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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. Refers to an action or condition necessary for something to happen






2. The god of the sky; created the Titans with Gaia & Mother Earth






3. 'Against' & used to show Who is up against who in sports matches & legal battles & etc.






4. 'To the point of sickness' - doing/saying something over and over until everyone is sick and tired of it






5. The male head of a Roman family






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






7. 'That is' used for further explanation: 'in other words...'






8. 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






9. Goddess of the hearth






10. 'boyish &' 'childlike' (from puer- boy)






11. Challenged Athena to a weaving contest and was turned into a spider for her excessive pride






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






13. Goddess of grain & the harvest & and the seasons; mother of Persephone/Proserpina






14. 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






15. The people in control of the Italian peninsula before Rome began to spread






16. Speaker's platform in the forum & which was decorated with the prows of ships the Romans captured in war (rostrum means 'beak & prow of a ship')






17. Was chosen by Zeus to settle the argument of Who was the fairest of the goddesses; he chose Aphrodite because she promised him the most beautiful woman in the world if he chose her






18. Goddess of wisdom






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






20. Epic poem written by Home chronicling the Trojan War






21. The ferryman for the river Styx going into the underworld






22. A polis (city-state) in Greece & center of art and philosophy & named after Athena (its patron goddess); the Acropolis was the hill in Athens where many temples (including the Parthenon & the temple to Athena) were located






23. In early mythology & the resting place of heroes; the later mythology & where good people went in the afterlife






24. 'in the whole &' 'as a whole &' 'totally'; ex: The suggestions were adopted in toto.






25. Another name for Zeus/Jupiter






26. Victorious athletes & generals & and emperors wore crowns of made of the branches of the laurel tree to symbolize their victory; now & 'laurels' refer to someone's achievements






27. A modern day race of 26.2 miles; from Marathon in Greece & the scene of a victory over the Persians in 490 BC; the modern race is based on the tradition that a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens (26 miles) with the news.






28. Sorceress & wife of Jason; killed their children to get revenge on Jason for leaving her






29. 'before midday &' in the morning & before noon






30. The people in control of the Italian peninsula before Rome began to spread






31. Large island off the southeast coast of Italy; home of Mt. Etna & a huge volcano; where the Cyclopes lived in the Odyssey






32. Challenged Athena to a weaving contest and was turned into a spider for her excessive pride






33. Was chosen by Zeus to settle the argument of Who was the fairest of the goddesses; he chose Aphrodite because she promised him the most beautiful woman in the world if he chose her






34. Female monsters who had snakes for hair and whose horrifying gaze could turn a man to stone if he looked at them (Medusa was one of the Gorgons)






35. The king of the gods; god of thunder and lightning






36. The food of the gods; some believe it kept them immortal






37. 'Always prepared'






38. 'boyish &' 'childlike' (from puer- boy)






39. Another name for Zeus/Jupiter






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






41. Festival of Saturn held on December 17th & during which social roles were temporarily reversed (slaves enjoyed relaxed discipline & etc)






42. Literally & the apple that Eris (goddess of strife) threw in front of Hera & Aphrodite & and Athena to cause a dispute over Who was the fairest; figuratively & anything which causes a dispute






43. Site of the Apollo's oracle at Delphi; home of the Muses






44. 1






45. 50






46. Religion in Which many gods are worshipped (from Greek poly 'many' and theoi 'gods')






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






48. 100






49. The garment which signified a Roman man's citizenship






50. 'note well' i.e. take note






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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