Download hsc ancient history the greek world, 500-440 bc

HSC ANCIENT HISTORY
THE GREEK WORLD, 500-440 BC
STUDY GUIDE 2016
In this section of the course, you have to write an essay on either the Persian Wars OR the
Delian League. The essay is worth 25 marks.
You should spend no longer than 45 minutes on this part of the exam.
The following is a list of the topics covered each year since 2001. The more recently these
topics were examined, the less likely they will be in the paper this year. Given past practice,
it is almost certain that there will be a question on the Persian Wars, meaning you can safely
ignore the Delian League. That said, there is no guarantee of anything in HSC exams. If I
were you, I would know enough about the Delian League to scrape together an answer if
the worst comes to the worst.
2015 the effectiveness of preparations undertaken in Persia and Greece during the interwar period, OR the extent to which members of the Delian League lost their
independence.
2014 an assessment of the contributions of at least two Greek leaders to the Greek victory
in the Persian Wars, OR Athens’ changing relations with its allies under the Delian
League.
2013 the importance of unity to the Greek states in their victory over the Persians, OR
the extent to which the Delian League fulfilled its aims.
2012 the extent to which the Persians were responsible for their own defeat in the Persian
Wars, OR democratic reforms in Athens between 500 BC and 440.
2011 the extent to which the Athenian navy was responsible for the defeat of the Persians
in 480-79 BC, OR how effectively Athens maintained control over its allies following
the Persian Wars.
2010 why the Greeks won the Persian War of 480-79 BC, OR the development of the
Athenian empire to 440 BC.
2009 the extent to which Themistocles was responsible for the Greek victory in the
Persian Wars, OR the extent to which the Delian League fulfilled its aims.
2008 the impact of the Persian Wars on Sparta, OR the changing relationship between
Athens and its allies under the Delian League.
2007 the importance of naval battles in the Persian Wars, OR the roles and contributions
of Aristides the Just and Cimon to the Delian League.
2006 the contribution of Miltiades and Leonidas to the course of the Persian Wars, OR the
origins and organisation of the Delian League.
2005 the impact and contribution of Themistocles to the outcome of the Second Persian
War, OR the transformation of the Delian League into an Athenian Empire.
2004 the reasons for the defeat of Persia in 490 BC and 480–479 BC, OR the development
and impact of the Athenian empire.
2003 the contributions of Miltiades and Themistocles to the Persian Wars, OR the origins
and activities of the Delian League.
2002 the reasons for the victory of the Greeks in the Second Persian War, OR the
significance of Cimon to the Greek world.
2001 Themistocles’ role in the Greek defeat of the Persians in 480–479 BC, OR the
methods used by the Athenians to transform the Delian League into the Athenian
Empire.
Please note also that in 2008, there was no question on the reasons the Greeks won the
Persian Wars. Rather, the question was on the impact of the wars on Sparta. If you got a
question like this, you could spend most of your answer looking at Sparta’s role in the Greek
victory. However, you would also have to mention how the Second Persian War created a
rival for Sparta in the Greek world. This, of course, was Athens (which took advantage of the
expulsion of Persia from Asia Minor and the Aegean, to create an empire of its own). The
rivalry that ensued eventually led to the Peloponnesian War.
Wording of the questions
Remember, a question asking you to assess or evaluate something is asking you to make a
judgment about it. A question asking you to explain, analyse or account for something is
asking you to give reasons for why it happened.
Hence, if the question asks you to assess the importance of Themistocles to the Greek
victory, you have to say whether his leadership was the key factor, or whether other things
were more important.