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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Diomache take with her?
(a) She takes the dog, Lucky.
(b) She doesn't take anyone.
(c) She takes the old blind slave, Bruxieus.
(d) She takes the dog, Happy.

2. What happens to Xeones when he is caught stealing?
(a) He is made to pay for what he stole.
(b) The farmers beat him severely.
(c) The farmers drive nails through his hands.
(d) The farmers cut off his right hand.

3. What causes Xeones to continue the story?
(a) Xeones decides to finish the story.
(b) Dmaratos, a deposed Spartan king, reminds him of his duty to Apollo.
(c) Dmaratos, a cruel Persian soldier, threatened to beat him if he did not continue.
(d) Xerxes told him that he would kill him if he did not continue.

4. Thermopylae is described as what?
(a) Thermopylae is described as a holy place, dedicated to the worship of the gods.
(b) Thermopylae is described as a place where travelers go to use the hot mineral baths.
(c) Thermopylae is described as a small fishing village where the Persians land their invasion force.
(d) Thermopylae is described as an ancient battle ground where many battles have taken place over the centuries.

5. Alexandros wants to go to battle with the older Spartans. Who tries to stop him?
(a) Leonidas tries to stop him.
(b) His mother tries to stop him.
(c) Polynikes tries to stop him.
(d) Xeones tries to stop him.

6. What is othismos?
(a) Othismos is a field near Sparta where the Spartan boys train.
(b) Othismos is one of the ancient Spartan sacrificial rites.
(c) Othismos is the initial collision on the battlefield and the chaos that follows.
(d) Othismos is the euphoria that comes upon the victor after a battle.

7. What does agoge boua mean?
(a) Agoge boua means eight-nighter.
(b) Agoge boua means battle rage.
(c) Agoge boua means honorable death.
(d) Agoge boua means training platoon.

8. What is the half helot's nickname?
(a) His nickname is Rooster.
(b) His nickname is Dog.
(c) His nickname is Suicide.
(d) His nickname is Bob.

9. To whom does Xeones tell his story?
(a) He tells it to Xerxes.
(b) He tells it to Leonidas.
(c) He tells it to a scribe.
(d) He tells it to Lady Arete.

10. Where do Xeones and Diomache separate?
(a) They separate at a fork in the road called Three Corners.
(b) They separate just before reaching Sparta.
(c) They separate when they reach Athens.
(d) They separate at The Crossroads.

11. What is the reason for Xeones returning to life?
(a) Xeones returns to warn the Spartan people that the battle has been lost.
(b) Xeones returns to avenge his people.
(c) Due to the violent nature of his death, the spirit of Xeones can not pass on to the world of the dead.
(d) Xeones is to tell the story of the Battle of Thermopylae.

12. Why do the Spartans use that method to count their dead?
(a) It is the Spartan law that the dead be counted in such a way.
(b) It is done to confuse the enemy.
(c) It helps to keep their minds occupied and off of the fact that only moments earlier they were slaughtering men like farmers reaping wheat.
(d) It is an ancient tradition that has been passed down for generations.

13. How does Polynikes react to Alexandros' answer?
(a) He is angered.
(b) He is saddened.
(c) He does not care.
(d) He is happy.

14. By what other name is Sparta called?
(a) Sparta is also called The Hot Gates.
(b) Sparta is also called Lakedaemon.
(c) Sparta is also called Thermopylae.
(d) Sparta is also called Mount Oracle.

15. What is oktonyktia?
(a) It is the lake near Sparta.
(b) It is the armor and shield that each soldier must carry.
(c) It is an eight-night training exercise.
(d) It is the final right of passage from boyhood to adult status.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old are Xeones and Diomache when they separate?

2. How many sons has Arete born Dienekes?

3. How do Xeones and Alexandros get across the gulf?

4. Where does the Spartan king march and fight, relative to the rest of his army?

5. Why does Xeones go out into a snowstorm to freeze to death?

(see the answer keys)

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