Hello friends! I don’t often share personal news here, but exceptional times call for exceptional correspondence. As I mentioned in my other newsletter, I’m taking comfort in simple pleasures these days, including knitting and crocheting while binge listening to the Thursday Murder Club series. The movie adaptation is coming out on Netflix this year. Here’s an afghan I finished (left) and another that I’m making for my son’s birthday in March (right). I’m sprinting to the finish with that one!I hope you are able to find something to do with your hands or body to balance some of the negativity that’s relentlessly assaulting our heads and hearts. Now, on to the quiz! This (loosely) ties Ohio River towns and culture with that of the ancient Greeks and Romans. I’m told Gladiator II was a stinker, and if you skipped it, I don’t think your quiz score will suffer. Good luck!Note to my fantastic new subscribers:Monthly trivia is for sport. It’s not a test of intelligence or character. I couldn’t answer these questions without a significant amount of research, either! Do your best and enjoy learning something new. Oh, and would you share it with someone else?QUESTIONSAnswers in the footnotes. * Which Kentucky city along the Ohio River is named after the first emperor of Rome?* Nero* Augusta* Julius* Hadrian* What Indiana town takes its name from the famous site that marked the end of Sparta’s dominance in the Greek world?* Marathon* Troy* Thermopylae* Delphi* The word “Sparta” reminds me of the 1960 movie Spartacus starring Kirk Douglas. Stay with me as I get you to an Ohio River connection. Spartacus (the book and movie) is about the historic slave revolt of 73 BCE. Spartacus's rebellion was the largest slave revolt in Roman history. The screenplay was written by the blacklisted Dalton Trumbo, who served time in a federal prison after being found in contempt of Congress in 1950. In which Ohio River city did Trumbo serve his federal sentence?* Ashland, Kentucky* Cincinnati, Ohio* Marion, Illinois* Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* I’m not going to give you the obvious question about Cincinnatus being the namesake of Cincinnati. Instead, I’ll tell you that the city was was originally named "Losantiville." Now, can you tell me why?* The Losant family was first to settle the area. Their land lies across from the Licking River where it empties into the Ohio.* It was supposed to be named Loganville, but the signmaker’s apprentice screwed up the letter “g” and it looked like an “s.” The town’s fathers let it slide after the signmaker said he would donate the sign.* It’s a portmanteau combining * L, for Licking River* os, Greek for mouth* anti, Latin for opposite * ville, French for town* In which state would you find the Ohio River town of Rome? More than one may apply.* Ohio* Kentucky* Indiana* Illinois* What famous Roman phrase associated with Julius Caesar means "I came, I saw, I conquered," and could describe early settlers’ ambitions along the Ohio River?* Alea Iacta Est* Carpe Diem* Sic Semper Tyrannis* Veni, Vidi, Vici* The term "Athenaeum" derives its name from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and refers to institutions dedicated to education, arts, or culture. What states have Athenaeums located near the Ohio River? More than one may apply* Illinois* Indiana* Kentucky* Ohio* Pennsylvania* West Virginia* How many American states have cities, towns, counties, villages, townships and boroughs named “Athens?” * Surprisingly, only 8* At least 13 (a baker’s dozen)* 27, which is more than half * Are any Ohio River cities named for Roman deities? C’mon, this is a 50/50 opportunity to gain a point.* Several schools and universities in the river area have mascots inspired by Greek and Roman figures. Which of the following mascots is NEITHER Greek nor Roman?* Argonaut* Gorlock* Hoplite* MinotaurINTERMISSIONPittsburgh in 50 Maps, is a book right up the 981 Project’s alley. Whether you call it the Steel City, the City of Bridges, City of Champions, Hell with the Lid Off, or even the Paris of Appalachia, Pittsburgh’s distinctive character is undeniable. Pittsburgh in 50 Maps considers the boundaries of the city’s 90 distinct neighborhoods (plus Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood), the legacy of the steel industry, and how immigration continues to shape the city. You’ll also find the areas with the highest concentrations of bike lanes, supermarkets, tree cover, and fiberglass dinosaurs. Each colorful map offers a new perspective on one of America’s most consistently surprising cities and the people who live here.ANSWERS Get full access to The 981 Project at the981project.com/subscribe
