Fun History II Trivia Quiz

Answer: Alexander

Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC. He had for some time been beset by strange and seemingly groundless fears of the supernatural. The death of his close friend and lover Hephaestion left him distraught and he never got over the loss, mourning him constantly. There are now conjectures that Alexander may have been poisoned, but no such suspicion was entertained at the time. It should be remembered that he had suffered appalling wounds during the course of his short life, more than enough to kill an ordinary man. There can be little doubt that he also suffered from alcoholism. He drove himself relentlessly.

Small in stature, he was unkindly nicknamed 'shortlegs' by his companions (behind his back of course) and he constantly drove his body to the limit. After a battle, or when ill, or when under political or emotional pressure he would down vast amounts of undiluted wine of the strongest sort. It is hardly surprising that after years of constant abuse that his body finally broke down. His mind it would seem, was also on the verge of breakdown.

Answer: Grin

King Pyrrhus did not have a regular set of teeth. His upper jaw was formed of one continuous set of bone. His grin, to those who did not know him, was a terrifying sight to behold. Many believed he was to be able to cure a diseased spleen. He would sacrifice a white cock and then with the patient flat on his back, he would press the area of the spleen with his right foot. Pyrrhus never refused his healing touch to anyone, rich or poor. If they wanted his help, they had only to ask.

Answer: Ney

Ney was shot by firing squad on December 7, 1815 after a Court martial by his peers. Had he not lingered in Paris after Waterloo, but gone into exile, he might well have escaped. As it was, he hesitated, took time to complain about Napoleon's conduct during the battle at the Chamber of Peers on June 22, and was arrested at an isolated chateau near Aurillac on August 3.

Answer: Richard III

King Richard was the last English king to die on the field of battle.
Despite bad publicity (thanks largely to Shakespeare and the victorious Tudors) he was a better king than most.

Answer: General Jackson

Jackson was a stern task master and unforgiving to those whom he felt had failed him or deviated from his orders. He was accidentally shot by his own side.

Answer: King John I

Whilst fleeing from his enemies John was caught by an unexpectedly high tide at the Wash, an area between Lincolnshire and Norfolk. He had with him pretty well his entire fortune, which was lost forever when the treacherous tide in that area came in unexpectedly quickly.

At the head of the column John managed to escape, but only just. After a catalogue of misfortunes this event was the last straw and he died of dysentery a little later on October 18/19, 1216.

Answer: Pertinax

Commodus was one of those persons with all the advantages that high birth could offer and yet he was a complete wastrel. Intelligence and moral fibre seem to have been lacking completely. As plots gathered against him he turned from a mere debauchee into a murderous tyrant.

He was assassinated in 192AD with the connivance of Laetus, Prefect of the Praetorians. Laetus had ready a suitable candidate, Pertinax, who became the first of what were to be known as The Praetorian Emperors.

Answer: Maximilian I

Maximilian I was declared Emperor of Mexico in 1863. At this time the American Civil war was raging. An Austrian archduke, he was plunged into a morass of political intrigue after being persuaded to accept the Mexico job. Never anything more than a pawn in a much bigger game, he was the victim of Napoleon III's 'American Scheme'.

However, when he most needed help Napoleon withdrew support and Maximilian was shot by republicans in 1867.

Answer: Alexei Tolstoy

Alexei Tolstoy - who must NOT be confused with the much more famous novelist Leo Tolstoy - was no fool. There was only one way to survive and that was to love the master.

Answer: Robert. E. Lee

Lee was a remarkable soldier. Somehow he kept a calm demeanour under what was at times impossible strain. He was a true gentleman, no matter what the provocation. He was always aware of his own limitations and frailties and was never a braggart and often played down his own role in events.

However, there can little doubt that a hard core of fanaticism burned deep within this man. His benevolent exterior disguised remarkable tenacity and immense courage.