Ancient Weapons Trivia Quiz

Answer: a sling

The Bible tells us that David took five smooth stones from the river, put one in a sling, spun it and slew Goliath. We won't get into the physics of the sling as a force-multiplier here.

Answer: cestus

The Greeks used cesti that were leather thongs tied around the hand. The Romans added spikes and iron plates. They were also used in Roman gladiator bouts until banned in the first century B.C.

Answer: battle axe

One of the "melee" (close combat) weapons, the battle axe could be either single-, or double-, edged. Its weight was usually in the 1 to 6 pound range so it could be easily swung. It was used in one form or another by peoples around the world.

Answer: war hammer

As armor was hardened, sword blades tended to bounce off or only deliver a glancing blow. A war hammer could deliver full impact to the opponent. A spike was added to one end to make it even deadlier.

Answer: bolt

A bolt looks like an arrow but is heavier and usually shorter. The heavier construction of a crossbow and the weight of the bolt are what gives it its power.

Answer: Greek fire

Greek fire (sometimes called Roman fire) was petroleum based and fired at enemy ships through pressurized tubes. It was responsible for destroying two separate Arab fleets which attacked Constantinople in the eighth century. It was so viscous that water would not disperse it. The formula was such a closely-guarded secret that it was lost within three generations. Modern scientists have been unable to reproduce it.

Answer: elephants

Hannibal is considered one of the most talented military commanders in history. In the Second Punic War, he and his troops crossed the Alps from Gaul (modern-day France) to Italy using elephants as pack animals, then used them to trample and confuse the enemy in battle. Elephants were used until, finally, cannons were powerful and accurate enough to kill them from a distance.

Answer: broadsword

Broadswords weighed between 2.5 pound and 4.5 pounds, not the exceptionally heavy weights claimed by some writers. They were wielded by infantry and mounted knights alike. Their blades were usually 30 to 36 inches long, although the Scottish Claymore had blades of 42 to 54 inches. The name Claymore comes from the Scottish Gaelic "claidheamh mor" which means "very big sword"!

Answer: flail

A flail could be swung with great force, multiplied by the free-swinging ball on a chain. One variation, the "holy water sprinkler", was favord by King John of Bohemia, who was blind. He swung it around himself until it hit something; one does not need to see one's enemy to use it, hence the phrase "flailing about."

Answer: Guy Fawkes

The "Gunpowder Plot" was a plan devised by a group of Catholics led by Robert Catesby, and to be executed by Guy Fawkes, to blow up the English Houses of Parliament, with King James I and much of the English nobility in it on November 5, 1605, with a view to placing a Roman Catholic on the throne. Fawkes holed himslef up in the basement of Parliament on that day with 36 barrels of gunpowder.

He was arrested when authorities received an anonymous letter about the plot. Guy Fawkes Night (or Bonfire Night) is celebrated each November 5th in England and former British colonies around the world. Any excuse for a party, perhaps.