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Questions and Answers
The earliest account of the Greek Underworld is found in Homer's epic poem the _____?
Odyssey
Odysseus traveled to the Underworld primarily to consult the seer _____?
Tiresias
Odysseus' comrade _____ died when he fell from the roof of Circe's house?
Elpenor
The mother of Odysseus is _____?
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The spirit of the hero _____ tells Odysseus that he would rather be a living slave than the ruler of the Underworld?
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_____ refused to speak with Odysseus in the Underworld?
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______ stands in a pool of water with fruit dangling over his head?
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_____ continually rolls a rock up a hill?
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In book 10 of the Republic, Plato presents an account of the afterlife in the so-called Myth of _____?
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In book 6 of the Aeneid, the Roman poet _____ takes his hero into the Underworld to meet the spirit of his father?
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Aeneas' ticket into the Underworld is a '_____ bough.'
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Aeneas' guide in the Underworld is the _____ of Cumae?
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Lake _____ is so called because birds would not fly over it?
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Just as Ajax refused to speak to Odysseus in the Underworld, so ____ refused to speak to Aeneas?
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Vultures tear at the liver of _____, who is tied to the floor of Tartarus?
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For attempting to seduce a likeness of Hera, _____ was bound to a burning wheel in Tartarus?
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Aeneas is shown a parade of Roman heroes in the Underworld by his father _____?
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In book 6 of the Aeneid, the twin gates of sleep are made of horn and _____?
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Aeneas and the Sibyl exit the Underworld via the gate made of _____?
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The reign of torture in the Underworld is known as _____ or Erebus?
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The region of Elysium is also known as the Elysian _____?
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A distant realm of paradise in the upper world is known as the islands of the _____?
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The three judges in the Underworld are Aeacus, Rhadamanthys, and _____?
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Match the River with its description: Styx?
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Match the River with its description: Acheron?
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Match the River with its description: Cocytus?
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Match the River with its description: Pyriphlegethon?
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It was customary to bury a corpse with a _____ in the mouth?
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The ferryman of the River Styx (sometimes Acheron) is _____?
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The souls of the dead are escorted to the Underworld by Hermes _____?
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The entrance to the Underworld is guarded by a three-headed dog named _____?
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Hades is sometimes called _____ or Dis, meaning the wealthy one?
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The name _____ may mean unseen?
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The Romans called the king of the Underworld and his realm _____?
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The wife of Hades and queen of the Underworld is ______?
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The Romans called the queen of the Underworld _____?
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The 49 (out of 50) _____ killed their husbands on their wedding night and attempted to carry water in sieve-like containers?
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One who has murdered a blood relative is tormented by the _____?
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The Eumenides is a kinder, gentler name for the _____?
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Dante's guide through the Underworld (Inferno) is _____?
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What kind of animal says Brekekekex koax koax?
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The frogs, an early musical version of the Aristophanes play by Stephen _____, recently presented at Lincoln Center in NYC?
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Hades in Greek myth plays a punitive role very much like that of Satan in the Christian world.
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Study Notes
Greek Underworld Overview
- Homer's "Odyssey" features the earliest account of the Greek Underworld.
- Odysseus visits the Underworld to seek guidance from the seer Tiresias.
- Elpenor, Odysseus' comrade, dies after falling from Circe's roof.
- Anticlea is identified as Odysseus' mother.
- Achilles expresses that he would prefer to be a living slave than exist as a ruler of the Underworld.
Notable Figures in the Underworld
- Ajax, son of Telemon, declines to converse with Odysseus when met in the Underworld.
- Tantalus is punished by standing in a pool of water with fruit just out of reach.
- Sisyphus is condemned to eternally roll a rock uphill.
Literature and Afterlife Concepts
- Plato's "Myth of Er" in "Republic" describes a vision of the afterlife.
- Vergil's "Aeneid" depicts Aeneas journeying to the Underworld to meet his father.
- Aeneas needs a "golden bough" to enter the Underworld.
- The Sibyl of Cumae serves as Aeneas' guide through the Underworld.
Geography of the Underworld
- Lake Avernus is noted for having no birds flying over it.
- Just as Ajax avoided Odysseus, Dido does not speak to Aeneas.
Punishments in Tartarus
- Tityus faces eternal torment with vultures eating his liver in Tartarus.
- Ixion is punished for attempting to seduce Hera by being bound to a burning wheel.
The Elysium and Heroes
- Anchises shows Aeneas a procession of Roman heroes in the Underworld.
- Elysium is referred to as the Elysian Fields, a paradise for the virtuous.
- The "Islands of the Blessed" signify a distant paradise in the upper world.
Judges and Rivers of the Underworld
- Aeacus, Rhadamanthys, and Minos serve as judges of the dead.
- Rivers of the Underworld include:
- Styx: signifies hate
- Acheron: signifies woe
- Cocytus: signifies wailing
- Pyriphlegethon: signifies fire
Customs and Entrance to the Underworld
- It was common to place a coin in the mouth of the deceased for passage.
- Charon is the ferryman of the River Styx, transporting souls to the Underworld.
- Hermes, known as Psychopompos, escorts souls to their afterlife destination.
- Cerberus, a three-headed dog, guards the entrance to the Underworld.
Hades and Persephone
- Hades, also known as Pluto or Dis, represents wealth and the unseen.
- Orcus is the Roman name for Hades and his domain.
- Persephone is the Greek name for the queen of the Underworld, while Proserpine is the Roman equivalent.
The Furies and their Roles
- The Danaids, known for murdering their husbands, are punished for their crimes.
- Those who kill a blood relative are tormented by the Furies, also referred to as Eumenides.
Cultural References
- Vergil serves as Dante’s guide through the Underworld in "Inferno."
- The frogs, featured in Aristophanes' play, are humorously stated to say "Brekekekex koax koax."
- Sondheim’s adaptation of Aristophanes' play highlights its recent performance at Lincoln Center.
- The portrayal of Hades differs from the punitive role of Satan in Christian tradition, thus the statement regarding their similarities is false.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Greek mythology with these flashcards focused on Chapter 15 about the Underworld as depicted in Homer's 'Odyssey'. Each card covers key figures and events that highlight the journey of Odysseus. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of this classic text.
