Classics Quiz

1) In 218 BC Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, crossed the Alps with thirty-seven elephants. Where was he going? Answer: Italy.

2) Tripoli is the capital of Libya. Which people founded Tripoli? Answer: the Phoenicians.

3) Why did ancient Greeks visit Delphi? Answer: to consult the Oracle for advice on the future.

4) Aphrodite (Venus) the Greek goddess of love was born at Petra tou Romiou in Pafos. Where is Pafos? Answer: Cyprus.

5) Which city was besieged by Agamemnon of Mycenae and Menelaus of Sparta? Answer: Troy.

6) Who wrote about the legendary travels of Odysseus in The Odyssey? Answer: Homer.

7) The first marathon was run to take news to Athens of an Athenian victory over the Persians. Which statement is NOT true? Answer: the runner was called Marathon.

8) Cicero described Syracuse as the largest and the loveliest of all cities. Where was the Greek city of Syracuse? Answer: Sicily.

9) Which ancient Greek wrote the oath that is still sworn by newly qualified doctors? Answer: Hippocrates.

10) Alexander the Great invaded and conquered Persia, Egypt, parts of India and Afghanistan. Where was Alexander king? Answer: Macedon.

11) The Romans conquered all Italy, Greece, much of Western Europe, Spain, Africa and the Middle East. To which Roman province did Portugal belong? Answer: Luisitania.

12) The Roman Emperor, Septimius Severus, was born in the city of Leptis Magna. Where was the city of Leptis Magna? Answer: Libya.

13) This country belonged to the Roman region of Dacia. Answer: Romania.

14) The Romans invaded Britain in the first century. Which part of the country did they not subdue? Answer: Scotland.

15) Which tribes were overrunning the Western Roman Empire by the end of the fifth century AD? Answer: German tribes.

WIZ Quiz content from World InfoZone educational website.

We would like to thank the following for the use of the photographs: Mark McLeod, University of Delaware; the Canadian Tourism Commission (Tourism New Brunswick); the South African Tourism Promotion Agency; the Finnish Tourist Board and the Saudi Arabian Embassy (London).