Questions and Answers
Finally Heracles lopped off the ________ head and buried it deep beneath a ____.
snaky; rock
Who ordered Hercules to go to the Underworld and kidnap the beast called Cerberus?
Eurystheus
What is the name of the beast that guards the entrance to Hades?
Cerberus
At first, ______ refused to ferry Heracles across the _____ ____.
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______ had three heads of wild dogs, a dragon or serpent for a tail, and heads of snakes all over his back.
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Heracles took Cerberus by the throat and ______ the dog into submission.
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Who was Heracles' queen when he took Cerberus back from the Underworld?
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What type of garment caused Heracles excruciating fiery pain?
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Who reconciled Heracles with his tormenter after his death?
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What is the title for the goddess of youth in ancient Greek religion?
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Who did Heracles give his bow to as a reward for lighting the pyre?
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Heracles remains forever in the sky as a constellation of _____.
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What does 'apotheosis' mean?
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Who is the King of Argos?
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What is the name of Acrisius's daughter?
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Since ________ had no male heir, he consulted the oracle at ______.
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In order to keep _____ _________, Acrisius imprisoned her in a bronze chamber.
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Who fell in love with Danaë and came to her in the form of a shower of gold?
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What is the name of the son of Zeus and Danaë?
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Acrisius cast Danaë and Perseus into the sea in a ______ _____.
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The vessel washed ashore on the island of ________, where the fisherman ______ received them.
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Who is the brother of Dictys and king of the island of Seriphos?
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What did Polydectes demand from Perseus as a gift?
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Who instructed Perseus to find the Hesperides?
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What were the sisters of the Gorgons known as?
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What did Perseus receive from the Hesperides?
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In the Gorgons' cave, Perseus cut off Medusa's head using a polished ______.
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What sprang from the blood of Medusa's neck?
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Who ruled mythical Ethiopia?
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What did Cassiopeia boast about her daughter Andromeda?
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Who sent a sea serpent to destroy Andromeda and her kingdom?
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Cepheus had Andromeda fastened naked to a ____ on the shore.
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________ threw Procrustes on the deadly bed.
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What was the name given to the situation or place that produces conformity through unnatural means?
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Medea was a benevolent character in the story.
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Who recognized Theseus as his son during the banquet?
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What was the name of the monster that Theseus had to face in the labyrinth?
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Who constructed the Labyrinth where the Minotaur was kept?
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What aided Theseus in navigating the Labyrinth?
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Study Notes
The Legend of Perseus
- Acrisius, king of Argos, had a daughter named Danaë.
- Consulted the oracle at Delphi, which foretold that Danaë's son would kill him.
- To prevent Danaë from having children, Acrisius imprisoned her in a bronze chamber.
- Zeus, enamored with Danaë, visited her in a shower of gold, leading to the birth of Perseus.
- Fearful of his destiny, Acrisius cast Danaë and baby Perseus into the sea in a wooden chest.
- They washed ashore on Seriphos, where a fisherman named Dictys raised Perseus.
- Polydectes, Dictys's brother and king of Seriphos, desired Danaë and plotted against Perseus.
- At a banquet, Perseus was tricked into claiming he would fetch Medusa's head as a gift.
Quest for Medusa
- Athena advised Perseus to visit the Hesperides for weapons necessary to defeat Medusa.
- Perseus sought the Graeae, sisters of the Gorgons, who shared a single eye.
- He secured their eye in exchange for information, leading him to the Hesperides.
- Received a knapsack, an adamantine sword, a helm of darkness for invisibility, winged sandals, and a polished shield.
- In the Gorgons' cave, Perseus used the shield's reflection to safely behead Medusa, from which Pegasus emerged.
Rescue of Andromeda
- On his return, Perseus visited Aethiopia, ruled by King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia.
- Cassiopeia’s boasting angered Poseidon, who sent a flood and a sea serpent, Cetus, to ravage the land.
- Andromeda, their daughter, was chained to a rock as a sacrifice.
- Perseus, using Medusa's head, turned Cetus to stone and saved Andromeda, marrying her soon after.
The Tale of Theseus
- Theseus was raised by his mother, Princess Aethra. His father was King Aegeus of Athens.
- Aethra revealed Theseus's royal heritage, prompting him to face challenges to prove himself.
- He lifted a stone where tokens from his father lay, marking his destiny.
- Decided to travel to Athens by land, which was infested with bandits like Procrustes, who offered hospitality laced with cruelty.
- Theseus defeated Procrustes by fitting him to his own fatal bed.
Arrival in Athens
- In Athens, Theseus was hailed as a hero for ridding the roads of dangers and was invited to a banquet.
- Medea, King Aegeus's wife, perceived Theseus as a rival and attempted to poison him.
- Aegeus recognized Theseus by the sword, thwarting Medea’s plan and solidifying Theseus's claim as heir.
The Minotaur and the Labyrinth
- Minos, king of Crete, demanded tributes from Athens, including youths to be sacrificed to the Minotaur, a beast born from Pasiphae.
- Daedalus crafted the Labyrinth to contain the Minotaur.
- Theseus volunteered to confront the Minotaur, aided by Princess Ariadne who provided him with thread to navigate the maze.
- Theseus killed the Minotaur using bare fists and escaped using the thread to retrace his steps.
The Aftermath of Theseus's Adventures
- Theseus and Ariadne eloped, but he later abandoned her, leaving her on an island.
- Hercules, notable for his superhuman strength, was born to Zeus and Alcmene, facing challenges from jealousy of Hera.
- He completed twelve labors, including slaying the Nemean Lion and the Lernean Hydra, aided by his nephew Iolaus.
Confronting Cerberus
- As part of his final labor, Hercules captured Cerberus from the Underworld, overcoming challenges from its fearsome presence.
- With permission from Hades and Persephone, Hercules brought Cerberus to King Eurystheus, achieving recognition for his feats.
Themes of Jealousy and Destiny
- Jealousy and prophecy shaped the fates of many characters, including Acrisius's efforts to thwart Perseus and Hera's opposition to Hercules.
- Each hero's journey reflects a struggle against oppressors, destined roles, and the impact of divine influences on mortal lives.### Heracles and His Divine Journey
- After receiving advice from an oracle, Heracles had a funeral pyre constructed for himself.
- He persuaded a friend to ignite the pyre, allowing him to die and ascend to the gods.
- Upon reaching the divine realm, he reconciled with Hera, the queen of the gods.
Hera and Her Role
- Hera, the wife of Zeus, adopted Heracles and permitted him to marry her daughter, Hebe.
- Following their marriage, Heracles and Hebe lived among the gods on Mount Olympus.
Attributes of Hebe
- Hebe is the goddess of youth in ancient Greek religion.
- She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, symbolizing youthfulness and renewal.
- As the cupbearer for the gods, Hebe served nectar and ambrosia until her marriage to Heracles.
Heracles' Transformation
- Heracles rewarded Poeas, a friend, for lighting the pyre by giving him his bow.
- A significant transformation occurred: Heracles' mortal part was consumed by flames, while his immortal essence ascended to Olympus via a chariot from Zeus.
- This event marked Heracles' apotheosis, elevating him to the status of an immortal god.
Concept of Apotheosis
- Apotheosis refers to the glorification of a mortal to divine status.
- Heracles’ ascension to divine status exemplifies this concept, as he became part of the stars, ultimately depicted in the sky as a constellation.
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Description
Test your knowledge of classical mythology with this quiz focused on Acrisius and his daughter Danaë. Explore their stories and significant events surrounding their lives. Ideal for students of literature and history.
