Mythology: 40 trivia questions with sources

Who is the Greek god of the sea?

PoseidonChecked against: When the Achaeans migrated to Ionia there was a transition to regarding Poseidon as the god of the sea because the Ionians were sea-dependent.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poseidon?oldid=1365255239#Origins

Which Norse god had hammer emblems worn during the Viking Age?

ThorChecked against: Thor is a prominently mentioned god throughout the recorded history of the Germanic peoples, from the Roman occupation of regions of Germania, to the Germanic expansions of the Migration Period, to his high popularity during the Viking Age, when, in the face of the process of the Christianization of Scandinavia, emblems of his hammer, Mjölnir, were worn and Norse pagan personal names containing the name of the god bear witness to his popularity.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor?oldid=1359542227

What creature has the body of a lion and the head of a human being?

A sphinxChecked against: As a sphinx, it has the body of a lion and the head of a human being, and is not to be confused with Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of the deity Vishnu; this avatara or incarnation of Vishnu has a human body and the head of a lion and Vishnu as Narashima killed Hiranyakashipu.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinx?oldid=1365707219#Asia

Who flew too close to the Sun with wings of wax?

IcarusChecked against: Icarus ignored Daedalus' instructions not to fly too close to the Sun, causing the beeswax in his wings to melt.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus?oldid=1365216538

Which Roman god is equivalent to the Greek Zeus?

JupiterChecked against: In this view, Jupiter is the god of heaven and retains his identification with the sky among the Latin poets (his name is used as a synonym for "sky".) In this respect, he differs from his Greek equivalent, Zeus (who is considered a personal god, warden, and dispenser of skylight).Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_(god)?oldid=1365304013#Jovian_theology

Which three brothers created Zeus’s thunderbolt, Poseidon’s trident, and Hades’s Helm of Darkness?

The CyclopesChecked against: In Hesiod 's Theogony, the Cyclopes are three brothers - Brontes, Steropes, and Arges - who create Zeus 's thunderbolt, Poseidon 's trident, and Hades ' Helm of Darkness.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclopes?oldid=1360644621

Which goddess sprang fully armed from Zeus’s head?

AthenaChecked against: Athena leaped from Zeus's head, often fully grown and armed.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athena?oldid=1362342039#Birth

What magical bird is reborn from its own ashes?

A phoenixChecked against: Associated with the Sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_(mythology)?oldid=1362756710

What did Medusa have in place of hair?

Living snakesChecked against: Medusa is generally described as a woman with living snakes in place of hair; her appearance was so hideous that anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa?oldid=1361134920

Who rules the Greek underworld?

HadesChecked against: In Greek mythology, Hades, the god of the Greek underworld, was the first-born son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades?oldid=1360728437#Early_years

What creature is half human and half horse?

The centaurChecked against: The centaur's half-human, half-horse composition has led many writers to treat them as liminal beings, caught between the two natures they embody in contrasting myths; they are both the embodiment of untamed nature, as in their battle with the Lapiths (their kin), and conversely, teachers like Chiron.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaur?oldid=1365026168#Creation_of_centaurs

Which Egyptian god is often shown with a jackal’s head?

AnubisChecked against: In the Middle Kingdom, Anubis was often portrayed as a man with the head of a jackal.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anubis?oldid=1356816413#Portrayal_in_art

What did Pandora open, releasing evils into the world?

A jarChecked against: Pandora opened a jar left in her care containing sickness, death and many other unspecified evils which were then released into the world.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora's_box?oldid=1365047547#In_mythology

What is Excalibur?

The mythical sword of King ArthurChecked against: Excalibur is the mythical sword of King Arthur that was purported to possess magical powers and be associated with the rightful sovereignty of Britain.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excalibur?oldid=1365284110

Which Norse trickster god is the father of the wolf Fenrir?

LokiChecked against: By the jötunn Angrboða, Loki is the father of Hel, the wolf Fenrir and the world serpent Jörmungandr.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki?oldid=1361344523

What did Theseus do before using the string to escape the Labyrinth?

Entered the LabyrinthChecked against: As soon as Theseus entered the Labyrinth, he tied one end of the ball of string to the doorpost and brandished his sword which he had kept hidden from the guards inside his tunic.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theseus?oldid=1364606367#Theseus_and_the_Minotaur

What links Cerberus, three heads, and the gates of the underworld?

A multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworldChecked against: In Greek mythology, Cerberus (/ ˈ s ɜːr b ər ə s / ⓘ or / ˈ k ɜːr b ər ə s /; Ancient Greek: Κέρβερος Kérberos [ˈkerberos]), often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the underworld to prevent the dead from leaving.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus?oldid=1365153607

Under what condition could Eurydice return with Orpheus?

Not look back until they both had reached the upper worldChecked against: His music softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone, who agreed to allow Eurydice to return with him to earth on one condition: he should walk in front of her and not look back until they both had reached the upper world.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orpheus?oldid=1362834337#Death_of_Eurydice

Which hero completed twelve labors?

HeraclesChecked against: After completing the twelve labours, one tradition says that Heracles joined Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labours_of_Hercules?oldid=1365952767#Aftermath

How did Ariadne help Theseus escape the Labyrinth?

A sword and ball of threadChecked against: At first sight, Ariadne fell in love with him and provided him a sword and ball of thread (ο Μίτος της Αριάδνης, "Ariadne's string") so that he could retrace his way out of the labyrinth of the Minotaur.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariadne?oldid=1365385670#Minos_and_Theseus

What is Ragnarok in Norse mythology?

A foretold series of impending eventsChecked against: [ ˈrɑɣnɑˌrɒk ]) is a foretold series of impending events, including a great battle in which numerous great Norse mythological figures will perish (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdall, and Loki); it will entail a catastrophic series of natural disasters, including the burning of the world, and culminate in the submersion of the world underwater.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnar%C3%B6k?oldid=1357243835

Which goddess searched for her daughter Persephone?

DemeterChecked against: Demeter searched for her missing daughter Persephone ceaselessly for nine days, preoccupied with her grief.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demeter?oldid=1364839837#Abduction_of_Persephone

Even after Medusa was beheaded, how could her severed head affect onlookers?

Turn onlookers to stoneChecked against: Medusa was beheaded by the Greek hero Perseus, who then used her head, which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa?oldid=1361134920

Which Japanese sun goddess hid in a cave?

AmaterasuChecked against: After Amaterasu hid herself in the cave, the gods, led by Omoikane, the god of wisdom, conceived a plan to lure her out:Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu?oldid=1357168278#The_Heavenly_Rock_Cave

What task was Sisyphus condemned to repeat forever?

Push an immense boulder up a hillChecked against: The gods condemned him to push an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down every time it neared the top, repeating this action for eternity.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus?oldid=1363155348

Which feathered serpent deity was worshipped by the Aztecs?

QuetzalcoatlChecked against: To the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalc%C5%8D%C4%81tl?oldid=1365008648#In_Aztec_culture

Name the winged horse born from Medusa’s blood.

PegasusChecked against: Pegasus was the brother of Chrysaor, both born from Medusa's blood when their mother was decapitated by Perseus.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus?oldid=1352387540

What is the function of the Valkyries in Norse stories?

Chooser of the slainChecked against: Together, they mean 'chooser of the slain'.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyrie?oldid=1359300358#Etymology

Which Mesopotamian hero sought immortality after Enkidu died?

GilgameshChecked against: In the second part of the epic, distress over Enkidu's death causes Gilgamesh to undertake a long and perilous journey to discover the secret of eternal life.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_of_Gilgamesh?oldid=1364768307

How was Achilles said to have died in myths about the Trojan War?

A wound to his heel, ankle, or torsoChecked against: In the myths surrounding the war, Achilles was said to have died from a wound to his heel, ankle, or torso, which was the result of an arrow - possibly poisoned - shot by Paris.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles'_heel?oldid=1365147858#The_classical_myth

Who also ferried the living mortals Heracles and Aeneas to the underworld and back?

CharonChecked against: Charon also ferried the living mortals Heracles and Aeneas to the underworld and back again.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charon?oldid=1363472473

Which Hindu deity has an elephant head?

GaneshaChecked against: Ganesha has the head of an elephant and a big belly.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha?oldid=1365189126#Iconography

What did Odin sacrifice for wisdom at Mimir’s well?

One of his eyesChecked against: Larrington says that "Odin exchanged one of his eyes for wisdom from Mimir, guardian of the well, while Heimdall seems to have forfeited his ear."Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%ADmisbrunnr?oldid=1337804880#Poetic_Edda

Which monster was part lion, part goat, and part serpent?

The ChimeraChecked against: Homer described the Chimera in the Iliad, saying that "she was of divine stock not of men, in the fore part a lion, in the hinder a serpent, and in the midst a goat, breathing forth in terrible wise the might of blazing fire."Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_(mythology)?oldid=1365916688#Description

Which divine twin was the mortal son of Tyndareus?

CastorChecked against: Castor was the mortal son of Tyndareus, the king of Sparta, while Pollux was the divine son of Zeus, who seduced Leda in the guise of a swan.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_and_Pollux?oldid=1363511055

In Irish mythology, how is Cú Chulainn’s battle state described?

Terrifying battle frenzyChecked against: He is known for his terrifying battle frenzy (ríastrad), in which he becomes an unrecognisable monster who knows neither friend nor foe.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BA_Chulainn?oldid=1361809919

Why did Minerva transform Arachne into a spider in Ovid’s account?

Out of pityChecked against: After Arachne hanged herself out of shame, she was transformed into a spider out of pity by Minerva.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachne?oldid=1364728712

What links the river Styx with an oath sworn by Greek gods?

The greatest and most dread oath for the blessed godsChecked against: In both the Iliad and the Odyssey, it is said that swearing by the water of Styx is "the greatest and most dread oath for the blessed gods".Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx?oldid=1364602599#Oath_of_the_gods

Which Egyptian god guides the weighing of a heart against a feather?

AnubisChecked against: The Weighing of the Heart would take place in Duat (the Underworld), in which the dead were judged by Anubis, using a feather, representing Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice responsible for maintaining order in the universe.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weighing_of_souls?oldid=1356649228#Ancient_Egyptian_religion

What immense and central sacred tree appears in Norse cosmology?

YggdrasilChecked against: Yggdrasil (from Old Norse Yggdrasill) is an immense and central sacred tree in Norse cosmology.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yggdrasil?oldid=1359574504