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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Temple of Vesta & Vestals

How often Temple of Vesta & Vestals 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 1 of the last 3 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2023.

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Temple of Vesta & Vestals.

(a)How long did a Vestal serve?
  1. 10 years
  2. 30 years
  3. Her whole life, by law
(b)Why was Vesta's flame going out treated as a crisis?
  1. It ended the year's festivals early
  2. It meant that the emperor had just died
  3. It was seen as a sign of danger to Rome
(c)What was the punishment for a Vestal who broke her vow of chastity?
  1. Being buried alive
  2. A heavy fine
  3. Exile to an island
Show the answers

(a) 30 years

(b) It was seen as a sign of danger to Rome

(c) Being buried alive

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Temple of Vesta & Vestals.

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
2025Q13
2024Q14
2023Q6, Q13

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

More Temple of Vesta & Vestals questions

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, 3 marks

Why did the Temple of Vesta have no cult statue?

  1. Statues were banned in the Forum
  2. It was stolen by the Gauls
  3. The flame itself stood for the goddess
Show the answer

The flame itself stood for the goddess

Vesta was the living fire of Rome's hearth. The temple was like the home of the state, with its eternal flame.

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, 2 marks

Which king of Rome traditionally founded the cult of Vesta?

  1. Tarquin the Proud
  2. Numa
  3. Romulus
Show the answer

Numa

Numa, the pious second king, is credited with many of Rome's religious institutions, including the Vestals and the round temple.

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, 3 marks

What happened at the Vestalia in June?

  1. The inner store was opened to barefoot married women
  2. Chariot races were held in the Forum in her honour
  3. New Vestals were chosen and led into the temple
Show the answer

The inner store was opened to barefoot married women

For some days, matrons could enter the penus with offerings. The Vestals then cleaned the temple. It links Vesta to ordinary Roman households.

Ordinary Level

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

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Q3

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

More Temple of Vesta & Vestals questions

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, 2 marks

What shape was the Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum?

  1. Square
  2. Triangular
  3. Round
Show the answer

Round

The round shape may recall early huts. It stood in the Forum Romanum on a podium, with Corinthian columns.

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, 2 marks

What did the Vestal Virgins have to keep burning?

  1. Lamps in the Colosseum
  2. The sacred fire of Vesta
  3. Incense for Jupiter
Show the answer

The sacred fire of Vesta

The flame stood for the safety of Rome. If it went out, it was a terrible omen and the Vestal responsible was beaten.

Temple of Vesta & Vestals, 2 marks

Where did the Vestal Virgins live?

  1. In the House of the Vestals, beside the temple
  2. In the emperor's palace on the Palatine
  3. At home with their parents in the city
Show the answer

In the House of the Vestals, beside the temple

They lived in the Atrium Vestae, a large house in the Forum right beside the round temple, so they could tend the sacred flame day and night.

Other Classical Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Classical Studies