Of Gods and Mortals Trivia Quiz

Answer: Burn down his house, with his wife and children inside.

Herakles burnt his house down, his wife and children burning with it. In some versions of the myth, he killed only his children. When he became sane again, as punishment for his deed, he had to do the twelve labors that Eurystheus would give him.

Answer: Melanion

Melanion, or Hippomenes, as he's sometimes called, would run up beside Atalanta, then throw a golden apple over his shoulder. Thinking that she could catch up each time, Atlanta would run back, entranced at the beauty of the fruit. She spent so long looking at the last apple, that Melanion crossed the finish line without her realizing.

The couple actually ended up having a happy marriage, though it only lasted for a short while. By the time Melanion realized he had forgotten to thank Aphrodite for her help like he had promised, it was too late for him and his wife.

The goddess of love turned them both into lions as punishment. Some tales do say, however, that it was Zeus who turned them into lions for various reasons.

Answer: Hebe

Hera's four children were Hebe, Hephaestus, Ares, and Eris. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Seleme. Artemis and Apollo were twins, daughter and son of Leto.

Answer: Melicertes

Ino's youngest son was named Melicertes. Some tales say that her husband went mad also, and shot their eldest son, thinking he was a deer.
Semele's death was actually planned by Hera. Semele made Zeus promise to give her one thing, anything she wanted. He agreed. Hera hinted to her that she should wish to see him in all his glory, knowing no mortal could survive to see a god that way. Zeus had no choice but to do as she asked, and Semele turned to ash when she saw him.

Answer: She turned him into a deer, and his hunting dogs attacked and killed him.

Acteon was, unfortunately, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Angry, the virgin goddess turned him into a deer. His dogs were quick to tear him to pieces. Some myths say that later, his dogs realized what they'd done, and mourned for the loss of their master.

Answer: Zeus and Metis

Athena was said to have jumped, fully formed and armored, out of her father's head. Zeus had swallowed her mother, Metis. Later on, he regretted the move, for he found himself getting terrible headaches. It was suggested that his forehead be split open, and when this was done, his daughter was born. Athena is well known for helping Odysseus in 'The Odyssey.'

Answer: 6

When Persephone was stolen, Demeter fell into terrible grief, as any mother would. Because of her grief, however, the humans suffered. Leaves began to fall off trees, and the land no longer would grow anything. She didn't care what happened to anything or anyone; all she cared about was her daughter's safe return. Persephone was indeed returned safely, though Demeter was horrified to hear that she'd eaten seeds while she was in the Underworld. Because her daughter had eaten six seeds, she would have to stay in Hades' home six months out of every year.

Whenever her daughter had to leave her, Demeter would grow sad and depressed again. Her grief is the reason we have winter. Everything grows new and beautiful again in the spring each year, because of Persephone's return.

Answer: False

Perseus never wanted to hurt or kill his grandfather. He had other things on his mind, like killing the Gorgon Medusa and saving the maiden Andromeda from a sea monster. The prophecy still came true, however. While traveling, Danae's son stopped and decided to compete in a discus competition that was taking place.

When he swung the discus, it went off course, hitting and killing a man who was sitting in the stands. That man was King Acrisius.

Answer: Hebe

Herakles married Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera. When he became Hera's son-in-law, she forgave him and old hate was put aside. Finally, a story with a more or less happy ending!
Demeter was the goddess of agriculture.
Io was a maiden that Zeus had an affair with. She was turned into a cow to protect her from Hera's wrath.
Deianira was Herakles' second wife, but I'll save her tale for another time.

Answer: Apollo

Apollo was one of the few names that the Romans didn't change! Most of the others were renamed, however. Zeus became Jupiter, Aphrodite became Venus, and Demeter became Ceres.