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Quiz about Kings of Persia
Quiz about Kings of Persia

Kings of Persia Trivia Quiz


See if you can answer these 10 questions related to the history and kings of ancient Persia.

A photo quiz by bernie73. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
bernie73
Time
4 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
402,287
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
169
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 82 (7/10), Guest 46 (10/10), RebeccaQ (3/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. To which ruler did the kings of Persia in the sixth through fourth centuries BCE trace their descent? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Cyrus (II) the Great was noted for his relative toleration of ethnic and religious differences in his empire. Which text refers to his Edict of Restoration? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. During his relatively brief reign, which area would Cambyses II (530-522 BCE) bring under Persian control? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. During the reign of Darius I (522-486 BCE), Persian forces moved onto the Balkan Peninsula. Which battle, in 490 BCE, ended the first Persian attempt to conquer Greece? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. As part of the second Persian invasion of Greece, Xerxes (486-465 BCE) had a bridge built across the Hellespont or Dardanelles to assist troop movements. When a storm destroyed the first bridge, how was Xerxes said to have the Hellespont punished? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In an irony of history, Artaxerxes (reigned 465-424 BCE) granted asylum to a man who was an enemy of his father and grandfather. Who was this Athenian? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Historical sources describe Darius II (reigned 423-404 BE) as depending on his wife Parysatis. What relationship existed between Darius and Parysatis? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Artaxerxes II (404-358 BCE) had to deal with a civil war involving his brother Cyrus the Younger. Which Greek historian's account references this Civil War? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which city did Artaxerxes III (reigned 358-338 BCE) famously destroy after it tried to declare independence from the Persian Empire? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which famed military leader of the ancient world effectively ended the Persian Empire by defeating Darius III in a series of battles and looting the city of Persepolis in 330 BCE? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 82: 7/10
Mar 09 2024 : Guest 46: 10/10
Feb 15 2024 : RebeccaQ: 3/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. To which ruler did the kings of Persia in the sixth through fourth centuries BCE trace their descent?

Answer: Achaemenes

Achaemenes (c. 700 BCE) was the founder of the Achaemenid Dynasty which ruled large portions of the Middle East. He may have been a mythical figure as much as a historical one, though he was mentioned in several sources. Cyrus II would have the great-great-grandson of Achaemenes.

The picture shows an image of the White Crown of Upper Egypt and the Red Crown of Lower Egypt. The first Pharaoh of a united Egypt was Narmer or Menes.
2. Cyrus (II) the Great was noted for his relative toleration of ethnic and religious differences in his empire. Which text refers to his Edict of Restoration?

Answer: Biblical Book of Ezra

The Book of Ezra states that Cyrus's edict allowed the Jews who had been exiled by Nebuchadnezzar to return to Israel and rebuilt the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. Other historical evidence suggests that this may have been more gradual (rather than a single action) and part of a more general policy of toleration in the Cyrus's empire. Cyrus II (600-530 BCE) rule Persia from 559 BCE until his death, adding areas including Babylon and Lydia.

The picture shows the image of two stone tablets with the numbers 1 through 10 representing the Ten Commandments and suggesting the Bible (including the Book of Ezra.)
3. During his relatively brief reign, which area would Cambyses II (530-522 BCE) bring under Persian control?

Answer: Egypt

Though Cambyses was a relatively young ruler himself, he took advantage of the weak position of the new Egyptian pharaoh Psamtik III, to carry out plans for the conquest of Egypt that had been developing since the time of his father. It is unclear whether the conquest of Egypt was particularly brutal or not since sources vary. While the conquest of Egypt was successful, attempts to push Persian control further into Africa were not successful during Cambyses' lifetime.

The picture shows the image of a Pyramid, a famed landmark of Egypt.
4. During the reign of Darius I (522-486 BCE), Persian forces moved onto the Balkan Peninsula. Which battle, in 490 BCE, ended the first Persian attempt to conquer Greece?

Answer: Battle of Marathon

Though the Persian were able to take over portions of Thrace and Macedon, their attempt to conquer Greece were unsuccessful. At the Battle of Marathon a smaller army of Athenians were able to defeat a larger Persian force. Due to the long distances run by the messenger, Pheidippides, at the time of the battle, the name Marathon has been given to a long distance race. Though Darius himself planned to lead a second invasion of Greece, he died before this could happen. Darius I was not a direct descendant of Cyrus the Great or Cambyses II, but he shared Tespies and Archamenes with them as common ancestors

The picture shows the image of a running stick figure, suggesting a marathon race.
5. As part of the second Persian invasion of Greece, Xerxes (486-465 BCE) had a bridge built across the Hellespont or Dardanelles to assist troop movements. When a storm destroyed the first bridge, how was Xerxes said to have the Hellespont punished?

Answer: Fetters were thrown into the river

The story appears in the writings of Herodotus. According to the author, Xerxes had the water whipped 300 times before the fetters were thrown into the water. Ince the Persian soldiers were able to cross to the other side, they were able to temporarily control a large portion of Greece, before being defeated at the Battles of Salamis and Plataea. It is thought that Xerxes (518-465 BCE) was the inspiration for King Ahasuerus, who appears in the Biblical Book of Esther.

The picture shows an image of a key that could have been used to unlock the fetters or leg irons.
6. In an irony of history, Artaxerxes (reigned 465-424 BCE) granted asylum to a man who was an enemy of his father and grandfather. Who was this Athenian?

Answer: Themistocles

Themistocles (524-459 BCE) was an Athenian general and politician who played a role in the Persian defeats in battles such as Marathon and Salamis. When he was falsely accused of treason and exiled from Athens, Artaxerxes allowed him into the Persian Empire and eventually made him governor of the city of Magnesia. Compared to his father and grandfather, Artaxerxes was more likely to use indirect means against Athens, such as providing support to its foes, rather than direct battle.

The picture shows one pair, saying "Not us" and pointing to another pair, supposedly the "them" for Themistocles.
7. Historical sources describe Darius II (reigned 423-404 BE) as depending on his wife Parysatis. What relationship existed between Darius and Parysatis?

Answer: Half siblings

Darius II (born Ochus) was the son of Artaxerxes and Cosmartidene of Babylon. Parysatis was the daughter of Artaxerxes and Andia of Babylon. Consanguinity and polygyny were both recurring features in the Achaemenid dynasty. The two had 12 sons (four living to adulthood) and one daughter. It is that Darius being an illegitimate son of Artaxerxes may have played a role in his dependence on Parysatis.

The picture shows an image of a fork with a "No" symbol, indicating the lack of forks one might see on a family tree where half siblings marry.
8. Artaxerxes II (404-358 BCE) had to deal with a civil war involving his brother Cyrus the Younger. Which Greek historian's account references this Civil War?

Answer: Xenophon

Xenophon (430-354 BCE) was a leader of the Ten Thousand, Greek mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger. His history, "Anabasis" (c. 370 BCE) does describe the Civil War but emphasizes the story of the soldiers' return from Mesopotamia to Greece. Born in 453 or 445 BCE, Artaxerxes was the longest living and longest reigning member of the Achaemenid dynasty. During his reign, Persia lost control of Egypt, before regaining it under the next king.

The picture shows an image of a xylophone, suggesting the initial letter of Xenophon
9. Which city did Artaxerxes III (reigned 358-338 BCE) famously destroy after it tried to declare independence from the Persian Empire?

Answer: Sidon

After Artaxerxes' first attempt to reconquer Egypt, other areas of the Empire including the city of Sidon declared their independence. After other attempts to retake the city did not work, Artaxerxes personally led an army of 330,000 to retake the city. Tennes, leader of the city, attempted to sue for peace and pardon by turning over 100 prominent citizens to Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes had those citizens killed and after retaking the city had it burned to the ground, killing 40,000 more.

The picture shows an image of a square with one side emphasized as a sound-alike for Sidon.
10. Which famed military leader of the ancient world effectively ended the Persian Empire by defeating Darius III in a series of battles and looting the city of Persepolis in 330 BCE?

Answer: Alexander the Great

Darius III (380-330 BCE) ruled from 336 BCE until his death. A difficulty that he faced was a lack of experience in authority before becoming king. He had a distinct lack of success against Alexander from the beginning of the Macedonian invasion in 334 BCE. He was killed by his relative and courtier Bessus, who briefly claimed the Persian throne as Artaxerxes V, before himself being killed.

The picture shows the image of a knot. Alexander was known for "untying" the famed Goridon knot by either slicing through it with his sword or by removing it from the pole about which it was tied.
Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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