plumiCyrus the Great and the rise of the Persian Empire, 559–530 BC: OCR GCSE Ancient History questions
OCR GCSE Ancient History past-paper questions on Cyrus the Great and the rise of the Persian Empire, 559–530 BC, 2021–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 14 questions on Cyrus the Great and the rise of the Persian Empire, 559–530 BC, as a list
- June 2025, The Persian Empire, Q1(a) (1 mark): Name the king of Lydia who was defeated by Cyrus. [1]
- June 2025, The Persian Empire, Q5 (20 marks): ‘The only aim of Persian kings was to live up to Cyrus’ example.’ To what extent do you agree with this view? [20]
- June 2024, The Persian Empire, Q2 (6 marks): Outline how Cyrus treated the peoples that he conquered. [6]
- June 2024, The Persian Empire, Q5 (20 marks): ‘Persian kings were civilised and tolerant.’ To what extent do you agree with this view? [20]
- June 2023, The Persian Empire, Q1(a) (2 marks): Identify two parts of Cyrus’ building complex at Pasargadae. [2]
- June 2023, The Persian Empire, Q1(b) (2 marks): Name two of the kings and queens who Cyrus fought. [2]
- June 2023, The Persian Empire, Q5 (20 marks): ‘The Persian Empire’s strength was all due to the work of Cyrus.’ To what extent do you agree with this view? [20] ()
- June 2022, The Persian Empire, Q3 (10 marks): Using details from Source A and your own knowledge, what can we learn about how Cyrus wished to be seen by people in his empire? [10] Source A When I (Cyrus) en
- June 2022, The Persian Empire, Q4 (15 marks): Using details from Source A and your own knowledge, how similarly did Cyrus and Cambyses treat the peoples they conquered? [15] Source A When I (Cyrus) entered
- June 2022, The Persian Empire, Q5 (20 marks): ‘The building projects of the Persians were their greatest achievement.’ How far do you agree with this view? [20] ()
- November 2021, The Persian Empire, Q1(a) (1 mark): Name the city that Cyrus captured when he defeated Croesus. [1]
- November 2021, The Persian Empire, Q1(b) (1 mark): Name the tribe that Herodotus tells us Cyrus was fighting when he died. [1]
- November 2021, The Persian Empire, Q4 (15 marks): Using details from Passage A and your own knowledge, explain how far Darius’ attitude towards his enemies was similar to that of Cyrus. [15] Passage A So it was
- November 2021, The Persian Empire, Q5 (20 marks): ‘Cyrus was the Persian King who was the most determined to expand the empire.’ To what extent do you agree with this view? [20] ()
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