What Ancient Disaster Did You Survive in a Past Life?
By: Ian Fortey
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
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Image: Photography by Jeremy Villasis. Philippines / Moment / Getty Images
About This Quiz
The world is a never-ending cycle of chaos and order that can't be predicted or planned for in any way. Some people probably knew what to do during the quake that rocked Crete in 365; others had no idea how to handle the trillions of locusts that swarmed like a plague across America in 1874, eating everything in sight. From meteor strikes to dust veils to volcanic eruptions that made summer disappear for an entire year, the people of the ancient world had a lot of rough hands dealt to them that we've been lucky enough to avoid in modern history.
For all the damage that nature can do, if there's one thing humans have proven time and again, it's that they overcome. They can survive. In the face of utter destruction, humans can regroup and rebuild. It may be a slow process, and the toll to get to that point is higher than anyone ever wanted to pay, but what else can we do? If you feel like you've been around the block before, then It's time to find out what ancient disaster you lived through during one of your past lives. Take the quiz and see!
START QUIZ
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Alessandra Taryn Bea / Moment / Getty Images
Throughout history, civilizations rose and fell. Which civilization that once ruled supreme would you have wanted to be a part of?
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Sebastián Crespo Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which kind of disaster terrifies you the most?
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William Yu Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Do you feel like you have a strong sense of adventure?
Not super strong but a bit
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George Papapostolou photographer / Moment / Getty Images
The Ancient Greeks were brilliant innovators. What was their most amazing discovery?
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www.tonnaja.com / Moment / Getty Images
The Egyptian pantheon had some seriously creepy gods. Which one would give you nightmares?
Ammit, the crocodile-headed eater of the dead
Shesmu, who pressed his victims into wine
Menhit, the lion-headed goddess of slaughter and war
Am-heh, the devourer of millions who lived on a lake of fire
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Lorado / E+ / Getty Images
Which group of historical warriors do you think was the most incredible?
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DuKai photographer / Moment / Getty Images
In a disaster situation, would you help strangers before you helped yourself?
I like to think I would do that.
I'd try to help my family first.
I don't know if I can answer that.
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zf L / Moment / Getty Images
There are a number of lost cities that exist only in legend. Which one is the most fascinating to you?
El Dorado, the lost city of gold
Camelot, the castle of King Arthur
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Photography by Jeremy Villasis. Philippines / Moment / Getty Images
Some civilizations are defined by their leaders. Which historical leader would you have wanted to meet?
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DuKai photographer / Moment / Getty Images
Ancient China was all about innovation. Which of their creations is the most impressive?
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SinghaphanAllB / Moment / Getty Images
Some folks believe ancient landmarks were built by aliens. Which one do you find most interesting?
The Moai on Easter Island
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skaman306 / Moment / Getty Images
If you could watch one pyramid as it was being built, which one would you choose?
The Great Pyramid at Giza
The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan
The Nuban Pyramids in Sudan
The Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq
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sakchai vongsasiripat / Moment / Getty Images
It never hurts to be bilingual. What dead language would you want to resurrect?
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Shanna Baker / Moment / Getty Images
Let's dive into a mystery. What do you think Stonehenge was built for?
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Enn Li Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which ancient culture had the most interesting pantheon of gods?
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jopstock / Moment / Getty Images
Many ancient Greeks believed in reincarnation. As what animal would you come back?
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fahadee.com / Moment / Getty Images
The world was a much more magical place back in the day. What magical beast would you have tried to find in the wild?
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Sol de Zuasnabar Brebbia / Moment / Getty Images
The Colosseum was clearly an important part of Roman culture. What would your job have been there?
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Matteo Colombo / Moment / Getty Images
The Greeks were pioneers in philosophy. What's your philosophy?
Live every day like it's your last.
Treat others like you want to be treated.
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M.Cantarero / Moment / Getty Images
They say Vikings first discovered North America. Do you have that same adventurous spirit?
I'll take on any adventure.
I'm into tiny adventures.
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Amith Nag Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which empire of the Americas do you wish they taught more about in school?
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Kitti Boonnitrod / Moment / Getty Images
The Paleo diet is meant to replicate an extremely old-school way of eating. Are you down?
I tried it and didn't like it.
I've tried it, and it's not bad.
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Jean-Philippe Tournut / Moment / Getty Images
We're used to "normal" disasters, but history has had some crazy ones. Which of these is mind-boggling to you?
The Tunguska meteor blast of 1908
The year with no summer in 1815
The Boston molasses flood of 1919
The year-long dust veil of 536 AD
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Scott Robertson / Moment / Getty Images
What's a surefire way to end a civilation that doesn't involve natural disasters?
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Cherdchanok Treevanchai / Moment / Getty Images
Speaking of past lives, how many do you think you've lived?
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Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost / Moment / Getty Images
Which historical genius would be worth sitting down with for lunch and a chat?
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jopstock / Moment / Getty Images
You might be surprised to learn what was invented by ancient Indians. Which of these surprises you most?
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AlagnaMarco / Moment / Getty Images
Picture life 2000 years ago. What would you be doing for a living?
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© Santiago Urquijo / Moment/ Getty Images
In a battle between the Greeks and the Romans, who are you betting on?
At what point during history?
They wipe each other out.
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Grant Faint / DigitalVision / Getty Images
History has given us some incredible sculptures. Which one blows you away the most?
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in China
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