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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Persians, Gauls & barbarians

How often Persians, Gauls & barbarians 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

Persians, Gauls & barbarians, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Persians, Gauls & barbarians.

(a)What was proskynesis?
  1. A Macedonian drinking contest at feasts
  2. The Persian custom of bowing before the king
  3. The Greek oath of loyalty sworn to a general
(b)What was the aim of the Susa weddings of 324 BC?
  1. To choose a successor
  2. To end war with the Greek cities
  3. To bind Macedonian and Persian elites
(c)How does Caesar describe the Druids in Gallic War Book 6?
  1. Priests and judges, freed from war and tax
  2. Merchants who traded tin with Britain
  3. Cavalry who led every attack in battle
Show the answers

(a) The Persian custom of bowing before the king

(b) To bind Macedonian and Persian elites

(c) Priests and judges, freed from war and tax

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Persians, Gauls & barbarians.

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
2025Q12
2024Q11
2023Not asked

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

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
2025Q15
2024Q10
2023Q15

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

More Persians, Gauls & barbarians questions

Persians, Gauls & barbarians, 2 marks

Who were the druids in Caesar's account of the Gauls?

  1. Chariot drivers
  2. Roman spies
  3. Priests and judges
Show the answer

Priests and judges

Caesar says the druids ran sacrifices, settled disputes and were highly respected. Some trained for up to twenty years, learning verses by heart.

Persians, Gauls & barbarians, 2 marks

What did the Greek word barbaros first mean?

  1. A slave brought to Athens from Egypt
  2. Anyone who did not speak Greek
  3. A cruel murderer or robber
Show the answer

Anyone who did not speak Greek

To Greek ears foreign languages sounded like bar-bar. Over time the word came to mean someone uncivilised, especially the Persians.

Persians, Gauls & barbarians, 2 marks

What happened to Vercingetorix after he surrendered?

  1. Paraded in Caesar's triumph, then executed
  2. Made a Roman senator and given land
  3. Sent home to rule Gaul as a friend of Rome
Show the answer

Paraded in Caesar's triumph, then executed

He was held prisoner for about six years, led through Rome in Caesar's triumph of 46 BC and then put to death. It shows the harsh side of Roman power.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies