Classical Mythology Terms

Question 1

Adonis

Answer 1

An extremely handsome youth who had died and was reborn. His resurrection is associated with the cycle of the seasons.

Question 2

Aeneas

Answer 2

A defender of Troy, who led his followers to modern day Italy and founded Rome. He is alluded to for his respect for the Gods which earned him their protection.

Question 3

Antigone

Answer 3

Because of her duty to her brother, she had buried Polynices and was punished because he was considered a traitor. To avoid death for her actions, she had been sealed alive in a cave with food and water. In literature, there are two interpretations to this story,where she either hangs herself in the cave or she receives the approval of the people for burying Polynices.

Question 4

Ares/Mars

Answer 4

God of war in Greek and roman mythology. He usually represents the physical and violent untamed aspect of war.

Question 5

Argus

Answer 5

A giant with 100 eyes who was slain by Hermes after all of the eyes went to sleep. Important for being all-seeing.

Question 6

Athena/Minerva

Answer 6

Goddess of wisdom. Known for springing full grown from Zeus’ brain and being a companion of heroes.

Question 7

Atlas

Answer 7

A Titan, who after he lost the war against Zeus, was condemned to stand forever and hold the heavens. Alluded to for his strength.

Question 8

Augean stables

Answer 8

Augeas made Heracles clean these stables which was a humiliating assignment that backfired, because he re routed the rivers to wash out the dung. He promised Heracles 1/10 of his cattle, but didn’t give them up so had been killed by Heracles. Is used in literature to describe a difficult, unpleasant job.

Question 9

Bacchus/Dionysus

Answer 9

The God of wine, wherever they go a party erupts. Alluded to for his inspiration in Greek culture and for being an example of a dying God.

Question 10

Hiawatha

Answer 10

The co-founder of the Iroquois confederacy, who had been an orator and banded together the five tribes into the confederacy. Alluded to for bringing peace to the tribes (Hiawatha belt is the tree of peace).

Question 11

Judgement of Paris

Answer 11

One of the events that lead up to the Trojan war. Judged the beauty of different goddesses as a mortal.

Question 12

Jupiter/Zeus

Answer 12

Supreme leader of the gods, god of the sky. He led the Olympian gods in a war against the Titans.

Question 13

Laocoon

Answer 13

A seer and priest of the God Apollo. He is known for warning the Trojans of the Greeks present. He was ignored and the Greeks invaded with the wooden horse.

Question 14

Leda

Answer 14

Zeus had seduced her by being disguised as a swan and had children with her. Leda and the swan is a popular motif in Renaissance times.

Question 15

Midas

Answer 15

Legendary king of phyrgia, had released Silenus so that anything he touched turned into gold.

Question 16

Nemesis

Answer 16

The spirit of divine retribution against those who succumb to hubris. Known for being inescapable.

Question 17

Odin

Answer 17

Ruler of Aesir, a group of deities. Plays a central role in the creation and destruction of the world.

Question 18

Cassandra

Answer 18

The most beautiful of priam’s daughters, who tricked Apollo into giving her the gift of prophecy telling, who then made her cursed by being ignored. Her family thoughts she was insane and no one would believe her.

Question 19

Cerberus

Answer 19

Three headed dog that guarded the entrance to the underworld, who could turn any person who saw him into stone. Allude to for having a fearsome appearance.

Question 20

Ceres/Demeter

Answer 20

Goddess of the harvest, a central figure of the eleusinian mysteries that predated the Olympian pantheon.

Question 21

Chimera

Answer 21

A fire breathing hybrid creature of Lycia in Asia Minor. The term is used to describe any fictional or mythical animal with parts from multiple animals that are wildly imaginative.

Question 22

Circe

Answer 22

Lived on the island aeaea, where she built herself a palace and practiced spells that let her turn men into animals. She had given Odysseus and his men advice on how to return home.

Question 23

Daedalus

Answer 23

A skilled craftsman and inventor who built the labyrinth on Crete. Also built the wings that let his son escape Crete. His name means clever.

Question 24

Damocles

Answer 24

Had been given the chance to live as a king, but had a sword hang over him by a single thread. This sword symbolizes imminent danger.

Question 25

Delphic oracle

Answer 25

A priestess who gave prophecies that came from the inspiration of Apollo. She is alluded to for her wisdom and prophecy telling that would guide the Greek people.

Question 26

Electra

Answer 26

She helped her brother Orestes plan the murder of Clytemnestra and Aegisthus to avenge their father’s death.

Question 27

Pan

Answer 27

God of nature, name means to pasture. He is associated with a mother goddess in literature.

Question 28

Pandora’s box

Answer 28

Pandora had opened this jar, which had let out all evil into the world. When she closed it, it symbolizes hope and can be used to mean that an action that may seem innocent can lead to dire consequences.

Question 29

Paris

Answer 29

A young prince who eloped with the most beautiful woman in the world and caused the Trojan war. He had been destined for disaster since birth.

Question 30

Parnassus

Answer 30

A mountain sacred to Apollo and home of the muses. Is known as the home of poetry.

Question 31

Prometheus

Answer 31

One of the Titans in Greek mythology, was the God of fire. Credited for the creation of humans and for giving them fire, because Zeus had made them mortal.

Question 32

Proteus

Answer 32

Known as the old man of the sea (Ancient Greek god). Served as a shepherd for Neptune, who would give him the gift of prophecy. Known for assuming different forms and answering questions only if caught.

Question 33

Pygmalion

Answer 33

King of the island of Cyprus and a sculptor. Spent many years carving a statue of a woman and fell in love with it. He prayed to Aphrodite and she made the statue come to life.

Question 34

Romulus

Answer 34

Son of the God of Mars who fought with his twin Remus and founded Rome. They were raised by wolves and alluded to for being brave and bold.

Question 35

Oedipus Rex

Answer 35

He had killed his father and married his mother. Alluded to for following the wrong path of life, for not knowing his identity.

Question 36

Elysian Fields

Answer 36

A conception of the afterlife that was reserved for mortals related to the gods and other heroes, or those chosen by the gods.

Question 37

Fauns

Answer 37

Place spirits of untamed woodland. They resemble a mix between goats and humans, like to dance and play the flute. Known for being rather foolish.

Question 38

Golden Fleece

Answer 38

It came from a magic ram and hung in a sacred grove of trees in Colchis. With the help of people, jason could charm the serpant and steal the fleece.

Question 39

Hades

Answer 39

God of the underworld, who with the help of The other gods, had fought the Titans and took control of the world.

Question 40

Holy grail

Answer 40

The vessel from which Jesus drank at the last supper. It represented a religious state of grace or union with God.

Question 41

Hector

Answer 41

A hero and warrior who fought bravely against the Greeks in the Trojan war. Is portrayed as being a noble and honorable leader.

Question 42

Chronos

Answer 42

A God, serpentine shape with three heads, that with his consort ananke, had created the earth, sea and sky. Usually portrayed as an old wise man with a long beard and symbolic to the personification of time.

Question 43

Hera/Juno

Answer 43

She embodies the virtues and defects of the married woman. She is faithful and loyal to Zeus, while at the same time oppressive and jealous. Alluded to for her desire that doesn’t go away until she gets what she wants.

Question 44

Hermes

Answer 44

Fleet footed messenger of the gods. He is known for being a speedy messenger and for bringing luck to travelers.

Question 45

Scylla and Charybdis

Answer 45

Two immortal and irresistible monsters who beset the narrow waters by the hero Odysseus. Means having to choose between two evils.

Question 46

Sisyphus

Answer 46

King of ephyra. Punished for chronic deceitfullness by having to roll a boulder up a hill, to watch it fall back down for eternity.

Question 47

Tiresias

Answer 47

A blind prophet of Apollo in Thebes, famous for clairvoyance and being transformed into a woman for 7 years. His changing of gender may have caused him to be blind.

Question 48

Titan

Answer 48

The second order of divine beings that ruled during the legendary golden age and created the first pantheon of Greek deities. They also fought with the Olympians and lost.

Question 49

Vesta

Answer 49

Virgin goddess, who served as a symbol of home and family as well as the guardian of the sacred fire. She played a prominent roll in Roman culture, being worshipped in the household and keeper of the flame.

Question 50

Zephyr

Answer 50

Greek god of the west wind, jealous of Apollon, had struck hyakintho in the head with the disc from a gust of wind. They are portrayed as being a handsome winged youth.

Question 51

Venus/Aphrodite

Answer 51

The goddess of love. She had been born from the sea foam that came from chronos cutting off uranus’s genitals.

Question 52

Remus

Answer 52

Twin brother of Romulus, had been murdered by him. Wanted to found Rome on aventine hill, but Romulus disagreed and killed him. One of the most complex and problematic of all foundation myths.

Question 53

Achilles

Answer 53

A Greek hero from the Trojan war, who is known for killing Hector and later was shot in his heel with an arrow by Paris. He is alluded to for his heel being vulnerable for not touching the river Styx.