Test your basic knowledge |

Classical Literacy

Subject : literacy
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. River that runs through the city of Rome






2. 'I refuse &' used by the president of the US to stop any bill he sees unfit from passing






3. 'firm ground/solid earth'






4. Through & by way of (from via- road & way)






5. 'firm ground/solid earth'






6. The highest political office in the Roman Republic; 2 were elected every year






7. Roman officials who were charged with protecting the people (the plebeians) from oppression; they were sacrosanct & meaning no one could harm them






8. A town on the western coast of Italy destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuius in AD 79






9. A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage & a Phoenician city in Northern Africa & for control of the Mediterranean (264-146 BC)






10. One of the seven hills of Rome & south of the forum; the site of the imperial palace






11. Good-humored & jolly (ancient astrologers thought that the planet Jupiter fostered cheerfulness)






12. 'This for that &' a fair trade






13. Reception hall (like the living room) in a Roman house






14. Carthaginian general who attacked Italy by crossing the Italian Alps in the 2nd Punic War; He was eventually defeated by Scipio at the Battle of Zama






15. 'An unwelcome person' - used in diplomacy to indicate a person Who is barred from entering a certain country






16. The golden wool of a ram sought by Jason and the Argonauts






17. 'The state in which'






18. 'for the sake of an example' - abbreviation used when providing an example






19. 'I came & I saw & I conquered &' famous words of Julius Caesar






20. Greek god of nature; had the torso and head of a man & but the legs and horns of a goat






21. 'under penalty' a written order for a person to come testify in court






22. A state of disorganized matter from which the gods and the world were created






23. Literally 'the greatest bridge' -- the chief priest of Roman religion (later & the emperor took on this role); now used to refer to the Pope & the head of the Catholic Church






24. 100






25. The norms or values of a society






26. 'doctor/teacher of philosophy' - an advanced academic degree






27. 'from the office &' 'by right of office' - used to refer to someone Who is a member of a group (a board & committee & council & etc.) because they hold another office/position






28. Goddess of wisdom






29. King of Troy during the Trojan War; father of Hector and Paris; begged Achilles to give his son Hector's body back to be properly buried (Achilles had been dragging it around the city)






30. Sailed with the Argonauts to take the Golden Fleece






31. 'With highest honors' graduating from college in the highest grade scale






32. Roman officials who were charged with protecting the people (the plebeians) from oppression; they were sacrosanct & meaning no one could harm them






33. 'Always prepared'






34. 'Higher!' -- the state motto of New York






35. Inventor who created the Labyrinth where the Minotaur lived






36. Perseus slayed Medusa the Gorgon






37. A picture made from small bits of glass or pottery






38. City-state in ancient Greece known for its powerful army; fought against Athens in the Peloponnesian Wars






39. 'A rare bird' - something unique/rare






40. 'An unwelcome person' - used in diplomacy to indicate a person Who is barred from entering a certain country






41. The male head of a Roman family






42. Literally refers to the heel of Achilles (a character from the Iliad who killed Hector)


43. 'To infinity &' to continue forever & without limit






44. First emperor of the Roman Empire; adopted son of Julius Caesar; member of the 2nd Triumvirate; also known as Octavian






45. Icarus was the son of Daedalus who flew too close to the sun with the wings his father made him from wax and feathers & and fell to his death






46. 'from the library of' used as an inscription on a bookplate to show the name of the book's owner: ex libris Mark Twain.






47. God of love and desire; son of Aphrodite






48. 'in the year of the Lord &' designating the time period after Christ's birth






49. 'per year'






50. Daughter of Demeter; kidnapped by Hades to make her his queen