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Author Topic: New general history quiz
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343

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OK, folks...I'm setting a deadline for this one. You have until 0300 EDT Monday morning to submit the answers.


1) What is the common name for the Pleistocene epoch, & how long did it last?

2) What is Nunavut? Why is it "special?"

3) What was the Meiji Restoration?

4) Define "gerrymander." What are the word's origins?

5) Who formed the first Roman Triumvirate?

6) Who was Spartacus? Where was he from? (NOTE: the answer "Kirk Douglas" will not be accepted.)

7) What are dolmens?

8) Who is Vigdis Finnbogadottir?

9) What was the Charter Oak & why was it called that?

10) How many women total died at the hands of the Salem Witch Trials?

11) Who is Matsuo Basho & what art form is he responsible for?

12) What was Sol Invictus & is it still around today?

13) Who was Sheshonk I & what is he most famed for supposedly taking as war booty?

14) Who was described as being "a triumph of the embalmers' art?"

15) Who wrote "The Gulag Archipelago?"

16) Name the man responsible for the creed, "To betray, you must first belong."

17) Name the 5 "good emperors" of Rome

18) When did the Iron Age begin? Who held the first monopoly on ironworking?

19) Who was the Queen Mary named for?

20) Who was Benjamin Henry Latrobe?

21) What nations formed the Protestant Triple Alliance? Against whom did they band together?

22) Who was Andrea Doria?

23) Where was the Kingdom of Ghana located & how long did it exist?

24) Name the ruling family of Kuwait.

25) What is a hajj?

------------------
"Do you know how much YOU'RE worth??.....2.5 million Woolongs. THAT'S your bounty. I SAID you were small fry..." --Spike Spiegel


Registered: Jun 2000  |  IP: Logged
Omega
Some other beginning's end
Member # 91

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1: Stone age? No idea how long. I'd guess three mil or so, according to the evolutionary model.

2: Nunavut. I should know this. I believe it's an inuit word. I feel like it's a shelter. Igloo, perhaps?

3: No clue

4: Gerrymander means a division according to no specific pattern, usually used in conjunction with electorial districts. No clue where it came from.

5: Julius Caesar, Pompey, and... darn, am I gonna kick myself... I know this! Argh! It's the guy they immediately wrote out. Starts with a 'C'.

6: Sparticus was a slave that started a rebellion, I feel like in ancient Greece, but the name feels Roman. The slave-owners found out the name of the leader, and demanded to know which one was Sparticus. You know the rest. What happened after that, I don't know.

I could guess at the rest, but I don't feel like wasting the time. I don't know most of them.

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"To disarm the people [is] the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
- George Mason, American Statesman and Author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)


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Fabrux
Epic Member
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*smacks Omega* You're supposed to be knowledgeable in the news stuff, aren't you? Nunavut is Canada's newest territory, you dolt.

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"Huh. An intelligent guard. I never would have guessed."
-Preed, Titan A.E.


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
Omega
Some other beginning's end
Member # 91

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Ahh, who pays attention to Canada, anyway?

------------------
"To disarm the people [is] the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
- George Mason, American Statesman and Author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
TSN
I'm... from Earth.
Member # 31

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1) What is the common name for the Pleistocene epoch, & how long did it last?

Hm... Let's see... I think an epoch is shorter than a period, which is shorter than an era, right? Well, anyway, I don't remember which the Peistocene was. Was it the one right before the Modern epoch?

2) What is Nunavut? Why is it "special?"

It's the latest subdivision of Canada. As for its being "special", I'll guess you're going for its being especially dedicated to some Native American group (the Inuit?)?

3) What was the Meiji Restoration?

The restoration of the Meiji. Duh... :-)

4) Define "gerrymander." What are the word's origins?

I believe it was a special division of land. "Gerry" was from the name of the person who did it, and "mander" was from the resemblance the borders bore to a salamander (at least, in someone's opinion...).

5) Who formed the first Roman Triumvirate?

Octavian, Brutus, and... and... the other guy. I think his name started w/ an 'L'.
*reminded of the Three Tenors: Pavarotti, Domingo, and the other guy*

6) Who was Spartacus? Where was he from? (NOTE: the answer "Kirk Douglas" will not be accepted.)

I'm Spartacus! Well, no, but, if I were, I'd be a slave in the Roman Empire who decided to do a bit of revolting, get killed, and have a movie made about me.

7) What are dolmens?

Mates for dolwomens.

8) Who is Vigdis Finnbogadottir?

Finnboga's little girl.

9) What was the Charter Oak & why was it called that?

Hm... I don't know. I can't even think of a good joke for this one...

10) How many women total died at the hands of the Salem Witch Trials?

None. They weren't women; they were witches. *L*
Seriously, though... Um... Thirteen?

11) Who is Matsuo Basho & what art form is he responsible for?

Finger paint.

12) What was Sol Invictus & is it still around today?

It's a Latin phrase. And of course it's still around; you just used it. :-)

13) Who was Sheshonk I & what is he most famed for supposedly taking as war booty?

A predecessor to Sheshonk II. And I don't know...

14) Who was described as being "a triumph of the embalmers' art?"

Erm... Tutankhamon?

15) Who wrote "The Gulag Archipelago?"

Well, you just did...

16) Name the man responsible for the creed, "To betray, you must first belong."

That would be a good defense against treason, I suppose...

17) Name the 5 "good emperors" of Rome

Well, I'd guess Caligula probably wouldn't count, would he? I'll guess Octavian and Hadrian might be in there, but I'm not sure who else. I'd also guess Justinian, but I think he was Byzantine, not Roman...

18) When did the Iron Age begin? Who held the first monopoly on ironworking?

Um... Where? The "Iron Age" wasn't exactly a worldwide event. It starts for a culture when they start using iron instead of bronze for their tools and weapons. Um... I think I got those metals in the right order...

19) Who was the Queen Mary named for?

Hopefully, Queen Mary II. I'm not sure if I'd want to ride on a ship named for Mary I...

20) Who was Benjamin Henry Latrobe?

Mr. and Mrs. Latrobe's son.

21) What nations formed the Protestant Triple Alliance? Against whom did they band together?

The Protestant Triple Alliance? Never heard of it...

22) Who was Andrea Doria?

Didn't they name a ship after her, too?

23) Where was the Kingdom of Ghana located & how long did it exist?

In and around modern-day Ghana. Actually, a whole lot more around than in. As for how long, I have no idea.

24) Name the ruling family of Kuwait.

George, Sally, and little Jimmy.

25) What is a hajj?

A haj that mutated and grew an extra 'j'.

------------------
"I'm sick of you little girl and boy groups: all you do is annoy me, so I have been sent here to destroy you..."
-Eminem, "The Real Slim Shady"


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
Jay the Obscure
Liker Of Jazz
Member # 19

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1) What is the common name for the Pleistocene epoch, & how long did it last?
I'll go with the Ice Age. Er, uh, 10,000 years?

2) What is Nunavut? Why is it "special?"
Oh, Canada...A territory. Special because it's mother loves it.

3) What was the Meiji Restoration?
In essence, it was the opening of Japan to the world. Sometime around the 1850's I think. See The Barbarian and the Geisha (1958) for John Wayne's take on the era.

4) Define "gerrymander." What are the word's origins?
Well, it means to divide voting areas in such a way as the party currently in power has a better chance of winning a given district. I always thought it came from salamander.

5) Who formed the first Roman Triumvirate?
"Orange" Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus.

6) Who was Spartacus? Where was he from? (NOTE: the answer "Kirk Douglas" will not be accepted.)
I am Spartacus!...no I am Spartacus! He was a leader in a slave revolt during Roman rule. Where he came from? I'll guess North Arfica.

7) What are dolmens?
Negative cluage on this one.

8) Who is Vigdis Finnbogadottir?
Former president of Iceland...which is green, while Greenland is icy. Go Figure.

9) What was the Charter Oak & why was it called that?
State Tree and hider of the charter given to Connecticut by English king....what's his name.

10) How many women total died at the hands of the Salem Witch Trials?
Wasn't it something like 3?

11) Who is Matsuo Basho & what art form is he responsible for?
He was a fine Japanese fellow who wrote haiku.

12) What was Sol Invictus & is it still around today?
No clue here. Unless we want to talk about Sol Sytem.

13) Who was Sheshonk I & what is he most famed for supposedly taking as war booty?
He was an Egyptian king...booty wise wasn't it the Ark of the Covenant? But we all know that Indiana Jones got that!

14) Who was described as being "a triumph of the embalmers' art?"
W.C. Fields??
No, no. It was the Gipper, Ronald Reagan.

15) Who wrote "The Gulag Archipelago?"
Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

16) Name the man responsible for the creed, "To betray, you must first belong."
Not a clue.

17) Name the 5 "good emperors" of Rome.
Let's see...Caligula, Nero. Oh, goodness no!!
Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pous, Marcus Aurelius, and Joaquin Phoenix for good measure.

18) When did the Iron Age begin? Who held the first monopoly on ironworking?
It began when the first bronze age guy was slain by a fellow with a stronger sword! Didn't the Hittites lead the way iron wise?

19) Who was the Queen Mary named for?
Queen Anne! Or, Mary, Queen of Scots?? that's a guess...

20) Who was Benjamin Henry Latrobe?
One of the designers of the Capitol building wasn't he?

21) What nations formed the Protestant Triple Alliance? Against whom did they band together?
Well, during WWI, the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austira-Hungry and Italy went at it with the Triple Entente of Great Britain, France, and Russia.

22) Who was Andrea Doria?
A ship and sank.

23) Where was the Kingdom of Ghana located & how long did it exist?
The Kingdom of Ghana was in Africa. Sorry, can't be more specific.

24) Name the ruling family of Kuwait.
Al Sabah.

25) What is a hajj?
A pilgrimage to Mecca.

Oh, were it that I could spell.
------------------
Oh, goody, the Sea Monkeys I ordered have arrived. Heh heh heh, look at them cavort and caper.
~C. Montgomery Burns

And be sure to visit The Field Marshal project http://fieldmarshal.virtualave.net/

[This message has been edited by Jay (edited July 09, 2000).]


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
TSN
I'm... from Earth.
Member # 31

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Hm... I'm starting to think that maybe I named the Second Triumvirate...

------------------
"I'm sick of you little girl and boy groups: all you do is annoy me, so I have been sent here to destroy you..."
-Eminem, "The Real Slim Shady"


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343

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Time's up, kiddies! Answers as follows:

1) What is the common name for the Pleistocene epoch, & how long did it last?
"Ice Age;" 2 million years (2,000,000 BCE-12,000 BCE)

2) What is Nunavut? Why is it "special?"
The newest region of Canada formed from areas in the Northwest Territory, & it's the first time that there's been a completely Inuit political division, Denmark's pathetic "Home rule" attempt notwithstanding.

3) What was the Meiji Restoration?
The ousting of the shogunate of the Tokugawa clan & the reestablishment of the imperial Japanese throne, starting with Emperor Mutsuhito.

4) Define "gerrymander." What are the word's origins?
Reapportionment of voting districts to the benefit of the dominant political party. Named after Republican governor of Massachusetts Elbridge Gerry's attempt to retain Republican control of the state, the redistricting created an odd salamander-shaped district area.

5) Who formed the first Roman Triumvirate?
Pompey, Crassus, & Julius Caesar

6) Who was Spartacus? Where was he from? (NOTE: the answer "Kirk Douglas" will not be accepted.)
A Thracian slave who started the Third Servile War, 73-71 BC.

7) What are dolmens?
Large flat stones set atop smaller erect boulders used with menhirs to create megalithic structures 7000 years ago.

8) Who is Vigdis Finnbogadottir?
Former president of Iceland

9) What was the Charter Oak & why was it called that?
A large oak that hid the Connecticut Colony charter in 1687 when England-appointed governor Edmund Andros tried to seize the charter in an attempt to consolidate the New England colonies into the Dominion of New England. On 31 October, he went to Hartford to take possession of the document. When all the candles blew out, the charter was gone, whisked away to be hidden in a large white oak that stood until 1856

10) How many women total died at the hands of the Salem Witch Trials?
20

11) Who is Matsuo Basho & what art form is he responsible for?
A Japanese poet responsible for the influential introduction of haiku.

12) What was Sol Invictus & is it still around today?
The pagan winter solstice celebration; today, it's known as Christmas.

13) Who was Sheshonk I & what is he most famed for supposedly taking as war booty?
An Egyptian pharoah who is said to have "acquired" the Ark of the Covenant.

14) Who was described as being "a triumph of the embalmers' art?"
Ronald Reagan

15) Who wrote "The Gulag Archipelago?"
Alexander Solzhenitsyn

16) Name the man responsible for the creed, "To betray, you must first belong."
Kim Philby

17) Name the 5 "good emperors" of Rome
Trajan, Hadrian, Nerva, Antoninus Pius, & Marcus Aurelius

18) When did the Iron Age begin? Who held the first monopoly on ironworking?
1200 BC; the Hittites

19) Who was the Queen Mary named for?
King George V's wife. Approaching the British government after their generous funding for completion, Cunard intended to name the ship Victoria & so asked George for permission to name Hull 534 "after the greatest queen England has ever known." George reportedly smiled, sat back in his chair, & said, "I think that my wife will like that very much...."

20) Who was Benjamin Henry Latrobe?
First professional architect in the US & responsible for the Roman-Renaissancelook of Washington, DC's federal buildings.

21) What nations formed the Protestant Triple Alliance? Against whom did they band together?
England, Sweden, & The Netherlands; France & the Holy Roman Empire

22) Who was Andrea Doria?
A Genoese admiral who took Tunis from the Turks in 1535 for the Holy Roman Empire

23) Where was the Kingdom of Ghana located & how long did it exist?
Western Africa; 1st century AD to 1076

24) Name the ruling family of Kuwait.
al-Sabah

25) What is a hajj?
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca which all Muslims must undertake at least once in their life.

No winner, but mighty close some of ya. Extry-special comedy award kudos in the form of the "Weird Al Yankovic Parody Palm" to TSN for his wonderfully genius left-field whap-outs

------------------
"Do you know how much YOU'RE worth??.....2.5 million Woolongs. THAT'S your bounty. I SAID you were small fry..." --Spike Spiegel


Registered: Jun 2000  |  IP: Logged
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343

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Hmm...forgot some things...might as well add it on here so as to avoid the editing appearance of impropriety.

The Meiji Restoration took place in 1868 & Elbridge Gerry's newt-like naughtiness occured in 1811.

------------------
"Do you know how much YOU'RE worth??.....2.5 million Woolongs. THAT'S your bounty. I SAID you were small fry..." --Spike Spiegel


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TSN
I'm... from Earth.
Member # 31

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Ooh, an award... Cool... *L*

I take it Andrea Doria was a guy, then? They didn't have amuch in the line of female admirals back then. Oh, well. I'm pretty sure there was a ship by that name, wasn't there? Sank somewhere up around Canada?

------------------
"I'm sick of you little girl and boy groups: all you do is annoy me, so I have been sent here to destroy you..."
-Eminem, "The Real Slim Shady"


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343

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Heh..."Andrea" is Italian for "Andrew." And no, the ship, you're thinking of was the Empress Of Ireland, rammed by a collier in 1914 in the St. Lawrence river in Qu�bec. The Andrea Doria was rammed by the liner Stockholm 30 miles south of the old Nantucket Lightship on 25 July 1956. A dangerous dive, she is....& it's famous for being one of the few shipwrecks with minimal loss of life--only 51 related deaths. The liner was named after the Genoese admiral (like her sister, the Cristoforo Colombo).

------------------
"Do you know how much YOU'RE worth??.....2.5 million Woolongs. THAT'S your bounty. I SAID you were small fry..." --Spike Spiegel


Registered: Jun 2000  |  IP: Logged
Sol System
two dollar pistol
Member # 30

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Which all must take if possible. That is, if you simply can't get there, or you die too soon, or your ship sinks on the way and you find yourself stranded on Snake Island with only the company of nine other annoying folks of various ages and occupations, all competing for the big prize at the end, and you develop a huge crush on Colleen and run away with her to a little walk-in just outside of downtown Santa Barbera, then you'll get some leeway.

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But the dead only quickly decay. They don't go about being born and reborn and rising and falling like souffle. The dead only quickly decay.
--
Gothic Archies
****
Read chapter one of "Dirk Tungsten in...The Disappearing Planet"! For the love of God, Montressor!


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