Attic Inscriptions Online

GCSE Ancient History

GCSE Ancient History Resources

OCR J 198; for first assessment 2019

The current specifications OCR GCSE Ancient History prescribe only a single Athenian inscription. That is the Athenian decree on Brea (IG I³ 46). As this inscription is not in a UK collection, it does not form part of these notes, but information about it and an image can be found on the AIO website.

Ancient sources, however, are key to the specification and especially the Depth Study, which is introduced with the following statement: “In the depth studies, the focus will be on the critical use of ancient source material in investigating and assessing historical questions, problems and issues.” Inscriptions offer ideal material for this endeavour and can be introduced to students in bite-sized sessions.

In this resource we discuss a number of inscriptions which are relevant to the Depth Study on Athens in the Age of Pericles, 462–429 BC. They engage with the following topics: the workings of Athenian democracy, Pericles’ foreign policy (including Delian League), cultural and religious life in the age of Pericles; Women (especially questions of citizenship; role and position of women in daily life and marriage).

This selection addresses a wide range of aspects of the GCSE curriculum, covering culture, religion and military affairs. We try to draw upon inscriptions that derive chronologically from the ‘Periclean’ period of Athenian history. Other inscriptions that deal with Athenian foreign policy in the fifth century can be found in our resources for A-level Ancient History; inscriptions relevant to the role and position of women can be found in our resources for GCSE Classical Civilisation.

Students should be encouraged to acknowledge the time period from which evidence derives and what it can tell us in relation to the questions posed. Any relevant use of additional non-prescribed sources will be credited by examiners. Going beyond the set sources, however, is not a requirement to get full marks in a particular question.