An entire class of high school students in Queensland has applied for special consideration due to “illness and misadventure” just days before their year 12 ancient history external exam.

They have not been waylaid by vengeful deities nor bewitched by sirens, however – these young scholars have studied the wrong Caesar.

A Department of Education spokesperson said Brisbane state high school “identified that incorrect content had been taught this semester for the year 12 ancient history external exam” on Monday – two days before students were due to sit that exam.

“Due to an error, students were taught the unit on Augustus, instead of Julius Caesar, the topic for the 2025 external exam,” the spokesperson said.

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Augustus, the first Roman emperor, was the adopted son and heir of Julius Caesar and inherited the famous surname after Julius’ assassination on the Ides of March in 44BC.

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO, Claude Jones, issued a statement on Tuesday saying that schools were “notified of the topic for the Ancient History external exam more than 12 months in advance”.

But Jones said the examining body was now “working closely with the school’s staff to ensure that no student is disadvantaged”.

“The school is submitting a whole-cohort illness and misadventure application so that special consideration can be applied when student results are finalised,” Jones said.

“Our assessment experts will apply additional quality assurance processes when marking these exam responses.”

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The department spokesperson said that this would “ensure consideration is given to the circumstances when student results are finalised” – with both noting that students had already completed 75% of their assessments in the subject.

The spokesperson said the school had “designed a plan for the two impacted classes”, including “a full day of support for students on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning to run through practice exam questions and exemplars”.

However there are external exams for other subjects scheduled within that period.

“The department and school are deeply sorry for this mistake and are supporting students and families during this time,” the department spokesperson said.

Brisbane state high school was contacted for comment.