Survey of World History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gilgamesh

The Gilgamesh epic is the world's oldest. In this ancient story, the hero, an ancient king named Gilgamesh, is involved in several adventures. The story also featured the world's first sidekick...and no, it wasn't Robin. Gilgamesh's best friend in this epic was called Enkidu, and their adventures are simply the stuff of legend.

Answer: The Analects

The Analects is a collection of very short exchanges and pithy statements that can be found nowhere near fortune cookies, though they are easy to understand. Confucius did not write this work, but rather his disciples did. The ideas and philosophy expressed in this work is said to have come from the master himself, however.

Answer: Vandals

The term 'vandal' obviously was drawn from the name of this particularly tough Germanic tribe. Rome was not only sacked by the Vandals, though. The Visigoths and Ostrogoths had their turns as well on different dates.

Answer: Justinian

During Justinian's reign the Eastern Roman Empire was rejoined, for a time, with what portions of the former Western Empire could be wrested from the 'barbarian' tribes now in control. Justinian's reign was also characterized by the law code developed therein.

Answer: Medina

Medina's ancient name was Yathrib, and it became a mecca (forgive the pun) for Muhammed and his followers after they were driven out of Mecca by enemies.

Answer: Ogedai

It is possible that the Mongols could have continued along into Europe in their relentless period of conquering. However, after Ogedai's death they receded from mainland Europe, though they held the Russian motherland under the name 'Golden Horde' for a number of years afterward.

Answer: Pizarro

Pizarro was perhaps the most influential conquistador in Spanish history, though one could argue for Cortez as well. Pizarro used a very small number of troops (a couple hundred), who had the advantage of guns and horses, to take control of an entire empire. This achievement is staggering when compared to the forces that were required to overcome other world empires.

Answer: Peace of Westphalia

The Thirty Years War lasted from 1618 to 1648 and involved fundamentally the growth of Calvanism in Switzerland and France.

Answer: Louisiana Purchase

Thomas Jefferson was President when the United States made this coup! I'll bet Napoleon really regretted having sold such a large chunk of land at such a bargain price...actually, I don't think he cared.

Answer: Haiti

The Haitian revolution for independence was instigated by a former slave named Toussaint L'Ouverture. Thank you for having tried this quiz...I hope you enjoyed it and were able to learn a thing or two!