A Prayer to the Gods Trivia Quiz

Answer: Apollo's

Apollo was the god of "light, music, arts, knowledge, healing, plague and darkness, prophecy, poetry, purity, athletism, manly beauty, and enlightenment." He was the twin brother of Artemis and the son of Zeus and Leta. He also had four children of his own: Asclepius, Troilus (sometimes Apollo gets credit as the father, instead of King Priam of Troy), Aristaeus, and Orpheus.

I chose the name Eumelia for the young lady who prayed as it is derived from the root word eumeleia, which means 'melody'.

Answer: Hades

Hades was the "king of the underworld and the dead, and god of the earth's hidden wealth, both agricultural produce and precious metals." He was also one of the three sons of the Titan Cronus and Titaness Rhea (along with Zeus and Poseidon) who overthrew the Titans, earning their place as the chief gods of their generation. His own children were Macaria, Melinoe and Zagreus.

The supplicant's name, Gennadios, comes from the root word gennadas, which translates as 'noble, generous'. Aniketos translates as 'unconquerable'.

Answer: Aphrodite

Aphrodite was the "goddess of love, beauty, desire, and pleasure." She was married to Hephaestus, but was known for her dalliances with other gods and mortals. Her origins are somewhat confused, though, as one story (Hesiod's "Theogony") has her coming into existence when Cronus cut off and threw Uranus' genitals into the sea (she rose from the sea foam), while another (Homer's "Iliad") states that she was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Aphrodite's children were Eros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Pothos, Anteros, Himeros, Hermaphroditos, Rhode, Eryx, Peitho, Tyche, Eunomia, The Graces, Priapus and Aeneas.

The lovelorn lady's name, Elpida, is the feminine form of the name Elpidios, which means 'hope'. Her object of interest, Eustathios, has a name that translates as 'well-built, stable'.

Answer: Athena

Athena was the "goddess of intelligence and skill, warfare, battle strategy, handicrafts, and wisdom." She was not born, but rather sprang from the forehead of Zeus fully formed and fully armored. As a 'virgin goddess', Athena had no children of her own.

Gregorios, whose name means 'watchful, vigilant', may have been right in seeking wisdom, with a smooth-talking friend such as Euphemios, whose name means 'well-spoken'.

Answer: Ares'

Ares was the god of war, bloodshed, and violence. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and the father of Erotes (Eros and Anteros), Phobos, Deimos, Phlegyas, Harmonia, and Adrestia. A fierce and feared god, even his father Zeus did not like him much. According to Homer's "Iliad", Zeus called Ares 'the god most hateful to him'.

The name Nikandros translates as 'victory of a man', combining nike (victory) and andros (of a man).

Answer: Hephaestus

Hephaestus was the "god of fire, metalworking, and crafts." He was the son of Zeus and Hera, was married to the cheating Aphrodite, and was the father of Thalia, Eucleia, Eupheme, Philophrosyne, Cabeiri and Euthenia. Hephaestus was a cripple - whether from birth or from being cast out of Olympus is a matter of dispute - and eventually returned to Olympus as a master craftsman. Nearly all the powerful or magical weapons and armor in Greek mythology is attributed to his skill.

Errikos, the name of our young apprentice, means 'work-power'.

Answer: To Demeter

Demeter was the "goddess of grain, agriculture and the harvest, growth and nourishment." She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, making her the sister of Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. She was the mother of Persephone, Despoina, Arion, Plutus, Philomelus, Eubuleus, Chrysothemus, Amphitheus, and Dmia.

Chloe, meaning 'green shoot', and her husband Dimitrios, which means 'loves the earth', chose just the right goddess for their needs.

Answer: Artemis'

Artemis was the "goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, young girls, childbirth and plague." She was a virgin goddess, the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. Where Apollo was associated with the sun, Artemis was associated with the moon.

Parthenia (meaning 'virgin') is quite likely to have her prayer heard, given her maiden status. Her father's name Pantheras translates as 'all to hunt'.

Answer: Dionysus

Dionysus was the "god of wine, parties and festivals, madness, chaos, drunkenness, drugs, and ecstasy." His parents were Zeus and Semele, and his children were Priapus, Phthonus, and Deianira. He was often represented as the protector of those who do not belong to conventional society, especially to city-dwelling worshippers.

Poor Linos definitely could use some intervention; his name even means 'a cry of grief'.

Answer: Hestia

Hestia was the "goddess of the hearth, home and chastity." She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and had no children of her own, another goddess that chose to maintain her virginity. She was known for keeping the peace, even in Olympus where she gave up her place as one of the 'Twelve Olympians' (to Dionysus) to prevent heavenly conflict.

Alcestis was named for a princess rescued by Hercules; her name means 'might of the home'.