Q 01/05

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of which Persian dynasty?

A) The Safavids

B) The Sasanians

C) The Achaemenids

D) The Parthians

Answer · why

C) The Achaemenids

The dynasty ruled from about 550 to 330 BC; the real administrative capitals were Susa, Babylon and Ecbatana.

Q 02/05

In which modern country is Persepolis?

A) Turkey

B) Iran

C) Iraq

D) Afghanistan

Answer · why

B) Iran

It lies on the Marvdasht plain in Fars province, ringed by the southern Zagros Mountains.

Q 03/05

To what year do the earliest remains of Persepolis date?

A) 700 BC

B) 600 BC

C) 515 BC

D) 900 BC

Answer · why

C) 515 BC

Darius I built the terrace and palaces; the site may have been chosen by Cyrus the Great.

Q 04/05

Which conqueror's army took Persepolis in 330 BC?

A) Genghis Khan

B) Alexander the Great

C) Julius Caesar

D) Cyrus the Great

Answer · why

B) Alexander the Great

He described it to his Macedonians as 'the most hateful of the cities of Asia' and let them plunder it.

Q 05/05

According to Plutarch and Diodorus, which courtesan urged the burning of Persepolis?

A) Thaïs

B) Aspasia

C) Lais

D) Phryne

Answer · why

A) Thaïs

An Athenian and mistress of Ptolemy, she supposedly hurled the first torch after the king during a drunken feast.