Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: City Dionysia & civic role

How often City Dionysia & civic role comes up on the Classical Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 1 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2023.

OL Asked on 2 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

City Dionysia & civic role, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on City Dionysia & civic role.

(a)Which pre-play ceremony showed off Athenian power to visitors?
  1. Crowning the new king of Athens for the year
  2. Displaying the tribute paid by Athens' allies
  3. Burning a captured Persian ship in the orchestra
(b)Who funded the chorus at the City Dionysia?
  1. The playwright himself, from his own prize
  2. The priest of Dionysus, from temple funds
  3. A wealthy citizen called the choregos
(c)What did each tragedian present at the City Dionysia?
  1. Three tragedies and a satyr play
  2. Five tragedies in a day
  3. One tragedy and two comedies
Show the answers

(a) Displaying the tribute paid by Athens' allies

(b) A wealthy citizen called the choregos

(c) Three tragedies and a satyr play

Your turn: Higher Level questions on City Dionysia & civic role.

Higher Level

Asked on 1 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2023.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Q11

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

More City Dionysia & civic role questions

City Dionysia & civic role, 2 marks

What was a liturgy in classical Athens?

  1. A religious hymn sung in honour of Dionysus
  2. A tax paid by foreign traders in Piraeus
  3. A public service paid for by a rich citizen
Show the answer

A public service paid for by a rich citizen

Funding a chorus (the choregia) or a warship were liturgies. The rich won honour by spending on the city.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 2 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q9
2024Not asked
2023Q6, Q11

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

More City Dionysia & civic role questions

City Dionysia & civic role, 3 marks

Which ceremony before the plays showed off Athens' power?

  1. Parading captured Spartan kings in chains
  2. Crowning a new king of Athens for the year
  3. Displaying the tribute paid by the allies
Show the answer

Displaying the tribute paid by the allies

The allies' silver was carried into the theatre, and war orphans raised by the city paraded in armour. The festival celebrated Athens as well as Dionysus.

City Dionysia & civic role, 2 marks

In honour of which god was the City Dionysia held?

  1. Apollo
  2. Dionysus
  3. Athena
Show the answer

Dionysus

Dionysus was god of wine and theatre. His statue was carried into the theatre in a procession at the start, so the plays were an act of worship.

City Dionysia & civic role, 2 marks

What was a choregos?

  1. A wealthy citizen who paid for a chorus
  2. The leader of the chorus on stage
  3. A judge of the plays
Show the answer

A wealthy citizen who paid for a chorus

Paying for a chorus was a public duty called a liturgy. A choregos whose play won gained great honour. The chorus leader on stage was the koryphaios.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies