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The History of Bucharest Trivia Quiz

Bucharest has an interesting history to say the least. No one knows much about its founding and historical findings suggest it disappeared and reappeared a few times prior to the 15th century.

A multiple-choice quiz by Joepetz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Joepetz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
374,050

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
355

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Getta (9/10), Guest 107 (9/10), cosechero (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Despite Romania's name meaning "citizen of Rome," Bucharest was only briefly part of the Roman Empire in the 4th century during the reign of which emperor? Hint

Julius Caesar

Constantine the Great

Nero

Caligula

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Bucharest is named after its legendary (although unproven) founder, Bucur. Bucur is said to be a shepherd, but it is unlikely that he had that occupation for what historical reason? Hint

There were no sheep in that part of Europe when Bucur lived

A city would most likely be named after a landowner, not a shepherd

Bucur was, by most accounts, physically handicapped and unable to move

Records show Bucur was a wealthy man - too rich to be just a shepherd

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. The first mention of the name Bucharest can be found in correspondence in 1459 written by which infamously cruel prince who built a summer home in the city? Hint

Mihail I

Nicolae Alexandru

Vlad the Impaler

Radu II Chelul

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Question 4 of 10

4. Once the Ottomans invaded Bucharest and removed Mircea Ciobanul from power in 1554, the city saw an extended period of peace time, a stark contrast the usual violence it had experienced.

True

False

5. During his reigns from 1775-1782 and 1796-1797, Alexander Ypsilantis (1725-1805) introduced structural and economic improvements to Bucharest as it started emerging as a powerful city in the region. But which ruler brought social and cultural changes, such as arts and theater, to Bucharest in the early 19th century? Hint

Manto Mavrogenous

Constantine Ypsilantis

John Caradja

Nicholas Mavrogenes

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. On March 23, 1847, the Great Fire of Bucharest destroyed more than a third of the city. Which best describes the neighborhood where the fire started and received the most damage? Hint

The poor and peasant neighborhood

The wealthy and commercial districts

The farmlands

Forested woodlands

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Who is the Domnitor, a Romanian prince and ruler of Wallachia, who was overthrown in a coup in Bucharest on February 22, 1866 after he pushed land reform, angering many property owners? Hint

Carol I

Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Miron Cristea

Nicolae Ceausescu

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. When Bucharest was occupied by the Central Powers during World War I, to what city did the government temporarily relocate to? Hint

Bran

Iasi

Cluj-Napoca

Constanta

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What were the "hunger circuses" set up by Nicolae Ceausescu during his Communist regime starting in 1967 and lasting until 1989? Hint

Prisons that acted like dungeons

Orphanages

Sporting arenas

Identical looking buildings intended as marketplaces

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which group of people initiated the Golaniad Protest in 1990? Hint

The poverty-stricken

Women

Students and professors

Mine workers and other laborers

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Despite Romania's name meaning "citizen of Rome," Bucharest was only briefly part of the Roman Empire in the 4th century during the reign of which emperor?

Answer: Constantine the Great

Constantine invaded Muntenia, now commonly known as Wallachia. At the time, Bucharest consisted of a few scattered towns, not really unified. Rome left Bucharest in the late 4th century after romanizing the people.

2. Bucharest is named after its legendary (although unproven) founder, Bucur. Bucur is said to be a shepherd, but it is unlikely that he had that occupation for what historical reason?

Answer: A city would most likely be named after a landowner, not a shepherd

The suffix -esti in Bucharest's Romanian name, Bucuresti, implies that it was named after its owner and shepherd wouldn't have had the means to own a lot of land. It is believed by historians that Bucur was actually a wealthy nobleman who owned the land that is now Bucharest. Bucur is a legend in Romania, particularly in Bucharest where buildings are named after him.

Some historians disagree about the origin of the name Bucharest. Some believe it is a derivative of the word "bucurie" which means joy. It could also come from "Bukovie" which means beech forest. Ottoman traders suggested the name Bucharest came from Ebu-Karis, an Ottoman little is known about.

3. The first mention of the name Bucharest can be found in correspondence in 1459 written by which infamously cruel prince who built a summer home in the city?

Answer: Vlad the Impaler

Wallachia, where Bucharest is located, was repeatedly ransacked during this time period and fell under many different rulers. Vlad the Impaler, who is famously the inspiration for Count Dracula, ruled over the region three separate times.

4. Once the Ottomans invaded Bucharest and removed Mircea Ciobanul from power in 1554, the city saw an extended period of peace time, a stark contrast the usual violence it had experienced.

Answer: False

Bucharest continued to see war. Janissaries invaded almost immediately after the Ottoman Empire took it. Mircea Ciobanul returned four years later and massacred those who rid of him. Bucharest fought with neighboring cities for decades. Michael the Brave started a rebellion against the Ottomans in 1594, creating more violence and death. Bucharest did not start experience long-term peace until the end of the Renaissance in the late 1600s.

Answer: John Caradja

During the reign of John Caradja, education expanded and Bucharest continued to grow in both area and population. Not even devastating plagues and earthquakes that happened during his reign from 1812-1818 could stop Bucharest's growth.

(He should not be confused with his grandson, also called Alexander Ypsilantis (1792-1828) who played an important part in the Greek War of Independence).

6. On March 23, 1847, the Great Fire of Bucharest destroyed more than a third of the city. Which best describes the neighborhood where the fire started and received the most damage?

Answer: The wealthy and commercial districts

It is unknown how the fire started but it began in the home of Zoita Druganeasca, a noblewoman. Heavy winds allowed the fire to spread out and burn almost 2,000 buildings, which were all made out of wood. The fire stopped when it reached less crowded neighborhoods with homes and buildings that were spread out, which significantly slowed down the spreading, allowing firemen to fight and extinguish the flames.

In total, 15 people were killed.

7. Who is the Domnitor, a Romanian prince and ruler of Wallachia, who was overthrown in a coup in Bucharest on February 22, 1866 after he pushed land reform, angering many property owners?

Answer: Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Cuza had attempted to align himself with his enemies, something which failed miserably. Instead, he became something of a dictator and tried to push land reform bills. Landowners, mostly wealthy ones, became aware that Cuza no longer could properly represent them as Cuza seemed more willing to side with peasants than noblemen. He was ousted in a peaceful coup and replaced by Carol I.

8. When Bucharest was occupied by the Central Powers during World War I, to what city did the government temporarily relocate to?

Answer: Iasi

Romania was weakened during this time period. Very few things were accomplished government wise in Iasi. The capital returned to Bucharest shortly after the defeat of Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1918.

9. What were the "hunger circuses" set up by Nicolae Ceausescu during his Communist regime starting in 1967 and lasting until 1989?

Answer: Identical looking buildings intended as marketplaces

A hunger circus was intended to be the only place within Bucharest where residents could purchase food. Food was usually in short supply during Ceausescu's presidency as he had been selling it to other countries to as favors and to pay off debt. Hunger circuses were officially called food complexes and earned that name because people would often scramble chaotically for food. Only two of them were actually completed. One is now a public market place; the other is a shopping mall.

The unfinished hunger circuses were later incorporated into many different buildings, including universities.

10. Which group of people initiated the Golaniad Protest in 1990?

Answer: Students and professors

After Nicolae Ceausescu was executed on Christmas Day 1989, a new temporary government was formed by the Frontul Salvarii Nationale, an non-communist group, led by Ion Iliescu. An election was scheduled for May 1990 and with the FSN deciding to run candidates after initially saying it would not. Students and professors took to the streets protesting this decision as they feared another dictatorship was rising.

The word "golaniad" was a term Ion Iliescu gave to the protestors meaning "hooligans."

Source: Author Joepetz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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