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Quiz about The Truth About Greek and Roman Engineering

The Truth About Greek and Roman Engineering Quiz

The ancient Greeks and Romans were masters of engineering, building structures that have lasted two millenia. Can you identify these famous examples and construction techniques?

A photo quiz by AlexT781. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
AlexT781

Time
5 mins

Type
Photo Quiz

Quiz #
392,097

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
292

One at a Time - Single Page

Question 1 of 10

1. Less famous than the nearby Trajan's Column, this multi-story marketplace known as Trajan's Market has an architectural feature that is normally associated with medieval cathedrals. What is the name given to this feature? Hint

Pointed arch

Flying buttress

Ribbed vault

Depressed arch

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Question 2 of 10

2. Featuring an impressive concrete dome weighing nearly 5,000 tons, which Roman building was eventually consecrated as a Christian church in the year 609? Hint

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Parthenon

Pantheon

Hagia Sophia

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Question 3 of 10

3. A temple complex in Athens is referred to by what word, which actually refers to the highest point in any ancient Greek city-state? Hint

Acropolis

Forum

Agora

Mausoleum

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Question 4 of 10

4. Stone and marble blocks had notches and grooves carved out in regular patterns. Since the ancient Greeks didn't use mortar or concrete, what can these notches tell us? Hint

They held pieces of wood or iron used to bind the blocks together.

They were a method of lightening the weight without decreasing load capacity.

They were used to tie ropes needed to move each block.

There is no concensus as to what they were for.

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Question 5 of 10

5. True or false? The Roman basilica, a building with long, colonnaded hallways and a semicircular end, became the model that most early Christian churches used, such as cathedrals.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. While buildings and other structures were mostly made of stone or brick, what Roman invention was used to create vaulted ceilings and domes?

Answer: (One word, 8 letters - It isn't abstract thinking!)

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Question 7 of 10

7. Protrusions can be seen on many blocks of stone or marble in Greek ruins. Sometimes a U shaped groove is carved into the stone as well. What might they be used for when constructing a tall building? Hint

They are handles to drag the blocks.

They were imperfections that had to be cut around.

They were decorative only.

They were used for lifting the blocks.

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Question 8 of 10

8. Built during the Second Samnite War, the Via Appia is Rome's most famous road. Markers have been found along the road at regular intervals. The Roman numerals carved into them suggests they are akin to what modern highway signage? Hint

ground clearance

exit signs

mile markers

weight limit

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Question 9 of 10

9. Roman aqueducts were sometimes multi-level structures that resembled bridges. Since water from different sources was of differing quality, what can be inferred about the reason Romans chose to piggyback aqueducts in such fashion? Hint

It was an easy way to increase the volume of water transported to one place.

Water fit for human use was always kept separate from lesser quality water.

The lower story acted as an overflow for the to aqueduct.

They were built that way so public fountains would be gravity-fed.

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Question 10 of 10

10. An ancient Greek tunnel was built in the sixth century BC to ensure an enemy could not stop the city of Samos's water supply. It is also considered only the second ancient tunnel constructed by digging from both ends and meeting in the middle. What is the name of this tunnel that was used for nearly 1000 years? Hint

Kavala Aqueduct

Vulcanal

Cloaca Maxima

Tunnel of Eupalinos

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Flying buttress

The market features a modified flying buttress to support the upper levels. It was designed by the famous Roman architect Apollodorus of Damascus and named after the Roman emperor Trajan, who ordered it built.

2. Featuring an impressive concrete dome weighing nearly 5,000 tons, which Roman building was eventually consecrated as a Christian church in the year 609?

Answer: Pantheon

Neither the emperor who ordered it built, nor the architect who designed it are conclusively known. Some scholars place the date of construction around 20 B.C., while others insist the present building was built to replace another one destroyed by fire around 110 A.D.

3. A temple complex in Athens is referred to by what word, which actually refers to the highest point in any ancient Greek city-state?

Answer: Acropolis

The Parthenon, the temple to Athena located in the Acropolis, was actually in useable condition until 1687, when gunpowder that had been stored inside exploded. Many ancient buildings suffered this same kind of fate, remaining structurally sound for a thousand years until relatively modern wars or earthquakes destroyed them.

4. Stone and marble blocks had notches and grooves carved out in regular patterns. Since the ancient Greeks didn't use mortar or concrete, what can these notches tell us?

Answer: They held pieces of wood or iron used to bind the blocks together.

The ancient Greeks didn't use mortar or cement in their buildings. Instead, they fastened each block of stone together with wood or iron fasteners. Thus tied together, the weight of the stones would ensure they stayed upright.

5. True or false? The Roman basilica, a building with long, colonnaded hallways and a semicircular end, became the model that most early Christian churches used, such as cathedrals.

Answer: True

Today, the word basilica has become synonymous with a church, such as Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. Basilicas were initially part of a Roman forum, and functioned as an assembly hall or court. As the Roman Empire came to adopt Christianity, Romans began using this meeting place to conduct church services.

6. While buildings and other structures were mostly made of stone or brick, what Roman invention was used to create vaulted ceilings and domes?

Answer: concrete

Known as 'opus caementicium' to the Romans, the invention of concrete allowed the building of more architecturally complex structures. Roman concrete contained volcanic ash along with the cement, making it very durable. The dome of the Pantheon in Rome, standing for two thousand years, was made entirely with unreinforced concrete, proving the durability of Roman concrete.

Answer: They were used for lifting the blocks.

These protrusions and channels were carved at the quarries, and used to lift each block into place with large cranes. If they weren't carved out, there would have been no way to remove the sling after the stone was set in place.

Answer: mile markers

The Appian Way also features a completely straight, 55-mile section of road. At many points along the route, Roman engineers built causeways to elevate the road or cut through hills to make the road as level as possible as well.

Answer: Water fit for human use was always kept separate from lesser quality water.

Romans didn't invent the aqueduct. The oldest known aqueduct ruins have been found near the ancient city of Nineveh, in present-day Iraq, and ran for 30 miles to the city from a man-made lake.

Answer: Tunnel of Eupalinos

Since it was built to hide the city's water supply from enemies, the tunnel aqueduct was forgotten. It was rediscovered in the late 1800s, and since then has become a popular tourist attraction on the island of Samos.

Source: Author AlexT781

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