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Junior Cycle · The Junior Cert

Junior Cycle Classics

What has come up on the Classics papers (2022–2026), topic by topic, with step-by-step practice at Common Level.

Common Level

Classics, Common Level(6 marks)

Three quick ones from the Classics topics that come up most.

(a)Which hero killed the Minotaur in the Labyrinth on Crete?
  1. Perseus
  2. Theseus
  3. Jason
(b)Which room in a Roman house had couches on three sides for dining?
  1. Peristylium
  2. Tablinum
  3. Triclinium
(c)Which volcano buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79?
  1. Vesuvius
  2. Stromboli
  3. Etna
Show the answers

(a) Theseus

(b) Triclinium

(c) Vesuvius

Your turn: pick the answer for each one.

Common Level

200 flash cards and 120 step-by-step drill questions at Common Level.

What comes up

How many of the last 5 Classics Common Level papers asked each topic.

TopicAskedLast seenHow often
Home, family and dining banker5 of 52026
Heroes, quests and monsters banker5 of 52026
Themes and versions of myths most years4 of 52026
Gods and goddesses most years4 of 52026
Women and gender in myth most years4 of 52026
Archaeology and Pompeii most years4 of 52026
Women's daily lives most years3 of 52026
Work, status and slavery most years3 of 52025
Public entertainment 2 of 52026
Childhood and education 2 of 52024
Expressions from myth 2 of 52024
Origin and foundation myths 2 of 52025
Religion and ritual 2 of 52025

Try three

Home, family and dining, 3 marks

A Roman father had patria potestas. What did this mean?

  1. He had to obey his own eldest son
  2. He shared equal power with his wife
  3. He had legal power over his children
Show the answer

He had legal power over his children

Patria potestas (a father's power) lasted as long as he lived. In law he controlled his children's property and marriages, and could even decide whether a newborn was raised.

Heroes, quests and monsters, 3 marks

In the best-known version, why did Heracles have to carry out his labours?

  1. To take the throne of Thebes
  2. To make up for killing his family
  3. To win a king's daughter as his wife
Show the answer

To make up for killing his family

Hera drove Heracles mad and he killed his wife and children. To make amends, the oracle at Delphi sent him to serve King Eurystheus. Some versions tell the story in another order.

Themes and versions of myths, 3 marks

A myth was retold aloud for centuries in many different Greek cities. What is most likely to happen to it?

  1. Different versions appear
  2. It stays word for word the same
  3. It is soon completely forgotten
Show the answer

Different versions appear

Storytellers, poets and cities changed details to suit their audience, their local heroes or their message. That is why Greek myths often survive in several versions.

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