EXAM REVIEW FOR GCSE (9–1) CLASSICAL CIVILISATION WITH QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026/27

EXAM REVIEW FOR GCSE (9–1) CLASSICAL CIVILISATION
WITH QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026/27
1. Which Greek god is the equivalent of the Roman god Jupiter?
A. Poseidon
B. Apollo
C. Zeus
D. Ares
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of Zeus, both being king of the gods and god of the
sky/thunder. Poseidon=Neptune, Apollo=Apollo, Ares=Mars.



2. According to the myth, what gift did Athena give to Athens that won her the contest for patron
deity?
A. A spring of salt water
B. An olive tree
C. A flying horse
D. A golden apple
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Athena won by giving the olive tree (providing wood, oil, food), which was more
useful than Poseidon's salt-water spring.



3. Who were Heracles' parents, making him a demi-god?
A. Amphitryon and Alcmene
B. Zeus and Alcmene
C. Zeus and Hera
D. Perseus and Andromeda
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Heracles' father was Zeus (god) and mother was Alcmene (human), making him a
demi-god.



4. Where were the 12 Labours of Heracles depicted on the Temple of Zeus?
A. The pediment
B. The frieze
C. The metopes
D. The columns
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The metopes of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia depicted the 12 Labours of Heracles.

,5. Which Roman festival honoured Lupercus, the god of fertility?
A. Saturnalia
B. Lupercalia
C. Panathenaia
D. Dionysia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Lupercalia honoured Lupercus, god of fertility.



6. What is the name of the inner room of a Greek temple that housed the cult statue?
A. Pronaos
B. Opisthodomos
C. Naos (cella)
D. Peristyle
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The naos/cella was the inner room housing the cult statue.



7. Which Roman priest could read bird signs to make decisions?
A. Pontifex
B. Vestal Virgin
C. Augur
D. Haruspex
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Augurs were priests who read bird signs (auspices).



8. What myth explains the changing of the seasons in Greek religion?
A. Hercules and Cacus
B. Persephone and Demeter
C. Romulus and Remus
D. Orpheus and Eurydice
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Persephone's abduction by Hades and her return to Demeter explains the seasons.



9. Which statue shows Augustus linking himself to both Aeneas and Venus?
A. Theater mask
B. Augustus of Prima Porta
C. Hegeso Stele
D. Theseus Kylix
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Augustus of Prima Porta shows Cupid (son of Venus) at his feet and Aeneas on
the breastplate.

, 10. What was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Athena?
A. Venus
B. Diana
C. Minerva
D. Juno
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Minerva is the Roman equivalent of Athena, goddess of wisdom.



11. Which festival included a procession showing the Panathenaic procession on its frieze?
A. City Dionysia
B. Great Panathenaia
C. Lupercalia
D. Saturnalia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Great Panathenaia featured a procession depicted on the Parthenon frieze.



12. Who founded the Olympic Games according to Greek myth?
A. Pelops
B. Theseus
C. Heracles
D. Romulus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Heracles was considered the founder of the Olympic Games.



13. Which Roman god is equivalent to the Greek god Poseidon?
A. Mars
B. Neptune
C. Pluto
D. Vulcan
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Neptune is the Roman equivalent of Poseidon, god of the sea.



14. What problem did Romulus and Remus face when using bird signs to decide where to found
Rome?
A. The birds didn't fly
B. Different interpretations of the signs
C. Too many birds
D. No birds were seen