Eaters of the Dead Trivia Quiz

Answer: Beowulf

'Eaters of the Dead' is based on the legend of Beowulf or Buliwyf as it is referred to in Crichton's novel. This novel is based on some incidents in the Beowulf legend. Crichton had a challenge with his friend, who had termed the Beowulf legend as boring! To prove him wrong, he wrote this book.

Answer: Ibn Fadlan

In this novel, Crichton has combined the historical travels of the Arab Ibn Fadlan with the legendary Beowulf story. The narrations of Ibn Fadlan are true and a part of history, as Fadlan travelled with the Vikings. But Fadlan never met Beowulf or had anything to do with the Beowulf legend. With the use of footnotes and bibliography, Crichton makes it appear as though the novel is a historical fact.

Answer: The 13th Warrior

'Eaters of the Dead' was made into a movie which was titled 'The 13th Warrior'. In the story, there are 12 warriors with Beowulf and Ibn Fadlan accompanies them as the 13th warrior. This movie released in 1999 starred Antonio Banderas, Clive Russell and Omar Sharif among others.

The direction was credited to John McTiernan, but reportedly Crichton himself directed most of the film. Unlike other Crichton movies, this one did not get a great reception at the box office.

Answer: He meets him during his journey

Ibn Fadlan, the narrator of the story, was sent on a mission by the Caliph of Baghdad to the kingdom of Yiltawar. During his journey, he comes to the land of the Bulgars where he meets the Northmen. Their principal chieftain Wyglif had died and Buliwyf or Beowulf was selected to replace him as leader.

Answer: To help them from a nameless terror

When Buliwyf is conducting a banquet, a visitor from the north land named Wulfgar comes to meet him. Wulfgar is the son of King Rothgar. Their kingdom was troubled by a nameless dread and Wulfgar had come to appeal to Buliwyf (who was a relative) to help them.

Hearing the appeal, Buliwyf takes an expedition of 12 warriors, with Ibn Fadlan as the thirteenth member (since he was not a northman).

Answer: They are attacked by the mist monsters

A banquet is organised by Buliwyf in the kingdom of Rothgar. At night, the mist monsters attack and in the battle that ensues, three members of Buliwyf's expedition are killed. The monsters leave after carrying away their dead.

Answer: Wendol

The mist monsters were known as the Wendol. After being attacked by these monsters, Buliwyf and his warriors plan a day time attack on the Wendol. But the Wendol, anticipating the attack, had fled to the caves.

Answer: By launching an attack from the sea

Buliwyf and his warriors decided to attack the mother of the Wendol who was located in the caves. Since mounting a frontal attack was risky, they decide to attack from the sea.

Answer: He is killed in battle

Beowulf is killed in the final battle against the Wendol and is laid to rest by King Rothgar. Of the thirteen warriors who set off for the expedition, only four remained at the end. Ibn Fadlan, Herger and the others return back in a ship.

Answer: It ends abruptly

The whole novel is an account of Ibn Fadlan's fictional travels with Beowulf. The novel ends abruptly with the last sentence being - 'Now it happened'. There is a footnote by Crichton saying that the manuscript of Fadlan ended abruptly and it probably meant the start of a new adventure which was not transcribed.