History Quiz On The Landmark Thucydides Book
The Landmark Thucydides is a book, edited by Robert B. Strassler and introduced by Victor Davis Hanson. Thucydides was an Athenian historian who enumerates about the war between Athens and Sparta. Peloponnesian War is a repository of military, moral, political, and philosophical wisdom. Take this quiz on the history of the Peloponnesian War, based on 'The Landmark Thucydides' which covers the events leading up to the war. So, let's try out the quiz. All the best!
- 1.
What did Thucydides believe had given King Agamemnon of Mycenae the right to lead the Greeks against Troy?
- A.
He was the brother of Menelaus, Helen's husband.
- B.
The oaths of Tyndareus which bound the Suitors to follow him.
- C.
The navy that was built from the wealth of his ancestor, Pelops.
- D.
His personal magnitude and commanding presence.
Correct Answer
C. The navy that was built from the wealth of his ancestor, Pelops.Explanation
Thucydides believed that King Agamemnon of Mycenae had the right to lead the Greeks against Troy because of the navy that was built from the wealth of his ancestor, Pelops. This suggests that Agamemnon's family history and the resources they possessed played a significant role in his leadership position.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What were the two cities whose long-standing rivalry was responsible for sparking the Peloponnesian War?
- A.
Thebes and Megara
- B.
Corinth and Corcyra
- C.
Attica and Hellas
- D.
Athens and Sparta
Correct Answer
B. Corinth and CorcyraExplanation
Corinth and Corcyra were two cities whose long-standing rivalry sparked the Peloponnesian War. This war was a conflict between the two major Greek city-states, Athens and Sparta, and their respective allies. However, it was Corinth's fear of Athens' growing power and influence that led them to support Corcyra, a Corinthian colony, in rebelling against Athens. This rebellion escalated tensions between Athens and Corinth, eventually leading to a full-scale war between the two sides.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which Greek city had enjoyed freedom from tyrants for more than 400 years at the time of the Peloponnesian War?
- A.
Argos
- B.
Athens
- C.
Corinth
- D.
Sparta
Correct Answer
D. SpartaExplanation
Sparta is the correct answer because it was the only Greek city that had enjoyed freedom from tyrants for more than 400 years at the time of the Peloponnesian War. Argos, Athens, and Corinth had experienced periods of tyranny throughout their histories, while Sparta had a unique political system that prevented the rise of tyrants.Rate this question:
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- 4.
How were the initial alliances between the two warring sides arranged?
- A.
Corcyra and Athens vs Corinth and Sparta
- B.
Corcyra and Sparta vs Corinth and Athens
- C.
Athens and Sparta vs Corcyra and Corinth
- D.
Athens and Thebes vs Persia and Sparta
Correct Answer
A. Corcyra and Athens vs Corinth and SpartaExplanation
The initial alliances between the two warring sides were arranged with Corcyra and Athens forming an alliance against Corinth and Sparta.Rate this question:
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- 5.
How did Athens become so much more powerful than its allies in the Delian League?
- A.
Athens was a much larger city than the other allied cities.
- B.
Athenian hoplites were better armed and trained.
- C.
Athens imposed monetary contributions rather than demanding ships from its allies.
- D.
Advanced Athenian science led to the development of better military technologies.
Correct Answer
C. Athens imposed monetary contributions rather than demanding ships from its allies.Explanation
Athens became more powerful than its allies in the Delian League because it imposed monetary contributions instead of demanding ships from its allies. This allowed Athens to accumulate wealth and resources, which it used to strengthen its military and expand its influence. By controlling the finances of the league, Athens gained significant economic and political power, enabling it to dominate the other city-states in the alliance.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Name the Athenian who convinced Athens to build its fleet prior to the Persian invasion and whose delaying tactics allowed Athens to rebuild its walls despite Spartan opposition.
- A.
Themistocles
- B.
Pericles
- C.
Orestes
- D.
Myronides
Correct Answer
A. ThemistoclesExplanation
Themistocles is the correct answer because he was the Athenian leader who persuaded Athens to build a strong naval fleet in preparation for the Persian invasion. His strategic delaying tactics during the Persian invasion allowed Athens to rebuild its walls, despite opposition from Sparta. Themistocles was known for his military and political skills, and his leadership played a crucial role in the defense and growth of Athens during this critical period.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Why did the Spartans vote for war with Athens in 432 BC?
- A.
Because their Corinthian allies appealed for help.
- B.
Because the Athenians had invaded the Peloponnese.
- C.
Because they feared the Athenians' growing power.
- D.
Because the Spartan king Archidamus demanded it.
Correct Answer
C. Because they feared the Athenians' growing power.Explanation
The Spartans voted for war with Athens in 432 BC because they feared the Athenians' growing power. This suggests that the Spartans saw the Athenians as a threat to their own power and influence in the region. The fear of Athens' increasing strength and dominance likely led the Spartans to believe that war was necessary in order to protect their own interests and maintain their position as a dominant force in Greece.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which foreign land did Athens NOT invade in the decades leading up to the Peloponnesian War?
- A.
Cyprus
- B.
Italy
- C.
Egypt
- D.
Byzantium
Correct Answer
B. ItalyExplanation
In the decades leading up to the Peloponnesian War, Athens did not invade Italy. While Athens expanded its influence and control over various regions, including Cyprus, Egypt, and Byzantium, there is no historical evidence of an Athenian invasion of Italy during that time period.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What was the name of the peace treaty signed in 446 BC, after the Peloponnesians withdrew from Attica and the Athenians recaptured Euboea?
- A.
The Twenty Years' Peace
- B.
The Fifty Years' Peace
- C.
The Ten Years' Peace
- D.
The Thirty Years' Peace
Correct Answer
D. The Thirty Years' PeaceExplanation
The correct answer is The Thirty Years' Peace. This peace treaty was signed in 446 BC after the Peloponnesians withdrew from Attica and the Athenians recaptured Euboea. It marked a period of relative peace between Athens and Sparta, lasting for thirty years. During this time, both city-states agreed to respect each other's territories and spheres of influence, and to resolve disputes through diplomatic means rather than warfare. However, the peace eventually broke down and led to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.Rate this question:
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- 10.
How did Thucydides refer to the 50 years leading up to the war?
- A.
The Pentaliad
- B.
The Pentanomicon
- C.
The Pentacontaetia
- D.
The Pentateuch
Correct Answer
C. The PentacontaetiaExplanation
Thucydides referred to the 50 years leading up to the war as "The Pentacontaetia".Rate this question:
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- 11.
What caused Athens to break her alliance with Sparta in 462 BC?
- A.
The Spartans rejected Athenian aid in suppressing the Helot revolt.
- B.
The Spartans invaded Attica in support of Carian rebels.
- C.
The Spartans demanded that Athens tear down the Long Walls.
- D.
The Spartans were building a navy to contest Athenian power.
Correct Answer
A. The Spartans rejected Athenian aid in suppressing the Helot revolt.Explanation
During the Helot revolt, Athens offered assistance to Sparta in suppressing the rebellion. However, the Spartans rejected this aid, which caused Athens to break their alliance with Sparta in 462 BC. This rejection demonstrated a lack of trust and cooperation between the two city-states, leading to the dissolution of their alliance.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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