Greek Religion Flashcards

Questions and Answers

All of the following statements concerning Greek religion in the eighth century are true except:

Cthonian gods are gods of Olympus that were unmarried (correct)

Zeus held a central role among the gods

Ritual practices were an important part of Greek religion

Greek religion included various deities

All of the following statements concerning Greek gods are true except:

Poseidon is the god of the sea

Athena was born from Zeus's head

Zeus is known as the king of the gods

Aphrodite went to Hades and brought Adonis back from the dead (correct)

In the war in heaven, Zeus defeated his father Cronus.

True

Semele died because she saw Zeus in his glory.

True Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the story of Athena are true except:

Erichthonius eventually had the third daughter of Kekrops executed Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the story of Demeter are true except:

Demeter commanded Demophoon to travel the world in a winged chariot his knowledge of agriculture Signup and view all the answers

Some think that the 'supreme revelation' of the Eleusinian Mysteries was the showing of a single ear of corn.

True Signup and view all the answers

Zeus sent Apollo to Hades to retrieve Persephone.

False Signup and view all the answers

The immortality of the Greek gods of ancient Greece encouraged the growth of philosophy.

True Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning gods, humans, and sacrifices are true except:

Surprisingly, Aphrodite's favorite sacrificial animal was a pig Signup and view all the answers

Offerings were often left at the tombs of heroes.

True Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning Greek funerary markers are true except:

Kuroi were used as grave markers and thus never as a votive offering Signup and view all the answers

To pray, a Greek would fold his arms and bow his head.

False Signup and view all the answers

Every Greek meal started with a prayer to Hestia.

True Signup and view all the answers

The oracle of Zeus was located at Dodona.

True Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the oracle of Apollo at Delphi are true except:

The Pythian never came out of the temple Signup and view all the answers

In ancient Greece because of democracy there was a strict separation of church and state.

False Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning Greek state religion are true except:

After consulting the oracle at Delphi, Croesus defeated the Persian Empire Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning Thesmophoria are true except:

The decaying bodies of the pigs placed in the earth the year before were dug up and tossed into the Aegean Sea as an offering to the gods Signup and view all the answers

In both the Rural and the City Dionysia, there was at least one procession, as well as choral and dance competitions, but the Rural Dionysia did not have theater competitions as the City Dionysia did.

True Signup and view all the answers

The Panathenaic festival procession passed through the Propylaea to place a robe on the statue of Athena in front of the Erechtheum.

True Signup and view all the answers

Greek mystery religions held no hope of a decent afterlife.

False Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the Eleusinian mystery cult are true except:

Kykeon could not be drunk during the ritual because it symbolized the drink of barley and water that Demeter drank at the home of Celeus Signup and view all the answers

The main myth celebrated in the Eleusinian mysteries was the story of Herakles.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is false concerning the story of Orpheus?

Orpheus was killed by a wild boar Signup and view all the answers

The central feature of the Dionysiac and Orphic rites was the worshipper's belief that he could actually become one with and share the destiny of Dionysius or Orpheus.

True Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the Orphic Bowl are true except:

The bowl and pail of the doorkeeper carry the wine of death Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the Orphic Bowl are true except:

The Orphic Bowl has no connection to the divine Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements concerning the Orphic Bowl are true except:

The Orphic Bowl has no significance in mystery religions Signup and view all the answers

The center of the bowl is both a call to awake and arise to eternal knowledge, as well as a reminder of the need to learn the transcendent knowledge of the ever-dying, ever-living god 'whose symbol is the vine.'

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Greek Religion Overview

Cthonian gods are associated with the underworld, not unmarried gods of Olympus.
Aphrodite did not retrieve Adonis from Hades; myths vary on his resurrection.
Zeus's victory over Cronus marked a significant power shift in Greek mythology.
Semele perished after witnessing Zeus in his divine form.
Erichthonius had ties to Kekrops, but the claim of executing Kekrops' daughter is false.

Demeter and the Mysteries

Demeter did not order Demophoon to travel by chariot; this statement is incorrect.
The "supreme revelation" during the Eleusinian Mysteries was believed to be a single ear of corn.
Zeus did not send Apollo to Hades for Persephone; the myth does not support this assertion.

Philosophy and Immortality

The immortality of the Greek gods influenced the development of philosophical thought in ancient Greece.
The idea that Aphrodite preferred pig sacrifices is incorrect; her favorite sacrifices were different.

Funerary Practices

Offerings at heroes' tombs were a common practice in ancient rituals.
Kuroi served as votive offerings, contrary to the notion that they were not used in this way.
Typical prayers did not involve folding arms and bowing the head; practices varied.

Religious Rituals and Festivals

Every Greek meal commenced with a prayer to Hestia, the goddess of the hearth.
The oracle of Zeus was located at Dodona, a significant site for divine consultation.
The Pythian priestess at Delphi frequently exited the temple; this contradicts some misconceptions.

State and Religion

Ancient Greece lacked a strict separation between church and state despite its democratic principles.
Croesus failed to defeat the Persian Empire after consulting the oracle at Delphi; this statement is false.
During Thesmophoria, the offering described involving pigs was inaccurate, as the bodies were left buried.

Dionysiac Celebrations

Both Rural and City Dionysia featured processions, though theater competitions were exclusive to the City Dionysia.
The Panathenaic festival included a procession through the Propylaea to honor Athena with a robe.

Mystery Religions and Afterlife Beliefs

Greek mystery religions typically offered hope for an improved afterlife, contradicting the claim they did not.
The main myth central to the Eleusinian mysteries was not about Herakles, but rather the quest related to Demeter and Persephone.

Orphic Traditions

Contrary to the narrative, Orpheus was not killed by a wild boar; various myths detail his fate differently.
Dionysiac and Orphic rites emphasized the belief in unity with the divine, reflecting transformative spiritual experiences.

Orphic Bowls and Symbols

The symbolism in the Orphic Bowl reflects themes of death and life, though interpretations can vary.
Castor and Pollux do not signify the oneness of life attained by initiates; their representation in Orphic teachings is often misinterpreted.
The center of the Orphic Bowl calls for awakening to eternal knowledge and symbolizes the connection to the god associated with vitality and the vine.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Greek religion with these flashcards focused on various deities and myths. Discover the truths and misconceptions surrounding the ancient gods of Olympus and their stories. Great for students and enthusiasts of Greek mythology!

Greek Religion Flashcards

Questions and Answers

All of the following statements concerning Greek religion in the eighth century are true except:

All of the following statements concerning Greek gods are true except:

In the war in heaven, Zeus defeated his father Cronus.

Semele died because she saw Zeus in his glory.

All of the following statements concerning the story of Athena are true except:

All of the following statements concerning the story of Demeter are true except:

Some think that the 'supreme revelation' of the Eleusinian Mysteries was the showing of a single ear of corn.

Zeus sent Apollo to Hades to retrieve Persephone.

The immortality of the Greek gods of ancient Greece encouraged the growth of philosophy.

All of the following statements concerning gods, humans, and sacrifices are true except:

Offerings were often left at the tombs of heroes.

All of the following statements concerning Greek funerary markers are true except:

To pray, a Greek would fold his arms and bow his head.

Every Greek meal started with a prayer to Hestia.

The oracle of Zeus was located at Dodona.

All of the following statements concerning the oracle of Apollo at Delphi are true except:

In ancient Greece because of democracy there was a strict separation of church and state.

All of the following statements concerning Greek state religion are true except:

All of the following statements concerning Thesmophoria are true except:

In both the Rural and the City Dionysia, there was at least one procession, as well as choral and dance competitions, but the Rural Dionysia did not have theater competitions as the City Dionysia did.

The Panathenaic festival procession passed through the Propylaea to place a robe on the statue of Athena in front of the Erechtheum.

Greek mystery religions held no hope of a decent afterlife.

All of the following statements concerning the Eleusinian mystery cult are true except:

The main myth celebrated in the Eleusinian mysteries was the story of Herakles.

Which of the following is false concerning the story of Orpheus?

The central feature of the Dionysiac and Orphic rites was the worshipper's belief that he could actually become one with and share the destiny of Dionysius or Orpheus.

All of the following statements concerning the Orphic Bowl are true except:

All of the following statements concerning the Orphic Bowl are true except:

All of the following statements concerning the Orphic Bowl are true except:

The center of the bowl is both a call to awake and arise to eternal knowledge, as well as a reminder of the need to learn the transcendent knowledge of the ever-dying, ever-living god 'whose symbol is the vine.'

Study Notes

Greek Religion Overview

Demeter and the Mysteries

Philosophy and Immortality

Funerary Practices

Religious Rituals and Festivals

State and Religion

Dionysiac Celebrations

Mystery Religions and Afterlife Beliefs

Orphic Traditions

Orphic Bowls and Symbols

Studying That Suits You

Description

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