History Quiz!

pinkypinky

No

Boulevardier

Cicero

pedroeibar1

Boulevardier wrote: »

Cicero

The guy who wrote 'Aedes sine libris, corpori sine spiritu similis est' is an unlikely candidate for drag. :pac:

PS and no, I think not Fredericus Mercurius either

pinkypinky

I don't know anyone knows - should I just tell you?

pedroeibar1

pinkypinky wrote: »

I don't know anyone knows - should I just tell you?

Yes.
I cheated, looked it up just now and would never have got it. Even when I read about it, it brought only the vaguest recollection of the event.

I must re-read Robert Grave's 'Claudius' books again, although 'yer man' does not feature I think. The Graves are a fascinating family, clerics, writers, medical men, historians, etc. Not sure that I'd want a disease named after me though!

pinkypinky

Clodius Publius Pulcher - a much under-rated politician from that era and a major opponent of Cicero. His sister was super cool too and his daughter was married to Octavian.

I studied ancient history in college so I may know too much about this.

knucklehead6

Question?

feargale

The most northerly recorded coastal raid by Barbary pirates took place where?

pedroeibar1

feargale wrote: »

The most northerly recorded coastal raid by Barbary pirates took place where?

Baltimore? The book "The Stolen Village"?

Manach

Purely a guess: Reykjavik?

feargale

Manach wrote: »

Purely a guess: Reykjavik?

I'll take that though not strictly Reykjavik. There were three raids on Iceland in 1627, two on the mainland and the best known one in Vestmanneyjar. Many people were brought to Algiers including most notably the pastor's family. Some were ransomed by the King of Denmark.

pedroeibar1

Pastors did not have much luck! Another Irish one I know of concerns Rev. Devereux Spratt. He had worked as a tutor to the Dennys in Tralee and en route to England in 1641 with fellow passengers was captured by Algerine pirates. He says in his journal: "I embarked in one John Filmer's vessel, which sayled with about six score passengers, but before wee were out of sight of land wee were all taken by an Algire piratt, who put the men in chaines and stockes." He was brought to Algiers where he joined other slaves. He had the good fortune to be sold to a kindly master, who also allowed him to minister to his fellow-captives. Although ransomed, he remained there at the request of his ‘flock’ until he was forced to leave. He eventually became rector of Mitchelstown, Co. Cork and is buried there.

Manach

An interesting read on the Barbary pirates I'd recommend:
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade.

My question:
The defendant could be offered two drinks.
A white sherbet, freedom. A red sherbet, a death sentence that day.

However, as per a long standing custom, if the defendant could reach the palace exit via the gardens he was banished instead. Unfortunately he had to race the palace's gardeners who also served as the executors.

In which empire did this occur.

pedroeibar1

Sherbet is a Turkish word; the sultan had famous gardens (developed breeds of tulips) so I'm guessing Ottoman?

Manach

Exactly right : it was from this interesting (if grimly humourous article).

"The Ottoman Empire’s Life-or-Death Race

Custom in the Ottoman Empire mandated that a condemned grand vizier could save his neck if he won a sprint against his executioner
"
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-ottoman-empires-life-or-death-race-164064882/


Your turn.

pedroeibar1

Manach wrote: »

Your turn.

Staying with a Barbary pirate connection …

He first came to prominence in 1803 when he commanded a raid on Tripoli and blew up a Barbary frigate. Then when the British American war ended he went back with a squadron; within 48 hours he captured a frigate, killing her captain. He then sailed to Algiers and moored off the governor’s palace with broadside guns pointing at it. He demanded and obtained his treaty and compensation for the former raiding of merchant vessels. Later in life he fought a duel with a rival naval officer – his first choice for his ‘second’ was the grandson of a McDonagh from Leixlip who declined. His eventual second was jealous of him and agreed to the duel being fought face to face at only eight paces. Both men fired at the same time, his opponent was wounded (and survived) and he died about 12 hours later.

Who was he?

knucklehead6

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Staying with a Barbary pirate connection …

He first came to prominence in 1803 when he commanded a raid on Tripoli and blew up a Barbary frigate. Then when the British American war ended he went back with a squadron; within 48 hours he captured a frigate, killing her captain. He then sailed to Algiers and moored off the governor’s palace with broadside guns pointing at it. He demanded and obtained his treaty and compensation for the former raiding of merchant vessels. Later in life he fought a duel with a rival naval officer – his first choice for his ‘second’ was the grandson of a McDonagh from Leixlip who declined. His eventual second was jealous of him and agreed to the duel being fought face to face at only eight paces. Both men fired at the same time, his opponent was wounded (and survived) and he died about 12 hours later.

Who was he?

Decatur? Didn't he have to burn the Philadelphia?

pedroeibar1

knucklehead6 wrote: »

Decatur? Didn't he have to burn the Philadelphia?

Yes. Stephen Decatur. He burned the Philadelphia (run aground by Bainbridge on an uncharted reef) to prevent her falling into 'pirate' hands. Thomas MacDonagh mentioned above also took part in that raid.

Your turn.

knucklehead6

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Yes. Stephen Decatur. He burned the Philadelphia (run aground by Bainbridge on an uncharted reef) to prevent her falling into 'pirate' hands. Thomas MacDonagh mentioned above also took part in that raid.

Your turn.

We'll keep it nautical and move forward in time.

What city did Lady Lex provide power to in 1929?

Manach

San Diego?

Capt'n Midnight

Thought it was later than that and near Texas, though could be mistaking it with a later incident involving a nuclear one though.

Love the idea though , an aircraft carrier and a huge set of jump leads.

knucklehead6

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Thought it was later than that and near Texas, though could be mistaking it with a later incident involving a nuclear one though.

Love the idea though , an aircraft carrier and a huge set of jump leads.

nope.... further north

knucklehead6

if no replies today I'll give the answer about 5pm. Whoever gets closest can take the next question

pedroeibar1

Another clue - the waterworks in that city were designed by an Irishman who had settled there. Prior to running off to the US with his 'fancywoman' (and abandoning his wife and infant son) he was responsible for the electrification of the Lucan tram (previously steam) and also worked on the line to Blessington. He was ahead of the curve with plans for a hydro scheme on the Shannon (at Castleconnell) in the 1890's, and with another engineer drew up plans to extend the GSWR railway from Kenmare to Castletownbere.

knucklehead6

Tacoma.

Manach, take the stand

knucklehead6

Ok, we'll go with a Who Am I?

I was assigned to POW, but before I took up my position a relation was given command so I was moved elsewhere.

I stayed in the same career, moving on up through the ranks and was intrsumental in helping to decide the course of action during some unpleasantness down south during the 80's

I have a building named after me, and actually got to see it too, before I died.

pinkypinky

Jack Leslie?

knucklehead6

pinkypinky wrote: »

Jack Leslie?

No

pedroeibar1

POW = Prince of Wales? Wild guess it's the 1800's an possibly a Churchillian connection?

knucklehead6

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

POW = Prince of Wales? Wild guess it's the 1800's an possibly a Churchillian connection?

POW is Prince Of Wales,
Not 1800's,
You could say there would be a churchill connection alright, but not a family member.