Unit 4: People, power and authority (Octavian to Augustus)

7 dot points, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How did Octavian win and consolidate sole power, and how did he use image and propaganda to transform autocracy into a restored Republic?

Investigate how Octavian gained, presented and consolidated power, including his use of Caesar's name, the propaganda war against Antony and Cleopatra, the victory at Actium, the settlements of 27 and 23 BC, the title Augustus, and his projection of authority through coinage, monuments, the Res Gestae and the imagery of the restored Republic

Octavian and Augustus. Covers his use of Caesar's name, the propaganda war against Antony and Cleopatra, Actium, the settlements of 27 and 23 BC, the title Augustus, and his projection of authority through coins, monuments and the Res Gestae, drawing on Suetonius, Tacitus, the Res Gestae and material evidence.

6 min read →

How did Julius Caesar rise from the late Republican political elite to sole power, and what do the sources reveal about his use of military command, alliance and reform?

Investigate the rise of Julius Caesar within the late Roman Republic, including his family background and early career, the First Triumvirate of 60 BC, the conquest of Gaul, the crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BC, the civil war against Pompey, and his accumulation of power as dictator

Rise of Julius Caesar. Covers his family and early career, the First Triumvirate of 60 BC, the conquest of Gaul, the crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BC, the civil war against Pompey, and his accumulation of dictatorial power, drawing on Caesar, Cicero, Suetonius and Plutarch.

6 min read →

How did Cleopatra VII secure and exercise power in Ptolemaic Egypt, and what do the sources reveal about her rule and self-presentation?

Investigate the rise and rule of Cleopatra VII, including the Ptolemaic dynasty and the situation of Egypt, her accession and dynastic struggles, her government of Egypt, her relationship with Julius Caesar, and her use of religion and image to project royal authority

Rise and rule of Cleopatra VII. Covers the Ptolemaic dynasty and Egypt's position, her contested accession, her government and economic management, her alliance with Julius Caesar, and her use of religion and royal imagery, drawing on Plutarch, coins, inscriptions and Egyptian temple reliefs.

6 min read →

How did Mark Antony gain and exercise power after Caesar's death, and why did his bid for authority end in defeat by Octavian?

Investigate the rise, power and fall of Mark Antony, including his role under Julius Caesar, the Second Triumvirate and proscriptions, his command of the eastern provinces, his alliance with Cleopatra, the Donations of Alexandria, and the propaganda war with Octavian that culminated in Actium and his death

Mark Antony. Covers his role under Caesar, the Second Triumvirate and proscriptions, his eastern command and alliance with Cleopatra, the Donations of Alexandria, and the propaganda war with Octavian leading to Actium and his death, drawing on Plutarch, Cicero, Cassius Dio and coins.

6 min read →

How do historians reconstruct an ancient figure's exercise of power from biased and fragmentary sources, and how should sources be evaluated for the External Assessment?

Apply the historical skills of Unit 4 to figures of power, including evaluating ancient written sources, coins, inscriptions and monuments for origin, purpose, perspective, motive, usefulness and reliability, recognising propaganda and the perspective of the victor, distinguishing the historical figure from the legend, and synthesising sources into argument for the External Assessment

QCE Ancient History Unit 4 skills strand on sources and historiography. Covers evaluating ancient writers, coins, inscriptions and monuments for origin, purpose, perspective and reliability, recognising propaganda and the victor's perspective, separating figure from legend, and synthesising sources into argument for the External Assessment.

6 min read →

How did the alliance of Cleopatra and Mark Antony lead to war with Octavian, and how have sources and later tradition represented Cleopatra's fall and legacy?

Evaluate the alliance of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony, the propaganda war with Octavian, the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, the deaths of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BC, the end of Ptolemaic Egypt, and the ancient and modern interpretations of Cleopatra

Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Covers their political and personal alliance, the Donations of Alexandria, Octavian's propaganda war, the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, the deaths of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BC and the Roman annexation of Egypt, plus contrasting interpretations of Cleopatra.

6 min read →

Why was Julius Caesar assassinated in 44 BC, and how have sources and historians represented his power, his death and his legacy?

Evaluate the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March 44 BC and his legacy, including the motives of the conspirators, the role of his honours and dictatorship, the aftermath and rise of Octavian, and the differing ancient and modern interpretations of Caesar

Assassination and legacy of Julius Caesar. Covers the motives of the conspirators, the dictatorship and divine honours, the events of 15 March 44 BC, the aftermath and rise of Octavian, and the contrasting ancient and modern interpretations of Caesar as tyrant or reformer.

6 min read →