E05 QUIZ

Who is ACHILLES

• a half-god

• son of Myrmidons

• friend of Hector

• son of Thetis

Answer explanation

Achilles is the key hero in The Iliad. The narrative is told with account for his experience of it. He is a half-god because Thetis, a sea nymph, is his mother. Peleus, the king of Myrmidons, is Achilles’ father. The hero is the best warrior in Agamemnon’s army. His most prominent act was killing Hector, the Trojan prince.

"Agamemnon is brave but arrogant too."

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Greek writers often portrayed Agamemnon as brave, but also excessively arrogant, shortcomings that sometimes brought him misfortune and eventually led to his death. For this reason, the story of Agamemnon is often seen as a warning about the dangers of pride.

Who is Chryses:

• a god

• a monk

• a priest

• a nun

Answer explanation

A son of Ardys, and a priest of Apollo. He came from the town of Chryse, near Troy, and is the father of Astynome (who was called Chryseïs after him).

Thetis is

• a god of love

• mother of Achilleus

• wife of Zeus

Answer explanation

THETIS: a sea goddess, wife of the warrior, Peleus, and divine mother of Achilleus.

Who is the goddess that leaves Olympus and goes into the sea?

• Hera

• Thetis

• Apollo

• Zeus

What was the reaction of the gods when Zeus arrived among them?

• They remained seated

• They bowed down in reverence

• They stood up

• They fled in fear

Answer explanation

The gods rose from their seats, before the coming of their sire. Not one of them dared to remain sitting, but all stood up as he came among them

What does Vulcan offer to his mother Hera?

• A throne

• A crown

• A cup of nectar

• A weapon

Answer explanation

As he spoke, he took a double cup of nectar, and placed it in his mother's hand.

Hera smiled at this, and as she smiled she took the cup from her son's hands

What does Hera accuse Zeus of?

• Promising glory to Achilles

•  Keeping secrets from her

• Revealing his intentions to other gods

• Ignoring her during the feast

Answer explanation

“Trickster,” she cried, “which of the gods have you been taking into your counsels now? You are always settling matters in secret behind my back, and have never yet told me, if you could help it, one word of your intentions.”

How did Zeus react to Hera's accusations?

• He promised not to harm her

• He scolded her harshly

• He laughed and changed the subject

• He became even angrier with her

Answer explanation

“Hera,” replied the sire of gods and men, “you must not expect to be informed of all my counsels. You are my wife, but you would find it hard to understand them. When it is proper for you to hear, there is no one, god or man, who will be told sooner, but when I mean to keep a matter to myself, you must not pry nor ask questions.”

What musical instrument does Apollo play during the feast?

• Lyre

• Harp

• Flute

• Drum

Answer explanation

Apollo struck his lyre, and the Muses lifted up their sweet voices, calling and answering one another