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Quizzes > History

Ancient History Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of Early Civilizations

Quick, free ancient world history quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kayla EckertUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style ancient landmarks timeline icons on teal background for world history dates trivia quiz

Use this ancient history trivia quiz to practice key dates, timelines, and major events across early civilizations. Get quick feedback with instant answers to see what you know and what to review next. Want more depth? Try the Ancient Egypt quiz, check your knowledge with an ancient Greece quiz, or tackle Roman Empire trivia.

The Battle of Marathon between the Athenians and Persians took place in which year?
490 BCE
460 BCE
480 BCE
500 BCE
The Battle of Marathon was a pivotal conflict fought in 490 BCE during the first Persian invasion of Greece. The Athenians, aided by Plataeans, achieved a surprising victory over King Darius I's forces. This battle demonstrated the effectiveness of the hoplite phalanx and boosted Greek confidence. For more details, see .
In what year did Julius Caesar famously cross the Rubicon, signaling civil war?
49 BCE
52 BCE
55 BCE
44 BCE
Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BCE, an act of insurrection against the Roman Senate that led to civil war. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has come to symbolize passing a point of no return. After this, Caesar gained control of Rome and declared himself dictator. Read more at .
The Great Pyramid of Giza was completed around which year?
2400 BCE
2700 BCE
2560 BCE
3000 BCE
The Great Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Khufu, reached completion around 2560 BCE during Egypt's Fourth Dynasty. It originally stood at about 146.6 meters high and was the tallest man-made structure for millennia. Its precise engineering and alignment demonstrate the advanced skills of ancient Egyptian builders. Learn more at .
In which year did Alexander the Great die?
323 BCE
336 BCE
310 BCE
300 BCE
Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BCE at the age of 32, likely from fever and illness after years of campaigning. His death left a power vacuum that led to the Wars of the Diadochi among his generals. Despite his short life, he forged one of history's largest empires. More details are at .
The Roman Republic was established after the overthrow of the monarchy in what year?
550 BCE
450 BCE
500 BCE
509 BCE
In 509 BCE, Romans expelled their last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, and established the Republic, a system led by elected magistrates and the Senate. This shift laid the groundwork for Rome's expansion throughout the Mediterranean. The Republic lasted until Augustus's rise in 27 BCE. See for more.
The Western Roman Empire traditionally fell in which year?
500 CE
455 CE
476 CE
410 CE
The deposal of Emperor Romulus Augustulus by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer in 476 CE is conventionally cited as the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Though the Eastern Empire persisted, this date marks the end of Roman rule in the West. It ushered in the early medieval era in Europe. Further reading at .
The Code of Hammurabi was created around which year?
1800 BCE
1754 BCE
1900 BCE
1600 BCE
King Hammurabi of Babylon issued his famous law code around 1754 BCE, inscribed on a basalt stele. It is one of the earliest and most complete legal codes known, covering criminal and civil matters. Its "eye for an eye" principle influenced later legal systems. More information at .
The first Olympic Games in ancient Greece were held in what year?
776 BCE
700 BCE
750 BCE
800 BCE
The traditional date for the first recorded Olympic Games in Olympia is 776 BCE, celebrated in honor of Zeus. Athletes from various Greek city-states competed every four years, establishing a unifying cultural festival. The games continued until 393 CE when they were banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I. Read more at .
When was Carthage traditionally founded by the Phoenician queen Dido?
814 BCE
700 BCE
900 BCE
753 BCE
According to the historian Timaeus and Roman sources, Carthage was founded by Dido from Tyre in 814 BCE. It grew into a dominant maritime power in the western Mediterranean until its destruction in 146 BCE. Archaeological evidence supports a 9th-century BCE foundation. See .
In which year did the Maurya Empire begin under Chandragupta Maurya?
280 BCE
300 BCE
350 BCE
322 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty and founded the Maurya Empire in 322 BCE, uniting much of the Indian subcontinent. He established a centralized administration that reached its zenith under his grandson Ashoka. This empire marked a high point in ancient Indian political history. Learn more at .
In what year did Qin Shi Huang unify China, founding the Qin Dynasty?
240 BCE
221 BCE
206 BCE
210 BCE
In 221 BCE, King Zheng of Qin completed his conquest of rival states and proclaimed himself Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of a unified China. He standardized writing, weights, measures, and began construction of the Great Wall. His rule inaugurated imperial China lasting over two millennia. More at .
The First Punic War between Rome and Carthage began in which year?
240 BCE
218 BCE
277 BCE
264 BCE
The First Punic War, fought primarily over control of Sicily, began in 264 BCE and lasted until 241 BCE. It was Rome's first major overseas war, and it helped transform Rome into a Mediterranean naval power. The conflict concluded with Carthage's defeat and cession of Sicily to Rome. See .
The Battle of Gaugamela, which sealed Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia, occurred in which year?
330 BCE
333 BCE
331 BCE
336 BCE
The Battle of Gaugamela took place in October 331 BCE near modern-day Erbil, Iraq. Alexander's forces decisively defeated King Darius III's army, leading to the collapse of the Achaemenid Empire. This victory paved the way for Alexander's control over Persia. More information at .
The Han Dynasty was founded in which year, following the fall of the Qin?
180 BCE
220 BCE
202 BCE
206 BCE
After the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu) established the Han Dynasty in 206 BCE. The Han era is considered a golden age in Chinese history, marked by territorial expansion, cultural flourishing, and technological innovation. It lasted until 220 CE. See .
The Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta began in which year?
404 BCE
421 BCE
450 BCE
431 BCE
The Peloponnesian War, a protracted struggle for Greek dominance between the Delian League (led by Athens) and the Peloponnesian League (led by Sparta), began in 431 BCE and concluded in 404 BCE. The war reshaped Greek politics and weakened city-states. For more, visit .
Construction of the Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis began in which year?
420 BCE
447 BCE
460 BCE
430 BCE
The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, began construction in 447 BCE under Pericles's leadership and was completed in 432 BCE. Its architectural refinement and sculptural decoration epitomize classical Greek art. It remains an enduring symbol of ancient Greece. See for details.
The Neolithic Revolution in the Fertile Crescent began around which year?
10,000 BCE
12,000 BCE
8,000 BCE
6,000 BCE
The Neolithic Revolution, marked by the shift from hunting-gathering to farming, began around 10,000 BCE in the Fertile Crescent. Domestication of plants like wheat and animals like goats transformed human societies. This period saw the rise of permanent settlements and complex cultures. More at .
The Akkadian Empire collapsed around which year, ending Sargon's dynasty?
2154 BCE
2000 BCE
1950 BCE
2300 BCE
The Akkadian Empire, founded by Sargon of Akkad, fell around 2154 BCE due to internal strife and pressures from invading groups like the Gutians. This collapse marked a temporary return to city-state autonomy in Mesopotamia. Archaeological layers at sites like Tell Brak support this dating. See .
The Code of Ur-Nammu, one of the earliest law codes, dates to approximately which year?
1800 BCE
2100 BCE
2000 BCE
2200 BCE
Compiled under King Ur-Nammu of Ur around 2100 BCE, this Sumerian law code predates Hammurabi's by several centuries. It addressed compensation for bodily harm, marriage, and property disputes. Even its fragmentary tablets illustrate early legal traditions. More information at .
Hammurabi ascended the throne and began his rule around which year?
1700 BCE
1792 BCE
1850 BCE
1750 BCE
Hammurabi became king of Babylon in 1792 BCE, initiating a reign that expanded Babylonian power across Mesopotamia. His rule culminated with the issuing of his famous law code. Babylon thrived as a cultural and political center under his leadership. Read more at .
The Minoan eruption of Thera (Santorini) is estimated to have occurred around what year?
1800 BCE
1500 BCE
1600 BCE
1400 BCE
The massive volcanic eruption at Thera is commonly dated around 1600 BCE based on ice cores and radiocarbon data. It devastated the Minoan settlement on Santorini and impacted climate across the Mediterranean. This event is linked to myths of Atlantis and disruptions in Bronze Age societies. More at .
The Battle of Kadesh between the Egyptians and Hittites took place around which year?
1200 BCE
1300 BCE
1350 BCE
1274 BCE
Fought in 1274 BCE, the Battle of Kadesh is one of the best-documented chariot battles of antiquity. Pharaoh Ramesses II led Egyptian forces against King Muwatalli II of the Hittites near the Orontes River. The conflict ended in a stalemate, followed by one of history's earliest peace treaties. Details at .
The invasions of the Sea Peoples, contributing to the Late Bronze Age collapse, occurred around which year?
1000 BCE
1100 BCE
1300 BCE
1200 BCE
Around 1200 BCE, enigmatic groups called the Sea Peoples attacked coastal regions of the eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt. Their incursions helped trigger the widespread collapse of Bronze Age civilizations. Egyptian records at Medinet Habu describe these battles in detail. Read more at .
The Mature Harappan phase of the Indus Valley Civilization is generally dated to begin around which year?
2400 BCE
2600 BCE
2800 BCE
3000 BCE
Archaeologists classify the Mature Harappan phase, marked by urban planning and standardized weights, as beginning around 2600 BCE. Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro flourished until about 1900 BCE. This phase reflects the peak of Indus Valley Civilization development. More at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Historical Dates -

    Readers will be able to accurately recall major dates from ancient civilizations through the early modern period, strengthening their performance on the world history dates quiz.

  2. Identify Pivotal Events -

    Readers will learn to pinpoint and describe significant events in ancient world history trivia, improving their understanding of how these milestones shaped global developments.

  3. Analyze Chronological Relationships -

    Readers will compare and contrast dates across different civilizations, developing skills to sequence events and recognize cause-and-effect in history timelines.

  4. Apply Contextual Knowledge -

    Readers will contextualize important dates within broader historical narratives, enabling them to connect individual facts to larger cultural and political trends.

  5. Enhance Trivia Performance -

    Readers will refine their quiz-taking strategies by practicing with challenging questions, boosting confidence in answering famous historical dates quiz items.

  6. Assess Personal Progress -

    Readers will self-evaluate their mastery of important dates in history trivia, identifying areas for further study and improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Neolithic Revolution (c. 10,000 BCE) -

    The shift from foraging to farming around 10,000 BCE laid the groundwork for settled societies. Use the mnemonic "10K AGRI" to recall 10,000 BCE and the birth of agriculture according to Oxford University archaeological studies, a key fact for ancient world history trivia.

  2. Birth of Cuneiform in Sumer (c. 3200 BCE) -

    Sumerians in Mesopotamia invented the first writing system around 3200 BCE to record transactions. Picture "clay tablets at 32-hundred" as a memory cue, a detail featured in British Museum research for world history dates quiz prep.

  3. Hammurabi's Code (c. 1754 BCE) -

    King Hammurabi's law code from Babylon, famously an "eye for an eye," was inscribed in 1754 BCE. Link "17-5-4" on your mental timeline to remember this legal milestone, cited in publications by the Louvre and UNESCO.

  4. Battle of Marathon & Thermopylae (490 - 480 BCE) -

    The Greeks scored a victory at Marathon in 490 BCE and faced Persia again at Thermopylae in 480 BCE. Recall "4-9 Marathon, 4-8 Thermo" to ace these dates, noted in Stanford University classics resources for famous historical dates quiz.

  5. Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE) -

    The deposition of Emperor Romulus Augustulus in 476 CE marks Rome's fall in many academic timelines. Mnemonic "4-7-6 down Rome sticks" helps lock in this turning point, validated by Oxford's ancient history department for history timeline quiz success.

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