Trivia games are fun for testing your knowledge and learning new facts about world history. However, coming up with interesting questions can be time-consuming and difficult.

This article provides a comprehensive collection of over 257 world history trivia questions and answers covering various periods and regions.

Whether you’re organizing a quiz night or want to challenge yourself, this list has something for everyone.

From ancient civilizations to modern-day events, these carefully crafted questions will help you explore the rich tapestry of human history.

Get ready to expand your knowledge and impress your friends with your world history expertise.

World History Trivia Questions & Answers

1. Who was the first Emperor of Rome? – Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE)

2. Which ancient civilization built the Machu Picchu complex? – The Inca civilization

3. Who was the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia? – Vladimir Lenin

4. In which year did Christopher Columbus first reach the Americas? – 1492

5. Which Chinese dynasty built the Great Wall of China? – The Ming dynasty (1368-1644)

6. Who was the first president of the United States? – George Washington

7. Which ancient civilization built the Pyramids of Giza? – The Ancient Egyptians

8. In which year did World War II end? – 1945

9. Who painted the Mona Lisa? – Leonardo da Vinci

10. Which Roman Emperor legalized Christianity? – Constantine the Great

11. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize? – Marie Curie (1903)

12. Which city was divided by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War? – Berlin, Germany

13. Who was the first explorer to circumnavigate the globe? – Ferdinand Magellan

14. Which ancient Greek philosopher wrote “The Republic”? – Plato

15. Who was the first King of England? – Athelstan (924-939)

16. In which year did the French Revolution begin? – 1789

17. Which ancient civilization built the city of Babylon? – The Babylonians

18. Who was the first European explorer to reach India by sea? – Vasco da Gama

19. Which Roman Emperor was known for his cruelty and extravagance? – Nero

20. In which year did the United States declare independence? – 1776

21. Who was the first Emperor of China? – Qin Shi Huang (221-206 BCE)

22. Which ancient Greek city-state was known for its powerful navy? – Athens

23. Who was the leader of the Cuban Revolution? – Fidel Castro

24. In which year did the Berlin Wall fall? – 1989

25. Which ancient civilization built the city of Teotihuacan? – The ancient Mesoamericans

26. Who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean? – Amelia Earhart (1932)

27. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty? – Nero

28. In which year did World War I begin? – 1914

29. Who was the first European explorer to reach the New World? – Leif Erikson

30. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known as the “Father of Geometry”? – Euclid

31. Who was the first Emperor of the Mongol Empire? – Genghis Khan

32. Which city served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire? – Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul)

33. Who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule? – Mahatma Gandhi

34. In which year did the Russian Revolution occur? – 1917

35. Which ancient civilization built the city of Angkor Wat? – The Khmer Empire

36. Who was the first person to walk on the moon? – Neil Armstrong (1969)

37. Which Roman Emperor built the Colosseum? – Vespasian

38. In which year did the American Civil War end? – 1865

39. Who was the first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire? – Charlemagne

40. Which ancient Greek philosopher is known for his paradoxes? – Zeno of Elea

41. Who was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty in China? – Nurhaci

42. Which city was the center of the Italian Renaissance? – Florence

43. Who was the leader of the Haitian Revolution? – Toussaint Louverture

44. In which year did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occur? – 1986

45. Which ancient civilization built the city of Chichen Itza? – The Maya civilization

46. Who was the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of a country? – Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka,

1960)

47. Which Roman Emperor was known for his military conquests? – Trajan

48. In which year did the Vietnam War end? – 1975

49. Who was the first Emperor of the Mughal Empire in India? – Babur

50. Which ancient Greek mathematician calculated the circumference of the Earth? – Eratosthenes

51. Who was the first Emperor of the Byzantine Empire? – Constantine the Great

52. Which city was the center of the Harlem Renaissance? – New York City

53. Who was the leader of the Zulu Kingdom in the early 19th century? – Shaka Zulu

54. In which year did the Rwandan Genocide occur? – 1994

55. Which ancient civilization built the city of Persepolis? – The Persian Empire

56. Who was the first African American to win a Nobel Prize? – Ralph Bunche (Peace, 1950)

57. Which Roman Emperor was known for his philosophical writings? – Marcus Aurelius

58. In which year did the Korean War begin? – 1950

59. Who was the first Emperor of the Sui dynasty in China? – Yang Jian

60. Which ancient Greek scientist is known as the ‘Father of Medicine’? – Hippocrates

61. Who was the first Emperor of the Aztec Empire? – Acamapichtli

62. Which city was the center of the Scientific Revolution? – London

63. Who was the leader of the Haitian Revolution after Toussaint Louverture? – Jean-Jacques Dessalines

64. In which year did the Tiananmen Square protests occur? – 1989

65. Which ancient civilization built the city of Ur? – The Sumerians

66. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature? – Selma Lagerlöf (1909)

67. Which Roman Emperor was the first to be assassinated? – Caligula

68. In which year did the Gulf War begin? – 1990

69. Who was the first Emperor of the Tang dynasty in China? – Li Yuan

70. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Stoic school of philosophy? – Zeno of Citium

71. Who was the first Emperor of the Inca Empire? – Manco Cápac

72. Which city was the birthplace of the Baroque art movement? – Rome

73. Who was the leader of the Boer Republics during the Second Boer War? – Paul Kruger

74. In which year did the Srebrenica massacre occur during the Bosnian War? – 1995

75. Which ancient civilization built the city of Mohenjo-daro? – The Indus Valley Civilization

76. Who was the first African American to be elected to the United States Senate? – Hiram Rhodes Revels (1870)

77. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Pantheon? – Hadrian

78. In which year did the Falklands War take place? – 1982

79. Who was the first Emperor of the Song dynasty in China? – Zhao Kuangyin

80. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on the lever and pulleys? – Archimedes

81. Who was the first Emperor of the Mali Empire? – Sundiata Keita

82. Which city was the center of the Enlightenment? – Paris

83. Who was the leader of the Indian Rebellion of 1857? – Bahadur Shah II

84. In which year did the Collapse of the Soviet Union occur? – 1991

85. Which ancient civilization built the city of Thebes? – The Ancient Egyptians

86. Who was the first Hispanic American to be elected to the United States Congress? – Joseph Marion Hernández (1822)

87. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Five Good Emperors? – Marcus Aurelius

88. In which year did the Iranian Revolution take place? – 1979

89. Who was the first Emperor of the Yuan dynasty in China? – Kublai Khan

90. Which ancient Greek philosopher is known as the ‘Father of Western Philosophy’? – Socrates

91. Who was the first Emperor of the Songhai Empire? – Sunni Ali

92. Which city was the birthplace of the Impressionist art movement? – Paris

93. Who was the leader of the Nez Perce tribe during the Nez Perce War? – Chief Joseph

94. In which year did the Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin occur? – 1995

95. Which ancient civilization built the city of Petra? – The Nabataeans

96. Who was the first woman to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court? – Sandra Day O’Connor (1981)

97. Which Roman Emperor was known for his persecution of Christians? – Diocletian

98. In which year did the Suez Crisis occur? – 1956

99. Who was the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty in China? – Qin Shi Huang

100. Which ancient Greek physician wrote the Hippocratic Oath? – Hippocrates

101. Who was the first Emperor of the Aztec Triple Alliance? – Itzcoatl

102. Which city was the birthplace of the Dadaist art movement? – Zurich

103. Who was the leader of the Sioux during the Battle of Little Bighorn? – Sitting Bull

104. In which year did the Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq occur? – 1990

105. Which ancient civilization built the city of Samarkand? – The Sogdians

106. Who was the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to the Australian Parliament? – Neville Bonner (1971)

107. Which Roman Emperor was known for his military reforms? – Diocletian

108. In which year did the Six-Day War take place? – 1967

109. Who was the first Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China? – Zhu Yuanzhang

110. Which ancient Greek mathematician discovered the Pythagorean theorem? – Pythagoras

111. Who was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty in China? – Nurhaci

112. Which city was the birthplace of the Surrealist art movement? – Paris

113. Who was the leader of the Seminole during the Second Seminole War? – Osceola

114. In which year did the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia occur? – 1993

115. Which ancient civilization built the city of Sanchi? – The Mauryan Empire

116. Who was the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize? – Gwendolyn Brooks (1950)

117. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Severan dynasty? – Alexander Severus

118. In which year did the Yom Kippur War take place? – 1973

119. Who was the first Emperor of the Tang dynasty in China? – Li Yuan

120. Which ancient Greek astronomer proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system? – Aristarchus of Samos

121. Who was the first Emperor of the Achaemenid Empire? – Cyrus the Great

122. Which city was the center of the Bauhaus art movement? – Dessau

123. Who was the leader of the Apache during the Apache Wars? – Geronimo

124. In which year did the Breakup of Yugoslavia begin? – 1991

125. Which ancient civilization built the city of Hattusa? – The Hittites

126. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom? – Roberto Clemente (1973)

127. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Constantinian dynasty? – Julian

128. In which year did the Algerian War of Independence end? – 1962

129. Who was the first Emperor of the Northern Song dynasty in China? – Zhao Kuangyin

130. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Epicurean school of philosophy? – Epicurus

131. Who was the first Emperor of the Safavid Empire? – Ismail I

132. Which city was the birthplace of the Art Nouveau movement? – Brussels

133. Who was the leader of the Mapuche during the Arauco War? – Lautaro

134. In which year did the Velvet Revolution occur in Czechoslovakia? – 1989

135. Which ancient civilization built the city of Ayutthaya? – The Ayutthaya Kingdom

136. Who was the first Native American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom? – Vine Deloria Jr. (1996)

137. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Baths of Caracalla? – Caracalla

138. In which year did the Sino-Indian War take place? – 1962

139. Who was the first Emperor of the Southern Song dynasty in China? – Gaozong

140. Which ancient Greek philosopher is known for his paradoxes, including Achilles and the tortoise? – Zeno of Elea

141. Who was the first Emperor of the Afsharid Empire? – Nader Shah

142. Which city was the birthplace of the De Stijl art movement? – Leiden

143. Who was the leader of the Pueblo Revolt in 1680? – Popé

144. In which year did the Reunification of Germany occur? – 1990

145. Which ancient civilization built the city of Tiwanaku? – The Tiwanaku civilization

146. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal? – Roberto Clemente (1973)

147. Which Roman Emperor was the last of the Flavian dynasty? – Domitian

148. In which year did the Troubles in Northern Ireland begin? – 1968

149. Who was the first Emperor of the Jin dynasty in China? – Sima Yan

150. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on conic sections? – Apollonius of Perga

151. Who was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? – Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990)

152. Which ancient civilization built the city of Carthage? – The Phoenicians

153. Who was the leader of the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War? – Ho Chi Minh

154. In which year did the Partition of India occur? – 1947

155. Which ancient civilization built the city of Caral? – The Norte Chico civilization

156. Who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor? – Sidney Poitier (1963)

157. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Arch of Constantine? – Constantine the Great

158. In which year did the Cuban Missile Crisis occur? – 1962

159. Who was the first Emperor of the Liao dynasty in China? – Abaoji

160. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on the Golden Ratio? – Euclid

161. Who was the first Emperor of the Gupta Empire? – Sri Gupta

162. Which city was the birthplace of the Futurist art movement? – Milan

163. Who was the leader of the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya? – Dedan Kimathi

164. In which year did the Dissolution of the Soviet Union occur? – 1991

165. Which ancient civilization built the city of Calakmul? – The Maya civilization

166. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor? – Rodolfo Hernández (1952)

167. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Baths of Diocletian? – Diocletian

168. In which year did the Prague Spring occur in Czechoslovakia? – 1968

169. Who was the first Emperor of the Western Xia dynasty in China? – Li Yuanhao

170. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Cynic school of philosophy? – Diogenes of Sinope

171. Who was the first Emperor of the Kushan Empire? – Kujula Kadphises

172. Which city was the birthplace of the Suprematist art movement? – Moscow

173. Who was the leader of the Herero and Namaqua Genocide resistance? – Samuel Maharero

174. In which year did the Revolutions of 1848 begin? – 1848

175. Which ancient civilization built the city of Great Zimbabwe? – The Kingdom of Zimbabwe

176. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature? – Gabriel García Márquez (1982)

177. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Aurelian Walls? – Aurelian

178. In which year did the Tet Offensive occur during the Vietnam War? – 1968

179. Who was the first Emperor of the Jin dynasty in China? – Sima Yan

180. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Peripatetic school? – Aristotle

181. Who was the first Emperor of the Maurya Empire? – Chandragupta Maurya

182. Which city was the birthplace of the Constructivist art movement? – Moscow

183. Who was the leader of the Easter Rising in Ireland? – Pádraig Pearse

184. In which year did the Iranian Hostage Crisis begin? – 1979

185. Which ancient civilization built the city of Tikal? – The Maya civilization

186. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? – Rigoberta Menchú (1992)

187. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Temple of Venus and Roma? – Hadrian

188. In which year did the Suez Canal open? – 1869

189. Who was the first Emperor of the Sui dynasty in China? – Yang Jian

190. Which ancient Greek mathematician is known for his work on the Sieve of Eratosthenes? – Eratosthenes

191. Who was the first Emperor of the Satavahana Empire? – Simuka

192. Which city was the birthplace of the Expressionist art movement? – Berlin

193. Who was the leader of the Jacobite rising of 1745? – Charles Edward Stuart

194. In which year did the Boxer Rebellion occur in China? – 1899-1901

195. Which ancient civilization built the city of Copán? – The Maya civilization

196. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom? – Luis Walter Alvarez (1963)

197. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Arch of Septimius Severus? – Septimius Severus

198. In which year did the Dreyfus Affair begin in France? – 1894

199. Who was the first Emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty in China? – Tuoba Gui

200. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the Eleatic school? – Parmenides

201. Who was the first Emperor of the Pallava Empire? – Simhavarman I

202. Which city was the birthplace of the Cubist art movement? – Paris

203. Who was the leader of the Indian National Army during World War II? – Subhas Chandra Bose

204. In which year did the Easter Rising occur in Ireland? – 1916

205. Which ancient civilization built the city of Chan Chan? – The Chimor civilization

206. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Science? – Alejandro Zaffaroni (1995)

207. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Baths of Trajan? – Trajan

208. In which year did the Opium Wars begin in China? – 1839

209. Who was the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty in China? – Qin Shi Huang

210. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Skepticism? – Pyrrho

211. Who was the first Emperor of the Chola Empire? – Raja Raja Chola I

212. Which city was the birthplace of the Fauvism art movement? – Paris

213. Who was the leader of the Whiskey Rebellion in the United States? – John Neville

214. In which year did the Crimean War begin? – 1853

215. Which ancient civilization built the city of Palenque? – The Maya civilization

216. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Arts? – José Ferrer (1985)

217. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Mausoleum of Hadrian? – Hadrian

218. In which year did the Taiping Rebellion begin in China? – 1850

219. Who was the first Emperor of the Northern Zhou dynasty in China? – Yuwen Tai

220. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Cynicism? – Antisthenes

221. Who was the first Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire? – Harihara I

222. Which city was the birthplace of the Pointillism art movement? – Paris

223. Who was the leader of Pontiac’s War? – Pontiac

224. In which year did the Sepoy Mutiny occur in India? – 1857

225. Which ancient civilization built the city of Tulum? – The Maya civilization

226. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Technology and

Innovation? – George Castro (1995)

227. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Column of Trajan? – Trajan

228. In which year did the Russo-Japanese War begin? – 1904

229. Who was the first Emperor of the Chen dynasty in China? – Chen Baxian

230. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Cyrenaicism? – Aristippus

231. Who was the first Emperor of the Maratha Empire? – Shivaji

232. Which city was the birthplace of the Art Brut movement? – Paris

233. Who was the leader of Shays’ Rebellion in the United States? – Daniel Shays

234. In which year did the Boer Wars begin in South Africa? – 1880

235. Which ancient civilization built the city of Nalanda? – The Gupta Empire

236. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Humanities Medal? – Miguel León-Portilla (1981)

237. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Antonine Wall? – Antoninus Pius

238. In which year did the Boxer Rebellion end in China? – 1901

239. Who was the first Emperor of the Liang dynasty in China? – Xiao Yan

240. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Megarians? – Euclid of Megara

241. Who was the first Emperor of the Shunga Empire? – Pushyamitra Shunga

242. Which city was the birthplace of the Neoclassical art movement? – Rome

243. Who was the leader of Tecumseh’s War? – Tecumseh

244. In which year did the Fashoda Incident occur between Britain and France? – 1898

245. Which ancient civilization built the city of Taxila? – The Indo-Greek Kingdom

246. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Science? – Alejandro Zaffaroni (1995)

247. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Arch of Titus? – Domitian

248. In which year did the Meiji Restoration begin in Japan? – 1868

249. Who was the first Emperor of the Xin dynasty in China? – Wang Mang

250. Which ancient Greek philosopher founded the school of Sophists? – Protagoras

251. Who was the first Emperor of the Kanva dynasty? – Vasudeva Kanva

252. Which city was the birthplace of the Rococo art movement? – Paris

253. Who was the leader of Gabriel’s Rebellion? – Gabriel Prosser

254. In which year did the First Balkan War begin? – 1912

255. Which ancient civilization built the city of Knossos? – The Minoan civilization

256. Who was the first Hispanic American to be awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation? – George Castro (1995)

257. Which Roman Emperor was known for his building projects, including the Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum)? – Vespasian

Conclusion

World history is a vast and fascinating subject, filled with incredible stories, remarkable people, and pivotal events that have shaped our world.

By exploring these 257+ trivia questions and answers, you’ve journeyed through time, uncovering the rich tapestry of human civilization.

This trivia collection has something for everyone, from ancient empires to modern-day marvels. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the world around you, these questions and answers will expand your knowledge and inspire you to learn more.

So, what’s next? Challenge your friends and family to a trivia night, or use these questions to spark engaging conversations.

The more we understand our shared history, the better we can create a brighter future.