Virgil's Aeneid — AS & A Level Classical Studies (9274) questions by topic
Naming a character from a set passage, judging whether the Aeneid works as propaganda for Augustus, weighing whether the poem is a story of heartbreak or of hope, and assessing whether it truly contains no human villains sit at the centre of this topic, worth 25 to 26 marks across 16 real questions from 2023 and 2024 papers.
Identify, how far, to what extent, discuss and state are the top command words, and identify demands a precisely named figure from the given lines, not an inferred description. Examiners report specific confusions, like divine and human characters mixed up, so drafting an essay grounded in the passage and checking it against instant marking helps confirm names and relationships are correct before the argument is built on them.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is naming someone a villain simply for opposing Aeneas, without deeper analysis of motive.
- Examiners note most candidates were unable to identify Tiberinus, offering incorrect names such as Anchises, Dido or Jupiter instead.
- Reports flag confusion between founding a city and finding one, and a few candidates treating Aeneas and Dido as family members.
- A common error was vague knowledge of Book 8's actual events, with some wrongly believing it contains the fighting.
- Strong answers discussed both human and divine figures, with Juno, Turnus and Dido most frequently and effectively used, and correctly knew Venus as the mother of Aeneas and Ascanius as his son.
October–November 2024, Paper 21
Read the passage and answer the questions. Give the name of 'this Trojan' (line 1).
Answer this question and get it marked →'The Aeneid is a story of heartbreak not of hope.' To what extent do you agree with this statement? In your answer you should discuss both heartbreak and hope.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Without the immortals there would be no excitement in the first half of the Aeneid.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 22
Study the passage and answer the questions. Who is the father of Juturna?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Virgil creates interesting mortal characters in the Aeneid.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer you should discuss at least three mortal characters other…
Answer this question and get it marked →'Love is a more important theme than war in the Aeneid.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 23
Read the passage and answer the questions. 'the stubborn stump' (line 1). Who is this stump dedicated to?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Virgil creates a range of interesting mortal characters in the Aeneid.' How far do you agree with this statement? In your answer you should not discuss Aeneas, Dido or Turnus.
Answer this question and get it marked →'Love is a more important theme than war in the Aeneid.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
Read the passage and answer the questions. 'He was veiled' (line 1). Who is 'he'?
Answer this question and get it marked →'Family is very important in the Aeneid.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →'There are no human villains in the Aeneid.' How far do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Read the passage and answer the questions. 'Alas! Alas! Was I the cause of your dying?' (line 1). Who is Aeneas talking to?
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 23
Read the passage and answer the questions. 'Alas! Alas! Was I the cause of your dying?' (line 1). Who is Aeneas talking to?
Answer this question and get it marked →'The books of the first half of the Aeneid are far more interesting and exciting than those of the second half.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Answer this question and get it marked →'An effective piece of propaganda for Augustus and his regime.' How far do you agree with this description of the Aeneid?
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Classical Studies topics
- Aristophanes (18)
- Themes in Greek Vase Painting (18)
- Alexander the Great (18)
- Athens and Sparta (18)
- Homeric Epic (18)
- Emperors and Subjects (18)
- Greek Tragedy (18)
- Architecture of the Roman City (15)
- Augustus (12)
- Augustus and the Roman Empire (6)