Myths and History in Greek Geography Quiz

Answer: Thera

Thera, known also as Santorini, is the southernmost island of the Cyclades. It is also the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in world history. The Thera eruption occurred circa 1500 BC. It caused the destruction of Akrotiri and the decline of the civilization there.

It also caused the destruction of the first Palaces in Crete. In the aftermath, the Minoans from Crete dominated the Aegean Sea before the eruption of the Mycenaean Civilization.

Answer: Phaistos Disc

The disc was discovered in 1908 by the Italian archeologist Luigi Pernier. Since its context was not determined, there have been several theories about it, such as the one suggesting that an anthem to the Minoan gods was carved. Despite the fact that most historians acknowledge its authenticity, some suggest that it is a hoax.

Answer: Peloponnesus

The Mycenaean era lasted from 1600 to 1100 BC. The Mycenaeans created an impressive civilization, dominated the Aegean Sea and had relations with other peoples all along the Mediterranean. Products and artifacts of their manufacture have been found is places far from Greece, like southwestern England, southern Germany and Caucasus.

After the Dorian Invasion, circa 1100 BC, the civilization declined and the Mycenae were deserted. The site was excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in 1874.

Answer: Corfu

Scheria is mentioned by Homer in Book V of the "Odyssey" as the island of the Phaecians, ruled by King Alkinous. Thucydides, in his magnificent narrative of the Peloponnesian War and specifically in Book III, says that Corfu is the island of Scheria, a position entertained by most scholars, with the exception of Strabo.

Answer: Saronic Gulf

The battle was fought in 480 BC, perhaps on September. The Persian king, Xerxes I, after the Battle of Thermopylae and the burning of Athens, thought he could neutralize the Greek allies. He even set up his throne on Mount Aigaleo in order to witness a Persian victory. But, in the narrow Straits of Salamis, numerical advantage failed to materialize for the Persians, and the Greeks, led by Themistocles, were victorious.

Answer: Mytilini

About Sappho's life we know almost nothing, the only biographical source about her being her poetry which scholars do not regard it as a credible one. Of her poetry, only some fragments survive. The poems are, however, enough to earn her the monikers "Tenth Muse" and "Female Homer".

Answer: Heraklion

Chandax was the base of the Saracen pirates, who were wreaking havoc throughout the Mediterranean. Nicephorus besieged the city for nine months before capturing it. After the fall of Chandax, the Muslim Emirate of Crete became again Byzantine land. For this achievement and his other victories, Nicephorus earned the moniker "Pale Death of the Saracens".

Answer: Naupactus

The Battle of Lepanto was a victory for the Holy League, a coalition formed by the Papal States, the Republic of Venice and other countries of southern Europe, where Catholicism was prevalent. One of the most famous participants of the battle was Miguel de Cervantes, who gave us "Don Quixote".

Answer: Missolonghi

In 1822 and 1823, the Ottomans had made two failed attempts to capture the city, but both failed with horrendous losses to the attackers. The third siege began in 1825. The Turks, led by Resid Mehmed Pasha and Ibrahim Pasha, were again unable to defeat the Home Guards, led by Kitson Tzavelas and effect a breakthrough. But, when the Ottomans occupied nearby passages to the city and enforced a naval blockade, things starting looking gloomy for the heroic defenders. After one year of resistance, Tzavelas decided to attempt a massive breakout. Unfortunately, the Ottomans were aware of it and, when the defenders started the sortie, they were massacred by their enemies.

Despite the fact that Missolonghi fell, the barbarity of the Turks caused Western Europeans to sympathize with the Greek cause and led to the intervention by England, France and Russia which resulted in the establishment and recognition of Greece.

Answer: Nafplio

From the very start of the Greek War of Independence, Nafplio was chosen as the base of the Provisional Government of Greece. When the First Hellenic Republic was officially created in 1828, Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias, a great politician and diplomat, named the city as the national capital.

After his assassination, the Kingdom of Greece came into existence. Otto of Bavaria was appointed by England as King. Until his adulthood, however, a group of Bavarian Regents were the actual heads of state. During that era, the national capital was transferred to Athens in December 1834.