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Last Words & Legendary Phrases

Words of emperors on their deathbed, witty remarks from the condemned on the scaffold, final verses from poets, exclamations of generals: 10 questions to recognize History's voices at their last breath.

10

Questions

2

Minutes

Tip: Use keys 1-4 to answer quickly

The 10 quiz questions

Question 1 : "Let them eat cake!", Who is this phrase attributed to?

Possible answers:

  • Marie-Antoinette
  • Catherine de Medici
  • Josephine
  • Madame de Pompadour

Explanation: A phrase actually predating Marie-Antoinette, but which has remained associated with her as a symbol of royal disconnection.

Question 2 : "One more moment, Mr. Executioner.", These were the last words of...?

Possible answers:

  • Marie-Antoinette
  • Charlotte Corday
  • Olympe de Gouges
  • Madame du Barry

Explanation: Last words of Madame du Barry, favorite of Louis XV, before her beheading in 1793.

Question 3 : "Tu quoque, mi fili.", "You too, my son.", Last words attributed to...?

Possible answers:

  • Julius Caesar
  • Caligula
  • Augustus
  • Nero

Explanation: Words Julius Caesar reportedly spoke upon seeing Brutus among his assassins on March 15, 44 BC (Ides of March).

Question 4 : "The Guard dies but does not surrender.", This phrase is attributed to General...?

Possible answers:

  • Murat
  • Kellermann
  • Ney
  • Cambronne

Explanation: A phrase attributed to General Cambronne at Waterloo (1815). Legend has it that he actually replied with a five-letter word.

Question 5 : "Let those who love me follow me!", Historical phrase from...?

Possible answers:

  • Philip VI
  • Francis I
  • Louis XIV
  • Henry IV

Explanation: A rallying cry from Philip VI of Valois before the battle of 1328, which became a common expression.

Question 6 : "Mehr Licht!", "More light!", Last words of...?

Possible answers:

  • Mozart
  • Goethe
  • Schiller
  • Beethoven

Explanation: Last words attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on his deathbed in 1832 in Weimar.

Question 7 : "All is lost, save honor.", Phrase said after a defeat by...?

Possible answers:

  • Louis XIV
  • Francis I
  • Charles V
  • Henry IV

Explanation: A letter from Francis I to his mother after the defeat at Pavia (1525), where he was taken prisoner.

Question 8 : "Boldness, more boldness, always boldness!", Who is the author?

Possible answers:

  • Saint-Just
  • Robespierre
  • Marat
  • Danton

Explanation: A speech by Georges Danton at the Assembly on September 2, 1792, galvanizing France in the face of invasion.

Question 9 : "France, army, head of the army, Josephine...", Last words of...?

Possible answers:

  • Henry IV
  • Louis XV
  • Napoleon
  • Louis XIV

Explanation: Last words of Napoleon Bonaparte on his deathbed in Saint Helena, on May 5, 1821.

Question 10 : "God wills it!", Battle cry of the First Crusade, proclaimed by...?

Possible answers:

  • Clement V
  • Gregory VII
  • Urban II
  • Innocent III

Explanation: A rallying cry proclaimed by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont in 1095, triggering the First Crusade.

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