Q.1 Who were the Scythians?
A settled farming community
A nomadic warrior people
An ancient priesthood
A group of city-builders
Explanation - The Scythians were nomadic warrior tribes of the Eurasian steppe, known for horse-riding and archery.
Correct answer is: A nomadic warrior people
Q.2 In which region did the Scythians primarily live?
Mesopotamia
Eurasian Steppe
Nile Valley
Greek Islands
Explanation - The Scythians roamed across the vast Eurasian Steppe, from the Black Sea to Central Asia.
Correct answer is: Eurasian Steppe
Q.3 Which ancient historian wrote extensively about the Scythians?
Plato
Herodotus
Xenophon
Thucydides
Explanation - Herodotus described Scythian customs, warfare, and way of life in his 'Histories'.
Correct answer is: Herodotus
Q.4 What was the primary weapon of the Scythians?
Long sword
Composite bow
Spear
Battle axe
Explanation - The Scythians were famed for their composite bows, effective for mounted archery.
Correct answer is: Composite bow
Q.5 The Scythians were especially skilled in what form of warfare?
Naval battles
Fortress sieges
Mounted archery
Hand-to-hand combat
Explanation - They perfected mounted archery, striking enemies while riding at high speed.
Correct answer is: Mounted archery
Q.6 Which empire fought several wars against the Scythians?
Roman Empire
Assyrian Empire
Persian Empire
Egyptian Empire
Explanation - The Achaemenid Persians under Darius I launched campaigns against the Scythians.
Correct answer is: Persian Empire
Q.7 What animal was central to Scythian culture and mobility?
Camel
Elephant
Horse
Ox
Explanation - Horses were essential for transport, warfare, and status in Scythian society.
Correct answer is: Horse
Q.8 What type of burial mounds are associated with Scythians?
Ziggurats
Dolmens
Kurgans
Stupas
Explanation - Scythian elites were buried in large kurgans, often filled with treasures and horses.
Correct answer is: Kurgans
Q.9 What was a distinctive feature of Scythian art?
Abstract patterns
Animal-style motifs
Geometric designs
Religious icons
Explanation - Scythian art is famous for 'animal style' motifs depicting predators and prey.
Correct answer is: Animal-style motifs
Q.10 Which modern countries cover much of the former Scythian territory?
Egypt and Libya
Russia and Ukraine
Italy and Greece
China and Mongolia
Explanation - The Eurasian steppe lands of modern Russia and Ukraine were major Scythian regions.
Correct answer is: Russia and Ukraine
Q.11 What practice among the Scythians shocked Greek observers?
Tea drinking
Body tattooing
Bread baking
Metal smelting
Explanation - Scythians decorated their bodies with tattoos, which Greeks considered unusual.
Correct answer is: Body tattooing
Q.12 Which metal was commonly used by Scythians for weapons and ornaments?
Iron
Bronze
Gold
Silver
Explanation - The Scythians are known for intricate gold ornaments discovered in their tombs.
Correct answer is: Gold
Q.13 Scythians often practiced which funerary custom for their leaders?
Mummification
Cremation
Human and horse sacrifices
Stone coffins
Explanation - Elite burials included sacrificed retainers and horses to accompany leaders into the afterlife.
Correct answer is: Human and horse sacrifices
Q.14 What was the main food source for Scythians?
Rice
Wheat bread
Meat and dairy
Fish
Explanation - Being nomadic herders, Scythians relied heavily on meat and dairy products.
Correct answer is: Meat and dairy
Q.15 What role did women play in Scythian society?
Only household duties
Priestesses only
Warriors and leaders
Excluded from public life
Explanation - Some Scythian women fought as warriors, inspiring the Greek myths of Amazons.
Correct answer is: Warriors and leaders
Q.16 Which famous conqueror later displaced Scythian dominance in the steppe?
Alexander the Great
Genghis Khan
Sarmatians
Cyrus the Great
Explanation - The Sarmatians gradually replaced Scythian dominance in the steppe after the 2nd century BCE.
Correct answer is: Sarmatians
Q.17 What drink did the Scythians famously consume?
Wine
Beer
Kumis (fermented mare’s milk)
Tea
Explanation - Scythians drank kumis, made from fermented mare’s milk, a staple of nomadic diets.
Correct answer is: Kumis (fermented mare’s milk)
Q.18 Which empire attempted to invade Scythian lands around 513 BCE?
Assyrians
Babylonians
Persians
Romans
Explanation - Darius I of Persia launched a failed campaign into Scythian territory in 513 BCE.
Correct answer is: Persians
Q.19 What material was most Scythian clothing made from?
Cotton
Silk
Wool and leather
Linen
Explanation - Scythian clothing was practical for the steppe climate, made mostly of wool and leather.
Correct answer is: Wool and leather
Q.20 The Scythians spoke which type of language?
Indo-European
Semitic
Turkic
Dravidian
Explanation - Scythian belonged to the Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.
Correct answer is: Indo-European
Q.21 What natural resource was abundant in Scythian graves?
Copper tools
Gold treasures
Stone idols
Ivory carvings
Explanation - Scythian burial mounds revealed an extraordinary wealth of gold artifacts.
Correct answer is: Gold treasures
Q.22 What was the primary social structure of Scythian society?
City-states
Clan-based tribes
Royal dynasties
Merchant guilds
Explanation - Scythians lived in clan-based tribes led by chieftains rather than centralized states.
Correct answer is: Clan-based tribes
Q.23 What was the Greek name for Scythian territory north of the Black Sea?
Hellas
Scythia
Persis
Sogdiana
Explanation - The Greeks referred to the vast lands of the Scythians simply as 'Scythia'.
Correct answer is: Scythia
Q.24 What role did shamans play in Scythian life?
Military leaders
Religious and healing figures
Merchants
Farmers
Explanation - Shamans acted as spiritual guides, healers, and mediators with the spirit world.
Correct answer is: Religious and healing figures
Q.25 Which artistic influence was often combined with Scythian animal motifs?
Greek
Chinese
Persian
Egyptian
Explanation - Greek artisans often blended their styles with Scythian motifs, especially in goldwork.
Correct answer is: Greek