For all you smart historians....

a little quiz.

1. How did Pyrrhus of Epirus die ?
A-natural causes
B-killed during a battle
C-An old woman killed him.


2. What was so typical about the Spartan warriors ?
A-They were never married.
B-minimum age for battles was 25.
C-They never had a moustache. (only beards )


3.The primary weapon of the hoplite was a spear around 2.7 meters in length.
It had a spearhead at each side .
Which statement is wrong ?
A- The "rear spearhead" was used as a reserve if the main one was broken.
B-It was used for enemy attacks from behind.
c-Was used to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them.


4. The most dangerous place in a phalanx formation was... ? (tip: think )
A-right flank.
B-middel.
C-left flank.


5.What was the punishment for cowards in the Spartan army?
A-Amputation of a finger or arm.
B-The Spartans punished cowards by shaving off a side of their beards.
C-Whipping

Try answering without the use of internet.
I'll give the correct answers in a few days.

Phyrrus was killed by a falling roof tile.
Unlucky :laugh4:

... wasn't he??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frodge

Phyrrus was killed by a falling roof tile.
Unlucky :laugh4:

... wasn't he??

---

Choose A , B or c. (Your answer is Partially correct. )

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frodge

Phyrrus was killed by a falling roof tile.
Unlucky :laugh4:

... wasn't he??

---

IIRC the tale goes he was stunned by a falling roof tile that was thrown by an old woman, then chopped up nicely and his head taken off as a gift for someone.
Not sure if thats accurate but I'm pretty sure its the legend at least. :)

While I'm here I'll have a crack at the others....

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1 - B (after C! :p)
2 - C
3 - B
4 - A
5 - C

Ever so slightly educated guesses (I'm probably way off) :|
Cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frodge

Phyrrus was killed by a falling roof tile.
Unlucky :laugh4:

... wasn't he??

---

actually he was paralysed by this, after which he got killed by an enemy. EDIT: oh wait ninja beat me to it nvm what i said

anyway I have little knowledge about history (i blame society) so i went for B-C-C-B-A with me being only certain about the first question and the other ones were chosen as I thought those to be the most logical answers.

1. How did Pyrrhus of Epirus die ?

Technically, a women threw him something which ultimatly caused him his death. C.


2. What was so typical about the Spartan warriors ?

I'm going by excluding the wrong answers on this one. Spartans were obviously married, as were all Greek cultures as far as I'm aware. I'm not sure but after the Agoge, any man was posted in border guarding, and thus suitable for battles or skirmishes. Thus C once again.


3.The primary weapon of the hoplite was a spear around 2.7 meters in length.
It had a spearhead at each side .
Which statement is wrong ?

A. It seems pretty much logical to me (Though I'm not sure. :P)


4. The most dangerous place in a phalanx formation was... ? (tip: think )

I might be wrong, but wasn't the right flank considered, "a place of honor" or something? Where they fielded the best troops. In the middle, I doubt any anxiety would come before the phalanx was being surrounded. Thus, C.


5.What was the punishment for cowards in the Spartan army?

B. Learned that one while a kid.

Making the quiz [C, C, A, C, B]

Oh cool a quiz! Here is my answers / guesses:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1: B & C. I believe he was hit by an old woman throwing a roof tile at him, but he was killed by Macedonian soldiers (or mercenaries?), who then proceded to cut off his head. The Macedonian king (Antigonos?) was horrified and when Pyrrhus's son was captured he was treated kindly.

2: B. A guess. I remember the Agoge to be very strict and very lengthy from my KH campaign and I'm pretty sure they were allowed to have wives. I'm not sure about the moustaches though. The EB Spartiatai Hoplitai artwork does have a moustachless beard, so I guess that could be it too.

3: B. I know A is correct and out of the other two, C is the most logical.

4: A. In the phalanx your shield only covers half your body, but it also covers half the body of the person to your left, so the person on the right of the phalanx is only half-protected.

5: C. Another guess. I don't think amputation would be a good option, since it renders the individual useless in battle. Shaving your beard seems somewhat unimpressive and I know that physical punishment was common in the Agoge.

Besides, Spartans liked whipping.

who doesnt?

I'll give the answers ( + explination )tomorrow but until now the scores are :


overweightninja : 3/5
eggthief : 1/5
Jolt : 3/5
Folgore : 3/5


No one answered all questions correctly , so still waiting for our smart historian.:beam:

c , c ,b ,c ,b :wiseguy:

1. How did Pyrrhus of Epirus die ?
A-natural causes
B-killed during a battle<-killed him
C-An old woman killed him.<-she knocked him out


2. What was so typical about the Spartan warriors ?
A-They were never married.
B-minimum age for battles was 25.
C-They never had a moustache. (only beards )<-


3.The primary weapon of the hoplite was a spear around 2.7 meters in length.
It had a spearhead at each side .
Which statement is wrong ?
A- The "rear spearhead" was used as a reserve if the main one was broken.
B-It was used for enemy attacks from behind.
c-Was used to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them.<-


4. The most dangerous place in a phalanx formation was... ? (tip: think )
A-right flank.
B-middel.<-
C-left flank.


5.What was the punishment for cowards in the Spartan army?
A-Amputation of a finger or arm.
B-The Spartans punished cowards by shaving off a side of their beards.
C-Whipping <-

1. Technically it's B. The roofing tile stunned him, but it didn't kill him.
2. C. If I remember correctly, Spartans were practically forced to marry, unless they wanted to be treated similarly to cowards. I don't think B is correct either.
3. B. Seen both A and C used.
4. A. Right flank's the side with no shield. Needs much more skill here to survive if you were flanked.
5. B. Don't remember where I got this, but I think I've heard of it before. I don't believe I've ever heard of any amputations or whippings either.

1.B
2.C
3.B
4.A
5.B

I think, hopefully I am right.

I think
1 B
2 B
3 B
4 A
5 C

1. How did Pyrrhus of Epirus die ?
A-natural causes
B-killed during a battle << Already been explained.
C-An old woman killed him.


2. What was so typical about the Spartan warriors ?
A-They were never married.
B-minimum age for battles was 25.
C-They never had a moustache. (only beards ) << I believe the Agoge ended before they hit 25.


3.The primary weapon of the hoplite was a spear around 2.7 meters in length.
It had a spearhead at each side .
Which statement is wrong ?
A- The "rear spearhead" was used as a reserve if the main one was broken.
B-It was used for enemy attacks from behind. <<
c-Was used to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them.


4. The most dangerous place in a phalanx formation was... ? (tip: think )
A-right flank.
B-middel.
C-left flank. << The soldiers considered the weakest were here, while the strongest on the right. Thus their weakest soldiers will be attacking your strongest and vice versa. May have no shield but id rather be next to the spartan than the much less trained hoplites that are attacking the spartans.

5.What was the punishment for cowards in the Spartan army?
A-Amputation of a finger or arm.
B-The Spartans punished cowards by shaving off a side of their beards. << I say B just because i know part of their punishment was to be seen and treated below everyone else. Thus B would make them even easier to recognize and be frowned upon. However it can't be A as the only way to redeem your name is through battle again (no phalanx for you if your missing limbs). In the Spartan community being a known coward who has to step aside for non citizens is much worse then a whipping or loss of limb.
C-Whipping

1b, it was durring a night battle - the old lady didn't kill him it was the internal bleeding that did him in
2c
3b
4a
5b

1. b
2. c
3.b
4.a
5.a

1. B
2. C
3. A + C
4. A
5. B

1.C+B
2.C
3.B
4.B
5. I always thought they just ignored them and refused to marry any of their offspring. That's what happened with that fellow who fell sick just before Thermopylae and returned the Sparta as only survivor.


And people... Read your questions properly!
Question 3 clearly states "Which statement is wrong ?"
So giving the wright answers won't make you answer right.

Warfare in Greece was second nature, so Pyrrhus died of natural causes!

1. B, though C could also count as correct seeing as it was an old woman knocked him out with a roof tile long enough for an Argive soldier to kill him.

2. C, as has already been mentioned by cancelling out A and B as I know them to be false.

3. B, though to be honest I'm not 100% on this.

4. B, as has been mentioned the right flank was a position of honor usually held by elite or highly regarded soldiers (the Argyraspides immediately come to my mind), or the strategos or Hellenistic king themselves. In my opinion soldiers in the center were the most unsure seeing as their view of the battlefield was mostly obscured by the left and right flanks.

5. Hmmm this one actually challenges me. I'll have to go with A seeing as Spartans were born and raised for battle anything that hindered them in this (loss of limbs or fingers) was probably a major blow to their livelihood and their position and respect amongst their fellow spartans.

1-C
2-C
3-A
4-C
5-B

:book:

oh wait scorepio, i read Q3 wrong, mind if i change it to B? didnt read the "which statement is wrong?" part

1C (was explained before)
2C
3B
4A (because you have your shield on the left side and so the right side is unprotected)
5B (it was a sign of cowards - you had only half of your beard and everybody laughed at you)

here's my guessing:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scorepio

a little quiz.

1. How did Pyrrhus of Epirus die ?
A-natural causes
B-killed during a battle
C-An old woman killed him.


2. What was so typical about the Spartan warriors ?
A-They were never married.
B-minimum age for battles was 25.
C-They never had a moustache. (only beards )


3.The primary weapon of the hoplite was a spear around 2.7 meters in length.
It had a spearhead at each side .
Which statement is wrong ?
A- The "rear spearhead" was used as a reserve if the main one was broken.
B-It was used for enemy attacks from behind.
c-Was used to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them.


4. The most dangerous place in a phalanx formation was... ? (tip: think )
A-right flank.
B-middel.
C-left flank.


5.What was the punishment for cowards in the Spartan army?
A-Amputation of a finger or arm.
B-The Spartans punished cowards by shaving off a side of their beards.
C-Whipping

Try answering without the use of internet.
I'll give the correct answers in a few days.

---

Ok , the quiz is closed.Thx for answering gentlemen.
First i'll give you the correct answers.

1. How did Pyrrhus of Epirus die ?
A-natural causes
B-killed during a battle
C-An old woman killed him.

Entering a city with his army , he found himself caught in a confused battle in the narrow city streets. During the confusion an old woman watching from a rooftop threw a roofing tile which stunned him, allowing an Argive soldier to kill him. (in fact the old woman caused his death but i'll count b good as well.)


2. What was so typical about the Spartan warriors ?
A-They were never married.
B-minimum age for battles was 25.
C-They never had a moustache. (only beards )

I don't know why but it was like that. So c is the only correct answer.


3.The primary weapon of the hoplite was a spear around 2.7 meters in length.
It had a spearhead at each side .
Which statement is wrong ?
A- The "rear spearhead" was used as a reserve if the main one was broken.
B-It was used for enemy attacks from behind.
c-Was used to finish off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them.

B was the wrong statement . ( here the correct answer )
The spearhead often broke on the bronze shield of the enemy. The "rear-spearhead was used as a secondary weapon, or for finishing off fallen opponents as the phalanx advanced over them. (the spear was way to long to turn and finish the fallen opponent.


4. The most dangerous place in a phalanx formation was... ? (tip: think )
A-right flank.
B-middel.
C-left flank.

In the phalanx your shield only covers half your body, but it also covers half the body of the person to your left, so the person on the right of the phalanx is only half-protected. (as Folgore explained so well )



5.What was the punishment for cowards in the Spartan army?
A-Amputation of a finger or arm.
B-The Spartans punished cowards by shaving off a side of their beards.
C-Whipping

It was a sign of cowards - you had only half of your beard and everybody laughed at you. (as Andronikos answered )


overweightninja : 3/5
eggthief : 2/5 (after changing answer to question 3)
Jolt : 3/5
Folgore : 3/5
||Lz3||:4/5
Caesar the IIIV : 2/5
Korlon : 5/5 (i counted b en c correct for the first question )
Xehh II : 5/5
Tartaros : 3/5
STuNTz2023 : 4/5
Sir Edward : 5/5
Fondor_Yards : 4/5
Dutchhoplite : 4/5 (read question 3 properly! )
Mediolanicus : 3/5
DeathEmperor : 3/5
Atanamir : 3/5
Andronikos : 5/5
Ibrahim : 5/5

AND...we have a few winners.
Congratulations Korlon ,Xehh II ,Sir Edward ,Andronikos and Ibrahim.

I thought you were speaking of the flank has a whole, and not of the very single soldier on the edge of the phalanx.

Didn't think I'd do that good, cool.

crap!!!!!!!... can I tell you something...I knew the flank thing...I just got cunfused... can you bealive I actually tought that soldiers carried their shields whit their right arm (veeery sad face...) :embarassed: :smash:

Hehe, I would have gotten 5/5 if I had known about the Spartans's weird facial hair fixation. :p

Why *did* the Spartans put so much emphasis on hair? (I do remember reading that when the Persians first encountered the Spartans at Thermopylae they were surprised to see them combing their hair.)

if i remember their beards grew out on campaigns and they combed their hair before battle because it was a special occation.

figured u meant the whole battle line for that phalanx question :oops:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by STuNTz2023

figured u meant the whole battle line for that phalanx question :oops:

---

It works whether it was the entire battle line or just one phalanx. The right flank's always the most deadly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

crap!!!!!!!... can I tell you something...I knew the flank thing...I just got cunfused... can you bealive I actually tought that soldiers carried their shields whit their right arm (veeery sad face...) :embarassed: :smash:

---

When I imagine battles I make this mistake all the time since I am left-handed.

dont i have 3/5 then? anyway i think that the pyrrhus thing should be closer looked at, without the slash, stab or however he got murdered he would've been stunned but not killed, do it vica versa and the result is kinda different.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Korlon

It works whether it was the entire battle line or just one phalanx. The right flank's always the most deadly.

---

i understand the lack of the shield covering half of them, but they were infact the elites of the army on that side as well. Oh well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by STuNTz2023

i understand the lack of the shield covering half of them, but they were infact the elites of the army on that side as well. Oh well.

---

The reason the elites were there was because the right flank is dangerous. The fact that they are there doesn't matter at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Korlon

The reason the elites were there was because the right flank is dangerous. The fact that they are there doesn't matter at all.

---

It matters, otherwise they'd be placed randomly accordingly to any General's wishes. The fact that they (Elite soldiers of the army) were there actually makes that flank less prone to breaking or underperforming under tough situations, when compared to the left flank. And don't forget that normally both flanks were guarded by other non-phalanx/cavalry brigades, thus making the "flanking through the side which has no shield" argument completely useless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jolt

It matters, otherwise they'd be placed randomly accordingly to any General's wishes. The fact that they (Elite soldiers of the army) were there actually makes that flank less prone to breaking or underperforming under tough situations, when compared to the left flank. And don't forget that normally both flanks were guarded by other non-phalanx/cavalry brigades, thus making the "flanking through the side which has no shield" argument completely useless.

---

This also depends on what type of army they are facing, if its hoplite v hoplite the right flank (your best soldiers) are facing the opposing teams weaker soldiers being on the left flank of their phalanx line. While it works the same as your left flank, so in this battle, i believe the left flank is more dangerous.