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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Armies, tactics & key battles

How often Armies, tactics & key battles 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 2 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Armies, tactics & key battles, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Armies, tactics & key battles.

(a)How many cohorts made up a legion in Caesar's time?
  1. 4
  2. 10
  3. 12
(b)What was the sarissa?
  1. A Persian curved sword used by cavalry
  2. A Roman throwing spear with a soft iron tip
  3. A Macedonian pike of about 5 to 6 metres
(c)Why did Roman armies build a fortified camp at each halt?
  1. Protection from attack and a secure base
  2. The law forbade sleeping outdoors
  3. To mark land for new towns
Show the answers

(a) 10

(b) A Macedonian pike of about 5 to 6 metres

(c) Protection from attack and a secure base

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Armies, tactics & key battles.

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
2025Q15
2024Q1
2023Q15

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

More Armies, tactics & key battles questions

Armies, tactics & key battles, 2 marks

In what formation did the Companion cavalry charge?

  1. A hollow square
  2. A single long line
  3. A wedge
Show the answer

A wedge

The wedge let Alexander at the point drive into gaps. The riders followed him through, as at Gaugamela.

Armies, tactics & key battles, 3 marks

What was the advantage of Caesar's triple battle line?

  1. It hid the true size of the legion from the enemy
  2. Fresh cohorts could relieve or reinforce the front
  3. It let the whole army retreat much faster in danger
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Fresh cohorts could relieve or reinforce the front

The triplex acies placed cohorts in three lines. Rear lines filled gaps or met flank attacks, which kept the army flexible.

Armies, tactics & key battles, 2 marks

About how many men were in a Roman century in Caesar's time?

  1. 80
  2. 100
  3. 60
Show the answer

80

The name comes from centum (100), but a century had about 80 men. Six centuries formed a cohort, led by centurions.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 2 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q12
2023Q4

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

More Armies, tactics & key battles questions

Armies, tactics & key battles, 2 marks

Which cavalry did Alexander personally lead into battle?

  1. The Immortals
  2. The Praetorian Guard
  3. The Companion cavalry
Show the answer

The Companion cavalry

The Companions charged in a wedge at a weak spot in the enemy line, while the phalanx held the enemy in place. This is called hammer and anvil.

Armies, tactics & key battles, 2 marks

What was the pilum?

  1. A Macedonian pike
  2. A Roman throwing javelin
  3. A Roman shield
Show the answer

A Roman throwing javelin

Legionaries threw their pila before charging. The soft iron neck bent on impact, so the enemy could not throw it back, and a pilum stuck in a shield weighed it down.

Armies, tactics & key battles, 2 marks

Roughly how many soldiers were in a Roman legion?

  1. About 5,000
  2. About 500
  3. About 50,000
Show the answer

About 5,000

A legion had 10 cohorts, made up of centuries of 80 men each led by a centurion. Discipline and training often let Caesar's legions beat larger Gallic armies.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies