Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

Britannia Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Study Hints Create Teach
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: Britannia: Evolution of a National Personification

Cheat Sheet:
Britannia: Evolution of a National Personification Study Guide

Etymological Origins and Pre-Roman Context

The image of Britannia was first introduced by the Greeks in classical antiquity to represent their maritime power.

Answer: False

Explanation: The image of Britannia was first introduced by the Romans, not the Greeks, and was initially applied to the British Isles and the Roman province of Britain.

Return to Game

By the 1st century AD, Albion had replaced Britannia as the common Latin name for the island of Great Britain.

Answer: False

Explanation: By the 1st century BC, Britannia had replaced Albion as the common Latin name for the island of Great Britain, not the other way around, and not by the 1st century AD.

Return to Game

The name Britannia is a Latinisation of the native Brittonic word Pretanī for Great Britain.

Answer: True

Explanation: The name Britannia is indeed a Latinisation derived from the native Brittonic word Pretanī, which referred to Great Britain.

Return to Game

In the 1st century BC, Diodorus Siculus referred to Pretannia, a rendering of the indigenous name for the Pretani people.

Answer: True

Explanation: Diodorus Siculus, in the 1st century BC, used the term Pretannia, which was a representation of the indigenous name for the Pretani people.

Return to Game

The Romans initially referred to the British Isles collectively as Britannia before it became specific to Great Britain.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Romans initially referred to the British Isles collectively as 'Insulae Britannicae' (British Isles) in the plural, before 'Albion' became specifically known as 'Britannia' for Great Britain.

Return to Game

Which ancient civilization first used the image of Britannia?

Answer: The Romans

Explanation: The image of Britannia was first employed by the Romans in classical antiquity.

Return to Game

By what century had Britannia replaced Albion as the common Latin name for the island of Great Britain?

Answer: 1st century BC

Explanation: By the 1st century BC, Britannia had become the common Latin name for the island of Great Britain, superseding Albion.

Return to Game

What is the etymological origin of the name Britannia?

Answer: A Latinisation of a native Brittonic word.

Explanation: The name Britannia originates as a Latinisation of the native Brittonic word Pretanī, which referred to Great Britain.

Return to Game

Who was the first writer to use a form of the name Britannia, referring to Prettanike or Brettaniai?

Answer: Pytheas

Explanation: The Greek explorer and geographer Pytheas was the first writer to use a form of the name, referring to Prettanike or Brettaniai in the 4th century BC.

Return to Game

How did Diodorus Siculus refer to the British Isles in the 1st century BC?

Answer: Pretannia

Explanation: In the 1st century BC, Diodorus Siculus referred to the British Isles as Pretannia, a rendering of the indigenous name for the Pretani people.

Return to Game

Before Albion became specifically known as Britannia, how did the Romans initially refer to the British Isles in the plural?

Answer: Insulae Britannicae

Explanation: The Romans initially referred to the British Isles collectively in the plural as 'Insulae Britannicae' before Albion became specifically known as Britannia.

Return to Game

Roman Province and Early Personification

The Roman Britannia was typically depicted reclining or seated, holding a spear and shield, appearing on Roman coins of the 2nd century AD.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the Roman era, Britannia was commonly portrayed reclining or seated, equipped with a spear and shield, a depiction frequently found on Roman coinage from the 2nd century AD.

Return to Game

After the Roman conquest in 43 AD, the Roman province of Britannia encompassed the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain.

Answer: True

Explanation: Following the Roman conquest in 43 AD, the province of Britannia was established, covering the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain.

Return to Game

The northern third of Great Britain, known to the Romans as Caledonia, was permanently occupied by the Roman army.

Answer: False

Explanation: The northern third of Great Britain, referred to by the Romans as Caledonia, was only intermittently occupied by the Roman army, not permanently.

Return to Game

Julius Caesar is commonly credited with the creation and unification of the Roman province of Britannia in 43 AD.

Answer: False

Explanation: Emperor Claudius is commonly credited with the creation and unification of the Roman province of Britannia in 43 AD, while Julius Caesar had established Roman authority over parts of Britain earlier.

Return to Game

Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans as a boundary with Caledonia, the unconquered northern territory.

Answer: True

Explanation: Hadrian's Wall was indeed constructed by the Romans to delineate the boundary with Caledonia, the northern territory that remained unconquered.

Return to Game

People living in the Roman province of Britannia were known as Gauls.

Answer: False

Explanation: The inhabitants of the Roman province of Britannia were known as Britanni or Britons, not Gauls.

Return to Game

Ireland, known as Hibernia, was successfully invaded and occupied by the Romans.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ireland, referred to as Hibernia by the Romans, was never successfully invaded or occupied by them.

Return to Game

Britannia appeared on coins issued under Hadrian as a more regal-looking female figure.

Answer: True

Explanation: On coins issued during the reign of Hadrian, Britannia was indeed depicted as a more regal-looking female figure.

Return to Game

In the 2nd century AD, Roman Britannia was personified as a goddess resembling the goddess Diana.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the 2nd century AD, Roman Britannia was personified as a goddess resembling Athena-Minerva, not Diana.

Return to Game

Early portraits of Britannia as a goddess typically showed her standing, fully clothed, and holding a lyre.

Answer: False

Explanation: Early goddess portraits of Britannia typically depicted her seated on a rock, wearing a Corinthian helmet, with her right breast exposed, and holding a trident and spiked shield, not standing, fully clothed, and holding a lyre.

Return to Game

When Roman Britain was divided into four provinces in 197 AD, two were named Britannia Superior and Britannia Inferior.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 197 AD, Roman Britain was indeed divided into four provinces, with two of them specifically named Britannia Superior and Britannia Inferior.

Return to Game

How was the Roman Britannia typically depicted on coins of the 2nd century AD?

Answer: Reclining or seated, holding a spear and shield.

Explanation: On Roman coins of the 2nd century AD, Britannia was typically portrayed reclining or seated, holding a spear and shield.

Return to Game

After the Roman conquest in 43 AD, what geographical scope did the Roman province of Britannia encompass?

Answer: The southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain.

Explanation: Following the Roman conquest in 43 AD, the Roman province of Britannia extended across the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain.

Return to Game

What was the Roman name for the northern part of Great Britain, north of the River Forth, that was only intermittently occupied?

Answer: Caledonia

Explanation: The Romans referred to the northern part of Great Britain, north of the River Forth, which they only intermittently occupied, as Caledonia.

Return to Game

Who is commonly attributed with the creation and unification of the Roman province of Britannia in 43 AD?

Answer: Emperor Claudius

Explanation: Emperor Claudius is widely recognized for the creation and unification of the Roman province of Britannia in 43 AD.

Return to Game

What was the primary purpose of Hadrian's Wall in Roman Britain?

Answer: To mark the boundary with the unconquered northern territory of Caledonia.

Explanation: Hadrian's Wall served as a crucial demarcation, marking the boundary between Roman Britain and the unconquered northern territory of Caledonia.

Return to Game

What were the inhabitants of the Roman province of Britannia called?

Answer: Britanni or Britons

Explanation: The inhabitants of the Roman province of Britannia were known as Britanni or Britons.

Return to Game

Which of the following areas of the British Isles was never invaded by the Romans?

Answer: Ireland

Explanation: Ireland, known as Hibernia, was never subjected to Roman invasion or occupation.

Return to Game

How was Britannia depicted on coins issued under Hadrian?

Answer: As a more regal-looking female figure.

Explanation: On coins issued during Hadrian's reign, Britannia was portrayed as a more regal-looking female figure.

Return to Game

In the 2nd century AD, Roman Britannia was personified as a goddess resembling which other goddess?

Answer: Athena-Minerva

Explanation: In the 2nd century AD, Roman Britannia was personified as a goddess bearing a strong resemblance to Athena-Minerva.

Return to Game

Which of the following was a typical feature of early goddess portraits of Britannia?

Answer: Seated on a rock, holding a trident, with her right breast exposed.

Explanation: A typical feature of early goddess portraits of Britannia was her depiction seated on a rock, holding a trident, and with her right breast exposed.

Return to Game

How was Roman Britain divided into two provinces in 197 AD?

Answer: Britannia Superior and Britannia Inferior

Explanation: In 197 AD, Roman Britain was divided into four provinces, two of which were named Britannia Superior ('Upper Britain') and Britannia Inferior ('Lower Britain').

Return to Game

Post-Roman Persistence and Medieval/Early Modern Revival

The name Britannia completely disappeared from use after the end of Roman rule in the 5th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The name Britannia did not disappear; rather, it persisted long after the end of Roman rule in the 5th century, influencing the names for the island in many European languages.

Return to Game

In the 9th century, Anglo-Saxon kings used terms like Bretwalda and rex Britanniae to assert a wider hegemony in Britain.

Answer: True

Explanation: Anglo-Saxon kings in the 9th century indeed employed titles such as Bretwalda and rex Britanniae to signify a broader hegemony across Britain.

Return to Game

The Latin form of Britannia was revived during the Industrial Revolution as a symbol of technological advancement.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Latin form of Britannia was revived during the English Renaissance, not the Industrial Revolution, and served as a rhetorical evocation of British national identity, not technological advancement.

Return to Game

The term Britannia also came to refer to the Armorican peninsula (now Brittany) from the 6th century, due to the migration of Brythonic Celts.

Answer: True

Explanation: From the 6th century, the term Britannia also came to denote the Armorican peninsula, now known as Brittany, a development linked to the migration of Brythonic Celts.

Return to Game

The term 'Grande Bretagne' was used to distinguish the island of Britain from Ireland.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'Grande Bretagne' was employed to differentiate the island of Britain from the Armorican peninsula (Brittany), not from Ireland.

Return to Game

From the Roman era, the term 'Briton' consistently referred to any inhabitant of the island of Great Britain or the UK.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'Briton' initially referred specifically to native British, Celtic-speaking inhabitants of the Roman province, and its usage expanded to include any inhabitant of Great Britain or the UK only in the modern era, thus not consistently from the Roman era.

Return to Game

John Dee's 1576 work featured Britannia kneeling by the shore, beseeching Queen Elizabeth I to strengthen her navy.

Answer: True

Explanation: John Dee's 1576 work indeed depicted Britannia kneeling by the shore, imploring Queen Elizabeth I to enhance her naval power.

Return to Game

Upon succeeding to the English throne, James VI of Scotland proclaimed himself 'King of England, Scotland, and Ireland'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Upon his succession, James VI of Scotland proclaimed himself 'King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland' in 1604, not 'King of England, Scotland, and Ireland'.

Return to Game

How did the name Britannia persist after the end of Roman rule in the 5th century?

Answer: It long survived, giving rise to the name for the island in most European languages.

Explanation: The name Britannia endured well beyond the 5th century, influencing the nomenclature for the island in numerous European languages.

Return to Game

In the 9th century, Anglo-Saxon kings used titles like 'rex Britanniae' to assert what?

Answer: A wider hegemony in Britain.

Explanation: In the 9th century, Anglo-Saxon kings utilized titles such as 'rex Britanniae' to signify a broader political and territorial influence across Britain.

Return to Game

During which historical period was the Latin form of Britannia revived as a rhetorical evocation of a British national identity?

Answer: The English Renaissance

Explanation: The Latin form of Britannia was revived during the English Renaissance to rhetorically evoke a burgeoning British national identity.

Return to Game

From which century did the term Britannia also come to refer to the Armorican peninsula, now known as Brittany?

Answer: 6th century

Explanation: The term Britannia began to refer to the Armorican peninsula, now Brittany, from the 6th century onward, following the migration of Brythonic Celts.

Return to Game

What was the purpose of the term 'Grande Bretagne'?

Answer: To distinguish the island of Britain from the Armorican peninsula.

Explanation: The term 'Grande Bretagne' was used to differentiate the island of Britain from the continental Armorican peninsula, which also came to be known as Britannia (Brittany).

Return to Game

How did the meaning of 'Briton' evolve over time?

Answer: It initially referred to native British, Celtic-speaking inhabitants, later expanding to any inhabitant of Great Britain/UK.

Explanation: The meaning of 'Briton' evolved from initially referring to native British, Celtic-speaking inhabitants of the Roman province to later encompass any inhabitant of the island of Great Britain or the UK.

Return to Game

In his 1576 work, how did John Dee utilize the image of Britannia during Elizabeth I's reign?

Answer: He used a frontispiece of Britannia kneeling, beseeching Queen Elizabeth I to strengthen her navy.

Explanation: In his 1576 work, John Dee featured Britannia in a frontispiece, kneeling by the shore and imploring Queen Elizabeth I to bolster her navy.

Return to Game

What title did James VI of Scotland adopt upon succeeding to the English throne in 1604?

Answer: King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland

Explanation: Upon his succession to the English throne in 1604, James VI of Scotland adopted the title 'King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland'.

Return to Game

Iconographic Development and National Symbolism (17th-19th Century)

Britannia's primary role is to serve as the national personification of Britain, often depicted as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield.

Answer: True

Explanation: Britannia functions as the national personification of Britain, commonly portrayed as a helmeted female warrior wielding a trident and shield, a depiction that solidified over centuries.

Return to Game

Britannia's spear became a trident in 1825 to symbolize the Royal Navy's victories, and a helmet was added to her depiction on coinage in 1797.

Answer: False

Explanation: The spear transformed into a trident in 1797, symbolizing the Royal Navy's triumphs, while the helmet was incorporated into her coinage depiction in 1825, reversing the years stated in the question.

Return to Game

On coins of the pound sterling issued by Charles II, Britannia appeared with her shield bearing the Union Flag.

Answer: True

Explanation: Britannia was depicted on Charles II's pound sterling coins with her shield emblazoned with the Union Flag.

Return to Game

Following the Acts of Union in 1707, the personification of Britannia was used as an emblem of British maritime power and unity.

Answer: True

Explanation: After the Acts of Union in 1707, the personification of Britannia was indeed employed as a powerful emblem of British maritime strength and national unity.

Return to Game

What was the primary allegorical role of Britannia as a symbol?

Answer: To serve as the national personification of Britain.

Explanation: Britannia's primary allegorical function is to serve as the national personification of Britain, embodying the nation's identity and values.

Return to Game

In what year did Britannia's spear become a trident, symbolizing the Royal Navy's victories?

Answer: 1797

Explanation: Britannia's spear was transformed into a trident in 1797, a change that symbolized the Royal Navy's victories.

Return to Game

What flag appeared on Britannia's shield on coins issued by Charles II?

Answer: The Union Flag

Explanation: On coins issued by Charles II, Britannia's shield prominently featured the Union Flag.

Return to Game

What role did the personification of martial Britannia play after the Acts of Union in 1707?

Answer: It served as an emblem of British maritime power and unity.

Explanation: Following the Acts of Union in 1707, the martial personification of Britannia became a significant emblem of British maritime power and national unity.

Return to Game

Contemporary Presence and Cultural Legacy

Britannia is most notably featured in the patriotic song 'God Save the King/Queen'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Britannia is most notably featured in the patriotic song 'Rule, Britannia!', which is often considered an unofficial national anthem, rather than 'God Save the King/Queen'.

Return to Game

In what patriotic song is Britannia most notably featured, often used as an unofficial national anthem?

Answer: Rule, Britannia!

Explanation: Britannia is most prominently featured in the patriotic song 'Rule, Britannia!', which is frequently regarded as an unofficial national anthem.

Return to Game