UKSubject guide

Ancient History

A-Level Ancient History (OCR H407) — the sole provider; a Greek component plus a Roman component, each with a period study and chosen depth study.

Editorially reviewed26 July 2026A-Levels

Ancient HistoryA-Levels

Topic nodes: 9
Pathways and specifications: 2
Nations and regions: 1
Public references: 2

Contents

Overview

Ancient History

A-Level Ancient History (OCR H407) — the sole provider; a Greek component plus a Roman component, each with a period study and chosen depth study.

Subject guide: A-Levels
Topics mapped: 9

Complete topic map

Every topic recorded for this subject in the curriculum is reproduced below in its full hierarchy. The descriptions reflect the mapped scope without implying additional exam rules.

01
Greek Period Study: Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492-404 BC
From the Persian invasions through the Delian League to the end of the Peloponnesian War.
02
Working with ancient sources
Selecting, analysing and evaluating literary and material sources, with attention to reliability, context and integrating evidence.
03
Greek Depth Study: Society and Politics of Sparta, 478-404 BC
The agoge, social structure, the political system, military culture and the "Spartan mirage" (Greek option).
04
Greek Depth Study: Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460-399 BC
Democracy and society, the Sophists and Socrates, the Acropolis programme, drama and religion (Greek option).
05
Greek Depth Study: The Rise of Macedon, c.359-323 BC
Philip II's transformation of Macedon and Alexander's campaigns, character and relationships (Greek option).
06
Roman Period Study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC-AD 68
From Augustus to Nero: the principate, succession, the imperial cult and relations with the Senate and people.
07
Roman Depth Study: The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88-31 BC
The constitution under strain from Sulla to Octavian, and the political methods behind its collapse (Roman option).
08
Roman Depth Study: The Flavians, AD 68-96
The Year of the Four Emperors and Vespasian, Titus and Domitian: principate, propaganda and religion (Roman option).
09
Roman Depth Study: Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43-c.128
Conquest, frontier policy, resistance (Caratacus, Boudicca), administration and the effects of Roman rule (Roman option).

Where this subject applies

These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.

Pathways and specifications

01
AS-Level
Advanced Subsidiary — the first year of A-Level study (standalone or first half of the full A-Level).
02
A-Level (A2)
The full Advanced Level — AS content plus the second-year A2 content.

Official sources

The public sources below are referenced directly by this subject or by one of its topics.

This editorial selection points to the relevant official bodies. Always confirm current requirements, dates and amendments with your school or college and the appropriate awarding organisation.

2
Public references

S·01Ofqual-regulated awarding bodies (AQA, OCR, Pearson, WJEC/Eduqas, CCEA)Awarding-body A-Level specifications & assessment objectivesOpen source S·02OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA)OCR GCE AS and A-level specificationsOpen source

UK · EuraStudy Guides

Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.

Open the curriculum guide to see every subject and topic, or continue to EuraStudy to begin working with the material.

Open curriculum guide →Prepare for your A-levels →

UKSubject guide

Ancient History

A-Level Ancient History (OCR H407) — the sole provider; a Greek component plus a Roman component, each with a period study and chosen depth study.

Editorially reviewed26 July 2026A-Levels

Ancient HistoryA-Levels

Topic nodes: 9
Pathways and specifications: 2
Nations and regions: 1
Public references: 2

Contents

Overview

Ancient History

A-Level Ancient History (OCR H407) — the sole provider; a Greek component plus a Roman component, each with a period study and chosen depth study.

Subject guide: A-Levels
Topics mapped: 9

Complete topic map

Every topic recorded for this subject in the curriculum is reproduced below in its full hierarchy. The descriptions reflect the mapped scope without implying additional exam rules.

01
Greek Period Study: Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492-404 BC
From the Persian invasions through the Delian League to the end of the Peloponnesian War.
02
Working with ancient sources
Selecting, analysing and evaluating literary and material sources, with attention to reliability, context and integrating evidence.
03
Greek Depth Study: Society and Politics of Sparta, 478-404 BC
The agoge, social structure, the political system, military culture and the "Spartan mirage" (Greek option).
04
Greek Depth Study: Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460-399 BC
Democracy and society, the Sophists and Socrates, the Acropolis programme, drama and religion (Greek option).
05
Greek Depth Study: The Rise of Macedon, c.359-323 BC
Philip II's transformation of Macedon and Alexander's campaigns, character and relationships (Greek option).
06
Roman Period Study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC-AD 68
From Augustus to Nero: the principate, succession, the imperial cult and relations with the Senate and people.
07
Roman Depth Study: The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88-31 BC
The constitution under strain from Sulla to Octavian, and the political methods behind its collapse (Roman option).
08
Roman Depth Study: The Flavians, AD 68-96
The Year of the Four Emperors and Vespasian, Titus and Domitian: principate, propaganda and religion (Roman option).
09
Roman Depth Study: Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43-c.128
Conquest, frontier policy, resistance (Caratacus, Boudicca), administration and the effects of Roman rule (Roman option).

Where this subject applies

These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.

Pathways and specifications

01
AS-Level
Advanced Subsidiary — the first year of A-Level study (standalone or first half of the full A-Level).
02
A-Level (A2)
The full Advanced Level — AS content plus the second-year A2 content.

Official sources

The public sources below are referenced directly by this subject or by one of its topics.

This editorial selection points to the relevant official bodies. Always confirm current requirements, dates and amendments with your school or college and the appropriate awarding organisation.

2
Public references

UK · EuraStudy Guides

Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.

Open the curriculum guide to see every subject and topic, or continue to EuraStudy to begin working with the material.

Open curriculum guide →Prepare for your A-levels →

Ancient History

Complete topic map

Greek Period Study: Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492-404 BC

Working with ancient sources

Greek Depth Study: Society and Politics of Sparta, 478-404 BC

Greek Depth Study: Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460-399 BC

Greek Depth Study: The Rise of Macedon, c.359-323 BC

Roman Period Study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC-AD 68

Roman Depth Study: The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88-31 BC

Roman Depth Study: The Flavians, AD 68-96

Roman Depth Study: Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43-c.128

Where this subject applies

Pathways and specifications

Official sources

In-depth guides

Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.

Ancient History

Complete topic map

Greek Period Study: Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492-404 BC

Working with ancient sources

Greek Depth Study: Society and Politics of Sparta, 478-404 BC

Greek Depth Study: Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460-399 BC

Greek Depth Study: The Rise of Macedon, c.359-323 BC

Roman Period Study: The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC-AD 68

Roman Depth Study: The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88-31 BC

Roman Depth Study: The Flavians, AD 68-96

Roman Depth Study: Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43-c.128

Where this subject applies

Pathways and specifications

Official sources

In-depth guides

Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.