Use this question to draw a Greek hero or one of their adventures, if you finish early.
Why did Hera hate Hercules?
He trapped her in a chair.
He violated the sanctity of one of her temples.
He gave the Golden Apple to Aphrodite, proclaiming her the fairest.
He was the product of another one of Zeus' affairs.
Why did Heracles have to accomplish the 10 12 labors?
He wanted to do great deeds to achieve everlasting fame.
He was told if he did, he would get his throne back.
Hera drove him mad and he killed his family; so he did the labors to purify himself.
He needed money.
Why did the labors increase from 10 to 12?
Hera said she would stop hounding him if he did 2 more tasks.
Heracles couldn't complete 2 of the original 10.
Eurystheus claimed Heracles cheated on two tasks and declared them invalid.
Heracles committed another atrocity and needed additional purification.
Which of the following labors was deemed invalid by Eurystheus?
The Augean Stables
The Ceryneian Hind
Cerberus
The Hydra
How did Alcmene, Heracles' mother, become pregnant with him?
A prophecy said Alcemene's son would be greater than his father, so Zeus had her marry a mortal, Amphitryon.
Zeus came to her in the form of a Golden Shower.
His father, Aegeus, got drunk while visiting her father, Pittheus, king of Troezen.
Zeus appeared to her in the guise of her husband while he was away.
Indicate if the following adventures were accomplished by Perseus, Heracles, the Argonauts, Theseus, Bellerophon, Orpheus, Atalanta, or Odysseus. At least 1 of them can go with more than 1 hero.
Tying Sinis to two trees and tearing him apart
Scylla
Defeating the Minotaur
Clubbing Periphetes to death
Calypso
Cyclops
Golden Fleece
Belt of Hippolyta
Charybdis
Cretan Bull
Women of Lemnos
Rescuing Andromeda
Nemean lion
Chimera
Stretching Procrustes to death
Calydonian Boar
Clashing Rocks
Augean stables
Circe
Killing Medusa
Rescuing Eurydice from Hades
Lernaean Hydra
Kicking Sciron off of a cliff
Ceryneian Hind
Phineus and the Harpies
Golden Apples of the Hesperides
Sirens
Cerberus
Lotus Eaters
Perseus
Heracles
Argonauts
Theseus
Odysseus
Bellerophon
Orpheus
Atlanta
How did Heracles die?
He fell off a cliff.
He was napping under the Argo when a beam broke and fell on his head.
He lived happily for a long time and died of old age.
His wife inadvertantly gave him a poison shirt that burst into flames.
Why did Perseus’ grandfather King Acrisius lock his mother, Danae, in a bronze dungeon?
He knew Zeus was attracted to her.
She misbehaved.
She was a monster.
He received a prophecy that said that the child of his daughter Danae would grow up to kill him.
How did Danae become pregnant with Perseus?
A prophecy said Danae's son would be greater than his father, so Zeus had her marry a mortal, Amphitryon.
Zeus came to her disguised as her husband while he was away.
Zeus came into the bronze room in the form of a Golden Shower.
His father, Aegeus, got drunk while visiting her father, Pittheus, king of Troezen.
Why did Perseus agree to bring Polydectes the head of Medusa?
To achieve everlasting fame by doing great deeds.
To atone for killing his family.
He agreed to give it to Polydectes as a wedding gift.
Polydectes agreed to give Perseus the throne if he did.
How did Medusa become a hideous Gorgon, with snakes for hair, claws, and wings?
It was punishment for killing her family
Hera was mad at her.
Athena punished her because she had an affair with Poseidon in her temple.
She was born that way.
Who were the Graeae?
Women who had murdered their husbands
3 old women oracles who shared one eye and one tooth between them
Nymps who guarded Hera's apples
Half women half bird creatures who lured sailors to their death by singing
How did Perseus kill Medusa?
He didn't. She turned him to stone.
Using his shield as a mirror, he chopped off her head.
He drove a wooden stake through her eye.
He got her drunk, and while she was sleeping he cut off her head.
On his way home after after defeating Medusa, Perseus made another stop to help a someone in distress. Who did he help?
Andromeda
Phineas
Circe
Medea
How did Perseus stop Polydectes from marrying his mother?
He turned Polydectes to stone by showing him the head of Medusa.
He turned Polydectes into a pig and ate him.
He gave him a poisoned shirt that burned Polydectes alive.
He dropped the Argo on Polydectes.
What happened to Acrisius, grandfather of Perseus?
He was struck by a discus thrown by Perseus
He lived a long and happy life.
He put on a poisoned shirt that burned him alive.
He was napping under the Argo when a beam fell on his head.
What fate did Perseus finally meet?
He was struck by a discus thrown by Acrisius.
He lived a long and happy life.
He put on a poisoned shirt that burned him alive.
He was napping under the Argo when a beam fell on his head.
Jason set out to claim the golden fleece because:
He wanted to revenge his mother’s death
He needed to atone for killing his family.
He wanted to take back the throne
He wanted to achieve everlasting fame by doing great deeds.
The island of Lemnos was inhabited by:
Vengeful gods
Foul-smelling murderers
Ruthless giants
Bloodthirsty giants
The Golden Fleece was guarded by:
A three headed dog
A sphinx
A dragon
A group of sirens
For the second task, Jason was given serpent teeth that sprouted into
Dragons
Warriors
Witches
Ghosts
Absyrtus’ was killed:
By drowning
In battle
In cold blood by Jason and Medea
By Heracles
Who helped Jason get the Golden Fleece?
Calypso
Athena
Medea
Circe
What eventually happened to Jason and Medea?
They were stranded on a desert island.
They became gods and lived on Mount Olympus.
Jason divorced Medea and she killed their children and his new wife.
They lived happily ever after.
How did Aethra become pregnant with Theseus?
Aethra's father got Aegeus drunk. Also, Poseidon visited her the same night.
Poseidon came to her in the form of a golden shower.
Poseidon appeared to her in the form of her husband, Aegeus.
Poseidon married her to a mortal, Aegeus, because she was foretold to give birth to someone who would be greater than their father.
What did Theseus’ father do to ensure that his child could claim their birthright?
Lock Theseus in a bronze room and would reward him once he escaped.
Aegeus buried a sword and a pair of shoes under a large heavy boulder for his future son.
Sent him on a quest to kill Medusa.
Made him retrieve the Golden Fleece.
When Theseus was preparing to go to Athens, why did Theseus take the land route?
It was the less dangerous route.
It was the quicker route.
It was the only route.
He wanted to do great deeds like his hero, Heracles.
When Theseus arrived at Athens, who did he find staying with his father?
Athena
Calypso
Medea
Circe
Why did Ariadne help Theseus?
To atone for killing her family.
To win back her throne.
To gain everlasting fame by doing great deeds.
She was in love with him.
Who was the father of Bellerophon?
Heracles
Glaucus
Poseidon
Zeus
Why was Bellerophon exiled from his hometown?
he accidentally killed his brother
he accidentally killed his grandfather
he flew too close to the sun
he tried to fly to the top of Mount Olympus
How did Bellerophon get in trouble with the king who purified him?
The kings daughter helped Bellerophon complete the impossible tasks set by her father.
Anteia, the wife of the king, fell in love with Bellerophon but he rejected her.
Bellerophon abandoned the king's daughter on a deserted island.
Bellerophon was driven mad by Hera and mudered the king's family.
Why did King Proteus want to kill Bellerophon?
Bellerophon was driven mad by Hera and mudered the king's family.
Anteia falsely accused Bellerophon of assaulting her.
The kings daughter helped Bellerophon complete the impossible tasks set by her father.
Bellerophon abandoned the king's daughter on a deserted island.
What was Bellerophon's quest?
To retrieve Medusa's head.
To kill the Chimera.
To kill the Minotaur.
To retrieve the Golden Fleece.
Which god/s aided Bellerophon in his quest?
Poseidon led Bellerophon to Pegasus.
Hermes have him the cap of invisibility and winged sandals.
Athena gave him a golden bridle.
Zeus gave him a sword.
How did Bellerophon die?
His wife gave him a poisoned shirt that burst into flame when he put it on.
He was sleeping under the Argo when one of its beams broke and fell on his head.
He tried to fly to the top of Mount Olympus and was struck down by Zeus.
He died of old age after a long and happy life.
For what skill was Orpheus most famous?
his singing and music playing
his archery skills
his speed
his strength
What epic thing did Orpheus do and to whom did he speak?
Orpheus retrieved the Golden Fleece.
Orpheus travelled to the Underworld, charmed his way past Charon and Cerberus, and made his way to the palace to talk to Hades and Persephone.
Orpheus killed the Nemean Lion, the Lernean Hydra, and the Chimera.
Orpheus killed Medusa and used her head to kill the sea monster, Cetus.
What happens to Orpheus’ head in particular?
Orpheus' head keeps singing and telling prophecies after his death. It floats down the river Hebron until it lands on the island of Lesbos, where the people worship it as an oracle.
The band take it with them on tour in Egypt.
Cerberus uses it as a chew toy.
It curses Hercules, delaying his apotheosis.
In the very end, what happens to the shades of Orpheus and Eurydice?
They are raised to Olympus.
In the very end, the shades of Orpheus and Eurydice meet up and spend eternity walking together, side by side.
They are never able to find each other in the Underworld.
They replace Hades and Persephone as king and queen of the Underworld.
Which of the following happened to Atalanta in her childhood?
She was visited by the goddess Demeter
She was found and raised by hunters.
She was rescued by a bear.
She was attacked by 2 centaurs but she killed them both.
When King Oeneus assmebled a group of heroes to hunt the boar, how did the other hunters feel about Atalanta joining their party?
They didn't care one way or the other about a woman joining their hunting party.
They were unhappy to have a woman join their hunting party.
They were intimidated because they had heard about how fierce a hunter Atalanta was.
They were happy to have a woman join them and welcomed Atalanta with open arms.
What happened during the hunt? (Select all that apply)
Atalanta was unable to help kill the boar.
Atlanta was the first to harm the bow, shooting it with an arrow.
Chaos - the boar killed two hunters before they could hurt it; one hunter was accidentally killed by the spear of another.
Meleager eventually killed the boar, striking it in the heart.
Atalanta's father wanted her to be married, but she did not want to marry. What did a suitor have to accomplish before Atalanta would marry them?
They had to kill the Calydonian Boar.
They had to retrieve the Golden Fleece.
They had to defeat Atalanta in a foot race.
They had to defeat Atalanta's father in a chariot race.
How was Atalanta defeated in the race?
Hippomenes distraced Atalanta with Golden Apples given to him by Aphrodite?
Hippomenes was simply faster than Atalanta.
Hippomenes replaced the linchpin of her father's chariot with one of wax, which melted during the race, causing the chariot to crash and killing her father.
Atalanta fell in love with Hippomenes at first sight and let him win the race.
What unhappy fate befell Atalanta and Hippomenes?
Medea gave Atalanta a poisoned wedding dress which burst into flames when she put it on.
They attempted to fly to Olympus on Pegasus and were struck down by Zeus.
They (accidentally) desecrated the temple of a god and were punished by being turned into lions.
They were killed by the Calydonian Boar.
Who was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis?
Athena
Aphrodite
Hera
Eris
Who did Paris give the apple to?
Aphrodite
Hera
Athena
Eris
Who came up with the idea of the Trojan Horse?
Achilles
Odysseus
Agamemnon
Menelaus
Of all the Greek heroes who fought at Troy, who was the only one to have a quick and uneventful voyage home?
Menelaus
Agamemnon
Nestor
Odysseus
Why did Clytemnestra murder Agamemnon?
He had sacrificed their daughter, Iphigenia, in order to allow the Greek fleet to sail to Troy.
He wanted to divorce her and marry someone else.
He abandoned her on an island.
He refused her offer of immortality.
Who keeps trying to prevent Odysseus from returning home?
Athena
Circe
Calypso
Poseidon
Place these events in the order in which they occurred:
Sirens
Voyage to the Underworld
The Cyclopes, Polyphemus
Helios’ cattle
Scylla & Charybdis
Calypso
Aeolus’ bag of winds
Cannibal Giants
Circe
Island of the Lotus Eaters
Why does Poseidon try to stop Odysseus from returning home?
Revenge for blinding the cyclops, Polyphemus.
For murdering Absyrtus in cold blood.
For attacking someone in his temple.
For stealing the Palladium.
What must a suitor accomplish to marry Penelope?
Bring back Medusa's head.
Win a chariot race.
Bring back the Golden Fleece.
String a bow and shoot an arrow through 12 axe heads.
After Odysseus slays all the suitors, how does Penelope know it is really Odysseus?
He has a scar on his thigh from a boar wound.
He knows the secret that their bed cannot be moved because one post is a rooted tree.
Athena says he is Odysseus.
She recognizes his sword.
Place these events in the Hero's Journey in the order in which the hero normally encounters them:
Return: the hero returns to their ordinary world with new wisdom and respect from their old peers. They have mastered their fears and enemies.
Ordeal: the hero faces the central, primary conflict, and has to defeat the true antagonist in the story.
Tests, Allies, & Enemies: during a series of test/trials, the hero forms allies and confronts enemies.
Ordinary World: the hero starts in a state of discontent or frustration with their current life.
Meeting the Mentor: the hero is matched with a wiser, experienced person to train and prepare them.
Crossing the Threshold: the point of no return where the hero leaves their ordinary world and begins their quest.
Inmost Cave: where the hero confronts and overcomes their inner conflicts and fears.
Approach: the hero moves through a series of threatening challenges that lead toward the ultimate challenge.
Resurrection & Reward: the hero literally or figurative is resurrected, is transformed with new knowledge, and often receives a reward for their victory or quest.
Call to Adventure: unique circumstances or “herald” event causes the hero to leave their ordinary life to pursue a “quest”.
What is xenia?
A voluntary police force who patrolled country roads.
guest friendship
a hotel chain in ancient Greece
A mode of public transportation
Which of the following describe the rules of conduct for xenia?
The host should accept a traveler who comes by, and offer him a bath and a meal only after asking for the person’s name.
The guest does not have a responsibility to treat his host’s house and possessions with respect as well as to provide his name and background when asked.
When the guest is taking his leave of his host, the two will exchange gifts as tokens of their newfound friendship.
The host may ask the traveler’s name and place of origin after the guest has eaten, .
How did the other residents of Philemon and Baucis' town respond to Zeus and Herme's request for food and lodging?
They tried to rob Zeus and Hermes.
They tried to kill Zeus and Hermes.
They all offered hospitality to Zeus and Hermes.
No one offered hospitality to Zeus and Hermes.
How did Baucis recognize Zeus and Hermes as gods?
She saw Zeus' thunderbolt.
The wine pitcher remained full after drinking lots of wine.
The goose jumped in Zeus lap.
She recognized Hermes' winged hat, staff, and sandals.
In addition to becoming temple guardians, what other wish did Philemon and Baucis request?
To live forever.
To die at the same time, so neither would live without the other.