Great historic cities of the Middle East: facts and a 5-question quiz

Five of the oldest living cities of the Middle East. This is a map-tap quiz with 5 questions, each worth more points as the questions get harder.

Play the quiz: Great historic cities of the Middle East

What this quiz covers

Era: ancient to modern. Region: Middle East. The 5 questions are about the following, with a short fact for each. Read them first if you want a head start, or skip to the quiz and read afterwards.

Facts behind the questions (spoilers)

• Cairo: The Fatimid dynasty founded Cairo in 969 CE, and the mosque of al-Azhar followed soon after.
• Damascus: Damascus was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750 CE.
• Jerusalem: Umar ibn al-Khattab received the surrender from Patriarch Sophronius and, according to tradition, issued a document of security for the people and their churches.
• Aleppo: Aleppo's Great Mosque was built in the early 700s under the Umayyads.
• Mosul: Nur ad-Din Zengi, who united much of Syria against the Crusaders, built the al-Nuri Mosque in 1172–73.

Quick answers

What should I know about Cairo? The Fatimid dynasty founded Cairo in 969 CE, and the mosque of al-Azhar followed soon after.

What should I know about Damascus? Damascus was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750 CE.

What should I know about Jerusalem? Umar ibn al-Khattab received the surrender from Patriarch Sophronius and, according to tradition, issued a document of security for the people and their churches.

Ready to test yourself?

Play the Great historic cities of the Middle East quiz now. Your score is based on how close your answers are, and you can share your result without spoiling the answers.

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