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The Iliad, Part I Trivia Quiz

"The Iliad" by Homer, while it does not display an abundance of sea monsters to rival its continuation, instead tells the story of the first part of the Trojan War, up to the burial of Hector.

A multiple-choice quiz by Bernstein. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Bernstein

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
172,689

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
25

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
15 / 25

Plays
2180

Last 3 plays: Guest 153 (21/25), Guest 174 (25/25), Guest 174 (25/25).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 25

1. Why is Agamemnon returning Chryseis to her father? Hint

He fell in love with Bryseis

Apollo has cursed his armies for as long as he keeps her

Menelaus threatened to kill him if he did not do so

He believes that he was ordered to by the gods in a dream.

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Question 2 of 25

2. True or False: In the poem, the Greeks are referred to simply as the Greeks.

True

False

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Question 3 of 25

3. True or False: The character Odysseus is referred to as Ulysses in the original text of the poem.

True

False

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Question 4 of 25

4. After Agamemnon and Achilles argue, Achilles enlists help from the "divine" to curse the Achaeans as long as he refuses to fight. Who does he enlist? Hint

Hera

Thetis

Peleus

Pallas Athena

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Question 5 of 25

5. Who is the most respected elder in the Achaean army? Hint

Ajax

Nestor

Odysseus

Menelaus

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Question 6 of 25

6. Now for an easier question: In this order, what Achean kingdoms do Agamemnon and Menelaus rule? Hint

Mycenae, Sparta

Olympia, Mycenae

Sparta, Mycenae

Ithaca, Athens

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Question 7 of 25

7. Who does Paris challenge to a duel in Book 3? Hint

Agamenon

Achilles

Diomedes

Menelaus

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Question 8 of 25

8. After Paris is rescued from the battle, which of the following best describes Helen's feelings toward him? Hint

Pure lust

Loathing that is overcome by lust

Loathing that hardens her heart towards him

Unwavering love

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Question 9 of 25

9. Which of these adjectives least describes Odysseus? Hint

Dim witted

Loyal

Tactical

Philosophical

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Question 10 of 25

10. By the end of Book 3, which of these events have not occurred? Hint

Paris and Menelaus have fought

The reader is introduced to Hector

Thersites has taunted the king openly

Odysseus and Diomedes have captured Trojan Horses

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Question 11 of 25

11. Which of these following statements is not true about Agamemnon? Hint

He is commander of the entire Greek army

He knew Achilles from birth

He is brother to Menelaus

He was the cause of the god's plague

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Question 12 of 25

12. What people is Achilles said to lead? Hint

The Myrmidons

The Cephallenians

The Minyans

The Peraebians

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Question 13 of 25

13. Who is described as the most "beautiful" man in the Greek army? Hint

Thersites

Nireus

Achilles

Ajax

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Question 14 of 25

14. What unusual adjective often preceeds the word "Achaeans" in "The Iliad"? Hint

blood-filled

long-haired

lustful

foolish

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Question 15 of 25

15. What is the name of Hector's son, as called by Hector? Hint

Astyanax

Scamandrius

Eetion

Orestes

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Question 16 of 25

16. Who was responsible for the death of Andromache's mother and father? Hint

Diomedes

Agamemnon

Achilles

Nestor

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Question 17 of 25

17. What is the name of the woman who prays to Athena, asking her to save the Trojans from Diomedes? Hint

Castianira

Laodamia

Theano

Creusa

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Question 18 of 25

18. Who is Odysseus' father? Hint

Hephaestus

Laertes

Lycaon

Teutamus

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Question 19 of 25

19. When Athena and Hera defy Zeus in Book 8, why does Zeus punish only Athena? Hint

He expected Hera to defy him

He was going to kill Achilles

He was going to ally with the Achaeans

He wanted revenge on Athena for her infamous birth

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Question 20 of 25

20. Who, in Book 11, is alluded to as Dawn's "lordly mate"? Hint

Oileus

Antiphus

Pisander

Tithonus

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Question 21 of 25

21. Which of the following characters in "The Iliad" least epitomizes the word "warlike". Hint

Ajax

Achilles

Paris

Hector

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Question 22 of 25

22. Which of the following best describes the Trojan armies' feelings toward Paris relating to his abduction of Helen? Hint

They are angry, but feel that his act was justified in the name of love.

They think that he is a coward, and blame him for the entire war.

They feel nothing towards him, because many of them do not even know why they are fighting?

While Paris is shunned by his brothers and the captains of hosts, the common soldiers find him a hero and think of Helen only as a conquest.

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Question 23 of 25

23. Which of these men is a son of King Priam? Hint

Polymedon

Hippolochus

Machaon

Doryclus

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Question 24 of 25

24. What is unusual about the way messages are given by Iris in "The Iliad?" Hint

Iris lies about the original message

Iris appears in the shape of an animal

Iris repeats them almost exactly as they were said

Iris gives the messages in a high-pitched voice

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Question 25 of 25

25. By the end of Book 12 (the halfway point of the entire poem) which side has the definitive "momentum"?

Answer: (One Word Greeks or Trojans)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Why is Agamemnon returning Chryseis to her father?

Answer: Apollo has cursed his armies for as long as he keeps her

This is a very famous point in the poem, as it illustrates Agamemnon's sheer hard-headedness.

2. True or False: In the poem, the Greeks are referred to simply as the Greeks.

Answer: False

While they are not referred to as the Greeks in the poem, they are instead called the Danaans, the Argives, and especially, the Achaeans.

3. True or False: The character Odysseus is referred to as Ulysses in the original text of the poem.

Answer: False

This question, as a matter of fact, could even be correctly answered by someone who has never even opened the poem, as long as he or she knows the Greek and Roman names of heros. Ulysses was the Roman name given to this brilliant soldier.

4. After Agamemnon and Achilles argue, Achilles enlists help from the "divine" to curse the Achaeans as long as he refuses to fight. Who does he enlist?

Answer: Thetis

Since Thetis is his mother, Achilles would naturally ask her first.

5. Who is the most respected elder in the Achaean army?

Answer: Nestor

While this is not said out loud at any point, Nestor is often given special privileges. Besides this, his anecdotal stories date back the farthest.

6. Now for an easier question: In this order, what Achean kingdoms do Agamemnon and Menelaus rule?

Answer: Mycenae, Sparta

A cursory glance at a Greek textbook will tell you this answer, but a more thorough examination of 'The Iliad' will tell you as well.
NOTE: When you hear the word "Sparta" pertaining to this time period (roughly 1200 B.C.E.) do not imagine the rough, militaristic culture that the Dorians inspired. This was a civilized Sparta long before the Peloponnesian War.

7. Who does Paris challenge to a duel in Book 3?

Answer: Menelaus

Paris reluctantly agrees to duel Menelaus in Book 3, but is saved by Aphrodite before he can be killed.

8. After Paris is rescued from the battle, which of the following best describes Helen's feelings toward him?

Answer: Loathing that is overcome by lust

When Paris is transported back to his room, Helen comes in and berates him for his cowardice--but ends up going to bed with him anyway.

9. Which of these adjectives least describes Odysseus?

Answer: Dim witted

Odysseus is known far and wide as a great tactician and philosopher, and his exploits with regard to Thersites proves his loyalty.

10. By the end of Book 3, which of these events have not occurred?

Answer: Odysseus and Diomedes have captured Trojan Horses

This is especially easy if you have only read to Book 4. Odysseus and Diomedes capture the horses in Book 10.

11. Which of these following statements is not true about Agamemnon?

Answer: He knew Achilles from birth

Surprisingly, all three of the correct statements can be found in Book 1. We know that Agamemnon has the highest authority of any Achaean. He is also referred to as brother to Menelaus, and a studious reader will easily discover that he is the cause of Apollo's plague.

12. What people is Achilles said to lead?

Answer: The Myrmidons

Achilles is alluded to multiple times as the leader of the Myrmidons. However, it is fairly ironic that the Myrmidons are hardly mentioned in Greek history.

13. Who is described as the most "beautiful" man in the Greek army?

Answer: Achilles

This can be discovered in Book 2 when Nireus is described as the "most beautiful" man in the Achaean army--with exception to Achilles.
NOTE: Thersites is considered the "ugliest" man in the army.

14. What unusual adjective often preceeds the word "Achaeans" in "The Iliad"?

Answer: long-haired

This can be easily observed throughout the story. One can marvel at Homer's consistent use of the adjective.

15. What is the name of Hector's son, as called by Hector?

Answer: Scamandrius

When Hector returns to Troy, it is revealed that the boy is known as Astyanax, but Hector calls him Scamandrius.

16. Who was responsible for the death of Andromache's mother and father?

Answer: Achilles

When Achilles raided Eetion's (Andromache's father) palace, both of Andromache's parents were killed.

17. What is the name of the woman who prays to Athena, asking her to save the Trojans from Diomedes?

Answer: Theano

Theano entreats Aphrodite's pity--with no success.

18. Who is Odysseus' father?

Answer: Laertes

"Odysseus, son of Laertes".

19. When Athena and Hera defy Zeus in Book 8, why does Zeus punish only Athena?

Answer: He expected Hera to defy him

It is true that Zeus, as he explains, is always on alert for Hera's treachery, but feels betrayed when Athena commits the act.

20. Who, in Book 11, is alluded to as Dawn's "lordly mate"?

Answer: Tithonus

This can be found in the first sentence of Book 11. Such personification devices as these can be seen in almost any work of Greek literature.

21. Which of the following characters in "The Iliad" least epitomizes the word "warlike".

Answer: Paris

While Paris is many things, he is least of all warlike compared to the pompous Achilles, Hector, and Ajax.

22. Which of the following best describes the Trojan armies' feelings toward Paris relating to his abduction of Helen?

Answer: They think that he is a coward, and blame him for the entire war.

The Trojan armies in their entirety feel nothing but disgust for Paris' actions. Perhaps that's why he isn't as proud as he once was.

23. Which of these men is a son of King Priam?

Answer: Doryclus

An illegitimate son, as it is.

24. What is unusual about the way messages are given by Iris in "The Iliad?"

Answer: Iris repeats them almost exactly as they were said

This never failed to amaze me. Despite the appropriate rephrasing of certain words (For Example: "I" to "Zeus"), the messages from gods to Iris are relayed to the receiver exactly as they were originally told.

25. By the end of Book 12 (the halfway point of the entire poem) which side has the definitive "momentum"?

Answer: Trojans

This will change as soon as Achilles agrees to fight, but for now, the Trojans definitely are a force to be reckoned with.

Source: Author Bernstein

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