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The Bacchae Trivia Quiz

Euripides' tragedy is still pretty gripping, even after 2,400 years or so.

A multiple-choice quiz by SBH. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
SBH

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
159,634

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
444

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who is the first character to enter and speak lines? Hint

The old king Cadmus

The blind seer Tiresias

The new king Pentheus

The god Dionysus

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who are the Bacchae, anyway? Hint

Asian women who follow the god Dionysus

Cretan priestesses of the god Dionysus

Greek women who have been driven crazy by the god Bacchus

Male priests of a cult of the god Bacchus

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. It's appropriate that Dionysus is a central character in a play, because he's actually the god of theatre

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. The mother of Dionysus was killed because of the wrath of Hera, since she had cheated with Hera's husband Zeus. The actual cause of death was...? Hint

Disease

Earthquake

Lightning

Flood

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Bacchae concerns a fight between a mortal king, Pentheus, and a god, Dionysus. How are they related? Hint

They're half-brothers

They have no blood relation

They're brothers-in-law

They're cousins

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The followers of Dionysus carry thyrsoi (singular: thyrsos). What's that, exactly? Hint

A purse of fawn skin

An ivy-covered staff

A flagon of new wine

A sacrificial dagger

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which one of the following acts did the maenads not engage in? Hint

Killing cattle with their bare hands

Fastening their clothing with serpents

Turning stones into bread

Suckling wild animals

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following was not a daughter of Cadmus? Hint

Agave

Autonoe

Semele

Polydorus

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Besides Dionysus and Pentheus, which grandson of Cadmus is mentioned in the play? Hint

Autolycus

Tiresias

Actaeon

Ion

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What fate befalls Cadmus after his daughter Agave murders her own son? Hint

He and his wife are torn apart by maenads

He and his wife are doomed to turn into serpents

He resumes rulership of Thebes and rules for 100 years

An army from Sidon destroys his palace

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 21 2024 : Guest 12: 6/10
Sep 25 2024 : Ampelos: 9/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who is the first character to enter and speak lines?

Answer: The god Dionysus

In fact, the first thing he says is "I am Dionysus", and then he goes on to explain why he's annoyed at his mortal relatives.

2. Who are the Bacchae, anyway?

Answer: Asian women who follow the god Dionysus

Not to be confused with the maenads, whom Dionysus/Bacchus has driven mad.

3. It's appropriate that Dionysus is a central character in a play, because he's actually the god of theatre

Answer: True

The Athenian play festival was dedicated to Dionysus.

4. The mother of Dionysus was killed because of the wrath of Hera, since she had cheated with Hera's husband Zeus. The actual cause of death was...?

Answer: Lightning

Semele was struck by lightning just as Dionysus was born.

5. The Bacchae concerns a fight between a mortal king, Pentheus, and a god, Dionysus. How are they related?

Answer: They're cousins

Their mothers were sisters.

6. The followers of Dionysus carry thyrsoi (singular: thyrsos). What's that, exactly?

Answer: An ivy-covered staff

These are often depicted in vase paintings as tipped with a pine cone. They could be used as walking sticks, weapons and even magic wands.

7. Which one of the following acts did the maenads not engage in?

Answer: Turning stones into bread

They did, however, cause milk and wine to flow from the ground, and honey from their thyrsoi.

8. Which of the following was not a daughter of Cadmus?

Answer: Polydorus

Polydorus was a son of Cadmus.

9. Besides Dionysus and Pentheus, which grandson of Cadmus is mentioned in the play?

Answer: Actaeon

Actaeon was Autonoe's son. He was unlucky enough to annoy Artemis, and she caused his own hounds to tear him to pieces.

10. What fate befalls Cadmus after his daughter Agave murders her own son?

Answer: He and his wife are doomed to turn into serpents

Dionysus dooms Cadmus and Harmonia to be transformed into dragonlike beasts and banished to travel distant lands in a donkey cart instead of a chariot. However, he assures them that everything will work out in the end.

Source: Author SBH

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