Queens of 'Civilization VI' Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sparta

Gorgo (c. 480 BCE) was the heiress to the Spartan throne and consort to Leonidas I. She is one of the few women of her time mentioned in the chronicles of Herodotus, the Greek historian. Her husband led the 300 Spartan hoplites who died at the famous battle of Thermopylae, since immortalised in books and movies. It is from this battle that Gorgo's leader ability is named, and it gives a culture bonus in the game.

'With your shield or on it' is believed to be how the Spartan warriors were farewelled to battle. Gorgo in the game has a strong preference for victory via military strength and defense, traits with which the Spartans were associated.

Most of what is known about Queen Gorgo comes from the writings of Herodotus. While she was a powerful leader and ruler, Spartan royals did not typically hold special titles.

Answer: Lady Trieu

Ba Trieu (226-248) is also known as Lady Trieu, although her real name is lost to history. She is remembered as a fierce fighter and led the Vietnamese people against the Chinese for around three years in the third century, explaining her leadership ability 'Drive Out the Aggressors.' She is commonly portrayed riding on a white elephant, linking to the unique fighting unit assigned to the Vietnamese civilization in the game.

While she was only in power for a short period she was an effective leader. Most of what is known about her is from folk stories and oral history traditions. Some of these describe her as having breasts so large she threw them over her shoulders. She is remembered in Vietnam with temples named in her honour.

She is also featured as a character in the 'Watchmen' limited edition series published by DC Comics in 1986-87. She also features in the 'Watchmen' TV series.

Answer: Korea

Queen Seondeok (c. 595~610 - 17 February 647) was the ruler of Silla, one of the three kingdoms which became modern Korea (the others were Goguryeo and Baekje).

During the second year of her reign, Cheomseongdae, an astronomical observatory was built to assist farmers. This is her agenda in the game, and highlights why Seondeok's civilization strategies lean towards science and culture. Seondeok's special ability is 'Hwarang', referring to a specialist group of elite warriors who attended academies which trained them in arts, culture, Buddhist studies as well as learning martial arts skills.

Seondeok was the first Queen to rule Silla, and only the second recorded in South-East Asia. She is recorded as being concerned for the well-being of her people by reducing taxes, particularly for the peasants and middle-class. Cheomseongdae was built in the second year of her reign and stands today. It is the oldest known observatory in Asia.

Seondeok also commissioned the nine-story pagoda, next to the Buddhist temple, Hwangnyongsa. The pagoda was largest Korean pagoda ever built. It was reported to be 263 feet (80 m) tall and made entirely of wood. Only the foundation stones remain.

Seondeok died in 647, after an attempted rebellion against her was quashed.

Answer: Georgia

Queen Tamar (c. 1160-1213) ruled over Georgia for nearly thirty years from 1178 as regent and 1184-1213 in her own right. She is referred to as 'King Tamar' in Georgian sources, reflecting her status as the first woman to rule Georgia. She is remembered for leading Georgia into 'A Golden Age' and this is reflected in the bonuses that are available to her in the game. She was able to expand the borders of Georgia, reflected in 'The Strength In Unity' game perk.

Tamar's unique ability, 'Glory of the World, Kingdom and Faith', is a reflection of the esteem in which she was held by her people, and her canonisation by the Georgian Orthodox Church explains the high faith bonuses she can attract as a leader. Her civilization ability is 'Strength through Unity' leading to a focus on working with city-states which share a religion with her.

Tamar's burial place has not been found despite several attempts to find it. She was canonised by the Georgian Orthodox Church as the 'Holy Righteous Queen Tamar'.

Answer: England

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) was one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages. She was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, as well as being Queen Consort of France, then England. She gave birth to 10 children, all of whom survived to adulthood. Three became Kings of England (Henry the Young King [co-ruler with his father]; Richard I and John).

Eleanor lived in Poitiers, Aquitaine, between 1168-1173 after separating from her husband, Henry II of England. It is during this period she and her daughter Marie, introduced the 'Court of Love' which developed the ideas of chivalry and courtly love. It was also a centre for the arts, and Eleanor was recognised as a patron of these.

Eleanor's leader bonus is 'Court of Love' which influences the loyalty of neighbouring cities, and her unique agenda is 'Angevin Empire.' The Angevin name was derived from the French title held by Henry II, Count of Anjou, and Eleanor led her three eldest sons in rebellion against their father. She also acted as regent for Richard during his time away from England, and helped to raise the ransom when he was captured.

Geoffrey, father of Henry II, was married to Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and it is from Matilda that the Angevins claimed the right to the English throne. Henry II is also recognised as the first Plantagenet King, a nickname given to his father, Geoffrey.

Answer: Indonesia

Dyah Gitarja (1309-1350) (also known by as her regnal name Tribhuwannottunggadewi Jayawishnuwardhani) came to the throne of the kingdom of Majapahit (located in modern day Indonesia) in 1329, after the assassination of her half-brother, King Jayanagara. Gitarja's leader ability, 'Exalted Goddess of the Three Worlds', is a translation of her regnal name.

The agenda for this nation is 'Archipelago', and this is reflected in the unique naval unit of the Jung, and the improvement of the Kampung. These houses on stilts allowed effective housing, while keeping communities safe, leading to the anglicised version of 'compound'.

Much of what is known of this ruler comes from the Nagarakretagama, a eulogy to Hayam Wuruk, a Javanese king of the Majapahit Empire, which contains descriptions of the Majapahit Empire.

Through her leadership her kingdom was expanded from Java to include many of the island which make up modern Indonesia today, including Bali.

Answer: Poland

Jadwiga (c.1373-1399) was the first female monarch of the Kindgdom of Poland between 1384-1399, and was believed to have been crowned as 'King'. She was the third and youngest daughter of Louis I, King of Hungary and Poland, and his second wife, Elizabeth of Bosnia. As both her grandmothers were Polish princesses, she had strong links to the native Piast dynasty of Poland. After her eldest sister and her father died, Jadwiga's sister, Mary, was crowned Queen of Hungary.

Due to the insistence of the Polish nobles that they would only accept as ruler one of Louis' daughters if she settled in Poland, Jadwiga became Queen of Poland when she was just 12. Her marriage to the pagan Duke Jogaila of Lithuania, led to a union between Poland and Lithuania, explaining her unique ability in the game of 'Lithuanian Union'.

A devout Catholic, she was made a Saint of the Catholic Church in 1997, echoed in her in game agenda of 'Saint'. This combination gives strength to a religious based victory in the game.

Jadwiga died shortly after giving birth to her only child in 1399. She is remembered as a great ruler of Poland, having established new hospitals, schools and churches, and restored older ones. She promoted the singing of hymns in Polish and ordered that the Scriptures be translated into Polish.

Answer: Catherine de Medici

A controversial figure, Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) was queen consort of France from 1547 until 1559, and queen mother to three different kings from 1559 until her death. She was born into the equally infamous De Medici family of Florence.

With the addition of the persona pack, Catherine can be played with two different appearances and agendas in the game. 'Magnificence' Catherine has a cultural aspect, with lavish Court Festivals, reflecting the opulent French court lifestyle. In this persona, her agenda is 'Sumptuous Finery', the collection of fine items.

Her alternate person and agenda, 'Black Queen', reflects the rumours of Catherine's interest in subjects such as alchemy, prophecy and necromancy. In this version, she has a strong interest in spying and espionage. Her leader ability is 'Catherine's Flying Squadron', reflecting her espionage based agenda.

Catherine is descended from the other potential leader of France, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her maternal grandmother, Jeanne de Bourbon, was a descendant of Robert of Clermont, the son of Eleanor's great-grandson Louis IX. She was also a patron of Nostradamus.

Answer: Sweden

Kristina (1626-1689) was highly educated for her time and was believed to be able to speak eight languages including Swedish. She ascended to the throne at 6 years of age, but did not commence ruling in her own right until she was 18, in 1644. She is remembered as one of the most learned women of the 17th century, and showed interest in literature, history and the arts, religion, philosophy, mathematics, and alchemy. As a result many scientists came to Stockholm, with Kristina wanting the city to become the 'Athens of the North'.

These interests explain the 'Bibliophile' agenda being assigned to her. In both her lifetime and in the game the 'Peace of Westphalia' allowed her to establish an academy or university when and wherever she wanted. During her life-time she became known as the 'Minerva of the North' after the Roman goddess of wisdom and patron of the arts, her assigned leadership ability in the game. Along with the Nobel Prize civilization ability, Sweden can play for a cultural win.

Kristina abdicated at the age of 28 in 1654. There were a number of factors for this, including her desire to convert to Catholicism. Kristina did not wish to marry, and had agreed to make her cousin her heir. She moved to Rome and is one of only three women to be buried in the Vatican grotto.

Answer: Victoria

Victoria (1819-1901) ruled for a total of sixty-four years and was known as the 'Grandmother of Europe' as her nine children married into various monarchies across Europe. Her reign saw a number of industrial, political, scientific, and military changes and upheavals.

Her alternate persona is 'Age of Empire Victoria' whose agenda in the game is 'Sun Never Sets' reflecting the expansionist policy undertaken by the United Kingdom during her reign, which saw England becoming the dominant nation in the world. In this version her ability is 'Pax Britannica' (British peace), the name given to the period between 1815-1914, where around 10,000,000 square miles (26,000,000 km2) of territory and roughly 400 million people were added to the British Empire. The defeat of Napoleon and later Russia in the Crimea, meant there were no real rivals to Britain. In the game, 'Pax Brittanica' favours the expansion of her army and navy.

The alternate leader for England is Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose abilities remain the same whether she is the French or English leader.