Introduction to the Greatest Battles in History Quiz

Answer: The Persians

The outcome of the battle was a victory for the Greeks. If they had not won this battle, Athens would not have had a Golden Age, the Century of Pericles, with men like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Phidias and many other men born in a democracy, who have left a legacy for humanity.

Answer: Leonidas

It is said that Leonidas sent the rest of the army back, which had been around 10,000 at the start, including Athenians. He knew they were going to be sacrificed. The outcome of the battle was that all Spartans and their king, Leonidas, died. They sacrificed themselves to delay the march of the Persians into Greek territory. The Greeks lost the battle but they won the war.

Answer: The Punic Wars

Hannibal brought his elephants to Europe to fight the Romans. He won the Battles of Trebia and Lake Transimene, during which the elephants had a psychological impact on the Romans. He also won the Battle of Cannae, although most of his elephants had already died.

Answer: Gaugamela

Alexander the Great destroyed Darius' army, winning this battle, which was decisive in Alexander's conquest of the Persian Empire.

Answer: Actium

Octavian and Mark Antony had been political allies. They were part of the Second Triunvirate, but Antony's ambitions and his marriage to Cleopatra had made him an undesirable leader to the Romans. When Octavian won the battle, Mark Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide and Octavian became the first emperor of Rome.

Answer: Poitiers

This battle was significant because it halted the invasion of the Muslims, who were occupying Spain, These Muslims had arrived from North Africa and were known as the Moors. They remained in Spain for eight centuries until 1492, when the last king lost the city of Granada.

Answer: Battle of Hastings

The outcome of this battle was that the winner, William the Bastard, became William the Conqueror, the new King of England.

Answer: Trafalgar

Trafalgar ended Napoleon's dream of invading Great Britain. Nelson won the battle but was killed during the fight. This battle left Britain as the indisputable leading naval power for well over a century.

Answer: Belgium

Waterloo is located south of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The multi national army commanded by the Duke of Wellngton, included the British, the Dutch and a contingent from Hannover. They were joined later in the day by the Prussians.

Answer: Battle of Gettysburg

Both armies suffered heavy casualties but the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863) is considered that the Union won this battle as it was able to contain the Confederates in their territories.