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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Greek & Roman funerary practices

How often Greek & Roman funerary practices 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

Greek & Roman funerary practices, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Greek & Roman funerary practices.

(a)What were the imagines in a Roman funeral?
  1. Paintings of the gods of the dead
  2. Wax masks of ancestors, worn by actors
  3. Hired women who wailed
(b)What was the Greek prothesis?
  1. The feast held on the ninth day after death
  2. The procession carrying the body to the grave
  3. Laying out the body at home for mourning
(c)Where was the laudatio for a prominent Roman given?
  1. At the Rostra in the Forum
  2. In the Circus Maximus
  3. In the Senate house
Show the answers

(a) Wax masks of ancestors, worn by actors

(b) Laying out the body at home for mourning

(c) At the Rostra in the Forum

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Greek & Roman funerary practices.

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
2025Q9
2024Q2
2023Q3

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

More Greek & Roman funerary practices questions

Greek & Roman funerary practices, 2 marks

What was the Roman conclamatio?

  1. The funeral speech in the Forum
  2. Closing the tomb door
  3. Loudly calling the dead person's name
Show the answer

Loudly calling the dead person's name

Family members called the name to be sure the person was truly dead. Then the body was washed and laid out in the atrium.

Greek & Roman funerary practices, 2 marks

What was a white-ground lekythos used for?

  1. A coin box for Charon
  2. An oil flask painted for offerings at graves
  3. A lamp carried in the funeral procession
Show the answer

An oil flask painted for offerings at graves

Lekythoi held oil for the dead and were painted on a white background. Scenes often show mourners at a tomb or Charon's boat.

Greek & Roman funerary practices, 2 marks

Who were the praeficae at a Roman funeral?

  1. Hired women who led the lament
  2. Actors wearing ancestor masks
  3. Priests of the Underworld
Show the answer

Hired women who led the lament

Paid mourners sang dirges and beat their breasts in the procession. Rich families showed their status through the size of the display.

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
2025Q3
2024Q13
2023Q5

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

More Greek & Roman funerary practices questions

Greek & Roman funerary practices, 2 marks

Where did the Romans bury their dead?

  1. Under the Forum
  2. Inside temples
  3. Outside the city walls
Show the answer

Outside the city walls

The law of the Twelve Tables banned burial inside the city. Tombs lined the roads leading out of Rome, such as the Via Appia.

Greek & Roman funerary practices, 2 marks

The Greek laying out of the body at home for mourning is called?

  1. Laudatio
  2. Prothesis
  3. Ekphora
Show the answer

Prothesis

The body lay on a bier while women of the family lamented, tearing their hair. The ekphora was the procession to the grave, held before dawn.

Greek & Roman funerary practices, 2 marks

What was the Roman laudatio?

  1. A speech praising the dead person
  2. A meal held on the ninth day
  3. A tomb built to hold the ashes
Show the answer

A speech praising the dead person

A son or close relative gave the laudatio, at the Rostra in the Forum for important families. Polybius said it inspired young Romans to seek glory.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies