Mythology (Hamilton) Study Guide Questions

1 Mythology (Hamilton) Study Guide Questions Introduction to Classical Mythology 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. W...
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1 Mythology (Hamilton) Study Guide Questions Introduction to Classical Mythology 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

When the stories of mythology were being shaped there was little distinction made between what? The myths as we have them are the creation of the great poets. The first written record of Greece is what? Greek Mythology begins with what writer? What is, or contains, the oldest Greek literature? What does the phrase "the Greek Miracle" try to express? How did the Greeks make their gods? Looking at a Greek statue of a god, we perceive a new idea had come into the world. With its coming, what happened? The sculptor watched athletes and could imagine nothing as beautiful as those strong bodies. He made what statue? What is the miracle of Greek Mythology? What did the Greeks finally make out of the stars? According to the most modern idea, a real myth has nothing to do with religion. It is an explanation of what? Myths are what? The tales are what? What resulted when Justice became Zeus' companion? Most of the stories of Classical Mythology depend chiefly on what Latin poet? The list of the chief writers through whom the myths have come down is headed by what writer? Who was the greatest lyric poet of Greece? The greatest writer of comedy was who? What place does Herodotus have? Plato? Of the Roman writers, who stands far ahead?

PART ONE: THE GODS, THE CREATION, AND THE EARLIEST HEROES Chapter 1 – The Gods 1. The Greeks did not believe that the gods created the universe. What did they believe? 2. Who were the first parents? 3. Who were their children? The Titans and the Twelve Great Olympians 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

What were the Titans often called? Who was the most important? Who dethroned Cronos and seized power? Who were the other notable Titans? What is significant about these gods alone? What guarded the entrance to Olympus? Who made up the divine family? How were shares for the universe settled? Where did they fall? How is Zeus represented? What was his bird and tree?

Briefly describe the following: 13. Poseidon / Neptune 14. Hades / Pluto

2 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

Pallas Athena / Minerva Phoebus Apollo Artemis / Diana Aphrodite / Venus Hermes / Mercury Ares / Mars Hephaestus / Vulcan and Mulciber Hestia / Vesta

The Lesser Gods of Olympus Identify the following: 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

Eros / Cupid Hebe Iris The Graces The Muses

The Gods of the Waters Identify the following: 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.

Poseidon / Neptune Ocean Pontus Nereus Triton Proteus Naiads Leucothea

The Underworld Identify the following: 36. 37. 38. 39.

Who ruled the Kingdom of the Dead? Who guarded the gates of Hades? Who pursued sinners on Earth? Who was Sleep's brother?

The Lesser Gods of Earth 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47.

What was called All-Mother? Who was Pan? Who was Silenus? Who were Castor and Pollux? Who was Leda? What was unusual about the Sileni? Who were the Satyrs? Who was the King of the Winds?

3 48. 49. 50. 51. 52.

Who were the Centaurs? Which was known for his goodness and wisdom? Describe the Gorgons? Who were the gray women? What was peculiar about the Sirens? What did the 3 Fates give to men?

The Roman Gods 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62.

Who was Bacchus? What were the Powers, or the Wills, called? The gods Lares and Penates were revered by all. Who were they? Who was Faunus and what were the Fauns? Who deified Romulus? The spirits of the good dead in Hades who were sometimes regarded as divine and worshiped were who? Who were the spirits of the wicked dead that were greatly feared? Which goddesses are identified with the Muses who cared only for art and science? The Goddess of Childbirth, but usually used as an epithet of both Juno and Diana, was who? What is the story told of Pomona and Vertumnus?

Chapter 2 – The Two Great Gods of Earth 1. Who were mankind's best friends? 2. What was Dionysus' festival? Demeter 3. Who carried Persephone away? 4. Why did Demeter place Demophoon in the read heart of the fire at night? 5. Why was Persephone made to eat the pomegranate seed? Dionysus / Bacchus 6. Dionysus was the only god whose parents were not both what? 7. Dionysus is called the God of the vine. He was once captured and what was the wonder upon wonders on the deck of the ship? 8. Where did Dionysus take his mother after defying the power of Death? 9. Who were the madwomen? 10. What were the two ideas that were the center of the worship of Dionysus? 11. Why was Dionysus so different at one time from another? 12. Dionysus' festival was celebrated in what way? 13. He and Persephone became the center of what belief? Chapter 3 – How the World and Mankind were Created? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Who were the two children of nothingness? Who was their child? The first creatures to have the appearances of life were what? To what fate was Prometheus' brother Atlas condemned? Who was the brother of Death? What were the races? The two stories of creation agree on what point?

4 8. 9. 10. 11.

What does Pandora mean? What was the source of Pandora's misfortune? In the third story of creation, men are descended from stone, and the story begins with what? Who were the two human beings alive in the great wooden chest?

Chapter 4 – The Earliest Heroes 1. Hera was a jealous one. After Argus was put to sleep by Pan, she took all of his eyes. What did she do with them? 2. Who was Io's descendant? 3. Zeus changed into what and took Europa where? 4. All of the Giants had been banished except which ones? 5. Narcissus derived pleasure from doing what? 6. What was the fate of Hyacinthus? 7. Who was Echo unjustly punished? 8. Explain the flowery resurrection of Adonis. PART TWO: STORIES OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE Chapter 5 – Cupid and Psyche 1. To whom did Venus turn to assist her against Psyche's beauty? 2. After Psyche had looked on Cupid, which she had been forbidden to do, she sought Venus to offer herself to her as her servant. How did Venus train her? 3. What was, finally, Psyche's fate? Chapter 6 – Eight Brief Takes of Lovers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

The death of what 2 young lovers caused the white mulberries to turn red? Briefly tell their story! Who was the greatest mortal musician? How did his wife Eurydice die? What was the one condition Pluto gave him when he finally succeeded in being able to take her from the Underworld? What happened? To whom were Ceyx and Alcyone related? When Alcyone finally realized her husband was dead, what the gods do out of kindness? Who was Pygmalion? What did Venus do in answer to his prayer? Who were Baucis and Philemon? What did the gods grant them? What did the Moon do to Endymion so so that she might always find him? Describe Daphne briefly. How did her father help her in her flight from Apollo? How does Apollo react to the transformation? What became of Arethusa when she called for help to Artemis because Alpheus was pursuing her?

Chapter 7 – The Quest of the Golden Fleece 1. Where does the tale of the Golden Fleece begin? 2. Were Nephele’s fears unfounded? Why?

5 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

What happened at the alter of sacrifice? What became of the siblings? Phrixus had an uncle, Pelias, who usurped the throne. Who was the rightful heir to the kingdom? What was Pelias told by an oracle? When Jason came shod in one sandal and suggested they rule by the law of right, how did Pelias postpone things? Was Jason agreeable? Who (goddess) was helping Jason with his venture? Where did they land first and what happened to Heracles? What was their next adventure? How did Boreas’ sons help Phineus? Who were the warrior women? When they reached Colchis, how were they helped? How did Medea help Jason? What guarded the Fleece? What did Medea offer to do to the serpent and how did she finally save Jason? After Jason and Media gave Pelias the Golden Fleece and learned of the evil he had done, what cunning trick did Medea do? How did Medea kill Jason’s young bride? Who was killed next?

Chapter 8 – Four Great Adventures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Why was Phaethon allowed to drive the Sun-god’s chariot? What was the end result? Who took pity on him? What did Bellerophon want more than anything? What was peculiar about Pegasus? How was Bellerophon able to ride him? When Otus and Ephialtes sought Artemis, what was her vengeance? Why did she want vengeance? What did the architect Daedalus contrive? What was the cunning plan Minos made to get Daedalus? How did Daedalus accomplish this?

PART THREE: THE GREAT HEROES BEFORE THE TROJAN WAR Chapter 9 - Perseus 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

What did the Priestess at Delphi predict for King Acrisius? What did the King do rather than kill Danae? When she had a son by Zeus, what did the King do? Who saved them? What did Perseus promise at the wedding feast of Polydectus and his mother? How did her manage to get it? After he got the head of Medusa, whom did her tack back with him? What happened to the wicked King?

Chapter 10 – Theseus 1. What did King Aegeus do before Theseus was born? 2. What did Medea try to do to Theseus? What resulted? 3. Who was the Minotaur?

6 4. What did Daedalus tell Adriadne (who loved Theseus) to do, so that Theseus could get out of the Labyrinth? 5. What was the fate of Theseus and his friend Pirithous in Hades? 6. How did Phaedra get even with Hippolytus for not loving her? 7. Who told Theseus the truth? Chapter 11 - Heracles 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

What were Heracles’ dominant characteristics? What was the only way he could be overcome? How did he spend a great part of his life? When Heracles and Iphicles were children, what did Hera do? What resulted? When Heracles was 18, what did he do? What did he wear afterwards? What did Heracles receive after he conquered the Minyans? What great tragedy befell Heracles? What did he do in penance? BE SPECIFIC + ELABORATE. What was his exploit which was quite as difficult as most of his labors? What happened to Hercules when the flames engulfed him at the end?

Chapter 12 – Atalanta 1. 2. 3. 4.

Who took charge of Atalanta when she was small? With whom did she hunt who fell in love with her? When Meleager was born what was said to be his destiny? When Meleager killed both of his uncles after the argument about giving the boar’s skin to Atalanta, what did Althea do? 5. What trick did Hippomenes use to get Atalanta? 6. What was their final fate?

PART FOUR: THE HEROES OF THE TROJAN WAR Chapter 13 - The Trojan War 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

What was the cause of the long and famous Trojan War? How did the goddess of Discord Eris, cause trouble? Who was the fairest woman in the world? To whom was she married? Who were the King and Queen of Troy? Who were destined to die in battle? What saved Paris when he faced Menelaus in combat? Which Achilles gone, who were the two greatest champions on the Greek side? Who killed Hektor? Who finally got Hektor’s body for burial?

Chapter 14 - The Fall of Troy 1. In her attempt to make Achilles invulnerable, what had his mother done when she dipped him into the River Styx? 2. Who shot him when he got his armor? 3. What did Ajax (Aias) do as a result of his defeat to get the arms? 4. What trick was devised to get the Greeks into Troy? 5. What became of the woman whose “face launched a thousand ships”?

7 6. What was Troy’s last sacrifice? Chapter 15 – The Adventures of Odysseus 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

When the Greek Fleet put out to sea after the fall of Troy what change took place? What was Cassandra’s fate because she didn’t return Apollo’s love? What was the sacrifice the Greeks did not protest? What was the result? What was Poseidon’s education? How did Odysseus suffer? Who were his wife and son? What did Penelope do to prolong marrying again? After 10 years who aided Odysseus? How? Who held Odysseus prisoner? How did Athena approach Telemachus? What did she advise? When refused a ship, what did Telemachus do? What resulted? Did Nestor help? Who recognized Telemachus? How? How had Menalaus learned of Odysseus? Zeus commanded whom to go to Calypso? Why? When Odysseus was on the raft and going home, who deterred him? How did the kindly goddess Ino save him? Where did he land? Who found Odysseus? Briefly tell what adventures did Odysseus related. When Odysseus finally was put ashore on Ithaca, who helped him and what did they plan? When he first entered his house, what did he recognize? After entering his house, who was the first person to recognize him? How? What test did Penelope give her suitors? Whose aid did Odysseus seek? To do what? What was the final result?

Chapter 16 – The Adventures of Aeneas Part One: From Troy to Italy 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Why is Aeneas considered to be the real founder of Rome? What was Italy called then? What drove the Trojans away on their first landing? At their next landing, what advice did Helenus give them? Who occupied the southern part of Sicily? Who saved them? Who caused the storm that followed? Why? Who helped Aeneas? Where did he land? At Carthage, what plan did Juno have and who thwarted it and why? How did Aeneas and his friend Achates get to the queen unnoticed? What moved Aeneas to action? What was the great fire he saw as he sailed from Carthage?

Part Two: The Descent into the Lower World 13. What was Aeneas to do as soon as he reached Italy?

8 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

What did she offer? What was necessary for him to find first? Who led Aneeas to the bough? Who was the ferryman? Whom would he not admit on his boat? Where did the Sibyl tell Aeneas to fasten the golden bough? Where did the two roads lead? What was Lethe? Who stood nearby whom Anchises showed Aeneas? What did he tell Aeneas before he departed?

Part Three: The War in Italy 19. Why did King Latinus receive Aeneas' embassy? 20. How did Juno react? 21. What was Alecto's third effort? What did Father Tiber, God of the Great River, bid Aeneas to do? What resulted? 22. When the Trojans camp was surrounded, who passed though the enemy camp to reach Aeneas? Did they succeed? 23. What happened to the Trojans' enemies? What is the final description of Aeneas? PART FIVE: THE GREAT FAMILIES OF MYTHOLOGY Chapter 17 – The House of Atreus 1. Who belonged to the famous House of Atreus? 2. Why was it called an ill-fated home? Tantalus and Niobe 3. Upon whom do most writers blame the misfortunes of the descendants of Tantalus? Why? 4. What was Niobe's fate as the result of her defying the gods? Agamemnon and His Children 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

What is the first story of Agamemnon's death? Later, what was the story? When Agamemnon returned after the victory at Troy, what was the memory the elders of the city had? What had the queen done in the absence of Agamemnon? Whom did the King bring back with him? What did Cassandra reveal of the past? Of the future? Who slew the king? What did Apollo tell Orestes about revenge? What were the words spoken by Orestes never before spoken by any of the House of Atreus?

Iphigenia among the Taurians 13. Where had Iphegenia been taken by the gods from the alter of sacrifice? How did Artemis protect her? 14. What had the Delphic priestess told Orestes to do? Who helped him? 15. What plan did Iphegenia have for their escape? Who secured her plan? Chapter 18 – The Royal House of Thebes Cadmus and His Children 1. How was the site of Thebes determined? 2. How did he get people to build the city?

9 3. What was the fate of Cadmus and his wife Harmonia? Oedipus 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Why was Oedipus sent away to die as a baby? How did Laius' death occur, according to rumor? Why did Oedipus become the hero, King, and marry Jocasta? How was the plague to be stayed? Did the blind prophet finally answer Oedipus' request? Who revealed the story to him? What did the shepherd tell? What happened to Jocasta and Oedipus?

Antigone 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Who became regent of Thebes? Who took care of Oedipus when he was exiled? Who were the sons who fought for the crown? Where did Oedipus die? What did the prophet tell Creon? How was the matter settled? What resulted? What was Creon's edict? Who buried Polyneices?

The Seven Against Thebes 18. What did Adrastus and the mothers of the unburied dead plead to King Theseus of Athens? 19. How did he decide? 20. When the sons of the seven champions of the buried dead finally took vengeance, what was left of Thebes? 21. Why were the sons called Epigoni? Chapter 19 – The Royal House of Athens Cecrops 1. Describe the first King of Athens? 2. How did Athena become protector of Athens? 3. How did Poseidon and the men take revenge over the women's voting for Athena? Procne and Philomela 4. 5. 6. 7.

What fate befell Philomela at the hands of Tereus? What did Philomela do? Who did Procne retaliate? How did Procne and Philomela escape? What happened to Tereus?

Procris and Cephalus 8. What was the purpose of Cephalus' test for Procris? 9. When he rashly accused her, what did she do? 10. What was Procris' fate after they were again united?

10 Orithyia and Boreas 11. Who was in love with Orithyia, Procris' sister? 12. How did he capture her? Who were their sons? Creusa and Ion 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

Who carried off Procris and Orithyua's sister Creusa? Where did Creusa bear and leave her son? Whom did she later marry? When the two went to seek a son, what resulted? How was he identified? What confirmed it?

PART SIX: THE LESS IMPORTANT MYTHS Chapter 20 – Midas, and Others Briefly identify the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Midas Aesculapius The Danaids Glaucus and Scylla Erysichthon Pomona and Vertumnus

Chapter 21 – Brief Myths Arranged Alphabetically Briefly identify the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.

Amalthea The Amazons Amymone Antiope Arachne Arion Aristaeus Aurora and Tithonus Biton and Cleobis Callisto Chiron Clytie Dryope Epimenides Eriethonius Hero and Leander The Hyades Ibycus and the Cranes Leto / Latona Linus Marpessa

11 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Marsyas Melampus Merope The Myrmidions Nisus and Scylla Orion The Pleiades Rhoecus Salmoneus Sisyphus Tyro

PART SEVEN: THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE NORSEMEN Introduction to Norse Mythology 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Aasgard, the home of the gods, has what dominant atmosphere? What is considered hopeless? What do the heroes and heroines of the early stories face? A brace death entitles heroes to what? What is the one sustaining hope? By what is the power of good shown? What parallel does Hamilton draw to such an attitude? Like the early Christians, the Norsemen measured their life by what? If not for what would we know practically nothing of the religion, which molded the race to which we belong? 10. Which is more important? 11. Of what type are all the stories? 12. The only light in the darkness is what? Chapter 22 – The Stories of Signy and Sigurd 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Who was Sigurd? Who was Signy? What did Signy's husband do? When Signy saved Sigmund, what did they vow? Where did Signy send her son Sinfiotli? Who took vengeance? What did Signy do? How is Brynhild punished for disobeying Odin? Who rescues her? When Sigurd goes to the home of the Giukungs, what does Gudrun's mother do? Assuming through Griemhild's magical power the appearance of Gunnar, what does he do? Finding out the truth, what does Brynhild do? What finally moved Gudrun?

Chapter 23 – The Norse Gods 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Who were the active, persistent enemies of the Aesir, as the gods were called? Who was Odin? What was his golden palace called? Who perched on his shoulders and crouched at his feet? What are the Ravens' names?

12 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

What did they do? What was Odin's chief responsibility? How did he get a drink of water from the Well of Wisdom guarded by Mimir? How did he win the knowledge of the Runes? What were the Runes? What did he imperil his life to take away from the Giants? What were the maidens called? What were they? What is Odin's day (Woden)? When Frigga journeyed for her son Baldar's protection, which shrub did not swear to do him no harm? Who took advantage? How? Where did Hermod ride to give himself to ransom Balder? How did they bury Balder? Who kept Balder from returning? Why? What became of Loki? Who was Thor? What was Freyr's duty? Who was Heimdall? Who was Tyr? Who are the only two notable goddesses?