Weekly Wisdom Quiz

Remembering Rome

Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

I suppose it’s a strange thing.

The nature of studying history is to remember things which, well, we can’t remember ourselves. Which is, of course, all the more true for ancient history.

After all, none of us were there in the court of ancient Roman emperors…

So this week we’ve been looking at memory and history itself: how we try to remember the past, as well as how it can be misremembered.

We even had a look at attempts to wipe out history!

But can you remember the answers to this weekend edition of the Weekly Wisdom Quiz?

As always, all questions are based on articles published this week here at Classical Wisdom. A full roundup of this week’s resources is available just after the quiz, alongside the answers.

So let’s get to it!

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1. What does the term Damnatio Memoriae literally translate to?

A. Condemnation of memory
B. Sentence of exile
C. Eternal dishonor
D. Denial of legacy

2. Which book of Virgil’s Aeneid focuses on the tragic love story of Dido and Aeneas?

A. Book VI
B. Book VIII
C. Book IV
D. Book I

3. Why was Herostratus condemned to Damnatio Memoriae in antiquity?

A. For burning the Temple of Artemis
B. For betraying his city to the Persians
C. For assassinating a Roman emperor
D. For stealing sacred relics from Delphi

4. What year was the siege of Jerusalem?

A. AD 70
B. AD 100
C. 70 BC
D. 100 BC

5. How many years ago was Virgil born?

A. 3020
B. 5000
C. 2095
D. 3000

6. Why is Josephus important to the “Titus theory” concerning Christianity’s origins?

A. He supposedly collaborated with the Flavians to write pro-Roman Jewish history
B. He translated the Gospels into Greek
C. He was the first Christian martyr under Titus
D. He built the first Roman church in Caesarea

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✅ Answer Key

1. A – Condemnation of memory (Damnatio Memoriae)

2. C – Book IV (What Make a Good Man?)

3. A – For burning the Temple of Artemis (Damnatio Memoriae)

4. A – AD 70 (Did Emperor Titus Invent Christianity?)

5. C – 2095 (What Make a Good Man?)

6. A – He supposedly collaborated with the Flavians to write pro-Roman Jewish history (Did Emperor Titus Invent Christianity?)

The Wisdom Scale 🏺

0 -1 correct: 🏹 The Eager Initiate
You’ve stepped into the forum wide-eyed and full of questions, which is the best way to start any great journey.

2 - 3 correct: 📜 The Thoughtful Historian
You’ve begun to trace the rise and fall of empires in your mind’s eye. You know that truth is rarely simple, and that even the past has its politics.

4 - 5 correct: ⚖️ The Philosopher of Time
You’ve mastered the art of connecting past and present: part scholar, part storyteller. You see patterns in the chaos.

6 correct: 🌞 The Immortal Sage
As wise as Athena sprung fully formed from Zeus’ headd, you’ve achieved harmony between knowledge and insight, a true keeper of ancient wisdom.

So, how did you do? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments below!

All the best,

Sean Kelly

Managing Editor

Classical Wisdom