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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. Volcano which erupted in AD 79 and destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum






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






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






4. Greek island in the Ionian Sea; the home of Odysseus






5. Goddess of victory






6. The messenger god; god of thieves and travelers; son of Zeus; invented the lyre; escorted people to the Underworld when they died






7. One of the 12 Titans & father of Zeus/Jupiter & who swallowed his children in an attempt to keep from being overthrown






8. A mural painted directly onto wet plaster (fresco means 'fresh' in Italian)






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






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






11. 'my fault' ; tua culpa -'your fault'






12. 'great work'






13. 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






14. A member of one of the original aristocratic families of Rome; 'aristocratic'






15. Goddess of love






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






17. God of love and desire; son of Aphrodite






18. A member of one of the original aristocratic families of Rome; 'aristocratic'






19. 'per head' 'per person'






20. 'seize the day'






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






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






23. Home of the Greek gods






24. 'peace be with you'






25. 'The things that must be done' - a to-do list






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






27. Out of her curiosity & she opened a box containing all the bad things in the world; she put the lid on just in time & so that hope did not escape from the box & too






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






29. River that runs through the city of Rome






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






31. Goddess of love






32. 'unknown land'






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






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






35. 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






36. God of the sun & light & reason & and the lyre






37. 'And you & Brutus?' famous last words of Julius Caesar as the Senate members assassinated him; Brutus was supposed to be a friend of his & but had a hand in the killing






38. River that runs through the city of Rome






39. The river surrounding the Underworld






40. Perseus slayed Medusa the Gorgon






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






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






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






44. The three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld






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






46. 'in memory of'






47. '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






48. 'one out of many' - found on most US minted coins and the back of the dollar bill






49. King punished in Tartarus by having to roll a stone up a hill continuously for eternity; when he reached the top & the stone rolled to the bottom again






50. Spirits who carry out curses and torture for wrongdoing toward one's family member (s)