Ancient Lore
Which Carthaginian general famously marched war elephants across the Alps to attack Rome?
Who is Hannibal?
In contrast to Plato's "academics," the ancient followers of Aristotle were known by this Greek title literally translating to "those who walk around."
What is "Peripatetics"?
The book of Esther recounts how the eponymous heroine saved her people from the genocidal plot of this devious Persian official.
Who is Haman?
This cube-shaped structure in Mecca is considered the "House of God" and serves as the qibla, or direction of prayer, for Muslims worldwide.
What is the Ka'ba?
Featuring references to "Roman Cavalry" and "Jerusalem bells," this 2008 Coldplay anthem is sung from the perspective of a deposed king who "used to rule the world."
What is "Viva La Vida?"
Likely the father of the young king Tutankhamun, this "Heretic Pharaoh" briefly abolished Egypt’s traditional pantheon to worship a single god, the sun disk Aten.
Who is Akhenaten?
This Ephesian philosopher, who believed that "everything flows," is reported to have said that "no man ever steps in the same river twice."
Who is Heraclitus?
This Mesopotamian "goddess," considered to be the wife of Ba'al, was often worshipped by the people of Israel via cultic "poles."
Who is Asherah?
This Hindu deity, known as The Preserver, is said to have appeared in the form of avatars such as Krishna, Rama, and Buddha.
Who is Vishnu?
Sometimes known as the "Bangtan Boys," this South Korean boy band led the "Korean Wave" of popularity in the U.S., becoming the fastest group since the Beatles to chart four number-one albums in less than two years.
Who is BTS?
This Mesopotamian wildman, the best friend of Gilgamesh, famously chose to join civilization after being seduced by a temple prostitute.
Who is Enkidu?
This 3rd-century Neoplatonist, whose Enneads deeply influenced St. Augustine, posited that all reality emanates from "The One" through the Divine Mind and the World Soul.
Who is Plotinus?
During the Yom Kippur "scapegoat" ritual, the sins of Israel were transferred onto two goats, one of which was sent to this mysterious entity said to dwell in the desert.
Who is Azazel?
While "Buddha" means "Awakened One," the Prince who became the Buddha was born with this given name.
Who is Siddhartha Gautama?
Alongside will.i.am and Fergie, this Filipino member of the "Black Eyes Peas" has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards.
Who is apl.de.ap?
This "mystery religion," popular among Roman soldiers and a major early rival to Christianity, worshipped a god born from a rock and involved rituals of bull-slaying.
What is Mithraism?
This famously obscure German Idealist argued for a method called the "dialectic:" that every idea (thesis) has a contradictory opposite (antithesis), which creates a tension leading to a higher-level "synthesis."
Who is G.W.F Hegel?
In the book of Tobit, this demonic entity is said to oppress Sarah, before being banished to Egypt and bound by the archangel Raphael.
Who is Asmodeus?
While Christians believe that the Word of God become flesh, Muslims believe that the word of God became a ______.
What is 'a book'?
"Push me to the edge, all my friends are dead" is the dark, nihilistic refrain of the 2017 hit "XO Tour Llif3" by this artist, who famously had a pink diamond implanted in his forehead.
Who is Lil Uzi Vert?
The Greek "goddess" _______ , meaning "strife," is said to have thrown a golden apple inscribed "to the most beautiful" between Hera, Athena, and Aprophidite, setting into play the events which led to the Trojan War.
Who is Eris?
Employer of Heidegger, doctoral supervisor of St. Edith Stein, and major influence on both Sartre and Pope St. John Paul II, this founder of Phenomenology revolutionised logic and ontology.
Who is Edmund Husserl?
This Babylonian king was startled by a disembodied hand writing on his wall, which was interpreted by the prophet Daniel.
Who is Belshazzar?
Often translated into English as "nation" or "gentile," which Hebrew word is used to refer to an individual of non-Jewish descent?
What is "goy?"
Often cited as the most influential stylist of modern trap, this eccentric Atlanta rapper founded the record label YSL and famously wore a purple dress on the cover of his 2016 mixtape Jeffery.
Who is Young Thug?