Junior Cycle · Junior Cycle Classics
Junior Cycle Classics: Religion and ritual
How often Religion and ritual comes up on the Classics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
CL Asked on 2 of the last 5 Common Level papers, most recently in 2025.
Quick ones on Religion and ritual.
- To be healed by Asclepius
- To ask Apollo about the future
- To bury their kings in its tombs
- At the impluvium
- In the tablinum
- At the lararium
- To pay Charon the ferryman
- To buy food in the afterlife
- To bribe Hades to free them
Show the answers
(a) To ask Apollo about the future
(b) At the lararium
(c) To pay Charon the ferryman
Common Level
Asked on 2 of the last 5 Common Level papers, most recently in 2025.
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Not asked |
| 2025 | Q6 |
| 2024 | Not asked |
| 2023 | Q2 |
| 2022 | Not asked |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Religion and ritual questions
Religion and ritual, 3 marks
Where did the main sacrifice take place at a Greek or Roman temple?
- Deep inside, beside the god's statue
- On the flat roof of the temple
- At an altar outside the temple
Show the answer
At an altar outside the temple
The temple was the god's house and held the statue. Worshippers gathered outside at the altar, usually in front of the steps, so animal sacrifices happened in the open air.
Religion and ritual, 2 marks
What was the most sacred duty of the Vestal Virgins in Rome?
- Reading omens in birds' flight
- Keeping Vesta's sacred fire alight
- Guarding the emperor's young children
Show the answer
Keeping Vesta's sacred fire alight
Six Vestals served for 30 years in the temple of Vesta in the Forum. If the sacred flame went out, it was a terrible omen for the safety of Rome.