Question 1

Starting right at the top, who was the chief Greek god?

Accepted Answer

Zeus - Zeus was father of several of the gods and goddesses... and most of the Greek heroes by his habit of sleeping with mortal women.

Question 2

This god is the one most likely to go day drinking.

Accepted Answer

Dionysus - Dionysys was known to Romans as Bacchus, which led the the term "bacchanalia"... which is illegal in 17 states.  (Sorry... low-handing fruit.)

Question 3

This painting by Botticelli depicts the birth of the goddess of love.  Who is she?

Accepted Answer

Aphrodite - Aphrodite wins the goddess marketing award.  Aphrodite's name give us "aphrodesiac" while Venus gave us "venereal".

Question 4

This goddess was a real headache for her dad.  She was born by springing from his head... dressed in full armor.

Accepted Answer

Athena - The city of Athens named themselves after Athena when she won a contest for the best gift to their citizens.  She gave them the olive tree.

Question 5

This god of the sea lost his competition with the previous goddess when he gave the citizens of Athens horses.  Who is he?

Accepted Answer

Poseidon - If Poseidon had won his contest, what would they have named their city?  Poseidopolis?  Poseidononia?  Poseidelphia?

Question 6

Zeus' brother was the god of the underworld and the riches found in the Earth.  Who was he?

Accepted Answer

Hades - Hades name has become synonymous with the concept of Hell, which was unfair since it was home to all the dead, not just the bad ones.

Question 7

The wife of Zeus was the goddess of marriage.  Ironically, her husband is the biggest philanderer of all the gods.  Who is she?

Accepted Answer

Hera - Hera seldom was mentioned in Greek myth except when punishing mortals, most often the lovers of Zeus and their resulting offspring.

Question 8

This group of nine sisters were supposed to inspire various arts and sciences.  What was their collective name?

Accepted Answer

the Muses - Hence artist's talking about their "muse".

Question 9

The character who gave fire to man was a Titan, not a god, but that didn't save him from some nasty punishment for his actions.  Who is he?

Accepted Answer

Prometheus - Prometheus was eventually freed by Heracles.

Question 10

A less well-known goddess was called "goddess of the hearth".  Who is she?

Accepted Answer

Hestia - There were said to be 12 "Olypian gods".  Hestia and Dionysus seem to compete for the last spot of the 12 depending on who is telling the story.

Question 11

Another goddess who is seldom featured in tales is the goddess of the harvest.  Who is she?

Accepted Answer

Demeter - Demeter caused a six-month famine each year she would search for her daughter who was in the underworld with her husband, Hades.  Hence leading to the seasons changing.

Question 12

The Greek god of music, prophecy, and healing.  His twin sister was Artemis.  Who was he?

Accepted Answer

Apollo - Yep, Apollo was the name used for the moon landing program.  Not bad billing...

Question 13

Apollo's twin sister was Artemis.  What was she the goddess of?

Accepted Answer

the Moon - Artemis was a bit extreme about her modesty.  She turned one man who saw her bathing into a deer and had her hounds tear him apart.  Geez... talk about touchy.

Question 14

The trickster of the Greek gods also serves as messenger of the Olympians and protector of travelers and thieves.  Who is he?

Accepted Answer

Hermes - Hermes is usually shown carrying his caduceus, the wand that is almost always mistaken for the rod of Aesclepius (symbol of medicine).

Question 15

The Greek god of war is also god of bloodshed and murder... a really cheery character.  What's his name?

Accepted Answer

Ares - Ares (called Mars by the Romans) wasn't well-liked among gods but was more popular with militaristic humans, but not a lot.

Question 16

The Parthenon is one of the great temples still (partly) standing from the days of ancient Greece.  Who was it dedicated to?

Accepted Answer

Athena - While Zeus might have been top god on Olympus, Athena was more popular in Athens... logical.

Question 17

Prophecy was important to the Greeks, and no site is more associated with prophecy than this oracle of Apollo.  Where is it located?

Accepted Answer

Delphi - The Oracle of Delphi was called Pythia which was a title rather than a name and passed down to future generations of seers.

Question 18

This Greek god is something of a contradiction.  He was the lame god of the forge/fire/volcanoes and married Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.  Who is he?

Accepted Answer

Hephaestus - Hephaestus was called Vulcan by the Romans which eventually led to the term "vulcanized".

Question 19

Poseidon and his wife had a son who was also a sea deity.  Who is this fish-tailed ocean god?

Accepted Answer

Triton - Triton later had his name attached by scientists to a large species of sea snail.  Is this considered an honor?

Question 20

Goddesses were a vain lot.  Paris had to pick which goddess was to receive a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest".  He picked Aphrodite because he preferred her bribe.  What event did this lead to?

Accepted Answer

The Trojan War - Paris picked Aphrodite because she offered him the "most beautiful woman in the world"... who was married to a powerful Greek leader.  DOH!

Question 21

Which hero was the greatest warrior fighting for Troy during the Trojan War?

Accepted Answer

Hector - Hector was the Trojan champion who was never defeated until he made the mistake of killing the mightiest Greek hero's best friend.

Question 22

As a newborn, this Greek hero was dipped in the River Styx by his mother, rendering him almost entirely invulnerable.  Who was he?

Accepted Answer

Achilles - His mother had to hold him by the heel when she dipped him, leaving him with an "Achilles heal" and defining the Achilles tendon.

Question 23

Greek myth tells how Heracles (Hercules to the Romans) was the strongest hero and had to perform 12 labors as penance.  Which was NOT... repeat NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

Taming Pegasus - The Pegasus myth was connected to a couple of other Greek heroes, but not Heracles.

Question 24

Speaking of Heracles, another of his labors was stealing a girdle from the Queen of the Amazons.  Who was she?

Accepted Answer

Hippolyta - Hippolyta/Hippolyte figured in several Greek myths and later became a DC Comics character as mother of Wonder Woman.

Question 25

One of the most famous myths from ancient Greece is the story of Icarus who flew too close to the sun, but few recall his father than made the wings for Icarus.  Who was he?

Accepted Answer

Daedalus - Maybe dad should have invented a flight simulator first.

Question 26

The tale of Pandora's box is another famous tale from Greece.  After releasing the ills of the world, what was left at the bottom of the chest?

Accepted Answer

Hope - Yeah... blame it on the woman, why don't ya?

Question 27

Perseus was the Greek hero who famously slew Medusa by decapitating her.  What famous princess did he go on to rescue?

Accepted Answer

Andromeda - Not too shabby to have an entire galaxy named after you.

Question 28

Speaking of Medusa, she had two sisters, Euryale and Stheno.  Collectively they were known as what?

Accepted Answer

the Gorgons - The name Gorgon is often used interchangeably with Medusa.

Question 29

A different Greek monster who had the head of a woman, body of a lion, and wings of a bird.  What was she called?

Accepted Answer

the Sphinx - Both Greek and Egyptian myth included the sphinx though the Egyptian version was usually shown as male.

Question 30

Yet another monster from Greek myth was the minotaur, a man with the head of a bull, imprisoned in a labyrinth by King Minos.  Who slayed the minotaur?

Accepted Answer

Theseus - Theseus went on the unite much of Greece under the rule of Athens, or so the story goes.

Question 31

One hero who wasn't known for monster-slaying was Orpheus.  What was Orpheus known for?

Accepted Answer

Music - His playing was so incredible that it was said he attracted animals... and even rocks.  (Is this were rock music originated?)

Question 32

Returning to the sphinx, what ill-fated hero answered the riddle of the sphinx?

Accepted Answer

Oedipus - Yep, it was Oedipus.  He went on to be immortalized by Sigmund Freud.  (Talk about a messed-up family life.)

Question 33

The winged horse Pegasus had a rather unusual origin.  How was Pegasus born?

Accepted Answer

Sprang from the blood of Medusa - Ancient Greek poet Hesios claimed that Pegasus carried thunderbolts for Zeus.

Question 34

The hero Bellerophon rode Pegasus during his battle to defeat another famous Greek monster.  Which one?

Accepted Answer

Chimera - The chimera was pretty messed up: a lion with a goat's head growing from its back and a snake for a tail.

Question 35

Centaurs (half-man/half-horse) were popular in stories from Greek myth.  Most were said to be violent drunkards, but which centaur became tutor to such heroes as Jason, Asclepius and Achilles?

Accepted Answer

Chiron - Chiron was known for his many fine qualities, "the wisest and most just of centaurs".

Question 36

The tale of Jason and the Argonauts is a major tale from the Greeks.  What were they seeking?

Accepted Answer

the Golden Fleece - Medea was actually a key player in Jason's fulfilling his quest.  Later, she killed Creusa and her father, then the sons Medea had born Jason out of wedlock.  Talk about a woman scorned...

Question 37

Homer's second great epic poem told of the king of Ithica and his 10-year journey to get home.  What is this clever hero's name?

Accepted Answer

Odysseus - "The Odyssey" relates such stories as Odysseus's encounters with Circe, the cyclops Polyphemus, and the Sirens.

Question 38

Perseus was involved in numerous tales, but far fewer recall his birth.  Who was his mother?

Accepted Answer

Danae - Sorry... I can't touch this story... must resist... tacky biological joke...

Question 39

Maybe the biggest psychological warning from Greek myth is the story of what character who fell in love with is own reflection, staring into the water until he finally turned into a flower?

Accepted Answer

Narcissus - Narcissus is another name for the daffodil, and "narcissism" now is a definition of self-love.

Question 40

Finally returning to Zeus, which of the following disguises was NOT... repeat NOT used by Zeus to commit his infidelities?

Accepted Answer

Dragon - It looks like Zeus couldn't get a date as himself.  Some king of the gods...

Greek Mythology Trivia: Proof That Even Gods Have Issues

2) This god is the one most likely to go day drinking.

3) This painting by Botticelli depicts the birth of the goddess of love. Who is she?

4) This goddess was a real headache for her dad. She was born by springing from his head... dressed in full armor.

5) This god of the sea lost his competition with the previous goddess when he gave the citizens of Athens horses. Who is he?

6) Zeus' brother was the god of the underworld and the riches found in the Earth. Who was he?

7) The wife of Zeus was the goddess of marriage. Ironically, her husband is the biggest philanderer of all the gods. Who is she?

8) This group of nine sisters were supposed to inspire various arts and sciences. What was their collective name?

9) The character who gave fire to man was a Titan, not a god, but that didn't save him from some nasty punishment for his actions. Who is he?

10) A less well-known goddess was called "goddess of the hearth". Who is she?

11) Another goddess who is seldom featured in tales is the goddess of the harvest. Who is she?

12) The Greek god of music, prophecy, and healing. His twin sister was Artemis. Who was he?

13) Apollo's twin sister was Artemis. What was she the goddess of?

14) The trickster of the Greek gods also serves as messenger of the Olympians and protector of travelers and thieves. Who is he?

15) The Greek god of war is also god of bloodshed and murder... a really cheery character. What's his name?

16) The Parthenon is one of the great temples still (partly) standing from the days of ancient Greece. Who was it dedicated to?

17) Prophecy was important to the Greeks, and no site is more associated with prophecy than this oracle of Apollo. Where is it located?

18) This Greek god is something of a contradiction. He was the lame god of the forge/fire/volcanoes and married Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Who is he?

19) Poseidon and his wife had a son who was also a sea deity. Who is this fish-tailed ocean god?

20) Goddesses were a vain lot. Paris had to pick which goddess was to receive a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest". He picked Aphrodite because he preferred her bribe. What event did this lead to?

21) Which hero was the greatest warrior fighting for Troy during the Trojan War?

22) As a newborn, this Greek hero was dipped in the River Styx by his mother, rendering him almost entirely invulnerable. Who was he?

23) Greek myth tells how Heracles (Hercules to the Romans) was the strongest hero and had to perform 12 labors as penance. Which was NOT... repeat NOT one of them?

24) Speaking of Heracles, another of his labors was stealing a girdle from the Queen of the Amazons. Who was she?

25) One of the most famous myths from ancient Greece is the story of Icarus who flew too close to the sun, but few recall his father than made the wings for Icarus. Who was he?

26) The tale of Pandora's box is another famous tale from Greece. After releasing the ills of the world, what was left at the bottom of the chest?

27) Perseus was the Greek hero who famously slew Medusa by decapitating her. What famous princess did he go on to rescue?

28) Speaking of Medusa, she had two sisters, Euryale and Stheno. Collectively they were known as what?

29) A different Greek monster who had the head of a woman, body of a lion, and wings of a bird. What was she called?

30) Yet another monster from Greek myth was the minotaur, a man with the head of a bull, imprisoned in a labyrinth by King Minos. Who slayed the minotaur?

31) One hero who wasn't known for monster-slaying was Orpheus. What was Orpheus known for?

32) Returning to the sphinx, what ill-fated hero answered the riddle of the sphinx?

33) The winged horse Pegasus had a rather unusual origin. How was Pegasus born?

34) The hero Bellerophon rode Pegasus during his battle to defeat another famous Greek monster. Which one?

35) Centaurs (half-man/half-horse) were popular in stories from Greek myth. Most were said to be violent drunkards, but which centaur became tutor to such heroes as Jason, Asclepius and Achilles?

36) The tale of Jason and the Argonauts is a major tale from the Greeks. What were they seeking?

37) Homer's second great epic poem told of the king of Ithica and his 10-year journey to get home. What is this clever hero's name?

38) Perseus was involved in numerous tales, but far fewer recall his birth. Who was his mother?

39) Maybe the biggest psychological warning from Greek myth is the story of what character who fell in love with is own reflection, staring into the water until he finally turned into a flower?

40) Finally returning to Zeus, which of the following disguises was NOT... repeat NOT used by Zeus to commit his infidelities?