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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. This bad luck began with Tantalus, who served up his own son at a banquet for the gods, perhaps to do what?

2. Clytie was a mortal woman who loved the Sun-god and pined away while watching the sun. What did she do after she was turned into a sunflower?

3. ________________ was the son of Apollo and a mortal woman whom Apollo killed for being unfaithful.

4. Odysseus and his men faced man eating monsters and strange magic, losing how many ships on their journey?

5. Callisto was loved by Zeus and hated by Hera. Hera turned her into a _________ and arranged for her son to kill it.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the story of Procne, Philomela, and Tereus explain the origins of species?

2. How is Aeneas tied to the great Roman Republic?

3. How is Aeneas' story unique?

4. What are the purpose of many of these stories?

5. Compare one of these stories to a fairly tale or tall tale with which you are familiar.

6. How is Aeneas like both Jason and Odysseus?

7. How are some of the stars explained in this section?

8. How did the bad luck of the House of Atreus begin? Why did it continue?

9. How is this bad luck tied to the future of the city of Thebes?

10. What are two important lessons taught in the Odyssey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several heroes faced long, arduous adventures.

Part 1) Describe two heroes who faced long, arduous adventures in the myths. What were their adventures? What led to these adventures? How did they deal with the challenges they had to face? What does this reveal about them? How did this make them heroes?

Part 2) How were these men changed by their adventures? How did these adventures change others who were involved in these adventures or were a part of the hero's life?

Part 3) What adventures and challenges have you faced in your life? How did you deal with these challenges and difficulties? What did these adventures and challenges reveal about you? In general, what do challenges reveal about humans?

Essay Topic 2

The author states that Greek mythology should not be seen as a Bible of religious belief.

Part 1) What is meant by this statement? How should Greek mythology be viewed? Why should it not be understood as a Bible of religious belief? How might this affect one's belief in the Greek gods? How does this affect the power of these gods?

Part 2) How did this give freedom to various Greek writers and thinkers throughout history? How did these writers and thinkers influence Greek mythology? Why did they influence it in this way?

Part 3) Would a religion such as what is known as Greek mythology flourish today? Why or why not? What is necessary for a religion to be successful today? How does this reflect mankind today? What does it also reveal about the ancient Greeks?

Essay Topic 3

Norse mythology is studied in the last section of this book.

Part 1) Describe Norse mythology. Who are the main gods? What are the basic beliefs regarding the gods, life on earth, and the afterlife? What does Norse mythology reveal about those who believe in it?

Part 2) Why does the author choose to analyze Norse mythology after studying Greek mythology for the rest of the book? How similar is Norse mythology to Greek mythology? How are these two mythologies different? How can these mythologies be used to compare these two different cultures?

Part 3) How do these mythologies compare to other ancient religious beliefs? Why do similarities exist? What does this say about mankind and his understanding of the universe of which he is a part?

(see the answer keys)

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