Greek Myth Questions
Zeus
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Why does Cronos swallow his children?
How is the infant Zeus spared?
How is the Earth affected by the battle of the gods?
Does the prophecy made by the father of Cronos come true? Explain.
Explain whether strength or cleverness determines who wins the battle
between the young gods and the old.
6. At the end, what can you infer happened to Cronos and the Titians?
7. What natural phenomena, or events, are explained in this myth?
Poseidon
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What did the three gods do to divide the empire of Cronos and who gets what?
How does Poseidon feel about his dominion the sea? Why?
Why does Poseidon decide not to marry Thetis?
Whom does Poseidon eventually marry?
What special creature does Poseidon make for his queen?
When Poseidon makes creatures, what does he do with his mistakes?
How did Athene become protector of Athens?
This myth explains the origin of some natural phenomena, or things that occur in
nature. Give two examples of natural phenomena in this myth.
Persephone
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Why does Hades kidnap Persephone?
What does Demeter do to the land in reaction to her daughter’s disappearance?
Why does Zeus send gods to plead with Demeter?
Who ends up eventually bringing Persephone back from Hades?
Why must Persephone return to the underworld each year?
Describe Persephone’s reaction to her new home.
Give two examples of how the gods and goddesses show “human” emotions.
What yearly occurrence does this myth explain?
Arachne
1. Why is Arachne famous?
2. What is Athene’s advice to Arachne?
3. Describe Arachne’s response to Athene’s advice when she was disguised as an old
woman.
4. Describe the pattern that Athene wove and why she chose her design.
5. Describe the pattern that Arachne wove and why she chose her design.
6. To whom does Arachne give credit for her success?
7. In the end, what is Arachne transformed in to?
8. Why do you think Athene has chosen to visit Arachne disguised as a poor, old
woman?
9. To the ancient Greeks, one of the greatest sins was hubris, excessive pride or
arrogance. Is Arachne guilty of this? Explain.
Daedalus
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4.
Why must Daedalus flee Athens?
Why does King Minos welcome him?
How does Daedalus plan to escape?
A concept in this myth revolves around a Greek term called nemesis, by which an evil
deed is appropriately punished. How does this story serve as an illustration of
nemesis?
5. What main theme do you see illustrated in this Myth?
Phaëthon
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Why does Phaëthon go to the palace of the sun?
What does he request of the sun?
What does the Sun warn Phaëthon about?
Why does the Sun give in to Phaëthon’s request?
What ultimately happens to Phaëthon? Why does it happen?
What do the “beasts” represent that Phaëthon encounters in the sky?
What natural phenomena does this explain?
Baucis and Philemon
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What gods visit earth and what form do they take?
What kinds of people refuse these gods shelter?
Describe the people who finally take the gods in. How do they treat the gods?
What two gifts do Baucis and Philemon ask for?
What happens to the old couple?
What quality did the ancient Greeks value highly according to this myth?