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: Colosseum & gladiator games

How often Colosseum & gladiator games comes up on the Classical Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

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

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

Colosseum & gladiator games, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Colosseum & gladiator games.

(a)What was the Colosseum's official name?
  1. The Theatre of Pompey
  2. The Flavian Amphitheatre
  3. The Circus Flaminius
(b)What did a gladiator receive the rudis for?
  1. Killing a wild beast
  2. Losing and being condemned
  3. Winning his freedom from fighting
(c)Which emperor opened the Colosseum in AD 80?
  1. Titus
  2. Hadrian
  3. Nero
Show the answers

(a) The Flavian Amphitheatre

(b) Winning his freedom from fighting

(c) Titus

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Colosseum & gladiator games.

Higher Level

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

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Not asked
2023Q5

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

More Colosseum & gladiator games questions

Colosseum & gladiator games, 2 marks

What was a venatio?

  1. A chariot race
  2. A mock sea battle
  3. A staged wild-beast hunt
Show the answer

A staged wild-beast hunt

Venationes filled the morning. Exotic animals from across the empire were hunted, showing Rome's reach over nature and distant lands.

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
2025Q8
2024Q11
2023Q7

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

More Colosseum & gladiator games questions

Colosseum & gladiator games, 2 marks

What was the hypogeum?

  1. The top rows of seats, under the great awning
  2. The sand spread on the arena floor to soak up blood
  3. The underground rooms and lifts under the arena
Show the answer

The underground rooms and lifts under the arena

Animals, gladiators and scenery waited below. Lifts and trapdoors made them appear suddenly in the arena, adding to the drama.

Colosseum & gladiator games, 2 marks

Which type of gladiator fought with a net and a trident?

  1. Thraex
  2. Retiarius
  3. Murmillo
Show the answer

Retiarius

The retiarius was lightly armed and fast. He was often matched with a heavily armed secutor, so each fight set speed against strength.

Colosseum & gladiator games, 3 marks

Where did senators sit in the Colosseum?

  1. In the lowest rows, nearest the arena
  2. In the top tier, just under the awning
  3. Standing on a platform on the arena floor
Show the answer

In the lowest rows, nearest the arena

Seating showed social rank. The emperor, the Vestals and senators had the best seats near the front; women and the poor sat at the very top.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies