Question 1

True or false: Alexander conquered the entire known world, including China and Rome.

Accepted Answer

False. Alexander never reached China or Rome; his empire stretched from Greece to India, leaving many regions untouched.

Question 2

True or false: Alexander personally killed his friend Cleitus the Black in a drunken argument.

Accepted Answer

True. In a rage after a drinking bout, Alexander killed Cleitus, a loyal general, deeply regretting it afterward.

Question 3

True or false: Alexander's army included war elephants captured from the battle of Gaugamela.

Accepted Answer

False. He first encountered war elephants at the Battle of the Hydaspes against King Porus, not at Gaugamela.

Question 4

True or false: Alexander's body was preserved in honey after his death to prevent decay.

Accepted Answer

False. Ancient sources say his body was preserved in wax and honey, but this is likely a myth; actual embalming methods were used.

Question 5

True or false: Alexander's horse Bucephalus was afraid of his own shadow until Alexander turned him toward the sun.

Accepted Answer

True. Plutarch records that as a boy, Alexander noticed Bucephalus shied at shadows and cleverly faced him toward the sun to calm him.

Question 6

True or false: Alexander the Great never lost a single battle in his entire military career.

Accepted Answer

True. Historical consensus holds that Alexander was undefeated in pitched battles, a remarkable achievement.

Question 7

True or false: Alexander named over 70 cities after himself, including one in Egypt.

Accepted Answer

False. Historians believe Alexander founded about 20 cities bearing his name, not over 70. The figure 70 is likely an exaggeration from ancient biographers like Plutarch.

Question 8

True or false: Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt.

Accepted Answer

True. After conquering Egypt, Alexander founded Alexandria in 331 BCE, which became a major center of Hellenistic culture and learning.

Alexander's conquests Trivia Questions