Weekly Wisdom Quiz

Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

From ancient Egypt to the court of the famously wealthy King Croesus (with stops with the Mycenaeans and the Cynics for good measure), it’s been quite the week at Classical Wisdom!

Looking over it all now, I think this week’s resources provide a fantastic snapshot for how truly vast the Classical world is, in terms of both geography and chronology.

What we think of as ‘Classical’ can be limiting, compared to the reality of it: the span of time and space from the Bronze Age Collapse, through to Herodotus and the colorful life and sayings of Diogenes… and that’s just what we looked at this week.

But I must ask… have you been paying attention? Then prove your knowledge of the ancient world with the Weekly Wisdom Quiz!

As always, all questions are based on articles and resources published this week here on Classical Wisdom. Answers are available below, alongside our regular roundup of resources, so you can revisit whatever you want, or catch up on anything you missed during the week.

So let’s get to it!

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1. In the story of Croesus, what was the oracle’s ambiguous prophecy?
   A. Croesus’ son would bring glory to Lydia
   B. If Croesus went to war, he would destroy a great empire
   C. The gods would protect Croesus for his offerings
   D. Persia would fall to a foreign king

2. Which color was typically associated with women in ancient Egyptian art, and why?
   A. Red – to indicate their vitality
   B. Black – symbolizing mystery
   C. Yellow – indicating passivity and domestic life
   D. Green – representing fertility

3. According to Cynic philosophy, what is the primary cause of human dissatisfaction?
   A. Lack of education
   B. Repression by political elites
   C. Misunderstanding of religious doctrine
   D. Pursuit of luxury and social conventions

4. What did Croesus cry out while on the pyre, reflecting his changed understanding of fortune and happiness?
   A. “Apollo, where are you?”
   B. “Solon!”
   C. “Tellus!”
   D. “Glory to the gods!”

5. In Egyptian art, what was a common visual distinction used to represent elite women as opposed to elite men?
   A. Women were always placed in the background
   B. Women were shown in lighter, yellow-toned skin
   C. Women were never shown in public roles
   D. Women were depicted as larger than men

6. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons Diogenes the Cynic rejected societal norms?
   A. He believed cities should be governed by philosopher-kings
   B. He saw social conventions as distractions from a natural life
   C. He thought wealth enslaved people to their desires
   D. He sought a life of self-sufficiency and reason

7. Why did Croesus’ attempt to avoid his son’s fated death ultimately fail?
   A. He ignored Solon’s warning
   B. He misunderstood the method by which the death would occur
   C. Atys disobeyed his father’s orders
   D. The Persians invaded before Croesus could protect him

8. Which of the following best captures the attitude of the Cynics toward luxury and material wealth?
   A. It is a useful but dangerous part of a happy life
   B. It leads to freedom and deeper understanding
   C. It is a wasteful distraction from nature and reason
   D. It should be earned through honest labor

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Mycenaen Mysteries Become a Member and access our special issue of Classical Wisdom Litterae dedicated to the fascinating civilization and culture of the Mycenaeans.

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Answers

1. B. If Croesus went to war, he would destroy a great empire (King Croesus)

2. C. Yellow – indicating passivity and domestic life (Understanding Ancient Egypt Event)

3. D. Pursuit of luxury and social conventions (Get Ready to Get Cynical)

4. B. “Solon!” (King Croesus)

5. B. Women were shown in lighter, yellow-toned skin (Understanding Ancient Egypt Event)

6. A. He believed cities should be governed by philosopher-kings (Get Ready to Get Cynical)

7. B. He misunderstood the method by which the death would occur (King Croesus)

8. C. It is a wasteful distraction from nature and reason (Get Ready to Get Cynical)

🏛️The Wisdom Scale

🧠 0-2 correct: Novice Philosopher – Fear not! Even Socrates had to start somewhere. Keep reading, and soon you’ll be dazzling the symposium with your insights!

📜 3-4 correct: Aspiring Sophos – A solid effort! You’re well on your way to wisdom, though perhaps a bit more contemplation is needed.

🏛 5-7 correct: Agora Adept – Impressive! You could hold your own in a debate with the best of them. Keep sharpening that intellect!

⚡8 correct: Master of the Classics – Magnificent! You’re a true philosopher-king (or queen), embodying the wisdom of the ancients!

Well, how did it go this week? As always, let us know below! And feel free to share this quiz with any friends or family who might enjoy it.

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Until next time…

All the best,

Sean Kelly

Managing Editor

Classical Wisdom.

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