Augustus — AS & A Level Classical Studies (9274) questions by topic
Dating the Battle of Actium from a set passage, identifying figures on a Roman coin showing two young men with spears and shields, and judging whether Augustus' building programme and his military victories owe more to personal leadership than to others are the recurring tasks in this topic, worth 25-mark essays across 12 real questions from 2023 and 2024 papers.
Identify, how far and state are the top command words, and identify on a coin or passage demands a specific, correct name or date rather than a plausible guess. Examiners report BCE and CE regularly confused, so drafting a passage or image-based answer and checking it against instant marking is a direct way to confirm dates and identifications are exactly right before an essay argument is built on them.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is confusion between BCE and CE when dating events such as the Battle of Actium.
- Examiners note many candidates struggled to identify the coin as a denarius, often giving generic answers like 'a propaganda coin' instead.
- Reports flag confusion between actions taken in the provinces and those taken in Rome, particularly around Augustus' religious reforms and building programme.
- A common error was regarding Julius Caesar as an emperor of Rome.
- Strong answers knew Marcus Agrippa commanded Augustus' forces at Actium, correctly identified Gaius and Lucius Caesar on the coin, and discussed Augustus' use of marriage, including Livia and Julia, as a political tool.
October–November 2024, Paper 21
Read the passage and answer the questions. Who were the Parthians (line 2)? Make two points.
Answer this question and get it marked →How far do you agree that Augustus' building programme made Rome a city worthy to be the capital of the Empire?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Augustus' military victories in the civil wars of 44–31 BCE were only because of his personal leadership.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
Read the passage and answer the questions. In which year did the Battle of Actium (line 4) take place?
Answer this question and get it marked →How far would you agree that Augustus would not have been successful as emperor without his family?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Augustus deserved to be honoured for saving the Roman Republic.' Explain how far you agree with this statement.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Study the image and answer the questions. The image is a Roman silver coin. The visible side shows two togate young figures standing facing each other, each beside a round shield,…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Augustus' reforms of the provinces benefitted both the people of Rome and the people of the provinces.' Explain how far you agree with this statement.
Answer this question and get it marked →How far would you agree that Augustus destroyed the Roman Republic, rather than saving it?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
Study the image and answer the questions. The image is a Roman coin showing two young men standing side by side, each holding a spear, with two round shields placed between them;…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Augustus' reforms of the provinces benefitted both the people of Rome and the people of the provinces.' Explain how far you agree with this statement.
Answer this question and get it marked →How far would you agree that Augustus destroyed the Roman Republic, rather than saving it?
Answer this question and get it marked →