GCSE: Classical Civilisation! The Odyssey Trivia Quiz

Polyphemus is the correct answer because in Greek mythology, Polyphemus is the name of the cyclops. He is a one-eyed giant who appears in the Odyssey, a famous epic poem by Homer. In the story, Polyphemus is encountered by the hero Odysseus and his crew, and they have a confrontation with him. Therefore, Polyphemus is the cyclops referred to in the question.

Odysseus protects his men from The Sirens by filling their ears with wax. This prevents them from hearing the enchanting songs of The Sirens, which would lure them towards danger and potentially lead to their demise. By blocking their ears with wax, Odysseus ensures that his men are not tempted by the irresistible melodies, allowing them to safely navigate past The Sirens without falling under their spell.

Nausicaa's father was called Alcinous.

Aeolus gives Odysseus the bag of wind. In Greek mythology, Aeolus is the god of the winds and has the ability to control them. When Odysseus and his crew reach Aeolus' island, he welcomes them and provides them with a bag containing all the winds, except for the west wind. This bag is meant to help them on their journey back home to Ithaca. However, due to the curiosity and mistrust of Odysseus' crew, they open the bag, releasing all the winds and causing a storm that blows them off course.

Scylla is a mythical creature in Greek mythology known for devouring sailors. In this context, the question asks how many men Scylla ate. The correct answer is "Six" because out of all the men encountered by Scylla, she only ate six of them. This implies that some men were able to escape or were not targeted by Scylla.

Eurylochus is the correct answer because he is known as Odysseus' most unruly crew member. In Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey," Eurylochus is portrayed as a rebellious and disobedient member of Odysseus' crew. He is responsible for leading the mutiny against Odysseus and convincing the crew to eat the sacred cattle of the sun god, Helios. Eurylochus' actions often cause trouble and hinder Odysseus' journey back home, making him the most unruly crew member.

Alcinous is the correct answer because in Greek mythology, he is the king of Phaecia. In the epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus seeks refuge in the kingdom of Phaecia after his long journey. Alcinous offers him hospitality and aids him in his return home. Therefore, Alcinous is the ruler of Phaecia in Greek mythology.

Mount Neriton is the landmark of Ithaca. This is because Mount Neriton is mentioned in Greek mythology as the highest peak on the island of Ithaca, the legendary home of Odysseus. It is described as a prominent and recognizable feature of the island, making it a significant landmark. Scylla and Charybdis, the River of Oceans, and the Cyclopean citadels are not specifically associated with Ithaca and therefore cannot be considered the landmark of the island.

Odysseus spends seven years on Calypso's island. This is evident from the story of Homer's Odyssey, where Odysseus is held captive by Calypso for seven years. During this time, Calypso offers him immortality and tries to convince him to stay with her, but Odysseus remains determined to return home to his wife and kingdom. The seven years spent on the island are a significant part of Odysseus' long and arduous journey back to Ithaca.

The citadel on Aeolia is surrounded by bronze walls. This suggests that the citadel is well fortified and protected. Bronze was a commonly used material for constructing walls and fortifications in ancient times due to its strength and durability. The presence of bronze walls indicates that the citadel is likely a significant and important structure, possibly serving as a stronghold or a place of defense against potential threats.

The correct answer is Argo. In Greek mythology, the ship Argo was the vessel used by Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. The Wandering Rocks, also known as the Clashing Rocks, were a dangerous and treacherous obstacle that sailors had to navigate through. Argo successfully sailed through these rocks, making it the only ship to do so.

Hermes is known as the Giant-killer in Greek mythology. He is the messenger of the gods and possesses great speed and agility, making him an effective warrior against the Giants. He is often depicted as cunning and resourceful, using his intelligence and wit to outsmart his enemies. This title is fitting for Hermes as he played a significant role in the battle against the Giants, ultimately aiding the gods in their victory.

In the Odyssey, Hermes appears to Odysseus on Circe's island as an adolescent boy. This is significant because Hermes is the messenger of the gods and often takes on different forms to deliver messages or aid mortals. His appearance as a young boy could symbolize his role as a guide or mentor to Odysseus during his journey.

The correct answer is The Laestroygonians. In Greek mythology, the Laestroygonians were a race of giant cannibals who lived on the island of Telepylus. They were known for their aggressive and violent nature, often attacking and devouring any sailors who came near their island.

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The correct answer is Aeaea. Aeaea is the island from which they travel to the Underworld. This is mentioned in Greek mythology, specifically in Homer's Odyssey. It is the home of the sorceress Circe, who helps Odysseus and his men on their journey.

Thrincae is the name of the sun god's island. This answer is derived from a knowledge of Greek mythology, specifically the story of Odysseus and his encounters during his journey home. In Homer's epic, "The Odyssey," Odysseus and his men end up on the island of Thrincae, which is inhabited by the cattle of the sun god, Helios. This leads to a disastrous outcome for Odysseus and his crew, as they are punished by the gods for killing and eating the sacred cattle.

In the Odyssey, when Odysseus and his men land on the island of Ismarus, they raid the city and plunder it. However, they stay too long and are attacked by the Cicones, the native inhabitants of the island. In the battle that follows, Odysseus loses 72 of his men. These casualties serve as a reminder of the dangers they face on their journey back home.

Lampetie and Phaethusa are the children of the sun god.

The question states that Odysseus and his men were initially heading in the right direction to get home after leaving the land of the Cicones. However, when the north wind combined with the current, they rounded a certain island. The correct answer, Maleae, suggests that this is the island they rounded due to the combination of the north wind and the current.