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Greek and Roman Mythology Trivia Quiz

This is a quick, fun quiz on some of the stuff I've been learning in a Greek and Roman Mythology class at school. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by KatidydWM. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
KatidydWM

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
803

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
12 / 20

Plays
6717

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 49 (17/20), Guest 76 (19/20), Guest 70 (16/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. Who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Demeter? Hint

Minerva

Juno

Ceres

Venus

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Question 2 of 20

2. What is the name of the most famous of the rivers in the Underworld, the river of 'Hate' which dead souls must cross over? Hint

Lethe

Tiber

Styx

Mynes

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Question 3 of 20

3. What type of a creature has a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail? Hint

a Gorgon

a Chimaera

a Sphinx

a Hydra

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Question 4 of 20

4. What is the Greek name of the Roman god Bacchus? Hint

Zeus

Dionysus

Apollo

Hermes

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Question 5 of 20

5. Who was the mortal son of Helios and Clymene who attempted to drive his father's sun chariot for one day, with disastrous results?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 6 of 20

6. In Roman mythology, who of the following is not a member of the Capitoline triad? Hint

Juno

Jupiter

Minerva

Vulcan

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Question 7 of 20

7. Hephaestus caught which god in bed with his wife, Aphrodite? Hint

Dionysus

Hermes

Ares

Eros

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Question 8 of 20

8. Which lover of Zeus was changed into a white cow to hide her from jealous Hera? Hint

Leto

Maia

Scylla

9. In the battle between Zeus and the Titans, the Titan Themis and her son fought on the side of Zeus. What is the name of her son? He was known as the 'Friend of Man.'

Not all agree that he was Themis' son - some say his mother was Clymene. In any case, his father was Iapetus, and his brothers were Atlas, Menoetius and Epimetheus.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 10 of 20

10. In the competition between Poseidon and Athene for possession of the city of Athens, Poseidon offered a salt spring and Athene offered what? Hint

a freshwater spring

an owl

the Parthenon

an olive tree

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Question 11 of 20

11. Of the three virgin goddesses on Olympus, who is the one with the most involvement in childbirth and the young of animals, and the moon? Hint

Aphrodite

Athene

Artemis

Hestia

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Question 12 of 20

12. Which Greek god is a property protector, but also the patron of thieves? Hint

Poseidon

Hermes

Hades

Apollo

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Question 13 of 20

13. In the beginning, Chaos and Gaia (the earth) had three offspring. Which or who of the following is not one of their children? Hint

Cronus

the Mountains

Uranus

Pontus

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Question 14 of 20

14. In Roman mythology there is an ancient god with no Greek equivalent, Janus. What is he the god of? Hint

death in battle

beginnings and bridges

sworn oathes

trading and profit

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Question 15 of 20

15. Which god is known as the Leader of the Muses and the Lord of the Silver Bow (hint: he had a famous temple at Delphi)?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 16 of 20

16. In Greek legend, when Apollo chased after Daphne (a nymph) her father (a river god) rescued her by changing her into what? Hint

a spring

a laurel tree

a swan

a holly bush

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Question 17 of 20

17. As punishment for trying to feed his son to the gods, who must stand for eternity in water that he cannot reach to drink while above him sways fruit he cannot reach to eat? Hint

Sisyphus

Tityus

Ixion

Tantalus

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Question 18 of 20

18. As punishment for not appreciating Apollo's music, King Midas's ears were transformed into the ears of what animal? Hint

an elephant

a donkey

a dog

a goat

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Question 19 of 20

19. According to the ancient Greeks and Romans there have been 5 Ages of mankind. Which Age are we supposedly currently in? Hint

Heroes

Gold

Iron

Silver

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Question 20 of 20

20. On the day he was born Hermes snuck away and stole cattle from which god?

Answer: (One Word)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Demeter?

Answer: Ceres

Both Demeter and Ceres were goddesses of ripe grain, vegetation, and agriculture.

2. What is the name of the most famous of the rivers in the Underworld, the river of 'Hate' which dead souls must cross over?

Answer: Styx

After crossing the Styx, the dead faced the gate guarded by the three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus.

3. What type of a creature has a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail?

Answer: a Chimaera

The Chimaera was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna. It was killed by Bellerophon, the man who tamed Pegasus.

4. What is the Greek name of the Roman god Bacchus?

Answer: Dionysus

Bacchus and Dionysus were gods of the grape and the vine, irrationality, music, dancing, intoxication, and ecstasy.

5. Who was the mortal son of Helios and Clymene who attempted to drive his father's sun chariot for one day, with disastrous results?

Answer: Phaethon

When Phaethon lost control of the horses Zeus struck him down with a thunderbolt. A lesson to mortals: do not try to rise above yourself.

6. In Roman mythology, who of the following is not a member of the Capitoline triad?

Answer: Vulcan

On the Capitoline Hill (in Rome) is a temple where Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva were all worshipped.

7. Hephaestus caught which god in bed with his wife, Aphrodite?

Answer: Ares

Hephaestus caught them together with a net of chains and then called all of the other gods to come and see their treachery.

8. Which lover of Zeus was changed into a white cow to hide her from jealous Hera?

Answer: Io

Zeus changed Io into a cow to hide her from Hera, but Hera was not fooled and sent all-seeing Argus to guard her, until Hermes (sent by Zeus) cut off Argus's head. Next Hera sent a gadfly to madden her, but after wandering the earth Io came at last to Egypt where Zeus changed her back and she gave birth to a son, Epaphus (an ancestor of Heracles).

9. In the battle between Zeus and the Titans, the Titan Themis and her son fought on the side of Zeus. What is the name of her son? He was known as the 'Friend of Man.' Not all agree that he was Themis' son - some say his mother was Clymene. In any case, his father was Iapetus, and his brothers were Atlas, Menoetius and Epimetheus.

Answer: Prometheus

Zeus and Prometheus later had a falling out and Zeus chained him to the top of a mountain with a spear in his side and an eagle who ate his liver by day (he's immortal, it regenerated every night). Hercules later set him free.

10. In the competition between Poseidon and Athene for possession of the city of Athens, Poseidon offered a salt spring and Athene offered what?

Answer: an olive tree

Athene won the contest, obviously. Some sources give Poseidon's gift as a horse, rather than a salt spring.

11. Of the three virgin goddesses on Olympus, who is the one with the most involvement in childbirth and the young of animals, and the moon?

Answer: Artemis

Although Artemis is predominantly a virgin goddess, she has certain characteristics (like the moon and childbirth) that suggest she may originally have had fertility connections.

12. Which Greek god is a property protector, but also the patron of thieves?

Answer: Hermes

Along with being a messenger of the gods and an escorter of dead souls, Hermes is the patron of those 'who do their business at night.'

13. In the beginning, Chaos and Gaia (the earth) had three offspring. Which or who of the following is not one of their children?

Answer: Cronus

Cronus is the son of Gaia and Uranus. Cronus replaced Uranus as the sky god, and then Zeus replaced Cronus.

14. In Roman mythology there is an ancient god with no Greek equivalent, Janus. What is he the god of?

Answer: beginnings and bridges

Janus is the god of going in and coming out. He is always portayed with two faces, looking before and behind.

15. Which god is known as the Leader of the Muses and the Lord of the Silver Bow (hint: he had a famous temple at Delphi)?

Answer: Apollo

Apollo has the same name in both Greek and Roman mythology. He is an archer and a god of music, the patron of shepherds, and the embodimet of moderation and good taste.

16. In Greek legend, when Apollo chased after Daphne (a nymph) her father (a river god) rescued her by changing her into what?

Answer: a laurel tree

Apollo was in love with Daphne but Daphne did not love him. She was a follower of Artemis, sworn to celibacy. After Daphne's transformation Apollo took the laurel as his sacred tree.

17. As punishment for trying to feed his son to the gods, who must stand for eternity in water that he cannot reach to drink while above him sways fruit he cannot reach to eat?

Answer: Tantalus

It's where we get the word 'tantalize.' Sisyphus, Ixion, and Tityus are all also undergoing various punishments in the Underworld.

18. As punishment for not appreciating Apollo's music, King Midas's ears were transformed into the ears of what animal?

Answer: a donkey

Only the king's barber knew about his ears, and he couldn't keep it a secret. He snuck out one day and whispered it into the marshes, and within a year everyone knew.

19. According to the ancient Greeks and Romans there have been 5 Ages of mankind. Which Age are we supposedly currently in?

Answer: Iron

The Age of Iron will end when children are born with grey hair and envy, arrogance, greed, and war run rampant.

20. On the day he was born Hermes snuck away and stole cattle from which god?

Answer: Apollo

He later returned the cattle and gave Apollo the first lyre to compensate him. The two became very close friends after that.

Source: Author KatidydWM

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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