History trivia thread

[Eliot]

All right, this thread will function the same way the LOTR Trivia, and the Hobbit Trivia threads do. Whoever answers the question correctly asks the next question.

I'll start it off by asking: How many Carthaginians fought against the Romans at Cannae in August, 216 B.C.?

[Eliot]

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on! Somebody has to know this! :) If it's "too hard", just tell me. I'll post an easier question, if needed.

[FoolOfATook]

I just feel like it would be cheating to go and look the answer up, and this isn't the kind of answer I know off the top of my head...

Otherwise, I'd like to participate in the game.

[Niniel]

I think it's impossible to answer such questions without looking them up; and for a historian it's extremely useful to know how and where to find things. So I'll try to find it... it says here that 26.000 Carthaginians foughts against 86.000 Romans, and killed 50.000 of the Romans.

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Niniel
it says here that 26.000 Carthaginians foughts against 86.000 Romans, and killed 50.000 of the Romans.

That is actually.......................................... ....incorrect. Sorry. Do you want the answer?


Oh, I just remembered. It wasn't just Carthaginians against the Romans at that battle. There were also Numidians, and I think another country. Let's put it this way: How many soldiers were under Hannibal's command at Cannae?

[Elendil3119]

Umm, somewhere in the vicinity of 45,000?

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Elendil3119
Umm, somewhere in the vicinity of 45,000?

All right, I'll give it to ya, since you are kinda close. It was approximately 50,000 men total under Hannibal's leadership at Cannae. 40,000 on foot, and 10,000 on horse. The Battle of Cannae would've been spectacular to see. :cool:

Go ahead, Elendil.

[Elendil3119]

Approximately how many Crusaders went on the First Crusade, and how many returned?

[Eliot]

I guess I'll outlaw looking up the answer, so I guess everybody just guesses the answer until somebody gets it right.

Elendil, 30,000?

[Elendil3119]

Remember, we're looking for two numbers;): how many set out, and how many returned.

Your answer is incorrect. :)

I think it would be fair enough to look something up in a history book, but the internet is too easy.

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Elendil3119
I think it would be fair enough to look something up in a history book, but the internet is too easy.

OK, books I'm fine with. But, I don't want people just going to google and getting your answer in a few seconds.

[Rangerdave]

Originally posted by Elendil3119
Approximately how many Crusaders went on the First Crusade, and how many returned?

Ahh, a two part question to tax even the most advanced academic mind.

As a Historian, I dare say that my answer is both correct and completely without reproach.

So, bearing that in mind: A) just how many Crusaders venture forth and B) of those, how many returned?

The answer is obvious.
A= Quite a few
B= Not so many.


There you have it. A completely accurate, but totally useless answer.

Perhaps I should consider a position in public office



RD

[Niniel]

Errr, are we all stumped by RD? Elendil, if you accept his answer (which is absolutely right from a historian's point of view) can RD post a new question?

[Elendil3119]

RD, your answer is...close enough. ;) Seriously though, about 150,000 Crusaders set out, and only 13,000 returned. RD, you're up.

[Rangerdave]

Ok, here is an easy one just to get things moving.

Name the twenty-second (22nd) and the twenty-fourth (24th) Presidents of the United States.

Bonus Question:
The current President, GW Bush is the 43 President of the United States. How many men have served in this office?

Daily Trivia Fact:
1873 - Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote for a U.S. President.




RD

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Rangerdave
Name the twenty-second (22nd) and the twenty-fourth (24th) Presidents of the United States.

Bonus Question:
The current President, GW Bush is the 43 President of the United States. How many men have served in this office?


In answer to your first question: Grover Cleveland was the twenty-second (22nd) and twenty-fourth (24th) President of the US.

42 men have served as President, because Grover Cleveland - well, you get the point.

I'll post my question eventually today.

[Eliot]

How many Nicaraguan civil wars has the US been involved in militarily?

[Eliot]

OK, I don't mean to triple post, so if a Mod want it deleted, just ask.

The answer to the previous question is: 4. The United States was involved in 4 Nicaraguan civil wars.

RD, I'll let Elendil3119 go ahead and ask the next one.

[Niniel]

*bump*

Elendil3119, please ask a new question or I will do it!

[Elendil3119]

Sorry about that. :o Here ya go:

When was the code of Hammurabi written?

[Niniel]

During his rule from 1728-1686 BC.

What was the original name of the Roman emperor Elegabalus (218-222 AD)?

[Rangerdave]

Although he probably would have prefered the title Emperess, Varius Avitus Bassianus: AKA Elegabalus was Rome's most powerful transvestite.

let's see, whats a good question.

Ah yes, I've got one.

March 25th is the date of the destruction of the Ring and the downfall of Sauron. Why did Professor Tolkien choose this date? What is the significance of March 25th.

other than it is my birthday of course


RD

[Talierin]

It was the traditional day of Easter?

Someone else can do the next question if I get this right, I don't have the time to pick a question.

[Rangerdave]

Yay Tal!

March the 25th was the date of the first Easter.
And for all you astute fans, you will notice that the Fellowship leaves Rivendell on Christmas day and completes its mission on Easter.

I seriously doubt that this is accidental.



RD

[Talierin]

Yay! go me! Ok, lame question, but who did Eleanor of the Aquitaine marry?

[Rangerdave]

Ooohhh, trick qustion!
Cool!


Here's a hint guys, she tied the knot twice.



RD

[Niniel]

She was first married to king Louis VII of France, and later to Henry duke of Normandy (the later king Henry II of England).

In what year was the battle of Crécy, and who won it?

[Niniel]

Come on guys, that's an easy question!
(just trying to keep this thread going...)

[Rangerdave]

Since nobody seems to want to answer, I will give you a very small hint that only the most inteligent among you will be able to decipher.

ready?

Marking the beginning of a period of English ascendancy, Crécy was the first in a series of military successes that culminated in the capture of King John of France at Poitiers in 1356. The main weapon of the English, the longbow, was used to devastating effect, and almost 4,000 Frenchmen were slain.


Difficult? Isn't it?


RD

[Eliot]

The English beat the French at the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was made up of which present-day African nations? This should be pretty simple.

[Niniel]

Zimbabwe?

[Eliot]

Zimbabwe is one of them. Hint: there were three nations. :) If this helps, Zimbabwe was a British colony called Southern Rhodesia.

[Feanorian]

I am new to The Time Lords section (I havent actually asked for membership yet) so if this is against the rules then I apologise.

The answers besides Zimbabwe are Zambia and Malawi.


What are the social names of most of the Longbowmen from the English army? Which was referred to a couple questions up.

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Feanorian
The answers besides Zimbabwe are Zambia and Malawi.


Very good. :D

[Rangerdave]

Originally posted by Feanorian
What are the social names of most of the Longbowmen from the English army? Which was referred to a couple questions up.

This may not be the answers that you were looking for, but following the 1066 affair, longbowmen were sometimes referred to by the Norman forces as Les Plumes De Gris, or in English The Greyfeathers. These archers were so named because of their stealth and accuracy. It was reported that if an English archer were in a wood, you would only know it by the gray goose feather fletching protruding from his already dead target.

One particular anticdote is that the Greyfeathers thought it good sport to shoot a mounted Norman knight through the upper thigh, in effect pinning the knight to the horse. This allowed the Saxon archer to kill the knight at his leisure while also killing the horse to be butchered for the table for dinner. Quite pratical those Saxons.


RD

[Feanorian]

Very nice. I was looking for either that of Yoemen I would have given the hint of more then one possible answer but i wanted to give it a little time. Nicely done. Your turn.

[Rangerdave]

Let’s have some fun. Here is a three-part question for you all.

What is the importance of the Battle of Stamford Bridge? What two nations were involved? And what major historical event occurred nineteen day later?

RD

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Rangerdave
What is the importance of the Battle of Stamford Bridge? What two nations were involved? And what major historical event occurred nineteen day later?

#1: Um........it [the battle] kept Saxon troops from fighting off the Normans?
#2: Saxony and Norway
#3: (A guess) The Battle of Hastings was fought.

Please tell me if I got any right. I'm pretty sure I got the second one right.

[Rangerdave]

Mostly correct, so I will give you passing credit.

But you have confused the Saxons of England with their ancestral home of Saxony. Saxony was a minor kingdom in what is now Germany.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge was fought between Harold Godwinesson, King of England and the combined forces of Harald Hardrada (King of Norway) and Tostig Godwinesson (the disposed Earl of Northumbria, younger brother of Harold).

So the battle was fought, not in Saxony, but rather in England.



RD

[Eliot]

Originally posted by Rangerdave
Mostly correct, so I will give you passing credit.

Ah, thank you. :)

What year did W. Shakespeare die?

[Aerin]

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616.

I think...

[Eliot]

Well, I wasn't looking for the exact date, so you got it right. He died in 1616. Go ahead Aerin. :)

[Eliot]

Ahem....AERIN!!!!!!!!!

:p :D

[Aerin]

Yeah, yeah. *shoots a spitball in Eliot's general direction* :p

When was the first Cistercian monastery founded?

Bonus: Who founded it?

And you thought it would be easy... muahaha!

[Niniel]

The first Cistercian monastery was founded in Citeaux in 1098 by Robert of Molesme.

[Aerin]

You're right, Niniel. Your turn!

[Niniel]

Ok. How and when did the Roman emperor Valerian die?

[Ravenna]

Emperor Valerian was killed in about 258BC after being captured by Shahpur 1 of Persia. I think!

[Niniel]

The year is a bit off. .especially the BC... but the rest is right...

[Feanorian]

So lets have the next question!

[Ravenna]

OK here goes.

Which Pharaoah built the Egyptian temples at Abu Simbel, and what was the name of his wife?

[Eliot]

Ramesses II built the Temple at Abu Simbel. His wife's name was Nefertari.

When was the Battle of Worcester fought?