Famous Executions
Theater History
The Birth of a Religion
Byzantine Basics
100
This cousin of Anne Boleyn and the fourth wife of Henry VIII was executed after being Queen for just 18 months.
Who is Catherine Howard?
100
Inspired by “Romeo & Juliet,” this musical explores the rivalry between two rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, in 1950s New York City.
What is West Side Story?
100
Who was not one of Jesus’ apostles?
A: Thaddaeus
B: James
C: Simon
D: Bartimaeus
D: Bartimaeus
100
This man was the first Christian Emperor of Rome/Byzantium.
Who is Constantine?
200
This former Iraqi president was executed for crimes against humanity in 2006 after a years-long search.
Who is Saddam Hussein?
200
This historic London theater, which was rebuilt in 1614 after the original was destroyed in a fire, saw the debuts of many of William Shakespeare’s plays.
What is the Globe?
200
What year is it thought Jesus was born?
A: 4 B.C.
B: 1 B.C.
C: 1 A.D.
D: 4 A.D.
A: 4 B.C.
200
The Ottomans seized Constantinople (now Istanbul) and ended the Byzantine Empire in this year.
A: 1204
B: 1532
C: 1453
D: 1071
What is 1453? (C)
300
Named in the first line of Sylvia Plath's “The Bell Jar,” this couple was executed in 1953 on suspicion of Soviet espionage.
Who are Julius & Ethel Rosenberg?
300
This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, considered one of the first modern book musicals, has a title track that became an official state song in 1953.
What is Oklahoma!?
300
What saint is venerated as the protomartyr or the first martyr of Christianity?
A: St. Peter
B: St. Stephen
C: St. Christopher
D: St. John
B: St. Stephen
300
This emperor was the last to reign as sole undisputed ruler of both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
A: Arkadios
B: Theodosius
C: Constantine
D: Constantius
Who is Theodosius? (B)
400
This famous Indian revolutionary was executed in 1931, after gaining national fame for attempting a 116-day hunger strike due to the mistreatment of Indian political prisoners.
Who is Bhagat Singh?
400
This 1979 Stephen Sondheim musical, based on a Victorian penny dreadful, tells the story of a murderous London barber.
What is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street?
400
Scenes depicting this event represent the announcement to Mary that she would bear the Son of God.
What is the Annunciation?
400
This “party empress” regularly held massive celebrations in the streets of Constantinople, often in honor of herself. There was one infamous incident where she threw a party to commemorate the unveiling of a giant silver statue of herself in front of the Hagia Sophia (most important church in the Byzantine Empire).
A: Eudocia
B: Pulcheria
C: Helena
D: Eudoxia
Who is Eudoxia? (D)
500
Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two of the only female pirates, were sentenced to execution in 1720 when their ship was caught near Jamaica. They were spared when they both claimed to be pregnant, but their captain, this infamous pirate, was executed.
Who is Calico Jack?
500
This Tennessee Williams play, which chronicles the life of Southern belle Blanche DuBois, was made into a Hollywood film in 1951.
Bonus (100): Name the actor who is famous for yelling “Stellaaaa!” in the film adaptation.
What is A Streetcar Named Desire?
Bonus: Marlon Brando
500
This is the number of books in the New Testament.
What is 27?
500
This was the only woman to rule as Emperor. She took power after overthrowing her son, the Emperor Constantine VI by having his eyes gouged out in the same room where she gave birth to him. She was extremely popular with the monks for her financial and pro-icon policies.
Who is Irene?