Oxford Cambridge and RSA
June 2026 – Morning
A Level Classical Civilisation
H408/33 Politics of the Late Republic
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 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 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 A Level Classical Civilisation Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33)
Question Paper And Mark Scheme
, 2
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
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 5
cities of 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 10
offers 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]
2 What was the final verdict in this trial? [1]
3 What did Verres do at the conclusion of the trial? [1]
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. [20]
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
, 3
[Section A Total: 45]
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
June 2026 – Morning
A Level Classical Civilisation
H408/33 Politics of the Late Republic
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 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 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 A Level Classical Civilisation Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33)
Question Paper And Mark Scheme
, 2
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
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 5
cities of 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 10
offers 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]
2 What was the final verdict in this trial? [1]
3 What did Verres do at the conclusion of the trial? [1]
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. [20]
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
, 3
[Section A Total: 45]
© OCR 2025 H408/33 Jun25
