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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Alexander: life & Persian campaign

How often Alexander: life & Persian campaign comes up on the Classical Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Alexander: life & Persian campaign.

(a)What did Alexander do about the Gordian knot at Gordium?
  1. Refused to touch it, fearing the curse on it
  2. Cut it with his sword, in the best-known version
  3. Had Aristotle untie it by patient reasoning
(b)Whom did Alexander kill in a drunken quarrel at Maracanda in 328 BC?
  1. Hephaestion
  2. Parmenion
  3. Cleitus the Black
(c)Who were Alexander's parents?
  1. Philip II of Macedon and Olympias
  2. Darius III of Persia and Stateira
  3. Philip II of Macedon and Roxane
Show the answers

(a) Cut it with his sword, in the best-known version

(b) Cleitus the Black

(c) Philip II of Macedon and Olympias

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Alexander: life & Persian campaign.

Higher Level

Asked on 3 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q7, Q8, Q15
2024Q11
2023Q7, Q15

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Alexander: life & Persian campaign questions

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, 2 marks

Which battle of 331 BC sealed Darius III's defeat?

  1. The Hydaspes
  2. Chaeronea
  3. Gaugamela
Show the answer

Gaugamela

Alexander's cavalry charge at a gap in the Persian line sent Darius fleeing; Babylon, Susa and Persepolis followed. The Hydaspes was against Porus; Chaeronea against the Greeks.

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, 2 marks

Where did Alexander honour Achilles early in his campaign?

  1. At Olympia
  2. At Troy
  3. At Delphi
Show the answer

At Troy

After crossing the Hellespont in 334 BC, he visited Troy and honoured Achilles' tomb. He saw himself as a new Achilles leading Greeks against Asia.

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, 2 marks

What happened on the march back through the Gedrosian desert?

  1. Many died of heat, thirst and hunger
  2. The army found gold mines
  3. Darius' army was destroyed there
Show the answer

Many died of heat, thirst and hunger

Returning from India in 325 BC, Alexander took a harsh desert route. The sources describe terrible losses among soldiers and camp followers.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 3 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q6, Q7
2024Q9, Q12
2023Q4, Q14

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Alexander: life & Persian campaign questions

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, 2 marks

What was the name of Alexander's famous horse?

  1. Pegasus
  2. Argos
  3. Bucephalus
Show the answer

Bucephalus

Plutarch says the boy saw the horse was afraid of its own shadow and turned it to face the sun. Philip said Macedon would be too small for his son.

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, 2 marks

Which city did Alexander found in Egypt?

  1. Persepolis
  2. Alexandria
  3. Babylon
Show the answer

Alexandria

He founded Alexandria c. 331 BC. It became one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, famous for its lighthouse and its library.

Alexander: life & Persian campaign, 2 marks

According to the best-known story, how did Alexander undo the Gordian knot?

  1. He cut it with his sword
  2. He burned it
  3. He had a priest untie it
Show the answer

He cut it with his sword

Whoever undid the knot was meant to rule Asia. The famous story says he cut it, though one source says he pulled out a pin. Either way, he claimed success.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies