The Original Apollo Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Apollo was called by many names. By which of the following names was Apollo NOT referred?

Answer: Phlegyas

Phlegyas was the name of the King of the Lapiths. He was father of Coronis, one of Apollo's conquests who bore him a son (Asclepius). The name "Smintheus" has its roots in the word "mouse" or "rat" and refers to him being the destroyer of the little rodents, thus protecting crops. "Lukeios" derives its name from the "wolf," as Apollo was said to protect flocks from wolves. "Apollo Nymphegeles" refers to him as the "protector or keeper of the Nymphs"

2. Apollo was usually depicted holding a lyre. Along with his lyre, he sometimes had with him a plectrum. What is a "plectrum?"

Answer: Device used to strum an instrument

A plectrum is commonly referred to as a "pick" or "flat pick." I can't see fans of rock groups trading and displaying "plectrums" from their favorite guitarists, can you? "Hey, dude, let me see your plectrum." POW!

3. Who gave Apollo his lyre?

Answer: Hermes

Hermes was just a baby when he presented Apollo with the lyre in exchange for Apollo's cattle (which Hermes had stolen). According to one story, Hermes made the first lyre with a turtle shell and cow-gut strings. Erato did have a lyre, but didn't give it up to Apollo (Erato didn't give anything up to Apollo).

4. Apollo's fateful pursuit of Daphne led her to transform herself in order to escape being caught by Apollo. Into what did she transform to escape Apollo's advances?

Answer: Laurel tree

Daphne turned herself into the Laurel with the help of her father, the river god, Penaeus. Apollo was heartbroken by this and placed a ring of laurel on his head. The laurel remains a major symbol of Apollo and he is often depicted in art wearing a ring of laurel.

5. True or False: Apollo, like his father, Zeus, fell in love with both females and males.

Answer: True

The most well-known story of Zeus in this context was his love for the young shepherd, Ganymede, who became Zeus' cup-bearer. I gather that refers to his "drinking cup" and not the one he used for protection from baseballs...

6. Apollo became impassioned by a young boy named Cyparissus. Apollo gave him a deer as gift, but Cyparissus accidentally killed it. In his mourning, he asked Apollo to let his tears fall forever. Apollo obliged. Into what did Apollo transform the boy?

Answer: A cypress

The cypress oozes sap from its bark, forming droplets. These droplets are said to be the boy's tears.

7. Apollo was said to have killed the great serpent, Python. Who was considered the mother of Python?

Answer: Gaea

Several versions of this story exist. One says that Apollo killed Python in retaliation for the serpent's pursuit of Leto when she was pregnant with the twins, Apollo and Artemis. Another goes that he killed the snake to free Delphi from its terror.

In any case, because he killed Python in a sacred place, and because Python was the son of Gaea (Mother Earth), he got in big trouble over it and had to atone for his misdeed.

8. The Roman equivalent to Apollo was named _____________________.

Answer: Apollo

Hope you didn't miss this one! It was almost too simple!

9. The name "Apollo" has been said to mean "destroyer" or "one who destroys". What other meaning is associated with the name?

Answer: Apple man

The persona of the Greek God, Apollo, is said to have been imported to Greece from the north of present-day Europe. Some have proposed he came from the Celts, as his name might be derived from the Celtic word for apple, "abel". I'm surprised he is not also the God of School Teachers...

10. Which of the following animals was NOT considered sacred to Apollo?

Answer: jaguar

One of Apollo's names is Lukeios, derived from the word for "wolf." He was said to protect flocks and herds from the wolf. Another story of Apollo told of him riding on the back of a swan to spend winters in the land of the Hyperboreans. Other versions have swans surrounding the island upon which Leto gave birth to the twins.

After making amends for his slaying of Python, Apollo is said to have returned to Pytho in the form of a dolphin. The Delphi, the Sanctuary or Oracle of Apollo, derives its name from the word "dolphin".

11. In one famous story, Apollo seduced Hecuba and bore him a son named Troilius. Troilius was eventually killed. Who killed him?

Answer: Achilles

Hecuba was a Trojan queen who was reported to have had fifty children. It was she who bore the famous hero, Paris, whose abduction of Helen caused the Trojan War. Hecuba had Troilius by Apollo and it was prophesied that the city of Troy would not fall during the Trojan War if Troilius reached 25 years of age. Achilles ambushed and killed Troilius and Troy was eventually defeated. Priam was Hecuba's huband and King of Troy.
Perseus slew many people and monsters, but he didn't do in Troilius.

12. As mentioned earlier, Apollo was referred to by many names. What was the most common alternate name to which he was referred?

Answer: Phoebus Apollo

Two versions:
1. The name "Phoebus" refers to Apollo's association with Phoebe, daughter of Uranus and Gaea. Phoebe was his grandmother.
2. The name "Phoebus" means "radiant" or "beaming" and refers to his association with the sun or light.

"You can call me 'Ray' or you can call me 'Jay'..."

13. On which island did Leto give birth to the twins Apollo and Artemis?

Answer: Delos

One version of the story relates that the jealous Hera, hearing of Leto's pregnancy with Zeus' children, put a curse on Leto saying she may not give birth on land or in the sea (some versions have the birth forbidden both on land and on an island at sea). Delos was a floating island, thus not qualifying as either land proper or sea (or not being a true island).

Other versions relate that Python pursued Leto, who eventually made it to Delos. The island was unchained and floated away, thus outrunning the pursuing Python. Delphi was the sanctuary of Apollo. Lemnos was the island to which Hephaestus was brought after being cast off Olympus. Crete is a popular tourist destination and home to many a baby.

14. Apollo was important to the people in many ways as is evident by his manifold attributes and domains. Which of the following was Apollo said to have performed?

Answer: Giving ritual purification to wrong-doers

Among the many, Apollo was given the title of God of Religious Healing. It was he who performed ritual purification of those who had done majorly wrong--murderers and other heinous evil-doers. I wonder if the Furies thought he was stealing business away from them?

15. Who angered Apollo with his boasting, forcing Apollo to challenge him to a music contest?

Answer: Marsyas

One version states that Marsyas, the satyr, found a flute that had been discarded by Athena (she gave up trying to play it). Marsyas boasted he could play music better than Apollo and challenged him to a contest. The contest ended in a draw. To break the stalemate, Apollo announced that they should turn their instruments upside-down and sing. Since one cannot play a flute upside-down nor sing while playing it, Apollo won the contest.

As punishment, Apollo flayed Marsyas, tearing all flesh from his bones. "Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, flayin' alive, flayin' alive..."

Source: Author scroob13

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor fringe before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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