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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Heroes, heroines & leadership

How often Heroes, heroines & leadership 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

Heroes, heroines & leadership, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Heroes, heroines & leadership.

(a)The Homeric epithet polytropos describes Odysseus as what?
  1. Swift-footed, fast in battle
  2. A man of many turns, resourceful
  3. Dutiful to the gods and to his family
(b)What does the Greek word nostos mean?
  1. Cunning
  2. Guest-friendship
  3. Homecoming
(c)What does pietas mean for Aeneas?
  1. Duty to the gods, family and destiny
  2. Loyalty to the woman he loves
  3. Personal glory won in battle
Show the answers

(a) A man of many turns, resourceful

(b) Homecoming

(c) Duty to the gods, family and destiny

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Heroes, heroines & leadership.

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
2025Q14
2024Q8, Q15
2023Q14

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

More Heroes, heroines & leadership questions

Heroes, heroines & leadership, 2 marks

Which Latin word names the rage that Aeneas must learn to master?

  1. Pietas
  2. Gravitas
  3. Furor
Show the answer

Furor

Furor, violent passion, is the opposite of pietas. On Troy's last night Aeneas rushes to die fighting and even wants to kill Helen until Venus stops him.

Heroes, heroines & leadership, 3 marks

Which quality lets Odysseus endure the suitors' insults in his own hall?

  1. Forgetfulness caused by eating the lotus
  2. Self-control, waiting for the right moment
  3. Fear of the suitors, who greatly outnumber him
Show the answer

Self-control, waiting for the right moment

Though stools and bones are thrown at him, Odysseus holds back his anger until the bow contest. His patience contrasts with the reckless boast he made to the Cyclops.

Heroes, heroines & leadership, 3 marks

How does Telemachus show he has grown into a hero by the end of the Odyssey?

  1. Fights beside his father against the suitors
  2. Leaves Ithaca to rule Sparta with Menelaus
  3. Marries Nausicaa and becomes king of Phaeacia
Show the answer

Fights beside his father against the suitors

The boy who could not control the suitors travels, speaks out and finally fights beside Odysseus, even fetching arms. The father-son bond is a key theme.

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
2025Q14
2024Q10
2023Q8, Q9

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

More Heroes, heroines & leadership questions

Heroes, heroines & leadership, 2 marks

Greek word for the cunning intelligence Odysseus is famous for?

  1. Xenia
  2. Nostos
  3. Metis
Show the answer

Metis

Metis means clever, practical thinking. The Nobody trick and the wooden horse are good examples. Xenia is guest-friendship and nostos is homecoming.

Heroes, heroines & leadership, 2 marks

What is xenia?

  1. A sacrifice made to the gods before battle
  2. Guest-friendship between host and guest
  3. A hero's fame that lives on after death
Show the answer

Guest-friendship between host and guest

Hosts gave food, shelter and gifts; guests showed respect. Zeus protects xenia. The suitors and Polyphemus break it, while the Phaeacians keep it well.

Heroes, heroines & leadership, 3 marks

Which action shows Odysseus putting his own glory before his men's safety?

  1. Shouting his real name to the blinded Cyclops
  2. Building a raft to leave Calypso's island
  3. Weeping openly at Demodocus' song of Troy
Show the answer

Shouting his real name to the blinded Cyclops

His boast let Polyphemus ask his father Poseidon for revenge, and that anger followed the whole crew. His need for kleos (glory) put others in danger.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies