Greek Spirits Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eros

Eros is the god of desire, and of course, is the source of the word erotic. There are conflicting stories about the origins of Eros. Some sources say he was primordial, one of the original gods, while other sources state he is the son of Aphrodite. The most famous story about Eros involves Psyche, the most beautiful woman in the world, and their rocky path to love. In Roman mythology, Eros is known as Cupid.

Answer: Discord and Strife

Eris is the spirit of chaos and discord. Her Latin name is Discordia. She is most famous for her role in the Trojan war. At the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, Eris threw a golden apple with the words "For the most beautiful" on it. Hera, Athena and Aphrodite all claimed to be the most beatiful, and Paris was chosen to decide. Paris accepted Aphrodite's offer of the love of Helen, whom he stole her from King Menelaus of Sparta. The rest is history. Aidos is the spirit of modesty, Apate is the spirit of deceit, and Hedone (hedonism) is the spirit of pleasure.

Answer: Hypnos

Hypnos is the Greek personification of sleep. In Roman mythology, he is known as Somnus. Hypnos is the son of Nyx, Goddess of the Night, and the brother of Thanatos, the God of Death. He lives on in the modern words hypnotism and hypnotic, both related to trances. Icelos and Phantasos are the brothers of Morpheus, and are part of the Oneiroi. Epailes is a demonic spirit that causes nightmares.

Answer: Atropos

In Greek, Atropos means "inevitable" or "inexorable". She determined how each human would die, and cut their thread with her shears. In Roman mythology, she is known as Morta (death). The Moirai, Greek for "apportioners" are the three spirits associated with determining the fates of humans.

There are various stories about their origin, although most are associated with Zeus. The could be the daughters of Zeus and Themis, or Zeus and Ananke. Clotho (spinner) spun the thread and Lachesis (allotter) measured it out. Ananke is the mother of the Fates, as she is the Goddess of Destiny.

Her name means necessity in ancient Greek.

Answer: Lethe

Lethe is a river goddess, who lived by the banks of the river Lethe. Supposedly everyone who drank from the river would forget. In Dante, the river was located close to the entrance of Heaven, and people would drink from it before they entered paradise. Virgil mentions the river in the "Aeneid", and Seneca mentions it in "Phaedra" and in "Oedipus". The Litae are the spirits of prayer, slow-running daughters of Zeus.

Answer: Harmonia

Harmonia is the goddess of harmony. She is either the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, or the daughter of Zeus and Electra. When she is linked with Aphrodite it is Aphrodite Pandemos, the love which unites people. Her Greek opposite is Eris. In Roman mythology she is known as Concordia.
Phobos and Deimos are the sons of Ares, the God of War; Phobos is in charge of fear and flight, while Deimos is in charge of dread and terror. The two moons of Mars are named after them. Kydoimos is the spirit of the noise and confusion of battle.

Answer: Eleos

Eleos definitely does not fit, as he was the god of pity and mercy. Eleos was worshiped both in Athens and Epidaurus. The other three are associated with revenge. Nemesis was the goddess associated with righteous vengeance, with a sense of justice. Poine was the spirit of retribution, especially for murder. Alastor was the spirit of blood feuds.

Answer: Mania

In Greek mythology, Mania were spirits assocaited with madness and insanity. The spirit lives on in modern language, with a mania being an obsession, such as kleptomania or pyromania, and the word maniac. The Mania are closely associated with Lyssa, the Goddess of Rage; all are believed to be daughters of Nyx, the Goddess of Night.

Answer: Nike

Nike was the winged Goddess of Victory. She is described as the daughter of Pallas and Styx. Nike was the goddess of strength and speed as well as victory, and is often seen with Athena in ancient art. Her name lives on in the name Nicholas and its variations, both male and female. One of the most famous statues in the world is "Winged Victory of Samothrace", a marble carving of Nike at the Louvre. The shoe company was founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight in 1964, and officially became Nike in 1978.

Answer: Outrageous Behavior

Hybris was the spirit of outrageous behavior. In ancient Greek times, hubris would refer to shaming or humiliating someone for your own gratification; it involved crimes of power, such as assault and rape. In its modern day usage, hubris refers to overarching pride or arrogance, usually preceding a downfall.