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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Caesar: life & Gallic campaign

How often Caesar: life & Gallic 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

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Caesar: life & Gallic campaign.

(a)With whom did Caesar form the informal alliance of 60 BC?
  1. Antony and Octavian
  2. Pompey and Crassus
  3. Cicero and Cato
(b)Who led the great Gallic revolt of 52 BC?
  1. Ariovistus of the Suebi
  2. Diviciacus of the Aedui
  3. Vercingetorix of the Arverni
(c)When was Caesar assassinated?
  1. The Ides of March, 44 BC
  2. The Ides of March, 49 BC
  3. The Kalends of January, 44 BC
Show the answers

(a) Pompey and Crassus

(b) Vercingetorix of the Arverni

(c) The Ides of March, 44 BC

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Caesar: life & Gallic 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 Caesar: life & Gallic campaign questions

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, 3 marks

Why was crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC so serious?

  1. It broke a treaty with the Gauls
  2. It left Gaul undefended against Germans
  3. Leading an army into Italy meant civil war
Show the answer

Leading an army into Italy meant civil war

A governor could not bring his army out of his province. By crossing into Italy Caesar declared war on the Senate and Pompey.

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, 2 marks

Why was the young Caesar in danger under Sulla?

  1. He had led a slave revolt in Campania against Sulla
  2. He refused to divorce Cinna's daughter
  3. He had killed one of Sulla's sons
Show the answer

He refused to divorce Cinna's daughter

Cornelia was the daughter of Sulla's enemy Cinna. Caesar defied Sulla's order and hid until friends won a pardon.

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, 2 marks

Who was Ambiorix?

  1. Eburones chief who destroyed a Roman force in 54 BC
  2. An Aeduan chief who stayed loyal to Caesar
  3. A German king whom Caesar defeated near the Rhine in 58 BC
Show the answer

Eburones chief who destroyed a Roman force in 54 BC

Ambiorix lured Sabinus and Cotta out of their winter camp with false promises and wiped out their fifteen cohorts. Caesar took brutal revenge on the Eburones.

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 Caesar: life & Gallic campaign questions

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, 2 marks

Which two men joined Caesar in the so-called First Triumvirate?

  1. Brutus and Cassius
  2. Mark Antony and Octavian
  3. Pompey and Crassus
Show the answer

Pompey and Crassus

The three made a private alliance c. 60 BC to share power. Crassus had money, Pompey had fame and veterans, and Caesar got the consulship of 59 BC.

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, 2 marks

Which river did Caesar cross in 49 BC, starting a civil war?

  1. The Tiber
  2. The Rubicon
  3. The Rhine
Show the answer

The Rubicon

The Rubicon marked the edge of Caesar's province. Leading an army across it into Italy was treason, so crossing it meant war with Pompey and the Senate.

Caesar: life & Gallic campaign, 2 marks

In which years did Caesar fight the Gallic War?

  1. 58–50 BC
  2. 100–91 BC
  3. 44–31 BC
Show the answer

58–50 BC

As governor, Caesar fought in Gaul for about eight years and wrote his own account of it. The conquest gave him wealth, fame and a loyal, battle-hardened army.

Other Classical Studies topics

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