Are you a fan of Greek mythology? Do you think you have what it takes to ace this quiz on the ancient stories of gods and heroes? Test your knowledge and see if you can go 30 for 30 on this fun and challenging quiz!
From Gaia to Medusa, explore the fascinating world of greek mythology trivia in this quiz by Ed Grabianowski. With incredible influence over Western thought and literature, the Greek myths have stood the test of time and continue to captivate audiences around the world.
So search for your inner hero, play this quiz, and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Greek mythology. Challenge yourself, learn something new, and have fun while you test your knowledge of these timeless tales!
What did Prometheus steal from Mount Olympus and give to humankind?
Hera
ambrosia
fire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Prometheus, a Titan, stole fire and gave it to humanity as part of his constant struggles against Zeus. As punishment, he was chained to a rock, where an eagle ate his liver every day (being an immortal, he never died and grew a new liver).
When Jason assembled his crew of Argonauts to go on a quest, what were they seeking?
the Golden Fleece
the head of Medusa
the scepter of Zeus
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Wrong Answer
Pelias, king of Iolcus, tasked Jason with retrieving the Golden Fleece. Pelias knew Jason would take his throne because Jason was only wearing one sandal.
Adoptive parents raised Oedipus to avoid a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. He later killed a man who turned out to be his dad, then became king of Thebes and married Jocasta, who he later realized was his biological mother. Hence she was his mother and his wife.
The 12 foremost gods were called Olympians, after their home atop Mount Olympus (specifically on top of the highest peak, Mytikas, since Olympus has over 50 peaks).
Why was Achilles, who was otherwise invulnerable to harm, vulnerable to injury of his heel?
His sister placed a curse on him so he would forever have to worry about getting shot in the heel.
He was invulnerable because his mother dipped him in the River Styx, but she had to hold him by the heel, so that part didn't get dipped.
He turned and fled the battle at Troy, and his cowardice broke the spell that gave him his invulnerability. Because he was running away, his heel became his only weakness.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
His mother, Thetis, did not know that you have to toss your sons in a basket of Styx water to ensure an even coating of invulnerability. The same advice holds true for making chicken wings.
What is the most notable physical trait of the Hekatonkheires?
Their arms are where their legs should be, and vice versa.
They have ears on their foreheads.
They have 100 hands.
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Wrong Answer
The Hekatonkheires are three giants with 100 hands each. They helped the Olympians battle the Titans because Uranus had thrown them into Tartarus in disgust.
One of the 12 labors of Heracles was to obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of ...
the Amazons
Athens
the Titans
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Wrong Answer
Heracles' journey to obtain the girdle was going well until Hera's treachery led to a battle in which Heracles killed Hippolyta. The incident led to a battle between the Amazons and Athens.
One of Heracles' less glamorous labors was to clean the poop of 1,000 immortal cattle from the Augean stables in a single day. How did he manage it?
He gave the cattle a look so stern and intimidating that they stopped pooping and cleaned the stables themselves.
He traveled to Hades and procured 1,000 immortal dung beetles, which were able to clear the poop from the stables.
He changed the courses of two rivers so that they washed the poop out of the stables.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Heracles used rivers to do the job. Eurystheus, who made Heracles do all these labors as penance for murdering his own children (after Hera drove him made, but still), decided Heracles had kind of cheated on the task and it didn't count. This is why the original 10 labors became 12. Eurystheus also didn't count killing the Hydra because a buddy helped Heracles do it.
Different versions of Greek mythology have varying origins for Porphyrion and the other Giants, but the weirdest is that they sprang up when what happened?
when 100 mortal heroes melded their bodies together with magical clay
when Uranus' blood spilled onto Earth after Cronus castrated him and tossed his genitals away
when Gaia learned of Uranus' treachery and cried tears that washed away the land, leaving behind only the hardest rock, which formed the bodies of the Giants
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Wrong Answer
The Giants were born from the blood of Uranus' discarded genitals.
Some versions of the story suggest Athena was conceived entirely by Zeus' thoughts and burst from his head; in others, Zeus impregnated Metis and then ate her, with Athena somehow gestating in his head. In either case she was born armed and armored.
Why did Theseus' father, Aegeus, kill himself when Theseus returned home?
Theseus didn't put up the proper signal (white sails) to indicate he was alive, so Aegeus killed himself in grief, thinking his son had died.
Aegeus had heard a prophecy that the slayer of the Minotaur would eventually kill him as well, and he wanted to prevent the prophecy from coming true to spite the gods.
He knew the killing of the Minotaur would anger Zeus, so he killed himself to appease Zeus.
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Wrong Answer
Theseus left black sails on his ship, indicating he had died. Aegeus' death made Theseus king of Athens.
How long did it take Odysseus to get back to Ithaca after fighting in the Trojan War?
10 years
20 years
100 years
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Wrong Answer
It took him 10 years, a journey known as the "Odyssey." It probably would have gone more quickly if he hadn't done things like hang out on Circe's island for an entire year.
When Odysseus returns home to Penelope, there's this whole thing with suitors and his son and a contest with axe handles and a disguise. It's like the world's worst episode of "Undercover Boss."