For most of recorded history, Westerners didn't call this country "Iran" at all. Then, in the spring of 1935, its ruler sent a formal request to foreign governments asking them to switch. What did the world call the country before that? Mesopotamia Parthia Persia Babylonia None Here's a distinction that trips up a lot of news consumers. Iran is often lumped in with its neighbors as an "Arab country." Which of the following is actually true? Most Iranians are ethnic Persians and speak Persian (Farsi), not Arabic Arabic is Iran's official language Iran is a founding member of the Arab League Persian and Arabic are the same language with different accents None In 1979, Iran's monarchy fell and the country was transformed almost overnight. After the revolution, militants stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and seized American staff. How long were the 52 American hostages ultimately held? 100 days 444 days 52 days Just over 2 years None Persia gave the world a great deal — including, by way of the board game of kings, a word you've probably said yourself. The English word "checkmate" comes from a Persian phrase. What does it roughly mean? "Surround the castle" "The king is helpless" (shah mat) "Victory to the swift" "The queen is taken" None If you've ever splurged on the world's most expensive spice — the deep-red threads that flavor and color rice, paella, and Persian dishes — there's a good chance it came from Iran. Which spice does Iran produce roughly 90% of the world's supply of? Black pepper Cinnamon Saffron Cardamom None Stumper. Around 539 B.C., the Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and issued a famous clay decree, now in the British Museum. Often celebrated as an early statement of tolerance, this object is frequently called by what nickname? The Rosetta Stone An early "charter of human rights" The Ten Commandments of Persia The Code of Hammurabi None Time's up
