General Awareness: Olympic Ancient History Quiz

1. In what year was the first recorded Olympic Games held?

a) 666 BC
b) 776 BC
c) 676 BC
d) 766 BC

The correct answer is b) 776 BC

2. Initially, women weren't allowed to participate in the Games. However, women could win the Olympic prize. In what event was this possible?

a) Pankration
b) Trumpeting
c) Chariot racing
d) Stade race

The correct answer is c) Chariot Racing

3. Who is the only emperor to have been declared Olympic champion?

a) Caligula
b) Nero
c) Tiberius
d) Commodus

The correct answer is b) Nero

4. In what year did Theodisius I issue the decree which prohibited the Olympic Games?

a) 363 AD
b) 407 AD
c) 332 AD
d) 393 AD

The correct answer is d) 393 AD

5. What was awarded to Olympic champions during ancient times?

a) Silver medal
b) Gold crown
c) Crown of wild olives
d) Gold medal

The correct answer is c) Crown of wild olives

6. During ancient times, whenever the Olympic Games were to be held, warring states would call a truce during the duration of the contest. This truce is called what?

a) Diaulus
b) Ekecheiria
c) Pankration
d) Halteres

The correct answer is b) Ekecheiria

7. The pankration event, added to the Games in 648 BC, was a mixture of boxing and wrestling (similar to UFC type fighting) . Which Greek philosopher was champion in this event twice?

a) Plato
b) Sophocles
c) Aristotle
d) Socrates

The correct answer is a) Plato

8. The marathon event in commemoration of the Greeks' victory over the Persians in 490 BC in the Battle of Marathon, was included in the list of event in the ancient Olympic Games?

a) True
b) False

The correct answer is b) False

9. Who was the only athlete to have won three events in four consecutive stagings of the Olympic Games?

a) Nero of Rome
b) Milo of Kroton
c) Herodoros of Megara
d) Leonidas of Rhodes

The correct answer is d) Leonidas of Rhomes

10. The pentathlon, consisting of a run, standing long jump, discus throw, javelin throw and wrestling, was believed to have been invented by whom?

a) Perseus
b) Plato
c) Jason (of the Argonauts fame)
d) Herakles

The correct answer is c) Jason (of the Argonauts face)