National Latin Exam--the Underworld
A test to review the Underworld for the National Latin Exam
- 1.
Who is Hades?
- A.
The Second King of Rome
- B.
God of the Sea
- C.
A Roman Poet
- D.
King of the Underworld
- E.
A man who went into the Underworld and came out alive
Correct Answer
D. King of the UnderworldExplanation
Hades is known as the King of the Underworld in Greek mythology. He is the ruler of the dead and the underworld, also referred to as the realm of the dead. In Greek mythology, Hades is one of the three brothers who divided the world amongst themselves, with Zeus ruling the sky and Poseidon ruling the sea. Hades' realm is where souls go after death, and he is often depicted as a dark and stern figure. He is not to be confused with the Roman poet or the Second King of Rome, as those are different individuals.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Who is the boatman to the Underworld?
- A.
Hercules
- B.
Hades
- C.
Poseidon
- D.
Charon
- E.
Vulcan
Correct Answer
D. CharonExplanation
Charon is the boatman to the Underworld in Greek mythology. He is responsible for ferrying the souls of the deceased across the river Styx, which separates the world of the living from the Underworld. Charon is often depicted as a grim and silent figure, demanding payment from the souls in the form of a coin to transport them to the afterlife. His role as the boatman to the Underworld is well-known in Greek mythology and is a significant aspect of the journey of the dead.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Tartarus is:
- A.
A small island off the coast of Italy
- B.
The first level of the Underworld
- C.
A man who was made guardian of the door of the Underworld
- D.
A river that flows through the Underworld
- E.
The place of eternal punishment in the Underworld
Correct Answer
E. The place of eternal punishment in the UnderworldExplanation
Tartarus is the place of eternal punishment in the Underworld. In Greek mythology, Tartarus is a deep, dark abyss where the wicked and sinful are sent to suffer for eternity. It is described as a pit or a prison for the most heinous criminals and enemies of the gods. This answer is correct because it accurately describes Tartarus as the location of eternal punishment in the Underworld, aligning with its mythological significance.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Cerberus was
- A.
A three headed dog with the tail of a serpent, whose job was to devour any mortal who tried to enter the Underworld and any spirits that attempted to escape.
- B.
Hercules' best friend
- C.
A man with the head of a dog who was doomed to wander just outside the Underworld
- D.
The boat used to transport people to the Underworld
- E.
Hades's best friend
Correct Answer
A. A three headed dog with the tail of a serpent, whose job was to devour any mortal who tried to enter the Underworld and any spirits that attempted to escape.Explanation
Cerberus was a three-headed dog with the tail of a serpent, whose job was to devour any mortal who tried to enter the Underworld and any spirits that attempted to escape. This explanation accurately describes the role and appearance of Cerberus in Greek mythology.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The Elysian Fields was a _________ place that was considered by the Romans to be like ________
- A.
Horrible; A Living Death
- B.
Dangerous; throwing one's life away
- C.
Beautiful; Heaven
- D.
Fruitful; The garden of Eden
- E.
Cursed; Hell
Correct Answer
C. Beautiful; HeavenExplanation
The Elysian Fields was considered by the Romans to be a beautiful place, similar to heaven. It was believed to be a paradise where the blessed and heroic souls would reside after death. The description of the Elysian Fields as a beautiful and heavenly place aligns with this belief.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Alecto, Tisiphone, and Magaera were
- A.
Three sisters who spun a magical thread that told the fate of men
- B.
The Furies
- C.
Three Princesses who were considered the most beautiful girls in the history of Rome
- D.
The Daughters of Persephone
- E.
Three female Roman warrior leaders who led their people into rebellion against the king of Rome
Correct Answer
B. The FuriesExplanation
The Furies were three sisters in Greek mythology known as Alecto, Tisiphone, and Magaera. They were ancient goddesses of vengeance and retribution. They were responsible for punishing those who had committed crimes, particularly crimes against family members. The Furies were often depicted as terrifying and relentless, tormenting wrongdoers until they were driven to madness or death. Their role was to ensure justice was served and to maintain order in the world.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Zeus romanced Europa by turing into a beautiful bull. Zeus and Europa had twin boys. They were adopted by Europa's husband. Their names were Rhadamanthus and Minos. Minos' wife fell in love with a bull and the resulting child was the Minotaur. Zeus had another boy by Aegina, whose name was Aeacus. What was the three step-brothers' job?
- A.
The defenders of the garden of Persephone
- B.
The judges of the Underworld
- C.
The punishers of the unjust
- D.
The helpers of the innocent
- E.
To show Zeus his foolishness in creating demi-gods
Correct Answer
B. The judges of the UnderworldExplanation
The three step-brothers' job was to be the judges of the Underworld.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Persephone was stolen by Hades by the permission of Zeus to be Hades' wife. Her mother, Demeter, searched all over the earth for her and finally found her in the Underworld. She begged Zeus to return her daughter to her. Zeus said Persephone could return if she fulfilled his condition. However, Persephone failed and could only return to the surface of the earth for six months a year. What was his condition and why could she not return?
- A.
She could return if she had not spoken in the Underworld. She could not return because Hades tricked her into singing to him.
- B.
She could return if she could make a flower grow in the Underworld. She failed because nothing could grow in the Underworld
- C.
She could return if she had never touched Hades. She could not return because he tricked her by tripping her on a rock and catching her.
- D.
She could return if she did not eat of anything in the Underworld. She did not fulfill this condition because she ate of a pomegranate.
- E.
She could return if she was in love with someone on the surface of the earth. However her lover died unbeknownst to her.
Correct Answer
D. She could return if she did not eat of anything in the Underworld. She did not fulfill this condition because she ate of a pomegranate.Explanation
Persephone was allowed to return to the surface of the earth if she did not consume any food in the Underworld. However, she failed to fulfill this condition because she ate a pomegranate.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Erebus is
- A.
Darkness itself, the deepest level of the Underworld
- B.
The bright spot in the Underworld
- C.
A large black dog
- D.
A ring of fire
- E.
A dance
Correct Answer
A. Darkness itself, the deepest level of the UnderworldExplanation
Erebus is the correct answer because it is described as "Darkness itself, the deepest level of the Underworld." This suggests that Erebus represents the ultimate darkness and is located at the deepest part of the Underworld. This aligns with the common mythological belief that Erebus is a primordial deity associated with darkness and the afterlife.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Keres are
- A.
A band of brothers, heroes from the early days of Rome
- B.
The "fetch hounds" of the Furies
- C.
The children of Hercules
- D.
The intercessors for the unjust
- E.
The dogs who guard the gate of Hades
Correct Answer
B. The "fetch hounds" of the FuriesExplanation
The correct answer is "The 'fetch hounds' of the Furies." In Greek mythology, the Furies were female deities who punished wrongdoers. The Keres were described as the "fetch hounds" of the Furies, meaning they were the hounds that the Furies sent to fetch or bring back the souls of the deceased. These hounds played a role in the underworld, guarding the gates of Hades and carrying out the Furies' punishments.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Each of the rivers in Hades had a purpose. Match each river to its purpose.1. Acheron2. Cocytus3. Lethe4. Phlegethon5. Styx
- A.
1. Woe 2. Fire 3. Lamentation 4. Unbreakable Oath or Hate 5. Forgiveness
- B.
1. Fire 2. Unbreakable Oath or Hate 3. Lamentation 4. Reparation 5. Woe
- C.
1. Unbreakable Oath or Hate 2. Fire 3. Woe 4. Forgetfulness 5. Lamentation
- D.
1. Wisdom 2. Supplication 3. Forgiveness 4. Unbreakable Oath or Hate 5. Woe
- E.
1. Lamentation 2. Woe 3. Forgetfulness 4. Fire 5. Unbreakable Oath or Hate
Correct Answer
E. 1. Lamentation 2. Woe 3. Forgetfulness 4. Fire 5. Unbreakable Oath or HateExplanation
The correct answer matches each river to its purpose. Acheron is associated with Lamentation, Cocytus is associated with Woe, Lethe is associated with Forgetfulness, Phlegethon is associated with Fire, and Styx is associated with Unbreakable Oath or Hate.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The name of the personification of death was
- A.
Ares
- B.
Thanatos
- C.
Noctis
- D.
Mercury
- E.
Dethos
Correct Answer
B. ThanatosExplanation
Thanatos is the correct answer because in Greek mythology, Thanatos is the personification of death. He is often depicted as a winged figure carrying a sword or a butterfly. Thanatos is responsible for guiding the souls of the deceased to the underworld. He is also associated with peaceful death and is often portrayed as a gentle and compassionate figure. Ares, Noctis, Mercury, and Dethos are not associated with the personification of death in Greek mythology.Rate this question:
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- 13.
What is the Underworld?
- A.
The place were men existed after death and where the good were rewarded and the dead punished
- B.
A bad bad place
- C.
The underground water system for Rome
- D.
A parallel universe
- E.
The kingdom of Hades which was used as a place for the Gods to meet and discuss the fate of men
Correct Answer
A. The place were men existed after death and where the good were rewarded and the dead punishedExplanation
The Underworld is a concept in mythology and various religions that refers to the realm where souls go after death. In this realm, the souls of the deceased are judged and either rewarded or punished based on their actions in life. It is often depicted as a place where the good are rewarded and the wicked are punished. This concept is commonly associated with Greek mythology, where the Underworld is ruled by Hades and serves as a meeting place for the gods to discuss the fate of mortals.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Sisyphus, Tantalus, and Dandaids could be found where?
- A.
Elysian Fields
- B.
Erebus
- C.
Tartarus
- D.
Phlegethon
- E.
Rome
Correct Answer
C. TartarusExplanation
Sisyphus, Tantalus, and Dandaids could be found in Tartarus. Tartarus is a location in Greek mythology, described as a deep abyss where the wicked and condemned souls were punished for eternity. Sisyphus was condemned to roll a boulder uphill only to have it roll back down, Tantalus was punished with eternal hunger and thirst, and Dandaids were a group of women who were punished for their crimes. Therefore, Tartarus is the correct answer as it is the specific place where these characters were found in Greek mythology.Rate this question:
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Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Mar 04, 2010Quiz Created by
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