GCSE: Classical Civilisation! The Odyssey Trivia Quiz

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  • 1/20 Questions

    What is the cyclops called?

    • Poseidon
    • Helios
    • Nobody
    • Eurlochus
    • Polyphemus
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About This Quiz


Have you ever read the Odyssey by Homer? Could you pass a quiz on it? The Odyssey is a classic, epic, extended poem on a single subject. Some epics were created to be performed from memory. The verse involves the Greek hero, Odysseus, and his long journey home to Ithaca after the fall of Troy. Taking this quiz will help you learn more about the Odyssey.

GCSE: Classical Civilisation! The Odyssey Trivia Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    How does Odysseus protect his men from The Sirens?

    • Ties them to the mast of the ship

    • Locks them below board

    • Fills their ears with wax

    • Tells them not to look at The Sirens

    • Doesn't sail past The Sirens

    Correct Answer
    A. Fills their ears with wax
    Explanation
    Odysseus protects his men from The Sirens by filling their ears with wax. This prevents them from hearing the enchanting songs of The Sirens, which would lure them towards danger and potentially lead to their demise. By blocking their ears with wax, Odysseus ensures that his men are not tempted by the irresistible melodies, allowing them to safely navigate past The Sirens without falling under their spell.

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  • 3. 

    What was Nausicaa's father called?

    • Alcinous

    • Agammnon

    • Odysseus

    • Helios

    • Polyphemus

    Correct Answer
    A. Alcinous
    Explanation
    Nausicaa's father was called Alcinous.

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  • 4. 

    Who gives Odysseus the bag of wind?

    • Calypso

    • Agamemnon

    • Alcinous

    • Aeolus

    • Circe

    Correct Answer
    A. Aeolus
    Explanation
    Aeolus gives Odysseus the bag of wind. In Greek mythology, Aeolus is the god of the winds and has the ability to control them. When Odysseus and his crew reach Aeolus' island, he welcomes them and provides them with a bag containing all the winds, except for the west wind. This bag is meant to help them on their journey back home to Ithaca. However, due to the curiosity and mistrust of Odysseus' crew, they open the bag, releasing all the winds and causing a storm that blows them off course.

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  • 5. 

    How many men did Scylla eat?

    • None

    • Six

    • Seventeen

    • All of them apart from Odysseus

    Correct Answer
    A. Six
    Explanation
    Scylla is a mythical creature in Greek mythology known for devouring sailors. In this context, the question asks how many men Scylla ate. The correct answer is "Six" because out of all the men encountered by Scylla, she only ate six of them. This implies that some men were able to escape or were not targeted by Scylla.

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  • 6. 

    What is the name of Odysseus' most unruly crew member?

    • Ulysses

    • Polites

    • Helios

    • Polyphemus

    • Eurylochus

    Correct Answer
    A. Eurylochus
    Explanation
    Eurylochus is the correct answer because he is known as Odysseus' most unruly crew member. In Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey," Eurylochus is portrayed as a rebellious and disobedient member of Odysseus' crew. He is responsible for leading the mutiny against Odysseus and convincing the crew to eat the sacred cattle of the sun god, Helios. Eurylochus' actions often cause trouble and hinder Odysseus' journey back home, making him the most unruly crew member.

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  • 7. 

    Which king rules Phaecia?

    • Agamemnon

    • Aeolus

    • Odysseus

    • Hades

    • Alcinous

    Correct Answer
    A. Alcinous
    Explanation
    Alcinous is the correct answer because in Greek mythology, he is the king of Phaecia. In the epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus seeks refuge in the kingdom of Phaecia after his long journey. Alcinous offers him hospitality and aids him in his return home. Therefore, Alcinous is the ruler of Phaecia in Greek mythology.

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  • 8. 

    What is the land mark of Ithaca?

    • Scylla and Charybdis

    • Mount Neriton

    • The River of Oceans

    • The Cyclopean citadels

    Correct Answer
    A. Mount Neriton
    Explanation
    Mount Neriton is the landmark of Ithaca. This is because Mount Neriton is mentioned in Greek mythology as the highest peak on the island of Ithaca, the legendary home of Odysseus. It is described as a prominent and recognizable feature of the island, making it a significant landmark. Scylla and Charybdis, the River of Oceans, and the Cyclopean citadels are not specifically associated with Ithaca and therefore cannot be considered the landmark of the island.

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  • 9. 

    How long does Odysseus spend on Calypso's island?

    • One month

    • Three years

    • One year and one day

    • Six Years

    • Seven Years

    Correct Answer
    A. Seven Years
    Explanation
    Odysseus spends seven years on Calypso's island. This is evident from the story of Homer's Odyssey, where Odysseus is held captive by Calypso for seven years. During this time, Calypso offers him immortality and tries to convince him to stay with her, but Odysseus remains determined to return home to his wife and kingdom. The seven years spent on the island are a significant part of Odysseus' long and arduous journey back to Ithaca.

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  • 10. 

    On Aeolia what is the citadel surrounded by?

    • Guards armed with bow and arrows

    • Cyclopean walls

    • Bronze walls

    • Thorns

    Correct Answer
    A. Bronze walls
    Explanation
    The citadel on Aeolia is surrounded by bronze walls. This suggests that the citadel is well fortified and protected. Bronze was a commonly used material for constructing walls and fortifications in ancient times due to its strength and durability. The presence of bronze walls indicates that the citadel is likely a significant and important structure, possibly serving as a stronghold or a place of defense against potential threats.

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  • 11. 

    What is the name of the only ship to sail through The Wandering Rocks?

    • Thinon

    • Argo

    • Scylla

    • Odysseus' ship

    • Aeaea

    Correct Answer
    A. Argo
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Argo. In Greek mythology, the ship Argo was the vessel used by Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. The Wandering Rocks, also known as the Clashing Rocks, were a dangerous and treacherous obstacle that sailors had to navigate through. Argo successfully sailed through these rocks, making it the only ship to do so.

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  • 12. 

    Name the Giant-killer.

    • Odysseus

    • Hermes

    • Zeus

    • Poseidon

    • Hades

    Correct Answer
    A. Hermes
    Explanation
    Hermes is known as the Giant-killer in Greek mythology. He is the messenger of the gods and possesses great speed and agility, making him an effective warrior against the Giants. He is often depicted as cunning and resourceful, using his intelligence and wit to outsmart his enemies. This title is fitting for Hermes as he played a significant role in the battle against the Giants, ultimately aiding the gods in their victory.

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  • 13. 

    How does Hermes appear to Odysseus on Circe's island?

    • As a towering man

    • As a beggar

    • As Athene

    • As an adolescent boy

    Correct Answer
    A. As an adolescent boy
    Explanation
    In the Odyssey, Hermes appears to Odysseus on Circe's island as an adolescent boy. This is significant because Hermes is the messenger of the gods and often takes on different forms to deliver messages or aid mortals. His appearance as a young boy could symbolize his role as a guide or mentor to Odysseus during his journey.

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  • 14. 

    Who did Athene appear to Nausicaa as?

    • Odysseus

    • Herself

    • Dymas

    • Ino

    • Arete

    Correct Answer
    A. Dymas
  • 15. 

    Who lives on Telepylus?

    • Calypso

    • Nausicaa

    • Circe

    • The Laestroygonians

    • The lotus-eaters

    Correct Answer
    A. The Laestroygonians
    Explanation
    The correct answer is The Laestroygonians. In Greek mythology, the Laestroygonians were a race of giant cannibals who lived on the island of Telepylus. They were known for their aggressive and violent nature, often attacking and devouring any sailors who came near their island.

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  • 16. 

    What is the name of they island they travel from, to the Underworld?

    • Aeolia

    • Aeaea

    • Telephemus

    • Thrinacie

    • Ogygia

    Correct Answer
    A. Aeaea
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Aeaea. Aeaea is the island from which they travel to the Underworld. This is mentioned in Greek mythology, specifically in Homer's Odyssey. It is the home of the sorceress Circe, who helps Odysseus and his men on their journey.

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  • 17. 

    What is the name of the sun god's island?

    • Ismarus

    • Aeaea

    • Aeolia

    • Thrincae

    • Illium

    Correct Answer
    A. Thrincae
    Explanation
    Thrincae is the name of the sun god's island. This answer is derived from a knowledge of Greek mythology, specifically the story of Odysseus and his encounters during his journey home. In Homer's epic, "The Odyssey," Odysseus and his men end up on the island of Thrincae, which is inhabited by the cattle of the sun god, Helios. This leads to a disastrous outcome for Odysseus and his crew, as they are punished by the gods for killing and eating the sacred cattle.

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  • 18. 

    How many of Odysseus' men die on Ismarus?

    • 3

    • 27

    • 72

    • 309

    • None

    Correct Answer
    A. 72
    Explanation
    In the Odyssey, when Odysseus and his men land on the island of Ismarus, they raid the city and plunder it. However, they stay too long and are attacked by the Cicones, the native inhabitants of the island. In the battle that follows, Odysseus loses 72 of his men. These casualties serve as a reminder of the dangers they face on their journey back home.

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  • 19. 

    What are the sun god's children called?

    • Calypso

    • Lampetie and Phaethusa

    • Hyperion and Helios

    • Dymas

    • He has no children

    Correct Answer
    A. Lampetie and Phaethusa
    Explanation
    Lampetie and Phaethusa are the children of the sun god.

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  • 20. 

    When Odysseus and his men left the land of the Cicones they were heading in the right direction to get home. But when the north wind combined with the current they rounded which island?

    • Aeolia

    • Aeaea

    • Thrinacie

    • Maleae

    • Ogygia

    Correct Answer
    A. Maleae
    Explanation
    The question states that Odysseus and his men were initially heading in the right direction to get home after leaving the land of the Cicones. However, when the north wind combined with the current, they rounded a certain island. The correct answer, Maleae, suggests that this is the island they rounded due to the combination of the north wind and the current.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 21, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 27, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Rmja
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