Quiz · 8 rounds · 3 min · Free · Updated October 2026
Ancient warfare was decided by close-packed infantry, from the Greek hoplite phalanx to the Roman legion, with cavalry, chariots and war fleets as the deciding blow. Its great battles founded and broke empires, from Persia and Macedon to Rome and Han China. This quiz takes you through eight of them.
You get eight short scenes, each describing a battle fought before AD 476 without naming it. Pick one of four answers, see a short fact after each round and get a rank at the end. It takes about three minutes.
Which battles are in the quiz?
The rounds cover famous clashes of Greece, Persia, Macedon, Carthage, Rome and China, from Marathon and Thermopylae to Cannae, Alesia, Actium, the Teutoburg Forest and Red Cliffs. Every answer links to a full article.
What decided most ancient battles?
Usually the cohesion of heavy infantry and the timing of the cavalry. Once a phalanx or a legion lost its formation, or was attacked in the flank and rear as at Cannae, it could be destroyed in hours.
Relive the battles
Echoes of Battle brings 40 of history's greatest battles to life, scene by scene, with a real-time tactical mode in the works. Join the list to be first when it launches.
