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Pompeii and Circumstance Trivia Quiz

This quiz is about Pompeii, the city in Italy that was tragically destroyed by a volcanic eruption. If you enjoy it there is much more about it to be found on the internet.

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

Author
Serenesh

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
393,269

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
278

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which modern day country is Pompeii situated? Hint

Italy

Portugal

Spain

France

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the name of the volcano near Pompeii which erupted in AD 79 and covered the city with volcanic ash? Hint

Vesuvius

Stromboli

Etna

San Cristobal

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Question 3 of 10

3. From whom do we have eye witness accounts of the eruption in AD 79? Hint

Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Younger

Ovid

Virgil

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Question 4 of 10

4. How thick was the layer of volcanic ash which engulfed the town? Hint

1-2 metres

6-8 metres

Half a metre - 1 metre

4-6 metre

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Question 5 of 10

5. Pompeii was the only settlement destroyed in the disaster?

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Approximately how many people lost their lives in the eruption? Hint

1000

2000

3000

4000

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Question 7 of 10

7. What previous disaster had happened in Pompeii in 62AD? Hint

A great fire

An earthquake

A tornado

A flood

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Question 8 of 10

8. Why was Pompeii preserved so completely? Hint

The climate is very dry.

The area was considered holy and so was untouched.

There is not much wind.

The ash and pumice stone protected it.

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Question 9 of 10

9. In which century were the ruins of Pompeii first discovered? Hint

16th century

17th century

15th century

18th century

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Question 10 of 10

10. For how long have tourists been visiting Pompeii? Hint

100 years

80 years.

150 years

250 years

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which modern day country is Pompeii situated?

Answer: Italy

Pompeii was situated in southern Italy, and the remains of it are close to the city of Naples.

2. What is the name of the volcano near Pompeii which erupted in AD 79 and covered the city with volcanic ash?

Answer: Vesuvius

The inhabitants of Pompeii did not know that Vesuvius was a volcano because it had not erupted for 1,800 years. People are still living very near to the volcano even though it erupted three times in the twentieth century, in 1906, 1908 and 1944.

3. From whom do we have eye witness accounts of the eruption in AD 79?

Answer: Pliny the Younger

Pliny the Younger who was a lawyer, author and magistrate of Rome left an account of it in a letter to his friend Cornelius Tacitus. His uncle Pliny the elder was killed in the incident trying to rescue some friends by boat.

4. How thick was the layer of volcanic ash which engulfed the town?

Answer: 4-6 metre

The ash was four to six metres deep and many people died because they could not get away fast enough. Pliny has described the eruption as looking 'like a stone pine for it shot itself up into a great height in the form of a very tall trunk which spread itself out at the top into the form of branches' This description equates with photographs taken of more modern eruptions.

5. Pompeii was the only settlement destroyed in the disaster?

Answer: False

The towns of Herculaneum, Nuceria and several smaller settlements were also engulfed by the ash and/or mud. Herculaneum is also available to visit as a tourist today.

6. Approximately how many people lost their lives in the eruption?

Answer: 2000

Approximately 13% of the population are thought to have been killed as a result of the disaster. There is thought to have been a population of about 15,000.

7. What previous disaster had happened in Pompeii in 62AD?

Answer: An earthquake

The earthquake of AD 62 caused much damage to Pompeii and Herculaneum. The cities had not yet recovered from this when Vesuvius erupted and brought about the final destruction.

8. Why was Pompeii preserved so completely?

Answer: The ash and pumice stone protected it.

The ash preserved the city below in a perfect state. No one could see that it was there so there was no looting or vandalism. Many of the residents were asphyxiated by the ash and their bodies were perfectly preserved beneath.

9. In which century were the ruins of Pompeii first discovered?

Answer: 16th century

The ruins of Pompeii lay undisturbed for seventeen centuries and were not discovered until the late 16th century by the architect Domenico Fontana. Excavations were not begun there until 1748.

10. For how long have tourists been visiting Pompeii?

Answer: 250 years

Tourists have been visiting Pompeii for 250 years. Many residences and shops have been preserved and give a wonderful impression of the dynamic life that once was there. I, myself, have been lucky enough to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum and had a fascinating time.

Source: Author Serenesh

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