25 Main Civilizations of Human History

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The cradle of the Sumerian civilization was the delta of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. In what modern-day nation is this located? Turkey Iraq Mongolia Greece

2. Of the 25 great civilizations, this was the most durable, lasting almost 4,000 years. Greek Egyptian Phoenician Hrappa

3. The Indian (or Indus Valley) civilization was born around 2500 BC. It collapsed around 1500 BC when it was destroyed by invading ________. Vandals Huns Aryans Goths

4. The Minoan civilization, located in the Mediterranean Sea, lasted from 2000 to 1380 BC. In Minoan art, which animal symbolized the goddess? Bull Bird Cow Snake

5. The Hittite empire lasted from 1900-1200 BC. What was its capital? Cilicia Harappa Hattusas Laconia

6. The Chinese civilization flourished in the Yellow River basin between 1600 BC and well into the twentieth century. In around 600 BC, Lao Tzu was born. What religion did he found? Taoism Confucianism Buddhism Zoroastrianiam

7. The Austronesian civilization existed between 1500 BC and AD 1775. What Pacific island group was its cradle? Hawaiian Islands Solomon Islands Samoa Fiji

8. The Babylonian empire flourished from 1930 BC until 539 BC, when it was conquered by ________. Alexander the Great Cyrus the Great Darius I Hammurabi

9. The Inuit civilization thrived from 1400 BC to AD 1850 in the Arctic region now comprised of Canada and Greenland. The word "Inuit" comes from the Inuit word "inuk", which means human being Northern people cold Ice man

10. The mighty Greek and Roman civilizations flourished in Western Europe and the Mediterranean from 1300 BC to AD 558. The first Roman Emperor was Octavian, better known as Answer: (One Word)

11. The Central American civilization flourished from 1200 BC to AD 1550. One of the greatest non-Western civilizations was developed by the Maya, between AD 250 and 900. Which of these was NOT a Mayan city? Tikal Tlaxcala Copan Uxmal

12. Ancient Persian civilization lasted from around 1200 BC to AD 970. What was its major religion? Zoroastrianism Hinduism Islam Sikhism

13. The Spartan civilization lasted from 650 BC to AD 395. The ancient Greek city-state of Sparta was famous for warring with the city-state of Athens in what was known as the _______ Wars. Peloponnesian Greek Punic Ionic

14. The Far Eastern (main) civilization, established in AD 589, scarcely survives today. Its dominant states were the Manchu Empire (1644-1912) and the Mongol Empire (1279-1368). One of the Mongol Empire's greatest leaders was this man, born as Temujin and known as the Great Khan of the Mongols. Answer: (Two Words)

15. The Khmer civilization lasted from AD600-1432. What modern-day nation encompasses its territory? Laos Nepal Cambodia Thailand

16. The civilization of Islam, founded in AD 632 and still flourishing, is also a religion founded by the prophet Muhammad in Arabia. What does the word "islam" mean? God Worship Almighty Submission

17. The Far Eastern civilization consisting of Japan and Korea began in AD 645. One of the most powerful rulers of this civilization was Togugawa Ieyasu, who took this title, which is often translated as "military dictator", in 1603. Answer: (One Word - six letters)

18. The civilization referred to as Western civilization, established around AD 612, flourishes today. One of the cradles of this civilization is the English island of Lindisfarne, also known as the _____ Island. North Holy Ancient Magical

19. The Orthodox Christian civilization began around AD 680 and survives today in Turkey and Eastern Europe. What alphabet was developed by these people? Cyrillic Elamite Babylonian Old Persian

20. The Hindu civilization arose in India around AD 775. One of its major religions was Sikhism, which was founded by this man in the late fifteenth century. Nawab Kapur Singh Nadir Shah Guru Nanak Rani Jindan

21. The Orthodox Christian (Russia) empire, established in AD 950, survives today. The dominant state was the Muscovite empire, which began with the reign of who? Catherine the Great Ivan the Terrible Ivan the Great Peter the Great

22. The Zimbabwe civilization flourished in Africa from AD 1150 to 1500. The civilization was composed mainly of this ethnic group, who make up the majority of the population of the nation of Zimbabwe today. Venda Ndebele Shona Chewa

23. The Ottoman Empire, located in what is now Turkey, lasted from 1324 to 1922. What occurred in 1922 to bring an end to the empire? The empire was invaded by Huns The area became part of the Soviet Union The area became part of Greece A republic was established

24. The sophisticated Andean, or Incan, civilization existed in South America from 1410 to 1533. Which city was the capital of the empire? Tikal, Guatemala Lima, Peru Copan, Honduras Cuzco, Peru

25. The relatively short-lived Communist civilization began in western Europe in 1848 and ended in 1991. Karl Marx, along with this man, are generally credited with inspiring Communism with their work "The Communist Manifesto", published in 1848. Answer: (One Word- last name only)