Henry's History "Lessons" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lagash

The ancient cities of Umma and Lagah were just eighteen miles apart. They had agreed to the boundaries of their lands and had marked the spot with a great stele; the leader of Umma had even sworn that he would not try to invade the territory of Lagash - again.

The fertile lands of Guedena that were located between the two city-states, however, were highly coveted. In addition, Eannatum, the leader of Lagash, feared that Umma's location on the Tigris River would give them an opportunity to cut off Lagash's water supply, and, therefore, cut off trade.

In the end, Eannatum choose war. The "Stele of the Vultures", shown in the picture, depicts vultures carrying off the heads of the enemies of Lagash. "Now, Henry, what lesson can you learn from this story?" asked Sir William. "The importance of food and water to life?" "Yes, Henry. We must always protect our valuable resources. And with that a reminder that we as nobles always have an obligation to help those who farm and provide our food on the manor."

Answer: Thutmose III

When Thutmose II (the father of Thutmose III) died he was too young to rule Egypt. Hatshepsut, a wife of Thutmose II, ruled as the regent, and then co-regent to the young heir, but she did eventually seize control and rule Egypt by herself. When Thutmose III was old enough, she appointed him to lead her armies.

It must be said that she did leave a wealthy and prosperous Egypt for her young stepson to rule. The day she died, the King of Kadesh led his army to Megiddo; the battle that ensued was probably the largest of any of Thutmose III's many campaigns, but he could not afford to lose Megiddo, which controlled the main trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

As the battle continued and the defensive line broke, the King of Kadesh and his men fled to the city of Megiddo, and might have been captured had the Egyptians not stopped to plunder their camp.

After a seven month siege, Thutmose III finally forced a surrender. Egyptian records show that even though chariots, animals, and other booty was taken, that the city and citizens were spared.

The king's sons were taken to be educated in Egypt, and then were expected to rule in Egyptian fashion as a vassal state. "That, Henry, was a very long story," sighed Sir William. "Were you able to follow the lesson?" Henry thought for a very long time and said, "Don't let a woman rule the country?", after which Sir William chuckled. "Dig deeper, Henry. The answer does not lie with the actions of Hatshepsut. In fact, the code of chivalry forbids us to make unkind comments about her." Henry piped up, "Don't stop to plunder? No, wait. Treat conquered people with fairness and teach them how to assimilate?" "Ah, now you have it!" Sir William shouted.

Answer: Battle of Kadesh

Ramses II clashed with the Hittites in northern Syria soon after he assumed the throne of Egypt. In what was probably the largest chariot battle ever fought, Ramses made a point to record details of tactics and formations, and describe himself as the hero.

He said that at one point the Hittites broke through the Egyptian line and surrounded him, totally isolating him from any other Egyptian, and he was only able to defeat them with the help of the gods. Although it is not believed that either side was able to proclaim a total victory, both sides did! "And the lesson, Sir William?" "Ah, not yet," he said. Sixteen years later the two sides once again found themselves at odds.

The Hittite king was not in a position to fight an extended war, so he negotiated the first non-aggression pact in history. Both sides agreed to not make any further attacks on each other and come to the aid of their ally if attacked by a third party. With his time freed from concern of military actions, Ramses launched one of the greatest building programs the world has ever known.

In fact, that is why he is known as "the Great"! "I see now!" Henry exclaimed. "Negotiating peace is not always a sign of weakness AND war is not the only activity that makes a person great!" "Well stated," said Sir William. "You are a very fast study, Henry."

Answer: Philistines

After the Exodus the Jews embarked on quite a long trip back to Canaan, and the Philistines were among their most threatening and dangerous enemies. Twice a day for forty days Goliath came from the Philistine army to taunt the Jews, but everyone was afraid of him, including their king, Saul. David was in camp to bring food for his older brothers in the army, heard Saul promising to reward anyone who could stand up to Goliath, and decided to accept the challenge, saying that he had already killed lions or bears when they threatened his sheep.

He declined the use of Saul's armor, and took his sling and five stones. Goliath fell after being struck in the head with one stone, and David cut off his head. "What do you think about the lesson in this story, Henry?" Sir William questioned. "I'm not sure," Henry replied. "King Saul wasn't a very good king, was he? As leader, he was the one, not a young boy, who should have confronted Goliath. Do you think this was God's way of showing the people that?" "Yes, Henry. And so it is in our society.

As the people who fight, it is our duty to protect and lead everyone else. Don't ever forget that!"

Answer: Persian

Before engaging Cyrus in battle, it is said that Croesus consulted the Oracle at Delphi. He was told that if he crossed the Halys River, which was the boundry between the two empires, that a great empire would be destroyed. Sure of himself, Croesus instigated a war, during which he did cross the river in retreat. Ironically, the empire that was destroyed belonged to Croesus. "Oh, my," Henry interrupted. "This is a hard one. Don't consult the oracle?" "I don't think so," Sir William stated. "Croesus had made an agreement to recognize the boundary between the two empires.

He broke his word, hoping to gain an advantage and expand his empire. Have you ever been told to be careful what you wish for?" "Yes, I have," replied Henry.

Answer: Oracle at Delphi

The Greeks consulted the Oracle of Delphi on many occasions, and after the terrifying rout at Thermopylae the Athenians sent messengers to learn what course of action should be followed. They were told "wide-seeing Jupiter gives a wooden wall to the Triton-born goddess, to be alone impregnable, which shall preserve you and your children." Although opinions as to interpretation of the message were varied, Themistocles persuaded the Athenians, but not their allies, that the reference was made to their superb fleet of ships.

After the ordered evacuation of Athens, the Persians mercilessly looted the city. At the Greek council of war, many of the city-states believed Athens had no right to an opinion because they had allowed their city to be destroyed, however, the allies also knew the situation would be hopeless without the aid of the Athenian navy.

The heavy Persian ships were no match for the lighter Athenian ships, and the Greek naval victory bought some time for further planning among the disagreeable Greeks. "I know, I know!" chanted Henry. "This is one of the first lessons we learned as pages. Civil war and disagreement almost always lead to invasion." "Right you are," murmured Sr. William.

Answer: He had his men build a mole so that they could walk to the island from the mainland.

Alexander wanted to take the Phoenician city of Tyre because it was used as a naval port by the Persians, his greatest enemies. Most of the people of Tyre had been evacuated to nearby Carthage, and the rest were living on the island which contained the new temple.

The Tyrians professed that neither Persians nor Macedonians would be allowed on their island, so worshiping at the temple to the Phoenician god, Melquart, who corresponded to the Greek god, Heracles, became an obsession with Alexander.

After he defeated the Persians, the Tyrians were told that they would be spared if he were allowed to worship at their temple. Alexander's negotiators were murdered by the Tyrians, and their bodies were thrown into the sea. The subsequent seven month siege, during which the mole causeway was constructed, was a painful loss of time and men for Alexander.

The Macedonians who walked across the mole and eventually made their way to the island, were not forgiving. It is estimated that 6,000 Tyrians were slaughtered when the city was taken, another 2,000 were crucified on the beach, and approximately 30,000 were sold into slavery. With Tyre subdued, Alexander turned his attention elsewhere. "Sometimes it's better to negotiate, isn't it? You have to know your opponent," Henry stated. "Yes, that's right," Sir William replied. "The truth of the matter is that Alexander was very tolerant of those he conquered, and usually left a local ruler in charge.

The Tyrians were no match for him and lost a lot more than they ever would have gained by rebelling. Knowing your opponent is one of the keys to winning, Henry."

Answer: Rubicon

After forming the First Triumvirate and agreeing to support each other's ambitions, Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus parted company, and went their own separate ways. After five years, they met again and renewed the alliance, however, shortly after Crassus was killed in Syria and Caesar's daughter, Julia, died, leaving he and Pompey at odds. Pompey's army guarded the Senators from a restless population in need of food and reform. Even though Roman law prohibited Caesar from bringing his triumphant army from Gaul into Rome for a victory parade, he sought permission.

The Senate decided that both Pompey and Caesar should disband their armies, but Caesar refused to put himself in a position where he would be at the mercy of the enemies. Pompey took his army and left Rome. Caesar crossed the river with his army, eventually defeated the legions of Pompey, and the rest is history! "This one is very difficult," Henry stated. "Caesar and Pompey were friends and allies, and Caesar even gave his daughter, Julia, to Pompey to marry. Perhaps Pompey should have trusted him more. On the other hand, the Senate law about crossing the Rubicon was quite clear. Caesar may have let his ego get in the way here. Am I close, Sir William?" "You nailed it, Henry!"

Answer: Attila

The Roman empire was dying, and by 451 AD everyone knew it - even the Romans. Invaders were seizing property everywhere, and no one could stop them. Paid by the Byzantine emperor to stay away from the eastern empire, Attila had been moving unhindered through the western empire, displacing Germanic tribes who had been living on the boundaries.

At the Battle of Chalons two coalitions met, with Attila employing his allies and the Romans being bolstered by the presence of Franks and Visigoths in their army.

It was the last significant victory of the western Roman Empire. The loss did not force Attila to immediately leave Italy, however, he would soon die, and the Huns would leave the Roman empire behind. "I know, I know!" Henry shouted. "Don't blow your nose!" Sir William looked at him in disgust. "Although I am very impressed that you know how Attila died, you are just being silly. Alliances with people you can trust against a common enemy are a good thing.

This was the first significant conflict that involved large alliances on both sides." "Of course," said a subdued Henry.

Answer: Odoacer

This is a very significant event. The Roman Empire had been dying for years, but Odoacer and his Scirian soldiers dealt the final blow and changed life forever. Living without the protection and security that Rome had offered for hundreds of years was very difficult. "The subsequent struggle over land and control is what has brought us to where we are now, Henry," Sir William sighed. "All good things come to an end? Change is inevitable?" Henry asked. "It would seem that way."