Fun History II Online Quiz | Mixed Bag

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Oh dear. I certainly don't feel too 'Great' at the moment. I drink too much but, then, I'm always stressed. I've got a fever and I'm sinking fast. I'm not too worried really. Although still young, I've packed an awful lot into my 32 years and frankly, I'm worn out. Anyway, Babylon's not such a bad place to die. Who am I?".

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.

2. "My name is Pyrrhus and I was born in 319 B.C. You all know what I did to the Romans. But since I was a boy what was it that I could do that would put fear into men's hearts?"

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.

3. December 7, 1815. Carrefour de l'Observatoire, Jardins du Luxembourg. "Would you believe it? Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire! As a Marshal of France I've given loyal service for years, fought a hundred battles - all to end up being shot by a firing squad. So be it. I shall give the order to fire, myself!"

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.

4. August 22, 1485: England. "Have I got the Hump? Too right I have. Look at 'em all on that hill. I'm in a spot of bother, to say the least, and all they can do is sit there and wait to see what happens. Treachery - treason! The vile dogs! Do they honestly think that that Welsh twit is going to be a better King? Those big chaps with the pikes don't look too friendly. Oh well, nothing to do but go down fighting. Who am I?"

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.

5. American Civil War. "I drive my men hard. I will not tolerate even the slightest deviation from my orders. Call me a martinet if you will, what do I care? I am brilliant, eccentric and above all, successful. However, at times I suffer from a strange lethargy. I have been known to fall asleep for long periods of time when my orders have been needed and my participation in battle essential. People seem to find it strange that I suck on fresh lemons."

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.

6. England in the early 13th century. "I really am completely fed up. I've just lost everything. My war chest, my crown jewels, even my personal spending money. Would you believe it, I lost it all in the Wash!"

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.

7. Rome 192AD. "My education was superb and my father was one of the finest emperors ever. But I must be honest. I am bone idle, rather cowardly, and all in all a rather nasty piece of work. I should have lasted a little longer. After all, I targeted persons not subjects in general. You have probably guessed that I am Commodus. But do you know who succeeded me?"

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.

8. 1863. "I am Emperor of Mexico but I'm having terrible trouble with the language. There's a war going on between my neighbours in the North. If France gets involved, then I'll have to get involved, but France won't get involved unless England gets involved and they're not too sure. Oh dear. I was so much happier at home. Who am I?"

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.

9. "I'll admit that I was in a strange frame of mind when I wrote these lines: 'I want to howl, roar, shriek, bawl with rapture at the thought that we are living in the days of the most glorious, one and only, incomparable Stalin! Our breath,our blood, our life - here, take it, O, great Stalin.' I know, a little over the top but it went down a treat. Who am I?"

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.

10. 1807-1870. "Some people say that I was a genius. Others that I was audacious. Most say that I was a gentleman at all times and rarely if ever displayed my anger, not even at those who were all too frequently thoroughly prima-donna type subordinates. I won when I shouldn't have, and I lost when I might have won. Deep down I was a fanatic when it came to the defence of my state. Above all, I despised 'those' people. Who am I?"

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.

Source: Author trojan11

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Fun History II Trivia Quiz

In this fun quiz you need to guess the identity or trait of the person concerned simply by reading what he/she says in the first person. A date or place name will be provided along with a give-away line or two. Enjoy!

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