Can You Identify These Ancient Texts?

By: Jonnathan Chadwick
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These Ancient Texts?
Image: guenterguni/ E+/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

The world is a big place, and the history of the world is even bigger. We're beyond lucky to have come across some of the ancient texts we now possess, and we're beyond unlucky to have lost some of the ancient texts that we did. We still don't know exactly how the pyramids were built, but we do know the politics, religion and social mores of Egyptians of the time. We know members of Egyptian royalty were buried with riches and spells to guide them through the afterlife. And we know these things because they were written down and preserved for millennia.

The only history we know is written history, and without ancient texts, our knowledge is limited. It's because of ancient engravings, inscriptions, drawings and writings that the world has a rich history. It's because of ancient texts the world is filled with religions, governments and societies. You've probably heard about the Rosetta Stone, the Hippocratic Oath, Draconian Law, Plato, Sophocles, Virgil and the Book of the Dead, but do you know why they're important? Or more importantly, do you know what they look like? Take a look at these 40 ancient texts and see if you can name them all.

Question 1 - Rosetta
Wikicommons by © Hans Hillewaert
Can you name this stone that helped the world understand Egyptian hieroglyphs?
Rosetta Stone
Pyramid texts
Palermo Stone
Code of Hammurabi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Rosetta Stone was discovered by the French when they occupied Egypt in the 1790s. It's written in hieroglyphs and Ancient Greek and lists the accomplishments and rewards of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Ptolemy V Epiphanes issued it in 196 BC.

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Question 2 - The Vedas
Wikicommons by Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, New Delhi
Do you know the collection of Indian texts considered some of the first scripture in the world?
Tao Te Ching
The Old Testament
The Vedas
Torah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The four Vedas are the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and the Atharvaveda. The scriptures lay the foundation for Hinduism, which is considered the world's oldest religion. The writings date back as far as 1700 BC.

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Question 3 - Code of Hammurabi
Wikicommons by Louvre Museum
The "eye for an eye" punishment is one of the 282 laws carved into this stone slab. What is it?
Code of Lipit-Ishtar
Draconian Law
Epic of Gilgamesh
Code of Hammurabi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Code of Hammurabi dates back to 1700s BC, and the "eye for an eye" law is probably the most famous of the 282 laws. The code also sets forth the concept of "innocent before proven guilty," and was created by King Hammurabi of Babylon.

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Question 4 - Hippocratic Oath
Wikicommons by Wellcome Images
Can you name this famous vow taken by medical professionals all over the world?
Oath of Osiris
Hippocratic Oath
Anitta Text
Hittite military oath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The oldest existing fragments of the Hippocratic Oath date back to the 3rd century. Doctors around the world swear by the oath to this day, and it is believed to have been written in the 5th century BC. The most famous interpreted vow is "do no harm."

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Question 5 - The Illiad
Wikicommons by the Mechanical Curator collection
What's the name of this epic poem about the Trojan War?
"Aeneid"
"The Illiad"
"Inferno"
"The Odyssey"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Illiad" is believed to be written by Homer and dates back to the 8th century BC. The poem tells the story of the Trojan War and its hero, Achilles. Along with "The Odyssey," the poems are considered the oldest existing works of Western literature.

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Question 6 - Dresden Codex
Wikicommons by SLUB Poster
Do you know the oldest surviving book of the Mayan civilization?
Dresden Codex
Paris Codex
Aleppo Codex
Madrid Codex
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dresden Codex, like most Mayan codices, is a folding book created with bark paper. It's written in hieroglyphs, numbers, calculations, calendars, descriptions, instructions and more. The book is 39 bark leaves with writing on both sides that total 78 pages.

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Question 7 - Book of the Dead
Wikicommons by Book of the Dead
Can you name this Ancient Egyptian book that helped guide the dead through the afterlife?
"Tale of Two Brothers"
"Poor Man of Nippur"
"Great Hymn to Aten"
"Book of the Dead"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Book of the Dead" is a collection of texts written by many different authors over centuries. The texts are spells that were buried with the dead to help guide them through the underworld. About 200 independent books were eventually combined to create "The Book of the Dead."

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Question 8 - Code of Ur-Nammu
Wikicommons by Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Do you know the oldest surviving code of laws on Earth?
Code of Nesilim
Code of Ur-Nammu
Draco's Law
Code of Hammurabi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Code of Ur-Nammu dates back to 2100 BC in Mesopotamia and is written in Sumerian. It's considered the oldest surviving code of laws in the world. Some laws written on the tablet say the punishment for murder, robbery or infidelity is death.

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Question 9 - Republic
Wikicommons by Platon
Can you name Plato's most famous work, written in 380 BC?
"Republic"
"Odes"
"Antigone"
"Apology"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plato's "Republic" was written in 380 BC. The book discusses moral and philosophical issues in the realm of society and politics and is one of the most influential works in the world. Some of the oldest surviving fragments of the work date back to the 3rd century.

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Question 10 - Aesop's Fables
Wikicommons by Thomas Quine
What's the name of these parables written by an Ancient Greek slave in 600 BC?
"Poor Man of Nippur"
"The Oedipus Cycle"
"The Tales of Two Brothers"
"Fables"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Aesop's "Fables" are believed to be written by a Greek slave in the 6th century BC. There are 725 fables, and their authorship is often debated. The stories discuss the most important issues of morality and often feature animals and insects as the main characters.

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Question 11 - Palmero Stone
Wikicommons by لا روسا
Do you know this slab that lists Ancient Egyptian kings between 3150 and 2283 BC?
Epic of Erra
Book of the Dead
Palermo Stone
Rosetta Stone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Palermo Stone is one of several pieces of a much larger slab that dates back to the First Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. It is written in some of the oldest known Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and is housed in Palermo, Sicily.

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Question 12 - Epic of Gilgamesh
Wikicommons by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg)
The "Flood Tablet" holds one of the oldest pieces of literature ever. What is it?
"Inferno"
"Tale of Two Brothers"
"Epic of Gilgamesh"
"Epic of Erra"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Epic of Gilgamesh" was written in 1800 BC in Mesopotamia. It tells the story of King Gilgamesh, who goes on an epic journey across the world, trying to understand the meaning of life. It's written across a dozen clay tablets.

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Question 13 - Pyrgi Tablets
Wikicommons by Macalla
The King of Caere wrote a letter to the goddess Ashtaret on these golden leaves. What are they called?
Pyrgi Tablets
Legend of Etana
Anitta Text
Code of Nesilim
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These gold leaves are written in Etruscan and Phoenician and date back to the 6th century BC. The goddess Ashtaret was worshiped by people all around the area at the time. The text was discovered in 1964 on the southern coast of Italy.

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Question 14 - Epic of Erra
Wikicommons by British Museum
Do you know the epic story written on this good luck charm?
"Code of Nesilim"
"Epic of Gilgamesh"
"Tale of Two Brothers"
"Epic of Erra"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Erra is the Akkadian goddess of chaos, and this stone amulet is supposed to protect against chaos and destruction. The story of Erra is called "The Epic of Erra," and it can be found written on five separate tablets.

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Question 15 - Draconian Constitution
Wikicommons by Louvre Museum
What's the name of this Ancient Greek set of laws where death was the punishment for almost every crime?
Great Hymn to the Aten
Code of Nesilim
Draconian Constitution
Code of Hammurabi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Today, the word "draconian" means excessively harsh, and it stems from the Draconian Constitution (aka Draco's Code). Legend has it the punishment for stealing a piece of fruit was death, and the laws were written in blood.

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Question 16 - Edwin Smith Papyrus
Wikicommons by Jeff Dahl
Can you name this medical text recognized as the first to diagnose and treat illness based on science instead of magic?
Legends of Etana
Edwin Smith Papyrus
Ebers Papyrus
Kahun Papyrus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Edwin Smith Papyrus is a 15-foot scroll that describes 48 medical ailments from fractures and dislocations to wounds and tumors. It was one of the first to make medical diagnoses based on science instead of magic, and it dates back to 1650 BC.

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Question 17 - Instruction of Amenemope
Wikicommons by Metropolitan Museum of Art
Do you know this text that can be considered one of the first ever self-help books?
"Instruction of Amenemope"
"Epic of Gilgamesh"
"Book of the Dead"
"Great Hymn to the Aten"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Instruction of Amenemope" was written during the 20th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The book contains many chapters of wise teachings meant to help guide readers through life. Amenemope wrote the guide to honor his son.

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Question 18 - Lapis Niger
Wikicommons by unknown author, picture by Ursus
What's the name of this black stone that holds some of the oldest Latin inscription in the world?
Lapis Niger
Kultepe Texts
Codex Vaticanus
Anitta Text
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lapis Niger translates to "black stone" in Latin, and it survived from Ancient Rome. The inscription is written in Old Latin, and it used to be part of the primary meeting space of Ancient Rome. It dates back to the 5th century BC.

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Question 19 - Oedipus Rex
Wikicommons by Papyri at Bridwell Library
What's the name of this tragedy by Sophocles that centers around a man who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother?
"Metaphysics"
"Aeneid"
"Apology"
"Oedipus Rex"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Oedipus Cycle consists of three stories written by Sophocles in the 5th century BC. The stories tell the tale of a man named Oedipus, who is told he cannot control his fate but does not believe it. He ends up learning it the hard way.

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Question 20 - Amarna Letters
Wikicommons by Louvre Museum
Do you know the name of these correspondence letters between Egyptian and Canaan officials?
Hittite military oath
Amarna Letters
Book of the Dead
Papyrus of Ani
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Amarna Letters consist of almost 400 clay tablets that describe back-and-forth between the governments of Ancient Egypt and Canaan. The tablets date back to the 1300s BC and are written in Akkadian instead of Egyptian.

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Question 21 - Art of War
Wikicommons by Sun Tzu
Can you name this Ancient Chinese military text commonly attributed to military legend Sun Tzu?
"Antigone"
"The Prince"
"The Art of War"
"Tao Te Ching"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Art of War" is one of the most influential books not just in military strategy, but politics, business, and life in general. It dates back to the 5th century BC and is believed to be written by Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu.

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Question 22 - Dead Sea Scrolls
Wikicommons by Berthold Werner
Close to 1,000 ancient scrolls were discovered in the Judaean Desert in the 1950s. What are they called?
Amarna Letters
Code of Hammurabi
Dead Sea Scrolls
Book of the Dead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's believed the Dead Sea Scrolls date back to the third century BC, but the exact dates of each scroll widely vary. The longest manuscript reaches almost 30 feet long, and the scrolls are mostly copies of the Old Testament.

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Question 23 - Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus
Wikicommons by the Wellcome Images
Do you know Egypt's oldest medical text that deals strictly with female health?
Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus
Ebers Papyrus
Hippocratic Oath
Edwin Smith Papyrus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This text is the oldest surviving medical text from Ancient Egypt and dates back to 1800 BC. It consists of more than 30 sections that all deal with female medical issues from disease to pregnancy. The text does not describe any medical procedures. It's more along the lines of magic.

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Question 24 - Hittite military oath
Wikicommons by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg)
Can you name the list of vows on these tablets from 1500 BC?
Hippocratic Oath
Epic of Gilgamesh
Hittite military oath
Code of Nesilim
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Military officers responded, "so be it" when taking the vows of the Hittite military oath. The oath listed fates for those who broke any of the oaths. For example, any soldier who breaks their oath will see their weapons break in battle.

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Question 25 - Pyramid Texts
Wikicommons by Chipdawes
What's the name of these Ancient Egyptian texts carved into pyramid walls?
Papyrus of Ani
Pyramid Texts
Coffin Texts
Book of the Dead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pyramid Texts are some of the oldest texts in the world and date back to 2600 BC. They are Egypt's oldest religious texts, and they comprise of a bunch of spells that help the dead thrive in the afterlife.

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Question 26 - Timbuktu Manuscripts
Wikicommons by EurAstro : Mission to Mali
Do you know the collection of 700,000 ancient texts discovered in the middle of nowhere?
Mari Letters
Ebers Papyrus
Desert Texts
Timbuktu Manuscripts
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Timbuktu is in the middle of Mali but has become a misnomer for the middle of nowhere. The Timbuktu Manuscripts date back to the 13th century and the height of the Mali empire. The texts cover art, science, religion and more.

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Question 27 - Codex Mendoza
Wikicommons by The original uploader was Dellex at German Wikipedia
Can you name these texts and drawings that tell the history of the Ancient Aztecs?
Epic of Erra
Anitta Text
Aleppo Codex
Codex Mendoza
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Codex Mendoza was created sometime between 1529 and 1553 and is broken into three sections. The texts and pictograms cover 200 years of Aztec history and list the rulers and the lands they conquered. The illustrations depict the daily life of the Aztecs.

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Question 28 - Diamond Sutra
Wikicommons by English: The colophon, at the inner end, reads: Reverently [caused to be] made for universal free distribution by Wang Jie on behalf of his two parents on the 13th of the 4th moon of the 9th year of Xiantong [i.e. 11th May, CE 868 ].
Do you know the oldest printed book in the world?
"The Illiad"
"The Odyssey"
"Diamond Sutra"
"Aeneid"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Diamond Sutra is one of the Buddhist Sutras and was discovered in 1900. The book is dated May 11, 868, making it, according to the British Library, the oldest dated book in the world. Most ancient texts are tablets, scrolls or incomplete books.

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Question 29 - Tao Te Ching
Wikicommons by Julianbce
Can you name this Classical Chinese text of 81 verses that teach the way of life?
"Aesop's Fables"
"Tao Te Ching"
"Sappho's Poems"
"Zhuangzi"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the Tao Te Ching is written in 6th-century Chinese and has no punctuation, no case, no tense, no number, no gender and there is no difference between singular and plural words, it is one of the most widely translated texts in the world.

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Question 30 - Urukagina Code
Wikicommons by Daderot
Do you know the set of laws considered the first recorded law code in the world?
Draco's Law
Code of Hammurabi
Code Nesilim
Urukagina Code
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Urukagina was a Mesopotamian ruler way back in 2400 BC, and his set of laws is considered to be the first example of recorded law code in the world. His laws spared women and orphans from paying taxes and forced rich people to use silver when buying from the poor.

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Question 31 - Sumerian King List
Wikicommons by Ashmolean Museum
What ancient list is written on the eight-inch, four-sided tablet?
Draconian Constitution
Code of Hammurabi
Hittite military oath
Sumerian King List
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This specific tablet is called the Weld-Blundell prism and contains a list of Ancient Sumerian kings and their time of reign. The tablet even lists kings who reigned before the great biblical flood. The first ruler, Alulim, reigned for 28,800 years. The last ruler reigned for 23 years.

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Question 32 - Tale of Two Brothers
Wikicommons by ancient Egyptian
Can you name this Ancient Egyptian fable that tells the story of two siblings?
"Antigone"
"Book of the Dead"
"Tale of Two Brothers"
"Poor Man of Nippur"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This Egyptian fable tells the story of brothers Anpu and Bata, who love each other, hate each other, love each other again and eventually become rulers of the kingdom and live happily ever after. It's one of the more well known Egyptian fables.

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Question 33 - Coffin Texts
Wikicommons by Walters Art Museum
What's the name of these texts that helped Ancient Egyptians thrive in the afterlife?
Great Hymn to the Aten
Pyramid Texts
Coffin Texts
Papyrus of Ani
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pyramid Texts are spells that helped Egyptian royalty thrive in the afterlife. The Coffin Texts are similar spells but were available to anyone who could afford to be buried in a coffin. The first coffin texts date back to 2100 BC.

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Question 34 - Confucius
Wikicommons by Confucius and his disciples
Do you know the definitive books on Confucianism?
Dresden Codex
Four Books and Five Classics
Zhuangzi
Tao Te Ching
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This book is broken up into nine parts that analyze the teachings of Confucius. The Four Books focus on teachings from Confucius and conversations with others close to him. The Five Classics offer more historical context.

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Question 35 - Ebers Papyrus
Wikicommons by PEbers_c41.jpg: Einsamer Schützederivative work: Photohound
Can you name this Ancient Egyptian medical text that is one of the oldest in the world to focus on herbal medicine?
Ebers Papyrus
Hippocratic Oath
Edwin Smith Papyrus
Kahun Papyrus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ebers Papyrus is one of the best examples of Ancient Egyptian medical knowledge. It doesn't differentiate between science and magic the way the Edwin Smith Papyrus does. It correctly labeled the heart as the center of blood flow, but incorrectly labeled it for other functions.

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Question 36 - Papyrus of Ani
Wikicommons by British Museum
Do you know this famous example of an Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead?
Papyrus of Ani
Great Hymn to the Aten
Tale of Two Brothers
Amarna Letters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Book of the Dead was written for select Egyptians. Over centuries, hundreds of them were compiled to create a collection of books that is also known as the Book of the Dead. Each book (or chapter) stands alone. The Papyrus of Ani is one of the more well-known books.

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Question 37 - Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor
Wikicommons by Russian: Van, BeanFrançais: Wang, BingEnglish: Wang, Bing中文:王冰Português: Wang, Bingالعربية: وانغ ، بينغEspañol: Wang, Bing
This has been the authoritative text of Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. Can you name it?
"Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor"
"Anitta Text"
"Tao Te Ching"
"Classic of Rites"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This ancient Chinese text is officially known as the Huangdi Neijing. The text contains 162 chapters of questions and answers that focus on diagnoses, medicine and acupuncture. It has formed the foundation for Chinese medicine for centuries.

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Question 38 - Codex Vaticanus
Wikicommons by Codex Vaticanus
Do you know the oldest surviving manuscript of the Old and New Testament?
"Book of the Dead"
"Dynasty of Dunnum"
"Loyalist Teaching"
"Codex Vaticanus"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Codex Vaticanus" dates back to the 4th century, making it one of the oldest books in the world. It's regarded as the oldest version of the Greek Bible and has been housed in the Vatican for several centuries.

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Question 39 - Lament of Ur
Wikicommons by Louvre Museum
Can you name this mournful text that marked the fall of Ur in Sumeria?
Dresden Codex
Lament of Ur
Great Hymn to the Aten
Poor Man of Nippur
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This stone tablet dates way back to 2000 BC when enemies overtook the Sumerian city of Ur. There are more than 430 lines that describe how the gods wept after the destruction of the city. The text was discovered in the early 20th century.

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Question 40 - Aeneid
Wikicommons by Scanned by David Stapleton (Dsmdgold). Artist Unknown
Do you know this epic poem by Virgil that tells the story of the hero Aeneas?
"Republic"
"Inferno
"Metaphysics"
"Aeneid"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Virgil's "Aeneid" was written in the 1st century BC. Along with Homer's "Illiad" and "Odyssey," it's considered one of the most famous epics in western literature. Legend has it Virgil wanted his drafts of "Aeneid" to be burned when he died, but they were published instead.

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