Ancient history (Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Norman influences)

1. What ancient civilization heavily influenced Malta’s early history?
a) Greek
b) Egyptian
c) Phoenician
d) Roman
Answer: c) Phoenician

2. Which of the following islands is the largest in the Maltese archipelago?
a) Gozo
b) Comino
c) Malta
d) Sicily
Answer: c) Malta

3. The Phoenicians settled in Malta around which century BCE?
a) 8th century
b) 6th century
c) 4th century
d) 2nd century
Answer: b) 6th century

4. What was the main economic activity of the Phoenicians in ancient Malta?
a) Agriculture
b) Fishing
c) Trading
d) Mining
Answer: c) Trading

5. Which Roman Emperor granted Malta the status of a municipium?
a) Julius Caesar
b) Augustus
c) Nero
d) Constantine
Answer: b) Augustus

6. The Maltese islands were part of the Roman province known as:
a) Italia
b) Africa
c) Hispania
d) Sicilia
Answer: d) Sicilia

7. During the Arab rule in Malta, which language became prevalent?
a) Latin
b) Greek
c) Arabic
d) Phoenician
Answer: c) Arabic

8. What significant architectural feature from the Arab period can still be found in Malta?
a) Amphitheater
b) Aqueduct
c) Watchtowers
d) Minaret
Answer: c) Watchtowers

9. The Norman invasion of Malta occurred in which century?
a) 9th century
b) 10th century
c) 11th century
d) 12th century
Answer: c) 11th century

10. Which Norman ruler was responsible for the conquest of Malta?
a) William the Conqueror
b) Robert Guiscard
c) Richard the Lionheart
d) Henry II
Answer: b) Robert Guiscard

11. The Cathedral of Mdina, dedicated to St. Paul, was built during the rule of which medieval order?
a) Knights Templar
b) Hospitallers
c) Teutonic Knights
d) Franciscans
Answer: b) Hospitallers

12. The Great Siege of Malta in 1565 was primarily between the Knights of St. John and:
a) Ottoman Empire
b) Spanish Empire
c) Venetian Republic
d) Byzantine Empire
Answer: a) Ottoman Empire

13. Which Grand Master led the Knights of St. John during the Great Siege of Malta?
a) Jean Parisot de Valette
b) Philippe Villiers de l’Isle-Adam
c) Alof de Wignacourt
d) Antoine de Paule
Answer: a) Jean Parisot de Valette

14. The Maltese language has its roots in which linguistic family?
a) Romance
b) Germanic
c) Semitic
d) Slavic
Answer: c) Semitic

15. The Knights of St. John were also known as:
a) Templars
b) Hospitallers
c) Teutonic Knights
d) Crusaders
Answer: b) Hospitallers

16. Which European power controlled Malta after the Knights of St. John?
a) France
b) Spain
c) England
d) Italy
Answer: c) England

17. The British established a naval base in Malta during the:
a) 17th century
b) 18th century
c) 19th century
d) 20th century
Answer: b) 18th century

18. Malta gained independence from British rule in:
a) 1945
b) 1964
c) 1979
d) 1987
Answer: b) 1964

19. The Maltese cross, associated with the Knights of St. John, has how many points?
a) 4
b) 6
c) 8
d) 12
Answer: c) 8

20. What is the traditional Maltese fishing boat called?
a) Gondola
b) Dhow
c) Felucca
d) Luzzu
Answer: d) Luzzu

21. The Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni is an ancient underground:
a) Temple
b) Cemetery
c) Aqueduct
d) Market
Answer: b) Cemetery

22. Which Phoenician goddess had a significant presence in Malta?
a) Astarte
b) Ishtar
c) Tanit
d) Baalat
Answer: c) Tanit

23. The ancient temples of Ġgantija on Gozo are believed to be dedicated to:
a) Apollo
b) Venus
c) Jupiter
d) Neptune
Answer: b) Venus

24. The Norman House in Mdina is an example of:
a) Gothic architecture
b) Baroque architecture
c) Norman architecture
d) Renaissance architecture
Answer: c) Norman architecture

25. The Maltese Falcon, a famous novel by Dashiell Hammett, is named after a:
a) Ship
b) Bird
c) Castle
d) Mountain
Answer: b) Bird

26. What natural resource played a crucial role in Malta’s ancient economy?
a) Gold
b) Marble
c) Limestone
d) Copper
Answer: c) Limestone

27. The city of Valletta, Malta’s capital, was named after:
a) King Valentinian
b) Grand Master Valletta
c) Queen Valeria
d) Pope Valentine
Answer: a) King Valentinian

28. The Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu served as the headquarters for the:
a) Roman Senate
b) Knights of St. John
c) Maltese Parliament
d) Inquisition
Answer: b) Knights of St. John

29. The Siege Bell War Memorial commemorates the civilians who lost their lives during:
a) World War I
b) World War II
c) The Great Siege
d) The Maltese Uprising
Answer: b) World War II

30. Which ancient civilization left behind the mysterious cart ruts found in various locations on Malta?
a) Phoenicians
b) Romans
c) Egyptians
d) Atlanteans
Answer: c) Egyptians

31. The Order of St. John relocated to Malta from which island?
a) Rhodes
b) Crete
c) Cyprus
d) Corsica
Answer: a) Rhodes

32. The Mnajdra Temples are known for their alignment with:
a) Summer Solstice
b) Winter Solstice
c) Vernal Equinox
d) Autumnal Equinox
Answer: b) Winter Solstice

33. The Codex Gigas, a medieval manuscript, is associated with the:
a) Maltese Knights
b) Maltese Inquisition
c) Maltese Monastery
d) Maltese Archivists
Answer: b) Maltese Inquisition

34. Which ancient civilization left behind the megalithic temples of Malta?
a) Phoenicians
b) Carthaginians
c) Sumerians
d) Maltese
Answer: d) Maltese

35. The traditional Maltese window, often found in houses, is known as a:
a) Fenestra
b) Gallerija
c) Ventana
d) Okna
Answer: b) Gallerija

36. The Arab influence on Malta is most evident in:
a) Language
b) Cuisine
c) Architecture
d) Clothing
Answer: c) Architecture

37. The capital city of Mdina was known by what name during the Arab rule?
a) Medina
b) Madinat
c) Madinah
d) Medinaat
Answer: a) Medina

38. The Temple Period in Malta is generally considered to span from:
a) 3000 to 2500 BCE
b) 2500 to 1500 BCE
c) 1500 to 500 BCE
d) 500 BCE to 500 CE
Answer: b) 2500 to 1500 BCE

39. The Saint James Cavalier is a historic building in Valletta used as a:
a) Fort
b) Church
c) Museum
d) Observatory
Answer: c) Museum

40. The traditional Maltese folk instrument, resembling a guitar, is called a:
a) Mandolin
b) Bouzouki
c) Lute
d) Għannejja
Answer: a) Mandolin

41. The Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta served as a strategic command center during:
a) World War I
b) World War II
c) The Great Siege
d) The French Occupation
Answer: b) World War II

42. The Megalithic Temples of Malta are believed to be the oldest free-standing structures in the world, dating back to around:
a) 2000 BCE
b) 3000 BCE
c) 4000 BCE
d) 5000 BCE
Answer: b) 3000 BCE

43. Which European power controlled Malta before the Knights of St. John?
a) France
b) Spain
c) Italy
d) Sicily
Answer: d) Sicily

44. The Maltese Islands served as a crucial naval base for the British during:
a) World War I
b) World War II
c) The Napoleonic Wars
d) The War of the Spanish Succession
Answer: b) World War II

45. The San Anton Palace in Attard is the official residence of:
a) The President of Malta
b) The Prime Minister of Malta
c) The Archbishop of Malta
d) The Grand Master of the Order of St. John
Answer: a) The President of Malta

46. The Ta’ Ħaġrat and Skorba temples are examples of the:
a) Ggantija Phase
b) Tarxien Phase
c) Ġgantija Temple Phase
d) Saflieni Phase
Answer: c) Ġgantija Temple Phase

47. The Maltese flag features a George Cross, awarded for bravery during:
a) The Great Siege
b) World War I
c) World War II
d) The Norman Conquest
Answer: c) World War II

48. The tradition of the ‘Maltese balcony’ is influenced by which architectural style?
a) Gothic
b) Baroque
c) Moorish
d) Neoclassical
Answer: c) Moorish

49. Which ancient civilization left behind the mysterious cart ruts found in various locations on Malta?
a) Phoenicians
b) Romans
c) Egyptians
d) Atlanteans
Answer: a) Phoenicians

50. The Maltese language evolved from a dialect of which ancient language?
a) Latin
b) Phoenician
c) Arabic
d) Greek
Answer: b) Phoenician

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