ANCIENT ROME
Who led his army across the Rubicon River in 49 B.C.?
In whose honour were the Olympic Games held in ancient Greece?
In honour of Jupiter (Zeus), the principal god of the Greeks
In what year did the Battle of Marathon take place?
In 490 B.C.
In what year did William conquer England?
In 1066
What is the name of the heroine who saved Wilfred Ivanhoe?
Rebecca
What did Caesar say when he crossed the Rubicon: "The die is..."?
"The die is cast" (Жребий брошен)
How often were the Olympic Games held in ancient times?
Every four years
Who commanded the Greek forces at the Battle of Marathon?
Miltiades
Where did the decisive battle between William and Harold take place?
At Hastings (on October 14, 1066)
Why was Rebecca condemned to die in the tournament scene?
She was condemned to die as a sorceress
Why couldn't Rome be defended when Caesar approached the city?
Because Pompey had only two legions at his disposal, the rest being scattered in different provinces.
Who founded the Olympic Games according to the legend?
Hercules
How many Spartan warriors fought under King Leonidas at Thermopylae?
300 (three hundred) warriors
What did William promise to the Anglo-Saxon nobility after his victory?
He promised to grant the old rights and customs to the Anglo-Saxon nobilit
Who appeared as Rebecca's champion at the tournament?
Wilfred Ivanhoe
What was the relationship between Caesar and Pompey before their conflict?
They were allies (they formed the First Triumvirate together with Crassus)
Why did Emperor Theodosius I abolish the Olympic Games in 393 A.D.
Because they had a pagan origin which was not in keeping with Christian beliefs
What did the Persian messengers ask from the Greek cities as "symbols of submission"
Earth and water
How did William prevent the great landowners from rebelling against him?
He scattered the estates in manors over the country in a way which made it difficult for the great landowners to concentrate their knights for rebellion
What heavy weapons did knights use in medieval tournaments?
A lance, a battle axe, a sword and a mace
Explain why the Senate was "caught unawares" when Caesar crossed the Rubicon.
Because they never expected Caesar would dare to cross the Rubicon with his army and break the Roman law. It had never occurred to them that he would march on Rome.
What was the "Olympic Flame" and where was it brought from?
The sacred fire brought from the temple in Olympia, symbolizing the spirit of friendly competition
Why were the Spartans surrounded at Thermopylae despite their brave defense?
Because a traitor led the Persians through the mountains to the rear of the Greeks
What was "Curia Regis" and what functions did it perform?
Curia Regis (the King's Court) - it made laws, imposed and levied taxes, and tried disputes
Why is Walter Scott called "the creator of the historical novel"?
Because he introduced a new element in the historical novel by explaining present history through the history of the past and showing man as a product of history