Oxford Cambridge and RSA
May 2026 – Morning
A Level Ancient History
H407/13 Macedon 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 A Level Ancient History Macedon and the Greek World
(H407/13) Question Paper And Mark Scheme
, 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]
© OCR 2025 H407/13 Jun25
, 3
Section B: The Rise of Macedon, c. 359–323 BC
Answer Question 4 and answer Question 5 or Question 6.
Answer Question 4.
4 Read the passage below.
© C Bradford Welles Translation, Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 16.89 , pages 85-87, Harvard University Press, 1963. From first line "In this year King Philip, proudly conscious of his victory at Chaeronea" to last line "This was the state of affairs as regards Philip." Item removed due to third party co
How useful is this passage for our understanding of Philip’s ambition? [12]
Answer either Question 5 or Question 6.
5* ‘Philip’s reorganisation of the Macedonian army upon his accession was the most important reason
for his success.’
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]
6* How far do you agree that up to and including the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC), Alexander’s
successes were based on his skill as a general?
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 H407/13 Jun25
, 4
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
OCR is committed to seeking permission to reproduce all third-party content that it uses in its assessment materials. OCR has attempted to identify and contact all copyright holders whose work is used
in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is
produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
© OCR 2025 H407/13 Jun25
May 2026 – Morning
A Level Ancient History
H407/13 Macedon 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 A Level Ancient History Macedon and the Greek World
(H407/13) Question Paper And Mark Scheme
, 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]
© OCR 2025 H407/13 Jun25
, 3
Section B: The Rise of Macedon, c. 359–323 BC
Answer Question 4 and answer Question 5 or Question 6.
Answer Question 4.
4 Read the passage below.
© C Bradford Welles Translation, Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 16.89 , pages 85-87, Harvard University Press, 1963. From first line "In this year King Philip, proudly conscious of his victory at Chaeronea" to last line "This was the state of affairs as regards Philip." Item removed due to third party co
How useful is this passage for our understanding of Philip’s ambition? [12]
Answer either Question 5 or Question 6.
5* ‘Philip’s reorganisation of the Macedonian army upon his accession was the most important reason
for his success.’
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]
6* How far do you agree that up to and including the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC), Alexander’s
successes were based on his skill as a general?
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 H407/13 Jun25
, 4
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Copyright Information
OCR is committed to seeking permission to reproduce all third-party content that it uses in its assessment materials. OCR has attempted to identify and contact all copyright holders whose work is used
in this paper. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced in the OCR Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is
produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download from our public website (www.ocr.org.uk) after the live examination series.
© OCR 2025 H407/13 Jun25
