Past HSC Questions
(all questions after 2006 relate to 31 if you are answering pre 2006 change
the date from 28 to 31 and keep within that timeframe)
Fall of the Roman Republic 78-31 BC
(from Assessment and Reporting in Ancient History Stage 6, page 8)
Section IV: Historical Periods (25 marks)
There will be 16 extended response questions, one for each historical period.
Each question will have two alternatives.
Candidates will be required to answer one alternative on the historical period
they have studied.
The expected length of response will be around eight pages of an
examination writing booklet (approximately 1000 words).
HSC 2011
Question 44 — Option M - Rome: The fall of the Roman Republic 78-31 BC
(25 marks
(a) He [Sulla] came out of Rome to meet him [Pompey] and gave him the
warmest possible welcome, acclaiming him in a loud voice as ‘Magnus’ —
which is to say, ‘the Great’ — and telling those present to use this title when
addressing him.
Plutarch, Life of Pompey 13
With reference to this quotation, to what extent did Pompey deserve to be
known as ‘the Great’?
OR
(b) Assess the role of the optimates in this period.
HSC 2010
Question 43 — Option M - Rome: The fall of the Roman Republic 78-31 BC
(25 marks)
(a) Account for the outbreak of the Civil War in 49 BC.
OR
(b) Explain the role military commands played in Roman politics in this period.
TRIAL 2010
Question 44 — Option M - Rome: The fall of the Roman Republic 78-31 BC
(25 marks)
(a) Assess the role and significance of Cicero during this period.
OR
(b) Account for the formation and breakdown of the Second Triumvirate.
HSC 2009
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Assess the senate's role in political crises in this period.
OR
(b) To what extent did the political ambitions of individuals contribute to the fall
of the republic?
TRIAL 2009
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Assess the role of the Roman Senate in this period.
OR
(b) Account for the rivalry between Pompey and Caesar.
HSC 2008
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Explain the activities and breakdown of the First Triumvirate.
OR
(b) Why did Mark Antony lose the Civil War against Octavian?
TRIAL 2008
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Explain the role of the optimates and populares during this period.
OR
(b) Explain the significance of the Second Triumvirate on the Roman world.
HSC 2007
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Assess the success of Pompey as a general and a politician during this
period.
OR
(b) Why did the Roman Republic fall?
TRIAL 2007
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Assess the legacy of Sulla on this period.
OR
(b) Explain the impact of Pompey's military commands on the fall of the
Roman Republic.
HSC 2006
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Explain the outbreak of the Civil War (49–45 BC) between Pompey and
Caesar.
OR
(b) Assess the importance of extraordinary military commands in Pompey’s
career before the First Triumvirate.
TRIAL 2006
Question 38 — Option M – Rome: The fall of the Republic 78–31 BC (25
marks)
(a) Evaluate the role of the Roman Senate during this period.
OR
(b) Assess the role and significance of Cicero during this period.
HSC 2005
Question 41 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Evaluate the role of Pompey as a significant military leader during this
period.
OR
(b) Assess the political and military significance of the Second Triumvirate
during this period.
Question 60 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Explain the role of the army and its use for political purposes in this period.
OR
(b) Assess the role of the Optimates and Populares during this period.
TRIAL 2005
Question 41 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Assess the political repercussions of the expansion and administration of
empire during this period.
OR
(b) Explain the formation and breakdown of the Second Triumvirate.
Question 60 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Assess the achievements and impact of Pompey on Rome and the Roman
world during this period.
OR
(b) Explain the causes and consequences of ONE civil war during this period.
HSC 2004
Question 41 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Explain the reasons for the formation and breakdown of the ‘First
Triumvirate’.
OR
(b) Assess the achievements and impact of EITHER Mark Antony OR Cicero
during this period.
Question 60 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Explain the role of the Senate in the fall of the Roman Republic.
OR
(b) Assess the achievements and impact of Octavian during this period.
HSC 2003
Question 41 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Explain the outbreak of civil war in 49 BC.
OR
(b) Explain the formation and breakdown of the Second Triumvirate.
Question 60 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Assess the significance of the career of EITHER Pompey OR Crassus.
OR
(b) Account for the political violence in Rome during this period.
HSC 2002
Question 41 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Account for the rise and impact of powerful generals during this period.
OR
(b) Assess the role of the Senate during this period.
Question 60 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Account for the formation and breakdown of the ‘First Triumvirate’.
OR
(b) Account for the political rise and fall of Mark Antony.
HSC 2001
Question 41 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Account for the formation and the breakdown of the Second Triumvirate.
OR
(b) Assess the significance of the career of EITHER Pompey OR Cicero.
Question 60 — Option P – Rome: The Fall of the Roman Republic 78–28 BC
(a) Account for Roman success in the Gallic Wars.
OR
(b) Explain the generals’ use of armies for political purposes during this
period.
(from Assessment and Reporting in Ancient History Stage 6, page 8)
Section III: Personalities (25 marks)
There will be 12 questions, one for each personality.
Each question will consist of two or three parts, with the last part worth 15
marks.
Candidates will be required to answer the question on the personality they
have studied.
The expected length of response will be around eight pages of an
examination writing booklet (approximately 1000 words) in total.
HSC 2011
Question 30 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe Julius Caesar’s military activities to 60 BC. (10)
(b) Discuss the nature of Julius Caesar’s reforms as dictator. (15)
HSC 2010
Question 29 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe the methods Julius Caesar used to advance his career up to 60
BC. (10)
(b) To what extent was Julius Caesar a successful general? (15)
HSC 2009
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe Julius Caesar’s role in the First Triumvirate. (10)
(b) Assess the impact of Julius Caesar on Rome. (15)
HSC 2008
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe Julius Caesar’s early political career to 60 BC. (10)
(b) Analyse the motives for the assassination of Julius Caesar. (15)
TRIAL 2008
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe the policies and reforms of Julius Caesar’s dictatorship. (10)
(b) Assess modern images and interpretations of Julius Caesar's career. (15)
HSC 2007
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe Julius Caesar’s relationship with the senate. (10)
(b) Assess the military achievements of Julius Caesar. (15)
TRIAL 2007
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe Julius Caesar’s early political career to 60 BC. (10)
(b) Assess the impact and influence of Julius Caesar on his time. (15)
HSC 2006
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe Julius Caesar’s reforms. (10)
(b) Evaluate the significance of the Gallic Wars in the career of Julius Caesar.
(15)
TRIAL 2006
Question 24 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Explain Julius Caesar's role in the First Triumvirate. (10)
(b) Assess the legacy of Julius Caesar's career. (15)
HSC 2005
Question 11 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Briefly describe the early career of Julius Caesar. (5)
(b) Explain Caesar’s relationship with the Senate. (8)
(c) With reference to sources, assess the achievements of Julius Caesar as a
general. (12)
TRIAL 2005
Question 11 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Describe the geographical extent of the Roman empire in the time of Julius
Caesar's death. (5)
(b) Explain Julius Caesar's relations with Cicero. (10)
(c) With reference to sources, assess the contributions of Julius Caesar to his
times. (10)
HSC 2004
Question 11 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Briefly outline Julius Caesar’s rise to prominence. (5)
(b) Explain the manner and impact of Julius Caesar’s death. (10)
(c) With reference to sources, evaluate the influence of Julius Caesar in his
lifetime. (10)
HSC 2003
Question 11 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Outline the social position of Julius Caesar. (5)
(b) Explain the reasons for Caesar’s success in the Gallic Wars. (10)
(c) With reference to sources, assess the achievements of Julius Caesar. (10)
HSC 2002
Question 11 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Briefly describe the family background of Julius Caesar. (5)
(b) Explain the reasons for the military achievements of Julius Caesar. (10)
(c) Evaluate the ancient or modern interpretations of Julius Caesar. (10)
HSC 2001
Question 11 — Option K – Rome: Julius Caesar (25 marks)
(a) Briefly describe Caesar’s role in the ‘First Triumvirate’. (5)
(b) With reference to sources, explain Caesar’s early political career to 60 BC.
(8)
(c) Assess the achievements of Julius Caesar. (12)