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Greek City-States Trivia Quiz

How well do you know ancient Greece? If you score 7 out of 10 correct you rule Athens or Sparta! Your choice! I hope you enjoy this ancient Greek quiz, and maybe you will learn a little something!

A multiple-choice quiz by MobOfGoons. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
MobOfGoons

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
375,589

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
332

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The statement, "Come back with your shield or on it!" was said by whom? Hint

Spartan generals to their soldiers

Spartan mothers to their sons leaving for war

Herodotus

Plato

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Question 2 of 10

2. "In peace time, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons" was said by whom? Hint

Plato

Herodotus

Aristotle

Lycurgus

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Question 3 of 10

3. After the Persians were driven out of Greece, what was the war that Sparta fought successfully against Athens? Hint

The Sicilian War

World War 1

The Peloponnesian War

First Punic War

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who were the slaves of the Spartans? Hint

Celts

Macedonians

Helots

Dacians

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Question 5 of 10

5. What naval battle saved Greece from the Persians? Hint

Thermopylae

Salamis

Rhodes

Corinth

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who invented the laws that the Spartans lived by? Hint

Leonidas

Plato

Lycurgus

Socrates

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who led 300 Spartans against a much larger army of Persians? Hint

Sophocles

Lycurgus

Leonidas

Solon

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Question 8 of 10

8. Darius' wine bearer repeated what three times every day before he ate? Hint

"Destroy the Athenians!"

"Master, remember the Athenians!"

"Punish the Athenians!"

"Master, finish the Spartans once and for all!"

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What started the Trojan war? Hint

Kidnapping of Helen

Attack on Sparta

Attack on Athens

The vanishing of Hector

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where was Plato from? Hint

Macedon

Corinth

Delphi

Athens

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The statement, "Come back with your shield or on it!" was said by whom?

Answer: Spartan mothers to their sons leaving for war

This meant the sons was expected to come back victorious, in glory, or die in battle! The Spartan soldiers would never come back defeated, because to do so would have been a disgrace. They were expected to fight to the death.

2. "In peace time, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons" was said by whom?

Answer: Herodotus

Herodotus was a Greek historian. Herodotus was born in Halicarnassus, in modern Turkey. He is among the greatest historians ever! His "Histories" of the Greco-Persian wars is the only work that he is known to have written.

3. After the Persians were driven out of Greece, what was the war that Sparta fought successfully against Athens?

Answer: The Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War ended when one Athenian traitor divulged to the Spartans everything they needed to know about the city of Athens' defenses. Sparta was successful, and Athens was conquered! Not long after another conqueror would conquer all of Greece - from Macedon!

4. Who were the slaves of the Spartans?

Answer: Helots

The Helots (who were slaves) outnumbered Spartans. The ratio of Helots to Spartans varied: Herodotus mentions a figure of 7:1. The Helots would often rebel from their Spartan masters, and fear of Helot uprisings figured prominently in Spartan life.

5. What naval battle saved Greece from the Persians?

Answer: Salamis

The Battle of Salamis began by the ancient city of Cyprus. Salamis was a great victory for Athens, and a great defeat for Xerxes. Xerxes probably would have conquered Athens and Sparta if it hadn't been for this naval battle.

6. Who invented the laws that the Spartans lived by?

Answer: Lycurgus

Known as the laws of Lycurgus, these laws governed how the Spartans lived, fought, and died! Lycurgus' life ended in war, just as he would have wanted it to end.

Some of Lycurgus' laws were remarkably egalitarian in their treatment of Spartan citizens.

7. Who led 300 Spartans against a much larger army of Persians?

Answer: Leonidas

All died, but two, who were then banished from Sparta for surviving! One Spartan traitor told the Persians about the secret pass of Thermopylae, which led to the back of the Spartan lines.

8. Darius' wine bearer repeated what three times every day before he ate?

Answer: "Master, remember the Athenians!"

This was requested by Darius to remember to punish the Athenians. Darius was angry because the Athenians repelled his invasion, and he wanted to attack again. He eventually did attack the Athenians again, but failed.

9. What started the Trojan war?

Answer: Kidnapping of Helen

Paris did the deed, because he loved Helen. The Greek myths say he was promised Helen by Aphrodite, but Helen was already married to King Menelaus. Helen was said to be the most beautiful woman on earth, and Paris was said to be the most handsome man on earth.

10. Where was Plato from?

Answer: Athens

Athens was a great place for any philosopher to live. Plato was taught by Socrates, who was one of the greatest philosophers. Plato taught Aristotle, sometimes regarded as the greatest philosopher ever.

Source: Author MobOfGoons

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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