Questions tagged [history]
For history themed puzzles, perhaps centered around cultural heritage or legends. Use tag [puzzle-history] for the history of puzzles and their creation, as well as any methodologies which have developed over time.
6
votes
2answers
201 views
Who is richer? A two-way lie-fest
The richest person in ancient Greece had to pay a special tax. The rulers rode to Alexander, a very rich man, and asked for the tax. Alexander, who liked his fortune, told them that they had the wrong ...
12
votes
1answer
244 views
The thousand-year enigma
Three two and five versus one five and three twos,
sellable merchandise made out of these clues,
latter being northern the first's in the east,
country's name one thousand years back at least.
...
6
votes
2answers
203 views
Time To Fix The Machine
Yesterday, I received a call from Mr. X who asked for my assistance in fixing his time machine, which he suspected had been damaged during one of his adventures. Since an initial inspection revealed ...
5
votes
3answers
169 views
Songsmiths and dictators
Russian to infamous Soviet dictator.
Spanish to liquefied timepiece creator.
English to songsmith with capital name.
French to one whose end in Waterloo came.
What are we listing?
6
votes
1answer
108 views
An eerie warning from the other side
I often enjoy hiking through the trails near my home, and I try to ensure I do so at least once a week. Yesterday, I decided to go for a hike, and as I wandered through a lesser known trail I stumbled ...
5
votes
3answers
217 views
The First Great War
I am a great battle; long ago I took place,
The name is Nick though that wasn't always the case.
The King or the prince, which one was greater?,
Some said "The king!, The prince, he came ...
5
votes
1answer
130 views
Cut to the quick part
Bill the grave offender,
venerable, form filler,
leaving a paper trail,
found on an old 3D tail,
the fastest ending last,
bucks the trend on April first?
1
vote
2answers
167 views
Who is Pete's favourite scientist?
Pete is back.
Pete met his old friend Steve at the hospital at the end of March. They both went to the same history class.
Pete: Hey!
Steve: Pete? Pete, is that you?
Pete: Yes. How are ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
A name fit for rappers
My name is fit for rappers, though my title is a count;
The time I spent at sea no man of my day could surmount.
An empire's expansion was in large part my account;
The spice trade bought in ...
6
votes
1answer
128 views
Affix riddle with pharaoh
In the tongue of a beautiful pharaoh
for a prefix this word has a small O.
For a suffix small N,
for an infix small M,
and, itself, it is only a small O.
What is the word?
11
votes
3answers
769 views
Ever-changing nationalities
Make me Portuguese, and I live next door.
Make me Spanish, and I live in the same building.
Make me British, and I live far away.
Make me Dutch, and I live next door from there.
Make me French,...
3
votes
2answers
122 views
A mecca with bling
One word my city, it ends with a king;
two words my own name, a mecca with bling.
Three old trees decorate my hallowed doors,
four walls of aurum, a pool and two floors.
Five times nine ...
2
votes
2answers
161 views
The mysterious box: The First Clue
It was a normal day when I got the box came in the post. I opened it and found a handful of objects inside. I picked out a piece of paper and on it was a riddle:
The next clue lies within the top ...
4
votes
7answers
319 views
Born in a holy place
I was born in a holy place,
holy for a separate reason.
I was met with a great man's face,
a sight that's been lost through the seasons.
I was killed in an empire's base,
victim to ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
A humble riddle
I am a triumph, a thundering wall;
a goddess, a ruler the grandest of all.
I loom over towers that can touch the skies;
few of world's waters can rival my size.
A landmass colossal, a forebear of ...
3
votes
1answer
157 views
Another riley riddle
IMHO this is the hardest riley riddle out I've seen.
My prefix is salty and smarts
My infix will occupy without a g
My suffix three white triangles upon the blue
For I myself require a ...
15
votes
7answers
1k views
5
votes
3answers
301 views
strange but true historical haiku
Kingdom without king
while surrounded by itself
was declaring war,
without wanting land.
Led by a fleet admiral,
without a navy.
But it had demands,
from many other ...
11
votes
5answers
634 views
My body is top-heavy
My body is top-heavy, as my weapon is deadly.
To make my shot count, faith is needed in large amount.
A high profile target I may be, yet the white death never came for me.
When the ...
7
votes
1answer
147 views
A throwaway riddle
My first followed a schism
Of proto-Protestantism
My second preceded a war
Of a decade and a score
My third was ready for bed
Possibly done by the Reds
15
votes
2answers
1k views
I was a middle sister
Both of my siblings served in a war, in which the younger one got
killed.
I knew the richest people in the world. But also the poor.
I died young, on a cold night.
Who am I?
7
votes
1answer
317 views
Who is this great man?
A man of great power,
beloved of a nation,
leader of an army,
exalted in his station.
When he marched to battle,
all his might assembled,
soldiers, once formidable,
in sight of him, they ...
10
votes
1answer
992 views
Which historical person am I
Which historical person am I
No surrender in my name
soldiering not the source of my fame
Horses are my thing, you see.
They almost eat me.
I like going outside
my body may be ...
0
votes
1answer
143 views
Who am I?- I lived towards the end of the age of enlightenment
I was able show the deconstruction of the intellectual pretension of the Enlightenment. Everyone was under the assumption that reason and science are the only routes to reality and truth. I perceived ...
4
votes
1answer
200 views
when was the battle?
Recently, an old grave were discovered in Italy. On the grave was written a mysterious inscription (originally in italian but translated in english there).
Here lies an italian soldier who died in ...
-2
votes
6answers
353 views
Clue of origin with a connection to mythology
Assume that you were privileged and invited to attend a party arranged during a pre-historic time. It was hosted by none other than Adam (the mythological man as per religious beliefs), the first man, ...
1
vote
3answers
285 views
WWII Headshots - a strange story
This was brought to mind by a similar question from @Chuck. In any case, I heard mine elsewhere and cannot vouch for its veracity, just thought it would be cool to share:
During WW2, the British ...
32
votes
1answer
1k views
Save our WWII planes
This is an actual piece of real history, and an illustration of smart thinking.
During WWII, Allied airforces were having a difficult time getting their bombers to withstand German artillery. Their ...
7
votes
1answer
203 views
The Warlock's Will
Your master, the great Warlock William the Wide, has recently passed away. In his will, he left you a crystal box with a grid of squares and names on top and a note:
The note reads:
You are ...
1
vote
1answer
344 views
Numerical divine connection
All of the following can be connected
4
29 - 32
25
13
to a well known figure. Who can it be and how ?
6
votes
3answers
180 views
On this historic day
Today is 04 17 2 017 as of posting this puzzle in my current time.
What happened on the date I am thinking of?
YQTNFYCTKK
FOGLQENMILAGTSLJA - 1st
BCIXDHEELQJUFQWDENIZ - 8th
LSRCODAIJWNPFXEAD - ...
10
votes
2answers
444 views
Who is this wizard?
A long time ago there lived a wise man. Many people used to call him, & still call him, a wizard, a genius!
He had many, in fact countless friends! One day with some of those friends he formed a ...
12
votes
1answer
244 views
Re order the clues
The clues are out of order when decoded. What's the correct order?
A common color
A rank in the army
A popular candy bar
A publishing house
A roofer for cottage
Orwells' true surname
An ...
-2
votes
1answer
125 views
Can we stand for just one more ordered set puzzle?
Actually, probably not. You might want to sit down for this one. I'll try not to ramble. Haven't we done this before? Out with the old, in with the new! Let's go!!
The following is the first 7 ...
4
votes
1answer
571 views
Who was this famous man and what did he say?
My eccentric great uncle passed away, and included a provision in his will that I should receive his entire estate If I can prove myself by breaking his encryption. He claims to be the descendant of a ...
9
votes
2answers
470 views
Edward and Bruce
Turning my back on you
A la a dramatic insult
Like Edward and Bruce
Q U W Z T F
Z ' Q A Q
...
5
votes
1answer
407 views
A poetic day of the week
The genius discovered that the egg could stand
In front of the sons of Jacob,
I promptly admit my wrongdoings.
Benjamin was never one of them, but two of his name brothers were.
The little boy was ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What is my name?
I ran on the oars,
being a sacred man,
but was tormented to death by Saddam.
One associative friend reached fame,
with carrot and stick,
another was shot dead on the street.
What is my name?
...
22
votes
3answers
893 views
Something New(ton)?
Recognized as one of the most brilliant scientists of all time, Sir Isaac Newton was always ahead of his time.On the cusp of something brilliant, late in 1704, he had the idea to send you a coded ...
40
votes
4answers
3k views
Secret of the universe
There once was a mythical stone tablet on which was said to be written the secret of the universe.
If the secret was to fall within the wrong hands, it was said that the consequences would be ...
6
votes
5answers
449 views
One of the history maker
I fall with my holey sleeves
Release the load then I heave
A five-year mission made me a crew of the war
To boldly take action where no man has taken before
When the dateline was ...
13
votes
3answers
442 views
PATROL Around Time Reliable Officers of Law
You've just passed your field test, and are now a fully certified PATROL officer! Your mother would be so proud of you right now! You're introduced to your new partner, a well-respected but sometimes ...
4
votes
2answers
403 views
Hnefatafl - a lost Art
Hnefatafl (Ner-far-taff-all) is a Tafl Game, though it is a lost art in the modern day. The aim of the game is either to capture the king, or get the king to a corner depending on which side you are ...
12
votes
2answers
568 views
A Modular History Lesson
Firstly, idea blatantly stolen from This great puzzle by Rand al'Thor
I was preparing Exams for my students last night, and my wife offered to make some fun riddles to use as Extra Credit. I had five ...
31
votes
4answers
2k views
A Letter from the Past
It has been quite a while since your first assignment as a P.U.Z.Z.L.E. agent. Most of your tasks weren't even half that exciting and since your boss is currently on vacation, your most important task ...
13
votes
1answer
457 views
A strange crazy lady and her ramblings
I met a strange lady yesterday. She started talking to me and said the weirdest thing:
"I have been boiling cats to get cows. Six cats for a cow, you know?
But nothing happened."
I was ...
14
votes
1answer
1k views
What is a Veteran Word™?
If a word conforms to a certain rule, I call it a Veteran Word™.
Use the following examples below to find the rule:
Here is a CSV version:
Veteran WordsTM, Not Veteran WordsTM
AGENT, ASSISTANT*
...
16
votes
2answers
388 views
Race to the Past: A Historical Scavenger Hunt
This was intended to be for History Fortnight, but I didn't quite get it finished up in time. (I now have a history of just missing these cutoffs.) Here's the puzzle, though you'll definitely need ...
5
votes
4answers
358 views
A Middle Name That Starts With 'G'
The name that you seek is both first and last.
It was once more popular in the past
Many who are famous have enjoyed the name
But whoever possessed it never took the blame.
Whether painters,...
12
votes
3answers
767 views
School Authorities Conundrum
Our School authorities have decided to extend our syllabus. Boo!! They have sent us a letter in which they address this issue. They tell us that the new book which will be prescribed to us is hidden ...
