THE GREEK WORLD: 500-440 BC

ESSAY QUESTIONS

Answer ONE of two questions. Each is worth 25 marks (and 25 percent of the exam total).

2015:

Assess the effectiveness of preparations undertaken in Persia and Greece during the inter-war period.

To what extent did members of the Delian League lose their independence?

2014:

Assess the contributions of at least TWO Greek leaders to the Greek victory in the Persian Wars.

Analyse Athens’ changing relations with its allies during this period.

2013:

Next the Athenians assessed the various contributions to be made for the war against Persia, and decided which states should furnish money and which states should send ships – the object being to compensate for their losses by ravaging the territory of the King of Persia.(Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War I.96.) With reference to the quotation, assess the extent to which the Delian League fulfilled its aims.

How important was unity to the Greek states in their victory over the Persians?

2012:

In courage and strength the Persians and the Greeks were evenly matched, but the Persians wore no armour; besides, they did not have the skill and expertise of their opponents. (Herodotus, The Histories IX.62) With reference to the quotation, to what extent were the Persians responsible for their own defeat in the Persian Wars?

Account for the democratic reforms of Athens during this period.

2011:

[In my opinion] … if the Athenians, through fear of the approaching danger, had abandoned their country, or if they had stayed there and submitted to Xerxes, there would have been no attempt to resist the Persians by sea. (Herodotus, the Histories VII.139)With reference to this quotation, to what extent was the Athenian navy responsible for the defeat of the Persians in 480-79 BC?

How effectively did Athens maintain control over its allies?

2010:

Why did the Greeks win the Persian Wars of 480-79 BC?

Account for the development of the Athenian empire to 440 BC.

2009:

To what extent was Themistocles responsible for the Greek victory in the Persian Wars?

To what extent did the Delian League fulfil its aims?

2008:

Assess the impact of the Persian Wars on Sparta.

Explain the changing relationship between Athens and its allies during this period.

2007:

Assess the importance of naval battles in the course of the Persian Wars.

Explain the roles and contributions of Aristides the Just and Cimon to the Delian League.

2006:

Assess the contribution of Miltiades and Leonidas to the course of the Persian Wars.

Explain the origins and organisation of the Delian League.

Old exam format:

2005:

Evaluate the impact and contribution of Themistocles in this period.

Explain the transformation of the Delian League into an Athenian Empire.

2004:

Explain the reasons for the defeat of Persia in 490 BC and 480–479 BC.

Explain the development and impact of the Athenian empire.

2003:

Assess the contributions of Miltiades and Themistocles to the Persian Wars.

Explain the origins and activities of the Delian League during this period.

2002:

Assess the reasons for the victory of the Greeks in the Second Persian War (480–479 BC).

Assess the significance of Cimon to the Greek world during this period.

2001:

Assess Themistocles’ role in the Greek defeat of the Persians in 480–479 BC.

Explain the methods used by the Athenians to transform the Delian League into the Athenian Empire.

1