Q 01/05

February is named after Februa, a Roman ritual of what?

A) Harvest

B) Marriage

C) Warfare

D) Purification

Answer · why

D) Purification

Februa was a Roman purification rite held on February 15; the month's name comes from februum, an instrument of purification, and the feast later merg...

Q 02/05

Which Roman king is credited with adding January and February to the calendar?

A) Romulus

B) Numa Pompilius

C) Tarquin the Proud

D) Servius Tullius

Answer · why

B) Numa Pompilius

Tradition credits Numa Pompilius, Rome's second king, with adding January and February to Romulus's ten-month calendar, bringing the year to 355 days.

Q 03/05

Until about 450 BC, February was which month of the Roman calendar year?

A) Twelfth

B) First

C) Sixth

D) Tenth

Answer · why

A) Twelfth

February was the twelfth and final month until the decemvirs, around 450 BC, moved it to second place; Romans sometimes cut it to 23 or 24 days before...

Q 04/05

In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the last month of which meteorological season?

A) Winter

B) Autumn

C) Summer

D) Spring

Answer · why

C) Summer

Summer's last month in the south is the twin of August in the north, which is why Rio's Carnival and Australia's beach season fall in it.

Q 05/05

Which gemstone is February's birthstone?

A) Amethyst

B) Garnet

C) Aquamarine

D) Sapphire

Answer · why

A) Amethyst

Amethyst means 'not intoxicated'; ancient Greeks carved drinking cups from the purple stone, believing it prevented drunkenness.