Mythology

Question 1

DESCRIBE THE ANCIENT GREEKS:
WHERE DID THEY ORIGINATE? WHAT TYPE OF
GOVERNMENT/RELIGION/MILITARY LIFE DID THEY LEAD?

Answer 1

• Originated from Minoan and Mycenaean tribes
• Followed democracy in Athens
• Polytheistic
• Powerful military; phalanx

Question 2

ZEUS

Answer 2

God of the sky, lightning, thunder

Associated with lightning bolt and eagle

Question 3

HERA

Answer 3

Goddess of marriage, women and birth

Associated with peacock feather, diadem, cow and lily

Question 4

ATHENA

Answer 4

Goddess of wisdom and warfare

Associated with owls, olive trees and armor

Question 5

POSEIDON

Answer 5

God of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses

Associated with trident, fish, horses and dolphins

Question 6

ARES

Answer 6

God of war

Associated with spear, helmet, dog and chariot

Question 7

HADES

Answer 7

God of the dead and the riches

Associated with the drinking horn and scepter

Question 8

APHRODITE

Answer 8

Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality

Associated with dolphins, roses, scallops and mirrors

Question 9

DEMETER

Answer 9

Goddess of fertility and agriculture

Associated with torch, changing seasons and pigs

Question 10

PERSEPHONE

Answer 10

Goddess of vegetation, Queen of the underworld

Associated with wheat, pomegranate and bat

Question 11

APOLLO

Answer 11

God of the sun, art and knowledge

Associated with the lyre, laurel wreath and the python

Question 12

HERMES

Answer 12

God of trade, travelers and sports

Associated with lyre, tortoise and rooster

Question 13

DIONYSUS

Answer 13

God of wine, theater and ecstasy

Associated with the grapevine and panthers

Question 14

CENTAURS

Answer 14

half man half horse, associated with the wine of Dionysus b/c said to get drunk

Question 15

MINOTAUR

Answer 15

ruled over Crete, associated with the labyrinth and bulls

Question 16

HYRDA

Answer 16

guardian of the Underworld, serpent with many heads, killed in Heracles’ 12 Labors

Question 17

MEDUSA

Answer 17

guarded entrance of the Underworld, turned people to stone with gaze

Question 18

THE FATES

Answer 18

controlled destiny of everyone with thread of life

Question 19

HARPIES

Answer 19

brought people to the Underworld, bird-like women

Question 20

SIRENS

Answer 20

lured mariners to the their island (Sirenum scopuli)

Question 21

CEREBERUS

Answer 21

guards entrance to the Underworld, Hades’ doggie

Question 22

CHARON

Answer 22

the ferryman of the dead, associated with Hermes

Question 23

HERCULES

Answer 23

MAIN OBSTACLE: Complete the 12 Labors given to him by King Eurystheus properly.
SUMMARY: Hercules was the son of Zeus, but was abandoned as a baby. As a baby, he proved great strength when he wrestled a snake. After killing his children, he goes to King Eurystheus as told by the Oracle. He is then faced with 12 labors which he has trouble completing at times.
WHY A HERO: Hercules was able to complete difficult trials, killing many monsters.

Question 24

PSYCHE AND EROS

Answer 24

MAIN OBSTACLE: Psyche overcoming her curiosity
SUMMARY: Psyche was a princess who was seen as the most beautiful. She fell in love with Eros, whom she was not allowed to see. After being persuaded by her sisters, she looked at Eros anyway, causing him to leave her. To get back Eros, Psyche had to complete seemingly impossible tasks set by Aphrodite.
WHY A HERO: Psyche overcame great obstacles to achieve what she wanted.

Question 25

JASON

Answer 25

MAIN OBSTACLE: Retrieve the Golden Fleece
SUMMARY: Pelias stole the crown from his brother. His nephew, Jason, arrives to take the crown from him. Jason can become king if he can retrieve the golden fleece. He faces many obstacles. He encounters Medea, who helps him get the golden fleece. After Jason married another woman, Medea got angry and killed the woman and her two sons.
WHY A HERO: Jason overcame obstacles to retrieve the golden fleece.

Question 26

PERSEUS

Answer 26

MAIN OBSTACLE: Complete the task of killing Medusa
SUMMARY: Perseus and Danae were sent away by Acrisius, but taken in by Dictys. King Polydectes tries to get rid of Perseus by telling him to kill Medusa, which he achieves with the help of Hermes and Athena. Perseus tests their belief in his success by telling them to look if they don’t, and those who looked are turned to stone.
WHY A HERO: Perseus was courageous and saved Andromeda from the sea monster

Question 27

THESEUS

Answer 27

MAIN OBSTACLE: To kill the Minotaur
SUMMARY: Theseus went to see his father, King Aegeus in the city. He is then sent to kill the Minotaur. Theseus strategically left string behind him as he went into the labyrinth to kill the Minotaur, as told to him by Ariadne. After forgetting to raise the white sail as promised on his journey back, his father jumps into the sea.
WHY A HERO: Theseus killed the dangerous Minotaur.

Question 28

WHAT ARE THREE VALUES OF GRECIAN SOCIETY?

Answer 28

Bravery, strength, fate

Question 29

TELOS

Answer 29

“end”/death EX: Beowulf’s death in the end

Question 30

NOSTOS

Answer 30

homecoming EX: Beowulf’s return to Denmark

Question 31

KLEOS

Answer 31

fame/song of praise EX: Theseus’ return to Athens

Question 32

HAMARTIA

Answer 32

tragic flaw EX: Macbeth’s desire for more power

Question 33

HUBRIS

Answer 33

excessive pride EX: Macbeth thought he was invincible and could continue to kill people

Question 34

PINDARIC ODE

Answer 34

a lyric poem, usually of serous or meditative nature and having an elevative style and formal stanzaic structure

Question 35

HOMER

Answer 35

the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, Ancient Greek epic poems

Question 36

PINDAR

Answer 36

an Ancient Greek lyric poem

Question 37

WHAT TYPES OF SCENES/IMAGERY APPEAR ON GRECIAN URNS? WHY?

Answer 37

Grecian urns typically showed scenes of battle with heroes. The images on the urns were there to help tell a story