Maths, marathons and mythology – take true or false quiz to test your knowledge of Greece

TEST yourself in true or false quiz that measures your Greek knowledge, after a survey revealed how little people know about the country.

Greece’s influence “runs deeper” that just the islands and the weather, but a study has revealed that many people are unaware of its rich history.

AlamyA new survey reveals that nearly three quarters of those asked didn’t know the alphabet originated from Greece[/caption]

AlamyA spokesperson for the research commissioner The Real Greek has said that the country’s influence “runs deeper” than many people think[/caption]

AlamyThe findings suggest that people know their Greek philosophers, despite over half not knowing philosophy originated from the country[/caption]

The new poll asked what percentage of people knew what cultural touchstones originated from the Mediterranean island.

It comes after researchers showed that 37 per cent of people didn’t realise the Olympics originated from Greece.

A further 61 per cent didn’t know about Greek amphitheatres and over half (51 per cent) were clueless about philosophy’s Greek roots.

While 73 per cent had no idea the alphabet originated from the Mediterranean country, which is the basis for many Western writing systems today.

The findings commissioned by The Real Greek didn’t just uncover worrying statistics, there were some promising numbers.

The study also found that encouragingly, 79 per cent have heard of Aristotle, 75 per cent are familiar with Socrates – but 29 per cent admit they have never heard of Plato.

A spokesperson for The Real Greek said: “A lot of useful and important things have come from Greece.

“But it’s clear from our study that not everyone knows what these are.

“From democracy and philosophy, to beloved myths and early medical practices, Greece has gifted the world countless ideas and innovations we often take for granted.”

When thinking about the country, 15 per cent associate it with Greek Gods, while 20 per cent first think of its islands – and 12 per cent always refer to architecture.

Despite that, 70 per cent agree ancient Greek culture is influential in the modern world.

Top 20 Things People Didn’t Know Originated From Greece

Cranes – 94 per cent
Showers – 93 per cent
Cement- 92 per cent
The concept of the atom – 92 per cent
Central heating – 91 per cent
Thermometer – 90 per cent
Catapults – 88 per cent
Maps – 84 per cent
Coins 84 per cent
Museums – 80 per cent
The alphabet – 73 per cent
The pentathlon – 71 per cent
Geometry – 70 per cent
Democracy – 70 per cent
Algebra – 69 per cent
Theatre – 68 per cent
Amphitheatres – 61 per cent
The marathon – 60 per cent
Philosophy – 51 per cent
The Olympic Games – 37 per cent

Interestingly, just over half (55 per cent) think that Greek history has influenced modern Western culture more than any other civilisation.

Medicine (40 per cent), maths (38 per cent), and democracy (37 per cent) were voted the top three Greek innovations that are most relevant today.

It emerged 43 per cent learned about Ancient Greece in school, with a further 43 per cent being the most interested in the Trojan War.

Exactly a quarter are curious about the Golden Fleece and 22 per cent find the story of Pandora fascinating.

Of those who have yet to visit the country, 69 per cent would be interested in doing so, with Rhodes (38 per cent), Crete (38 per cent), and Santorini (33 per cent) the most desirable destinations.

And of the 48 per cent who have travelled to Greece, 89 per cent are likely to recommend it to others.

More than a sixth (17 per cent) eat Greek cuisine on a monthly basis, with feta cheese (35 per cent), moussaka (28 per cent), and souvlaki (14 per cent) being among the most enjoyable foods.

A quarter of those polled via OnePoll.com say it’s their favourite cuisine.