Greek Mythology

Question 1

The term “myth” is derived from the Greek word “mythos” which means

Answer 1

A story

Question 2

Etiological myths articulate what?

Answer 2

Natural phenomena

Question 3

The origins of humans are somewhat vague in Greek mythology. What character is considered the great benefactor of mankind by giving them fire?

Answer 3

Prometheus

Question 4

According to Hesiod, __________, the first woman was created to inflict misery on man.

Answer 4

Pandora

Question 5

Which of the following ages of man depict humans as demigods, valiant in war, just, and godlike, and who preceded our own race on earth?

Answer 5

The age of Heroes

Question 6

Whose was the face “that launched a thousand ships”, and is considered the prize of the Trojan War?

Answer 6

Helen

Question 7

Which of the following is the goddess of sexual desire, and is credited with causing the Trojan War?

Answer 7

Aphrodite

Question 8

Mythology, regardless of its origin, reflects “the inner-landscape” of humankind, or in other words, myth reflects our:

Answer 8

Souls

Question 9

The mythological character whose existence explains the origin of the grasshopper is:

Answer 9

Tithonus

Question 10

According to the Greek origin story, in the beginning , there was:

Answer 10

Kaos

Question 11

Gaia, the first sentient being in Mythology and from whom all other life originated, was:

Answer 11

a female earth goddess

Question 12

Which god is considered to be the first father figure?

Answer 12

Ouranus

Question 13

Cronus fathered which children with Rhea?

Answer 13

the 6 olympians

Question 14

The Gorgons were deadly creatures living at the edge of the world, possessing the power to turn people into _____ if they dared to look into the Gorgons’ eyes

Answer 14

Stone

Question 15

Zeus would often change shape to seduce, trick, or even rape women. Which other god was well known for this behaviour?

Answer 15

Poseidon

Question 16

Before Athens decided on their patron god, they held a contest between Athena and ______

Answer 16

Poseidon

Question 17

When he let loose his great voice from his chest, and the words fell like winter snowflakes, then no man alive could rival ______

Answer 17

Odysseus

Question 18

Aphrodite was born of what?

Answer 18

The genitals of Ouranus

Question 19

The actions of the Greek gods and goddesses show what?

Answer 19

demonstrate complex and contradictory natures.

Question 20

What is not a prominent theme of Greek mythology?

Answer 20

Life-long fidelity

Question 21

What does Pandora’s name mean?

Answer 21

all gifts

Question 22

According to ancient myth, what is the Age of Iron in which we currently belong, characterized by:

Answer 22

never ceasing toil by day and night, disharmony between families, friends, and gods, and war between cities and countries.

Question 23

What is not a folkloric element found in heroic Greek myths?

Answer 23

finding true love.

Question 24

Who killed the first Greek to set foot on the beaches of Troy?

Answer 24

Hector

Question 25

After judging a music contest in the favor of Pan instead of Apollo, King Midas was cursed with:

Answer 25

the ears of an ass

Question 26

An important part of Greek theater was performance of mythological stories in the format of _______ providing the audience a cathartic experience

Answer 26

the tragedy

Question 27

The Greek gods were driven by all of these human-like motivations, EXCEPT:

Answer 27

Concern for human dignity.

Question 28

Helios' son, Phaethon, failed to control the Sun god's chariot, resulting in the form of what on earth?

Answer 28

deserts

Question 29

According to mythology (not the movie), which major characters do not die during the Trojan War?

Answer 29

Menelaus, Odysseus, and Agamemnon

Question 30

The Greek character doomed to murder his father and marry his mother was:

Answer 30

Oedipus

Question 31

True or False - The Greeks used their mythology, particularly the stories of their heroes, to define their past.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

True or False - The Greeks viewed their gods as elemental beings who ruled the surrounding natural environment.

Answer 32

True

Question 33

True or False - In Homer's Iliad, the gods are seen as more anthropomorphic or human, highlighting their jealousies, vanity, and divided loyalties.

Answer 33

True

Question 34

In Greek folklore, the rite of passage in which a young girl enters womanhood was of prime importance.

Answer 34

False

Question 35

"A young man enters a dark cave..." is a perfect example of an age-old folkloric motif.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

True or False - The word etymology refers to the cause or origins of phenomenon.

Answer 36

False

Question 37

True or False - Oedipus embodies the notion of a tragic hero

Answer 37

True

Question 38

True or False - Greeks who received a prophecy, could not avoid it unless they received special help from the gods

Answer 38

False

Question 39

True or False - Hector was considered the greatest of all the Greek heroes.

Answer 39

False

Question 40

True or False - The ancient Greeks lived in a monotheistic culture

Answer 40

False

Question 41

True or False - The Greeks had an oral tradition, transmitting their history and culture through stories and plays.

Answer 41

True

Question 42

True or False - The word motif means recurring element

Answer 42

True

Question 43

True or False - The heliotrope got its name from Helios, because this flower cannot stand direct sunlight, and thus it shies away whenever the sun is present

Answer 43

False

Question 44

True or False - If someone deserved a special punishment in mythology, they would be sent to Tartarus.

Answer 44

True

Question 45

True or False - The most important thing for any true Greek hero is fame and glory.

Answer 45

True

Question 46

True or False - In the Iliad, Achilles was willing to sail away from the Trojan War and, indeed, fame and glory with his lover, Briseis.

Answer 46

False

Question 47

True or False - The word cathartic means learning through suffering.

Answer 47

True

Question 48

True or False - Greek tragedy exists so that we, the audience, will never have to "cross the line" ourselves.

Answer 48

True

Question 49

True or False - We get our word aristocratic from the Greek words aristos cratos, which defines the social class to which the Greek heroes of old belonged - these words literally mean "power of the rich".

Answer 49

True

Question 50

True or False - The typical epic Greek hero lived larger than life, defeated terrible monsters, loved beautiful women, and died in some epic struggle or in some other impressive manner

Answer 50

False