Ancient Warfare Trivia Quiz

Answer: Speira

Many states used the phalanx, most famously Greece and Macedonia. Other than the first five ranks a phalanx's spears were held upright. This aided in disrupting missiles aimed at the phalanx.

Answer: False

Although used on occasion by the Achaemenid Persians, Bactrian camels were primarily used as transport animals. The Arabian (single humped) camel or dromedary, although originally a food animal, was by the 12th century being used in warfare.

Answer: 3

These galleys powered through the sea propelled by three oarsmen seated at three banks of oars.

Answer: Surus

Until the 4th century BC elephants were mainly used in India. Alexander the Great and his generals spread their use after fighting against them. Elephants also proved effective in siege warfare.

Answer: Pilum

This has been called the deadliest throwing spear ever. It could penetrate armour and even pin shields together. After impact the spear's weight bent the iron shank making it impossible to remove it easily.

Answer: 10

A Roman legion had ten cohorts. The first cohort having five centuries of about 160 men each. Six centuries with about 80 men each comprised the remaining cohorts. A Legion also had about 120 attached cavalry.

Answer: Testudo

In a testudo the front rank were behind the shields of the second rank. Those at the sides held their shields outwards, while the middle held theirs over their heads. Each rank further back followed the roof and sides by locking their shields into the pattern.

Answer: Covered over

The cataphracts wore armour as did their horses. Their main weapon was a lance. They relied on the shock of their charge and could charge archers or formed infantry.

Answer: Boarding platform

The Romans realized that they could not compete with the Carthaginian fleet and so resolved to make naval warfare more like land warfare. The "corvus" (which literally means "crow") was mounted at the bow. A spike at the bottom would fix the opposing vessel allowing the men to board.

Answer: Coracesium

Pompey raised 500 ships, 120,000 infantry and 5000 cavalry for this campaign. He also divided the Mediterranean and Black Sea into thirteen commands. He deliberately left Cilicia unguarded. He then forced the pirates back finally launching an all out assault on Cilicia.

Answer: His shield

An essential piece of kit, the "hoplon" or "argive" shield gave its name to the troops who carried it. It was a shallow bowl, originally of wood edged with bronze. It was later covered completely in bronze and was 31-39 inches across.

Answer: His shield

Peltasts were light infantry. Originally the name was given to Thrace's hill tribesmen. His shield (called "pelta", which means pelts or skins) was crescent shaped and was covered with goatskin or sheepskin.

Answer: Chariots

Chariots were gradually phased out in favour of cavalry, being used to transport infantry instead of for combat. The Celts continued to use chariots in combat until the 3rd Century BC. When confronting then in 55 and 54 BC Caeasar found them very difficult to combat.

Answer: False

Terror was one of the two key factors used by the Assyrians. The other was superior siege abilities. Their enemies could not hide within their cities. Their use of terror had the effect of keeping the empire in an almost constant state of rebellion.

Answer: Yes

The "sambusa" (which literally "harp") was a covered siege ladder, developed in the late 4th century BC. Troops entered at the front and operators then placed stones at the rear. This counterweight could then be used to raise it to the required height.

Answer: Dionysius I (Tyrant of Syracuse)

Dionysios I formed the world's first siege train after refortifying Syracuse. These steps were taken as part of his campaign to drive the Carthaginians from Syracuse. Some of his siege engines were used as the basis for later Greek and Roman artillery.

Answer: The Colossus of Rhodes

During Demetrios' attack on Rhodes 305-304BC he had constructed the "helepolis" (literally "city taker"). It towered 141ft with a base of 4,628 square feet, covered with iron plates. After his defeat the Rhodians sold the siege engines including the helepolis for scrap.

Answer: 2 women, 5 children

The position of Masada upon a plateau 1,499ft high made it seem impregnable. After trying to strave out the garrison the Romans finally stormed the position. The surviving defenders chose suicide rather than capture.

Answer: Legate

A legate was a senator appointed directly by the Emperor. Six tribunes were below him. The senior tribune was a senatorial candidate.

Answer: The Medjay

Originally recruited as skirmishers, the Medjay were Nubian tribesmen. They carried simple wooden bows and were held in high regard throughout the New Kingdom.