Alexander the Great — AS & A Level Classical Studies (9274) questions by topic
Explaining why Alexander was returning to Persia after defeating King Porus, weighing whether Olympias shaped his life more than anyone else, and judging whether the title 'the Great' still holds given the empire's collapse after his death are the recurring tasks, worth 25-mark essays across 18 real questions from 2023 and 2024 papers.
How far, identify, state, explain and to what extent are the top command words, and identify expects a precise named detail, such as a city or a person, drawn accurately from the passage. Examiners report essays that recount Alexander's life story without linking events to the actual question, so drafting a focused response and checking it against instant marking helps confirm every point ties directly back to what was asked.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is discussion of Olympias limited only to Alexander's early years, rather than her ongoing influence.
- Examiners note candidates recounting anecdotes, such as Hephaistion's death or the taming of Bucephalus, regardless of whether they answer the question.
- Reports flag confusion between the Cleopatra named in the stimulus passage and Cleopatra of Egypt, producing anachronistic answers.
- A common error was naming a region or country rather than the specific city where Philip was assassinated.
- Strong answers discussed Olympias' influence widely, including her possible role in Philip's assassination, and formulated arguments balancing Alexander's own ability against the army and generals Philip provided.
October–November 2024, Paper 11
Read the passage and answer the questions. Which battle had Alexander won just before arriving at Gordium?
Answer this question and get it marked →How far do you agree that Alexander always put himself and his own ambitions above the needs of his men?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Nothing more than a war to avenge the Persian attack on Greece.' How far do you agree with this description of Alexander's campaigns in Asia?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Read the passage and answer the questions. Why was Alexander returning to Persia after defeating King Porus? Make two points.
Answer this question and get it marked →How far do you agree that Alexander was nothing more than a brutal and cruel conqueror?
Answer this question and get it marked →How far do you agree that Alexander was a master in the use of propaganda to promote his personal reputation?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
Read the passage and answer the questions. Why was Alexander returning to Persia after defeating King Porus? Make two points.
Answer this question and get it marked →How far do you agree that Alexander was nothing more than a brutal and cruel conqueror?
Answer this question and get it marked →How far do you agree that Alexander was a master in the use of propaganda to promote his personal reputation?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Study the image and answer the questions. The image is the Alexander Mosaic, depicting Alexander the Great at the Battle of Issus: a chaotic battle scene in which Alexander, on…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Olympias had more impact on Alexander's life than any other person.' Explain how far you agree with this statement.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Alexander should not be called "the Great" because his empire fell apart after his death.' To what extent do you agree with this opinion?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Read the passage and answer the questions. In which year was Philip assassinated?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Alexander's men were always loyal to him and never questioned his decisions.' Explain how far you agree with this statement.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Alexander's military success was only due to the army and generals he inherited from his father. It had nothing to do with his own ability.' To what extent do you agree with this…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Read the passage and answer the questions. In which year was Philip assassinated?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Alexander's men were always loyal to him and never questioned his decisions.' Explain how far you agree with this statement.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Alexander's military success was only due to the army and generals he inherited from his father. It had nothing to do with his own ability.' To what extent do you agree with this…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Classical Studies topics
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