Everyday Order in Ancient Cities

History · 10 questions

Ten multiple-choice questions on ancient urban infrastructure and institutions, with place and time qualifiers.

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1. Which high-arched structure carried water in 1st-century Roman Gaul?

   1. Klepsydra
   2. Qanat
   3. Cloaca Maxima
   4. Pont du Gard
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   D) Pont du Gard

2. What system carried water through underground tunnels on the ancient Iranian plateau?

   1. Shaduf
   2. Aqueduct
   3. Cistern
   4. Qanat
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   D) Qanat

3. Which household-linked infrastructure was prominent in 3rd-millennium BCE Indus cities?

   1. Aqueducts
   2. Drainage channels
   3. Stone-paved harbors
   4. Canal locks
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   B) Drainage channels

4. What open space was a center of civic life and trade in 5th-century BCE Athens?

   1. Bouleuterion
   2. Forum
   3. Macellum
   4. Agora
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   D) Agora

5. What structures stored state grain in ancient Egypt?

   1. Granaries
   2. Temple archives
   3. Tomb chambers
   4. Caravanserais
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   A) Granaries

6. Which body was established under Augustus for night watch and firefighting in Rome?

   1. Vigiles
   2. Praetorians
   3. Legions
   4. Aediles
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   A) Vigiles

7. What was the organizing principle of the regular street plan at 4th-century BCE Priene?

   1. Concentric plan
   2. Radial plan
   3. Rectangular grid plan
   4. Organic street network
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   C) Rectangular grid plan

8. What was the name of the court space where citizen juries heard cases in ancient Athens?

   1. Bouleuterion
   2. Dikasterion
   3. Prytaneion
   4. Gymnasion
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   B) Dikasterion

9. What Roman urban market building sold fresh goods such as meat and fish?

   1. Basilica
   2. Thermae
   3. Macellum
   4. Tabernae
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   C) Macellum

10. On what material were administrative records commonly written in 4th-millennium BCE Uruk?

    1. Clay tablets
    2. Papyrus rolls
    3. Parchment
    4. Wooden boards
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    A) Clay tablets