Weekly Wisdom Quiz

Epictetus, Hesiod, Virgil

Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

We’ve got some big names this week.

I suppose you could say that almost any week around these parts, but they are seriously big names this week nevertheless.

From across the worlds of literature, history, and philosophy, this we looked at Augustus, Virgil, Ovid, Epictetus… and more.

Can you imagine a more impressive guest list? But I suppose the real question is… have you been paying attention?

Find out if you know your Aeneid from your Theogony, and your Arrian from your Aurelius, with the Weekly Wisdom Quiz.

All questions are based on articles published this week here at Classical Wisdom. A full roundup of them all is available alongside the answers, just after the quiz, in case you want to revisit anything.

Now let’s get to it!

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1. What philosopher was Epictetus a student of during his early education?
A. Musonius Rufus
B. Marcus Aurelius
C. Seneca
D. Arrian

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2. What was the relationship between Maecenas and poets like Virgil and Horace?
A. Opponents of imperial propaganda
B. Their student
C. Their patron
D. Military generals under Augustus

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3. Which Roman poet was famously exiled from Rome in 8 AD?
A. Ovid
B. Propertius
C. Tibullus
D. Horace

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4. What work is considered a poetic celebration of farming and ethics?
A. The Aeneid
B. The Iliad
C. Works and Days
D. Theogony

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5. What architectural boast did Augustus make, according to Suetonius?
A. “I turned mud into empire.”
B. “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.”
C. “Rome will outlast all cities.”
D. “I built a city for the gods.”

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6. What physical disability did Epictetus live with?
A. Paralysis
B. A crippled leg
C. Blindness
D. He was mute

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7. What poetic device is said to justify the repetitive nature of Hesiod’s style?
A. Lack of education
B. Dactylic hexameter
C. Stock phrases for musical performance
D. Epiphora

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8. According to Epictetus, what kind of life does true freedom come from?
A. Military service
B. Detachment from politics
C. Accumulating wealth
D. Living in accordance with nature and reason

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Answers

1. A – Musonius Rufus (What is Freedom?)

2. C – Their patron (Poetry and Power)

3. A – Ovid (Poetry and Power)

4. C – Works and Days (Who was Hesiod?)

5. B – “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.” (Poetry and Power)

6. B – A crippled leg (What is Freedom?)

7. C – Stock phrases for musical performance (Who was Hesiod?)

8. D – Living in accordance with nature and reason (What is Freedom?)

🏛️ The Wisdom Scale

0 - 2 correct: 📜 Dabbler in Dicta
You’ve heard the names, and maybe even quoted Augustus at a dinner party... but true wisdom remains just out of reach. Keep going!

3 - 4 correct: 🏺 Citizen of Thought
Not bad! You’re on your way to becoming a serious student of antiquity.

5 - 6 correct: 🦉 Sage-in-Training
The Muses may already be whispering in your ear. Very impressive.

7 - 8 correct: 👑Emperor of Insight
Epictetus, Hesiod, and Virgil would raise their cups to you.

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So, how did it go? As always, feel free to let us know your results in the comments below. Until next week…

All the best,

Sean Kelly

Managing Editor

Classical Wisdom