Raphael's School of Athens Trivia Quiz

Answer: Euclid

During the reign of Ptolemy I, Euclid taught the theorms of plane and solid geometry at a school in Egypt. His book, "Elements of Geometry," was considered to be the standard textbook well into the twentieth century. Ptolemy once asked Euclid if there was an easier way to learn geometry.

He replied, "There is no Royal Road." In other words, there is no easier path. In "The School of Athens," Raphael used Bramante, the great Italian architect who designed St. Peter's Basilica, as his model to depict Euclid.

Answer: Epicurus

Later followers of Epicurus corrupted his teachings to the point that today we refer to a person who enjoys fancy foods as an "epicure." Epicurus believed, however, that wise people should live in a way that they have no wants that cannot be satisfied.

Answer: Archimedes

Every science student has heard the story of Archimedes running through the streets naked shouting "Eureka" when he observed the displacement of water as he prepared to bathe. He also invented "engines of war," to help protect his native Syracuse from Roman invasion.

He arranged a group of concave mirrors to focus the sun's energy on Roman ships to set them on fire when they entered the harbor. Archimedes was killed by a Roman soldier when he told the soldier not to bother him while he worked on a mathematical problem. Was Raphael depicting Euclid or Archimedes in his great work?

Answer: Pythagoras

Best known for his theorem regarding right triangles, Pythagoras believed that the sun, moon, and earth were round bodies that revolved around a central fire. He speculated that each celestial body produced a distinct tone. The human ear could not hear these tones, but they corresponded to notes on the muscial scale. Later this was called the 'harmony of the spheres'.

Answer: Socrates

Socrates was so much more than a teacher or philosopher; he was the quintessential Athenian citizen of his time. He served as a soldier, and was known for his ability to stand the cold. As chairman of the Boule, he refused to present legislation that would ostracize the ten strategoi after Athens had suffered a military setback.

He knew the council would regret the rash decision. The charges against Socrates of corrupting the youth may have had something to do with Alcibiades, a former pupil who had become a traitor to Athens during the Persian Wars. Alcibiades (or is it Alexander the Great?) is pictured in the painting, attentively listening to Socrates speak.

Answer: Heraclitus

Heraclitus believed that all life goes through a continual process of decay and regeneration. He is reported to have said, "Everything flows and nothing remains the same." Michaelangelo was used as Raphael's model for the portrait of Heraclitus.

Answer: Plato

The Academy was closed when the emperor Justinian ordered that all non-Christian schools of philosophy be closed. It is commonly believed that Raphael used Leonardo da Vinci as his model for Plato's figure in the picture. Plato is standing next to his famous student, Aristotle. There is no doubt that they are the central figures in the painting.

Answer: Strabo

Strabo presented a descriptive history of people and places from different regions of the world known to his era. He made extensive travels to many places, including Egypt. "Geographica" is considered an important source of informaiton on the ancient world, because the information is corroborated by other sources. Raphael used either Castiglione or Bembo as his model for Strabo. Castiglione was a Renaissance writer, diplomat, and soldier.

His best known work is "Book of the Courtier." Bembo was a scholar, poet, and cardinal.

Answer: Ptolemy

"The Almagest" is the only surviving comprehensive ancient essay on astronomy. Ptolomey's other main work is "Geographia." It is a comprehensive work on what was known about the world's geography during the time of the Roman Empire. It is generally believed that Raphael painted himself, looking backward, as Ptolemy.

Answer: Diogenes of Sinope

Diogenes taught that one could be truly happy only if desires were limited so the person could become self-sufficient. One story says that Alexander the Great sought Diogenes and asked him "What would you like me to do for you?"
Diogenes, who was sunbathing said, "Move aside. You're blocking my sun."
It is not known how much Raphael knew of ancient philosophy. Some of the identities of the figures are uncontroversial, but scholars disagree on others. Many figures may have double identities as both ancient people and those contemporary to Raphael.