Antiquity - Other Missing Links Quiz

Answer: Sais

These were the capitals of Ancient Egypt. Thinis is traditionally regarded as the first capital of Egypt. Menes who united the two kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt for the first time, founded his new capital at Memphis. During the Middle Kingdom the capital was moved to Thebes. Around 1650 BC, the Hyksos invaded Egypt and for about 100 years they ruled Upper Egypt from their capital Auaris. For a brief period of time - during the reign of Amenophis IV (the 'heretical king') - the capital became Akhetaton (El Amarna).

The monotheistic cult of Aton, introduced by Amenophis IV was rejected and after his death Thebes was restored as capital. During the rule of the XIXth Dynasty, the capital was the City of Rhamses (also known as Tanis - the old Hyksos city of Auaris in the Nile Delta). Under Psamtik, who freed Egypt from the Assyrians, the Empire - with Sais as its capital - had experienced its last revival before being defeated by the Persians.

Answer: Assurbanipal

These were the most important kings of the New Assyrian Empire (909 - 608 BC). Assurnasirapli (883 - 859 BC) is said to have been the cruelest of all Assyrian kings. He introduced the cavalry in battle for the first time in the history of warfare. Tiglathpiliser III (745 - 727 BC) defeated the state of Urartu and conquered Northern Syria, Damascus and Gaza; in 729, he became the king of Babylon under the name of Pul. Sargon II (722 - 705) defeated the Hittite states and then Sennacherib (704 - 681) subjugated Judea, also destroyed Babylon. Under Esarhaddon (680 - 669), the Assyrian Empire reached its maximum expansion.

The last of the dreaded Assyrian despots was Assurbanipal (668 - 626), who destroyed Thebes. The alliance between Napopalassar and Cyaxares finally crushed the Assyrian power, leading the way for the flourishing Chaldean Empire of Babylon, ruled by Nebuchadnezzer II.

Answer: Mitanni

An initial Indo-European community almost certainly existed during the Neolithic in the region between central Europe and Southern Russia. The process of separation into distinct peoples began around 2000 BC. The existence of the Indo-Europeans is mainly demonstrated by their language.

The tribes listed above spread the 'Satem' group (the eastern branch) of the Indo-European language family. The 'Kentum' (or the western branch) includes the languages of the Greeks, Latins, Celts, Germans, Hittites, Tochari etc.

Answer: Eastern Han

These were the ancient Chinese dynasties. Following the legendary Xia dynasty (c. 1800 - 1500 BC), China witnessed the rise and fall of several feudal states which have established their own dynasties: Shang (1500 - 1000 BC), Zhou (1000 - 256 BC), Qin (221 - 206) and Han (206 BC - 9 AD and 25 - 250 AD).

These periods of relative stability and peace were interrupted by wars and rebellions: the Epoch of the Warring States (403 - 221 BC), Wang Mang's ascent to the throne (9 - 23 AD) leading to the 'red eyebrows' uprising and the popular rebellion of the 'yellow turbans' (184 BC). Song, Yuan and Ming were Chinese Dynasties in the Middle Ages.

Answer: Deuteronomy

These five books make up the first section of the Old Testament - the Pentateuch, also known as the "Torah" (Law) in the Jewish tradition. The Genesis describes the creation of the World and the lives of the patriarchs. The Exodus speaks about the wandering through the desert.

The Leviticus provides the details of Israelite worship. The Numbers makes the census of Israel's people. The Deuteronomy is a religious and civil code of laws. These last three books are traditionally attributed to Moses. The Pentateuch is dated to around 400 BC, a date also recognized by the Jewish leaders.

Answer: Naucratis

The Greek colonization took place between 750 and 550 BC. The colonies were set up by oecists (founders), appointed by the mother city. The urban settlements listed above are just some of the numerous colonies founded by the Ionic expeditions from Miletus, Phocaea, Chalcis and Eretria.

Answer: Gaugamela

These were Alexander the Great's major battles fought against the Persian Empire. After the victory at the river Granicus (334 BC), the coastal Greek cities in Asia Minor were liberated. One year later, the Macedonian phalanx proved its efficiency one more time at Issos.

Then came the 7 month long siege of Tyre, which eventually fell in 332. Alexander's decisive victory over the Persians was obtained at Gaugamela in 331.

Answer: Dictator

This was the structure of the Roman Magistracy during the Republic. The officials were limited to one year of office. At the basis of the ladder were the Quaestors, who were in charge of public finance. With higher ranks in the system were the Curulian Aedils, whose obligations included police and market supervision, festival organizations and the care of the temples. Just above them were the Censors, elected every 5 years; they were responsible for guiding property investment.

These three categories of state officials possessed limited power ("magistratus cum potestate"), unlike the higher ranked Praetors and Consuls, whose official power was unlimited ("magistratus cum imperio").

The Praetors dealt with legal conflicts, while the Consuls, situated on the highest level, conducted the state finances and the judiciary.

In times of emergencies (mainly war crisis) the consuls appointed a dictator, granted with unlimited power for 6 months.

Answer: Pompey

Pompey, Crassus and Caesar formed the first Triumvirate, set up in 60 BC. Five years later Crassus died in a campaign against the Parthians. In 49, civil war broke out between Caesar and Pompey and the first one eventually emerged victorious after wining the decisive battle of Pharsalus (48 BC). Caesar's reign as dictator was also short as he was assasinated in 44 BC.

Answer: The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Commonly known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, these constructions are some of Antiquity's most remarkable achievements. Although only the Pyramids of Giza stood the test of time and even the existence of some of the other six might be questioned, their depiction as we know it today still justifies us to consider them the wonders of the world.

The list dates back to the 5th century BC and was compiled by the Greeks. It is thus explicable that several other wonders like the Great Wall of China, the Palace complex in Persepolis and even Stonehenge were omitted. Thank you for playing the quiz. If you enjoyed it you might try my other 'missing links'.