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Quiz about The Secret Ingredient is Salt

The Secret Ingredient is Salt Trivia Quiz

The secret ingredient in the history of the world is salt! See if you can identify some historically salty subjects.

A multiple-choice quiz by Helene61. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Helene61

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
364,503

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
625

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Once human beings discovered this use for salt, migrations began to increase across the planet. Hint

Salt improved flavor

Salt could be extracted from the Sea

Salt could preserve food

Salty foods helped maintain body strength

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Question 2 of 10

2. Salt was so valuable that this empire even paid its soldiers in rations of salt. Hint

The Roman Empire

The Mongol empire

The Inca Empire

The Olmec Empire

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Question 3 of 10

3. The value of salt is demonstrated in this beautiful object created by Benevenuto Cellini. Hint

A gold salt cellar

A gold secret compartment ring

A gold pillar

A gold salt box

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Question 4 of 10

4. This ancient road ran from Rome to the Adriatic and was central to the salt trade. Hint

The North African Route

The Appian Way

Via Salaria

The Silk Road

5. In Leonardo da Vinci's painting, 'The Last Supper', one person is seen having knocked over a bowl of salt, which signified bad luck. Which person in this famous painting is seen near the fallen bowl of salt? Hint

John

Jesus

Judas

Peter

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Question 6 of 10

6. This Renaissance center of commerce and trade relied heavily on the production and sale of salt. Hint

Genoa

Venice

Salieri de Padua

Ostia

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Question 7 of 10

7. In Japan, Sumo wrestlers perform a ritual before every match. What is this important ritual that wards off evil spirits? Hint

They toss salt on to the mat

They toss salt over their shoulder

They drink a cup of salted water

They eat salt

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Question 8 of 10

8. Gandhi initiated this act of civil disobedience against the British excessive salt tax. Hint

Advised people to fast until the tax was lifted

His hunger strike

The Salt March

Supported a boycott of salt

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Question 9 of 10

9. This salted food had a major impact on trade between New England and the Caribbean. Its popularity and ease of use and long life once preserved was a godsend for long voyages throughout the world but particularly for New England. Hint

Salt fat

Salt venison

Salt cod

Salt rum

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Question 10 of 10

10. Why did Ancient Egyptian priests abstain from salt? Hint

Salt raised 'godly' blood pressure

Salt was believed to increase libido

Salt was a valuable commodity

Only the Pharoah could eat salt

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Once human beings discovered this use for salt, migrations began to increase across the planet.

Answer: Salt could preserve food

Salt was first used to preserve meat and fish c. 6050 B.C.E. As a result, people could carry foodstuffs with them on longer journeys and thus more easily migrate to areas around rivers where the early civilizations began and flourished.

2. Salt was so valuable that this empire even paid its soldiers in rations of salt.

Answer: The Roman Empire

A Roman soldier was lucky if he proved to be 'worth his salt'. Payment or a 'salary' in salt was popular during the Roman Empire. We get the word 'salary' from this ancient practice.

3. The value of salt is demonstrated in this beautiful object created by Benevenuto Cellini.

Answer: A gold salt cellar

"La Salaria' was created by Cellini for Francis I of France. It is an ornate gold salt cellar and famous not only for its design but for its association with the great Renaissance goldsmith, Cellini.

4. This ancient road ran from Rome to the Adriatic and was central to the salt trade.

Answer: Via Salaria

Although due to its importance, there were many salt roads around the world, it was the Via Salaria that became most influential due to its length. It ran mainly over rugged country and connected Rome with Castrum Truentinum (the modern Porto d'Ascoli) on the Adriatic coast, a distance of about 242 km (150 miles).

Answer: Judas

We know that Leonardo da Vinci used many symbols in his paintings. Having the betrayer of Jesus knock over the salt bowl was one of those symbols. Knocking over the salt means bad luck even today. People to this day will toss some of the fallen salt over their shoulder to ward off the supposed bad luck.

6. This Renaissance center of commerce and trade relied heavily on the production and sale of salt.

Answer: Venice

Venice's easy access to the sea and its available salt mines increased its strength as a city of successful commerce. For centuries, Venice, Italy held a near monopoly on the salt trade, which made them one of the richest cities in the world.

7. In Japan, Sumo wrestlers perform a ritual before every match. What is this important ritual that wards off evil spirits?

Answer: They toss salt on to the mat

Japan's culture is rich in traditions and superstitions. In order to chase away evil spirits from the sacred Sumo wrestling mats, the wrestlers sprinkle salt onto the surface of the mat before the match begins.

8. Gandhi initiated this act of civil disobedience against the British excessive salt tax.

Answer: The Salt March

Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the achievement of India's independence form Great Britain. He led his followers on a 240 mile march to the sea, where they extracted salt from the ocean for the poor. The British had to rescind the salt tax as a result of this march.

Answer: Salt cod

Salt cod is easily preserved using salt, has a long shelf life and is perfect for long voyages. It became a staple in return for sugar cane and rum in the Caribbean.

10. Why did Ancient Egyptian priests abstain from salt?

Answer: Salt was believed to increase libido

Ancient Egyptian priests took vows of celibacy and it was believed salt increased sexual desire and potency. Therefore priests abstained from salt.

Source: Author Helene61

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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