Ancient Civilizations
1 / 15Test your knowledge of the world's great ancient civilizations!
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Which ancient civilization built the pyramids at Giza?
About Ancient Civilizations
Give your memory a workout with Ancient Civilizations: 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard questions, free to play right in your browser. Test your knowledge of the world's great ancient civilizations! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. Which ancient civilization built the pyramids at Giza?
Answer: Egyptian
The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu, is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids and the only surviving wonder of the ancient world.
2. What writing system did the ancient Egyptians use?
Answer: Hieroglyphics
Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics, a writing system consisting of pictorial symbols. The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, was the key to deciphering hieroglyphics in 1822 by Jean-François Champollion.
3. Which ancient civilization is credited with inventing democracy?
Answer: Greek
Ancient Greece, specifically Athens, is credited with developing democracy around 508-507 BC under the reforms of Cleisthenes. Citizens could directly participate in political decision-making.
4. The Roman Empire's capital was which city?
Answer: Rome
Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, which at its height controlled much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The city was founded, according to legend, in 753 BC.
5. Which ancient civilization built Machu Picchu high in the Andes Mountains?
Answer: Inca
The Inca civilization built Machu Picchu around 1450 AD in present-day Peru. This remarkable stone city, perched at nearly 8,000 feet elevation, was likely a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.
Things you'll learn along the way
- The Sumerians of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) developed cuneiform writing around 3400 BC. They pressed wedge-shaped marks into soft clay tablets, and the system was later adopted by other civilizations.
- Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire, founded in 1325 on an island in Lake Texcoco. At its peak, it was one of the largest cities in the world with a population of over 200,000. Modern-day Mexico City was built on its ruins.
- The ancient Maya independently developed the concept of zero around the 4th century AD, using it as a placeholder in their vigesimal (base-20) number system. The Babylonians and Indians also developed the concept independently.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, Ancient Civilizations fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in Ancient Civilizations?
Ancient Civilizations has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Ancient Civilizations free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Ancient Civilizations — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Ancient Civilizations take?
Most players finish Ancient Civilizations in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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