Hellenistic Who's Who Trivia Quiz

Answer: Joys of rural life

The style of Theocritus was much copied by later greats such as Virgil and Alfred Lord Tennyson. Short and to the point, idylls depict the everyday life of peasants or the joys of living in rural areas; sometimes the term refers to art as well.

Answer: Royal Library of Alexandria

Best known for his short poems and epigrams, Callimachus disliked the epic style of writing exemplified by Homer, and had a long-running feud with a former student, Apollonius of Rhodes, who wrote an epic about Jason and the Argonauts. It probably did not help matters that Callimachus was passed over when the appointment of chief librarian was made; the position was given to Apollonius! Callimachus did write "Pinakes", or "Lists", which was a catalog of authors, whose works were stored in the great library, making it easier for patrons to find what the library had.

It is considered the first of its library catalog.

Answer: Dog

The political uncertainty that was brought about by the conquests of Alexander the Great and subsequent social problems led to thinking about the best way to achieve a "good life" and peace of mind. In order to become self-sufficient, Diogenes attempted to live like a dog in the street, carrying on his private life in public view. Stories about the eccentric Diogenes are well known; when visited by Alexander, he was asked "What would you like me to do for you"? Diogenes replied, "Move aside. You're blocking my sunlight."!

The modern ideas of cynicism, which include skepticism, the belief that people are motivated by self-interest, and suspicion, also originated with Diogenes. He mistrusted social conventions and traditions, and was apt to criticize society. Once he was found walking through the streets with a lighted lamp. When asked what he was looking for, he replied, "An honest man", insinuating that one was difficult to find.

Answer: It was the first to admit women.

Epicurus advised that wise people should live in such a way that they will have no wants which cannot be satisfied. Among a people who not only worshipped their gods, but feared them as well, he taught that humans really have no reason to fear the gods because the gods aren't really interested in human affairs. Epicurus did regularly admit women and slaves into his school, but he lived many years after the death of Socrates.

He believed that being involved in politics would lead one to trouble and advised his students to live in seclusion.

It is interesting that his name today is used to describe a person who is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure, but he appears to have led a minimalistic type of life.

Answer: Roman

Zeno believed that the universe was governed by laws that were superior to human laws. He taught that a wise person tried to live in harmony with the laws and that all events, even those bringing pain and suffering which could not be avoided, should be calmly accepted; a true sage, he said, would not suffer from emotions that might lead to mistakes.

The teacher, Seneca, and emperor, Marcus Aurelius, embraced Stoicism, which remained popular in Rome until the Emperor Justinian I ordered that pagan philosophies could no longer be followed.

Answer: Euclid

Although a look at the pyramids makes it clear that Euclid did not invent the study of geometry, he was perhaps the first to open a school for its study and present a book that consolidated the knowledge of past mathematicians and the proofs that remain the basis for the study of geometry to this day.

It is said that when asked by Ptolemy if there was an easier way to learn geometry, Euclid replied "There is no royal road".

Answer: Heliocentric

Aristarchus created the first model that placed the sun at the center of the universe, however, many scientists rejected his idea in favor of the geocentric theory held by both Aristotle and Ptolemy. Of course, many years later, both Copernicus and Galileo confirmed that he was right!

Answer: Archimedes

The king asked Archimedes to determine whether or not the crown he commissioned was made of the pure gold he had provided the goldsmith or if silver had been substituted. He had to do this without damaging the crown! As he was getting into a bath, he noticed the displacement of the water, and determined that the crown would do the same thing.

It is reported that Archimedes was able to prove that the goldsmith did indeed cheat the king!

Answer: Circumference of the earth

A librarian at the library of Alexandria and a prolific writer in many areas, Eratosthenes is probably best known today for his contributions as the "father of geography". He calculated the circumference of the earth without leaving Egypt! His measurements were done in an archaic measurement called stadia, which has left centuries of scholars to debate the exact length of the stadium and just how close Eratosthenes was in his calculations! Nevertheless, it is said that Columbus did consult the writings of Eratosthenes, but rejected his idea on the size of the earth.

Answer: Trigonometry

Using and building upon the knowledge of the ancient Babylonians, Hipparchus constructed trigonometric tables and developed trigonometry. In the area of geography, Hipparchus created the 360 divisions of latitude and longitude that are still used today. Considered to be the greatest ancient astronomer by some, he compiled a catalog of 1000 stars and also described the precession of equinoxes: because the earth's axis is not fixed in space, the position of the equinoxes slowly changes with respect to the background stars.

At the current time in precession, Polaris is the North Star, but in approximately 13,000 years the star Vega will be at the North Celestial Pole. This cycle takes 26,000 years to complete.