Welcome to our quiz on Ancient Greece.
Ancient Greece Timeline
Ancient Greece was a Mediterranean civilization created by ethnically and culturally related people, who identified themselves as Hellenes. Scholars differ on when Ancient Greece started and ended. For our quiz, we have prepared questions, which cover over one thousand years of Greek history. We focus mostly on Classical Greece but you will find questions on Archaic and Hellenistic Greece, as well. The mythical times of gods, heroes and hybrid creatures may not be historical but mythology is such an important part of the Greek heritage, we also cover it. The upper bound timeline for this quiz is the Roman conquest of Greece, which was completed in 146 BC. While Ancient Greece continued under Roman occupation, its further history is covered in our quiz on Ancient Rome.
Ancient Greek Accomplishments
While ancient Greeks were conquered by Romans militarily, Romans were certainly conquered by Greeks culturally. Extraordinary accomplishments of Greek art, literature, science, architecture, social organization and warfare were incorporated into the Roman life and survived, greatly influencing development of the Western Civilization. We continue to benefit from ancient Greek achievements in modern times. Democracy, the favored system of government today, was born in ancient Greece. As was the scientific discipline applied to mathematics, physics, medicine and biology. History and historiography both have their roots in ancient Greece. Greek architects and artists joined efforts to produce magnificent works of art with five of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
, being Greek achievements. The most notable ancient Greeks: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle proudly occupy the seats of the most important philosophers in history, all leaving lasting effect on the development of Western ethics.
Invitation to Ancient Greece
In our fast evolving modern world, it may be worthwhile to step back and refresh the understanding of our origins. We hope you will enjoy our quiz on Ancient Greece, further your interest in this formative period of the Western civilization and maybe even embark on a trip for an in-person experience to Europe. Greece, Italy and Turkey, all boast impressive ancient Greek legacy, accommodating millions of very satisfied visitors each year.
The civilized dilute their wine.
The ancient Greeks placed high importance on cultivating olives, grain and grapevines. Winemaking predated them and they began by absorbing techniques developed by earlier cultures. They quickly improved both the cultivation of grapes and production of wine, spreading their know-how throughout the Mediterranean. Rich winemaking traditions of Italy, Spain and France date back to the foundation of Greek colonies there.
Greek wine was a prized commodity, especially products traded by Chios and Lesbos. It was generally sweet and full of aroma. Regional differences came from growing local varieties of grapes and adding oil, brine, herbs and spices: thyme and oregano. Some wine even contained perfume!
Wine quickly became a staple in Greek culture. Dionisius was named the patron of wine and his cult was very active. Apart from social application, wine was used during religious ceremonies and as a remedy to help with digestion, sedation and pain relief. Understanding that excessive alcohol consumption had seriously negative effects, Greeks developed a wine drinking regime that required it to be mixed with water for consumption. To drink undiluted wine was barbaric.
Three bowls of wine only do I mix for the temperate. One for health, which they empty first. The second for sexual passion and pleasure. The third for sleep, which wise men drink up and go home.