Q 01/05

Which everyday English word comes from the ancient Greek for poison smeared on arrows?

A) Venom

B) Toxic

C) Lethal

D) Septic

Answer · why

B) Toxic

Toxic comes from toxikon pharmakon, poison for arrows, but Latin kept only toxikon, the half that came from toxon, the Greek for bow.

Q 02/05

What is the container that archers have traditionally used to carry their arrows called?

A) Sheath

B) Scabbard

C) Holster

D) Quiver

Answer · why

D) Quiver

Quivers worn on the back are a film habit for medieval archers: European bowmen of the time usually hung theirs from the belt or carried arrow bags.

Q 03/05

Quartz points over 60,000 years old, likely among the oldest arrowheads, were found in which country?

A) Kazakhstan

B) South Africa

C) Tanzania

D) Indonesia

Answer · why

B) South Africa

South Africa's Sibudu Cave points are read as arrow tips from their wear, and stone tools there were hafted with plant gum and red ochre, a glue taken...

Q 04/05

Which ancient Iranian horse archers gave their name to a shot fired backwards while retreating?

A) The Huns

B) The Parthians

C) The Mongols

D) The Scythians

Answer · why

B) The Parthians

The Parthians shot backwards while fleeing, and a 'Parthian shot' still means a barbed remark made on the way out.

Q 05/05

Which land did the ancient Egyptians call Ta-Seti, the Land of the Bow?

A) Libya

B) Nubia

C) Punt

D) Canaan

Answer · why

B) Nubia

Nubia earned the name, usually read as Land of the Bow, because the Egyptians knew its people as expert archers.