Ancient Greece

1. Who wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey?

Homer

Plato

Aristotle

None of the above

Plato and Aristotle were philosophers. Homer was the blind bard who wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey.

Explanation

Plato and Aristotle were philosophers. Homer was the blind bard who wrote the Illiad and the Odyssey.

2. Which of these civilizations came first?

Trojans

Minoans

Mycanaeans

Aegeans

The Minoans, led by King Minos at Knossos, were the first civilization of the Balkan peninsula. The Mycenaeans and Trojans fought in the Trojan War after the Minoans fell, and Aegean is the name of one of Greece's seas.

Explanation

The Minoans, led by King Minos at Knossos, were the first civilization of the Balkan peninsula. The Mycenaeans and Trojans fought in the Trojan War after the Minoans fell, and Aegean is the name of one of Greece's seas.

3. What civilization overran the Mycenaeans between 1000 and 800 BC?

Ionian

Trojan

Dorian

Mayan

The Dorians overran the Mycenaeans. The Mycenaeans became known as the Ionians after they fled. The Mayans lived in South America.

Explanation

The Dorians overran the Mycenaeans. The Mycenaeans became known as the Ionians after they fled. The Mayans lived in South America.

4. The first year of the Olympic games

776 BC

721 BC

586 BC

394 BC

776 BC: first year of the Olympics. 721 BC: Northern Israel falls to the Assyrians. 586 BC: Southern Israel (Judah) falls to the Babylonians. 394 BC: the Olympic games are suspended by emperor Theodosius.

Explanation

776 BC: first year of the Olympics. 721 BC: Northern Israel falls to the Assyrians. 586 BC: Southern Israel (Judah) falls to the Babylonians. 394 BC: the Olympic games are suspended by emperor Theodosius.

5. Tricked Xerxes into fighting the naval Battle of Salamis

Demosthenes

Themistocles

Leonidas

Theodosius

Themistocles tricked Xerxes. Demosthenes was the greatest orators in history. Leonidas saved Greece when he held off the enemy while the rest of the army escaped. Theodosius was the emperor who suspended the Olympic games in 394 BC.

Explanation

Themistocles tricked Xerxes. Demosthenes was the greatest orators in history. Leonidas saved Greece when he held off the enemy while the rest of the army escaped. Theodosius was the emperor who suspended the Olympic games in 394 BC.

6. What is the name of the peninsula on which Greece is situated?

The Peloponnesian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula

The Grecian Peninsula

The Balkan Peninsula

The peninsula, shaped a little like fingers, is called the Balkan Peninsula.

Explanation

The peninsula, shaped a little like fingers, is called the Balkan Peninsula.