11
(a) Name the man who ordered the execution of Cleopatra’s sister (Arsinoe). [1]
(b) State two features of Cleopatra’s likely education and upbringing. [2]
(c) Identify two events from the civil war between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII in 48–47 BC. [2]
Passage C
So Cleopatra pretended to love Antony with passion, and with little food, she
allowed her body to waste away; when Antony was nearby, she would let her eyes
fill with desire for him; when he went away, she would look faint and ill. She would
find ways often to be seen crying, and then would quickly wipe away the tears and
hide them, as if she wanted him not to notice them… Her flatterers worked hard on
Antony for her; they used to complain that Antony was harsh and cruel and
determined to destroy a mistress who was devoted to one man, him alone. They
would tell Antony that Octavia had married him for politics and for her brother, and
took pleasure in having
the name of wife. Cleopatra on the other hand, queen of so many men, was called
Antony’s lover; she did not avoid this name nor think it unworthy of her, as long as it
was possible for her to see him and be with him. If he drove her away, she could not
12 What can we learn from Passage C about Cleopatra’s relationship with Mark Antony? [5]
13 Using details from Passage C, how accurate is Plutarch’s description of Cleopatra’s relationship
with Mark Antony? [5]
14 Explain the significance of the birth of Caesarion. [10]
15* ‘The Battle of Actium destroyed everything Cleopatra achieved.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
You must use and analyse the ancient sources you have studied as well as supporting
your answer with your own knowledge. [20]
© OCR J198/02
2025 Jun25
