Ancient Civilizations Recall
Instructions: Test your knowledge of the great civilizations that shaped our world!
- 1.
Which ancient civilization built the pyramids at Giza?
ARoman EmpireBMesopotamiaCAncient GreeceDAncient Egypt - 2.
In which modern country was the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia located?
ATurkeyBEgyptCIranDIraq - 3.
Which ancient civilization developed the first known writing system, called cuneiform?
AAncient ChinaBAncient EgyptCIndus ValleyDSumerians - 4.
Which ancient civilization built Machu Picchu?
AIncaBMayaCOlmecDAztec - 5.
Which civilization created the concept of democracy in the 5th century BC?
ARoman RepublicBPersian EmpireCCarthageDAncient Athens - 6.
Which ancient civilization is known for its advanced plumbing and the cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa?
AAncient EgyptBAncient ChinaCMesopotamiaDIndus Valley Civilization - 7.
Which civilization built the Colosseum in Rome?
AEtruscanBRoman EmpireCAncient GreeceDByzantine Empire - 8.
Which Mesoamerican civilization is known for its elaborate calendar system and pyramids at Chichen Itza?
AToltecBOlmecCMayaDAztec - 9.
Which ancient civilization used hieroglyphics as their writing system?
APhoeniciansBSumeriansCHittitesDAncient Egyptians - 10.
Which ancient civilization is credited with inventing the alphabet that influenced Greek and Latin scripts?
ASumeriansBPhoeniciansCPersiansDHebrews - 11.
Which dynasty built the Great Wall of China?
AQin DynastyBTang DynastyCHan DynastyDMing Dynasty - 12.
Which ancient civilization was centered on the island of Crete and featured the palace of Knossos?
APhoenicianBMycenaeanCMinoanDSpartan - 13.
Which Mesoamerican civilization built Tenochtitlan, the site of modern-day Mexico City?
AOlmecBIncaCMayaDAztec - 14.
Which ancient civilization traded throughout the Mediterranean and founded the city of Carthage?
APhoeniciansBEtruscansCEgyptiansDGreeks - 15.
Which ancient civilization built the Parthenon temple dedicated to the goddess Athena?
ARoman EmpireBPersian EmpireCSpartanDAncient Athens
Answer Key
The Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza around 2560 BC during the Old Kingdom period.
Mesopotamia ('land between the rivers') was located in present-day Iraq, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The Sumerians developed cuneiform writing around 3400 BC in Mesopotamia, using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.
The Inca Empire built Machu Picchu in the 15th century as an estate for Emperor Pachacuti, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
Ancient Athens developed the world's first known democracy around 508 BC under the reforms of Cleisthenes.
The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BC) had remarkably advanced urban planning including sophisticated drainage and plumbing systems.
The Roman Empire built the Colosseum between 70-80 AD under Emperors Vespasian and Titus. It could hold up to 80,000 spectators.
The Maya civilization developed an incredibly accurate calendar system and built impressive pyramids, including El Castillo at Chichen Itza.
Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics for over 3,000 years, from around 3200 BC until the 4th century AD.
The Phoenicians developed an alphabet around 1050 BC that became the basis for Greek, Latin, Arabic, and Hebrew writing systems.
The Qin Dynasty began construction of the Great Wall around 221 BC, though later dynasties, especially the Ming, greatly expanded it.
The Minoan civilization flourished on Crete from approximately 2700 to 1450 BC and built the elaborate palace of Knossos.
The Aztec Empire built their capital Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco around 1325. It was one of the largest cities in the world at the time.
The Phoenicians were master seafarers and traders who founded Carthage (in modern Tunisia) around 814 BC as a major trading hub.
Ancient Athens built the Parthenon on the Acropolis between 447 and 432 BC, dedicated to Athena, the city's patron goddess.