Theseus, The Legendary Hero Of Athens

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Quizzes Created: 2 | Total Attempts: 6,881
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Theseus, The Legendary Hero Of Athens - Quiz

This quiz tests your knowledge about the life and adventures of Theseus, the legendary greek hero. For finding the answers to the quiz, visit https://www. Igreekmythology. Com/theseus. Html


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    What was the name of one of Theseus' great ancestors?

    • A.

      Agamemnon

    • B.

      Hector

    • C.

      Achilles

    • D.

      Pelops

    • E.

      Eurystheus

    Correct Answer
    D. Pelops
    Explanation
    Pelops was one of Theseus' great ancestors. He was a legendary figure in Greek mythology and the son of Tantalus. Pelops was known for his beauty and was a famous charioteer. He participated in a chariot race against King Oenomaus and won by sabotaging the king's chariot. This victory allowed Pelops to marry Oenomaus' daughter, Hippodamia. Pelops went on to become the ancestor of many prominent Greek heroes and figures, including Theseus.

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  • 2. 

    Who was Theseus' father?

    • A.

      Zeus

    • B.

      Hercules

    • C.

      Aegeus

    • D.

      Apollo

    • E.

      Perseus

    Correct Answer
    C. Aegeus
    Explanation
    Aegeus is the correct answer because he is widely recognized as the father of Theseus in Greek mythology. Aegeus was the king of Athens and had a son with Aethra, named Theseus. Aegeus plays a significant role in the story of Theseus, including leaving a sword and sandals under a rock for Theseus to find when he was old enough to claim his birthright.

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  • 3. 

    What did Aegeus do, the next morning he had an encounter with Aethra in Troezen, that was considered to be strange?

    • A.

      He had breakfast and then left

    • B.

      He went for a walk in the forest

    • C.

      He buried his sandals and sword under a mighty rock

    • D.

      He had a fight with one of the palace servants

    • E.

      He buried his shield and his helmet in the palace yard

    Correct Answer
    C. He buried his sandals and sword under a mighty rock
  • 4. 

    What was the name of the first bandit that Theseus encountered en route to Athens?

    • A.

      Sciron

    • B.

      Procrustes

    • C.

      Diomedes

    • D.

      Periphetes

    • E.

      Marsyas

    Correct Answer
    D. Periphetes
    Explanation
    Periphetes was the name of the first bandit that Theseus encountered en route to Athens. This is evident from the given options, where Periphetes is listed as one of the choices.

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  • 5. 

    What was Sciron's favorite way of killing his victims?

    • A.

      He used a knife and backstabbed them

    • B.

      He shot them with his arrows

    • C.

      He poisoned them

    • D.

      He kicked them over the cliff into the waters

    • E.

      He used a huge club to hit them over the head

    Correct Answer
    D. He kicked them over the cliff into the waters
    Explanation
    Sciron's favorite way of killing his victims was by kicking them over the cliff into the waters.

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  • 6. 

    Who was said to be the father of Gercyon?

    • A.

      Zeus

    • B.

      Hephaestus

    • C.

      Poseidon

    • D.

      Ares

    • E.

      Pan

    Correct Answer
    C. Poseidon
    Explanation
    Poseidon is said to be the father of Gercyon. In Greek mythology, Gercyon was a giant and a champion wrestler. According to the myth, Gercyon's mother was a daughter of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. This makes Poseidon Gercyon's father.

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  • 7. 

    How did Theseus kill Procrustes?

    • A.

      He stabbed him to death

    • B.

      He made him drink a deadly poison

    • C.

      He clubbed him to death

    • D.

      He wrestled him to death

    • E.

      He tied him on his bed and tortured him to death

    Correct Answer
    E. He tied him on his bed and tortured him to death
    Explanation
    Theseus killed Procrustes by tying him on his bed and torturing him to death. This method of killing is known as the "Procrustean bed" or "Procrustean torture." Procrustes was a bandit who had a bed that he would force his victims to fit on. If they were too short, he would stretch them to fit, and if they were too tall, he would cut off their limbs. Theseus turned the tables on Procrustes and used his own method of torture against him, ultimately causing his death.

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  • 8. 

    How did Aegeus recognize the identity of his son?

    • A.

      Theseus showed his father his ID

    • B.

      Theseus showed his father a written message from his mother

    • C.

      Aegeus recognized the sword that Theseus was carrying

    • D.

      Theseus showed him a picture

    • E.

      Aegeus recognized his son from the sandals he was wearing

    Correct Answer
    C. Aegeus recognized the sword that Theseus was carrying
    Explanation
    Aegeus recognized the sword that Theseus was carrying because it was a symbol of his own. It was a sword that Aegeus had hidden under a rock and told Theseus about, so when Aegeus saw the sword, he knew that Theseus was his son.

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  • 9. 

    Why did king Minos of Crete launch a war against Athens in the past?

    • A.

      He wanted to expand his kingdom to mainland Greece

    • B.

      He wanted to avenge the death of his son

    • C.

      He held a personal grudge against king Aegeus

    • D.

      He wanted to test out his new weaponry

    • E.

      His wife wanted to avenge the death of her brother

    Correct Answer
    B. He wanted to avenge the death of his son
    Explanation
    King Minos of Crete launched a war against Athens in the past to avenge the death of his son. This suggests that his motivation for going to war was driven by a personal vendetta rather than any political or strategic reasons.

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  • 10. 

    How did Theseus manage to find his way out of the labyrinth?

    • A.

      He used a compass

    • B.

      He used a map given to him by Ariadne

    • C.

      He used a spool of thread

    • D.

      He was accompanied by Ariadne

    • E.

      He followed directions written on the walls

    Correct Answer
    C. He used a spool of thread
    Explanation
    Theseus managed to find his way out of the labyrinth by using a spool of thread. By tying one end of the thread to the entrance of the labyrinth and unwinding it as he moved through the maze, Theseus was able to retrace his steps and find his way back out by following the thread. This method allowed him to navigate the complex maze and ensure he did not get lost.

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  • 11. 

    How did Theseus' father die?

    • A.

      He suffered a heart attack

    • B.

      He was poisoned by Medea

    • C.

      He jumped over a cliff into the sea

    • D.

      He died of old age

    • E.

      He was accidentally killed in a hunting trip

    Correct Answer
    C. He jumped over a cliff into the sea
    Explanation
    Theseus' father, Aegeus, died by jumping over a cliff into the sea. This event occurred when Aegeus mistakenly believed that Theseus had been killed by the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Aegeus had previously left a sword and a pair of sandals under a rock for Theseus to retrieve if he successfully defeated the Minotaur. However, Theseus forgot to change the black sails of his ship to white as a sign of his victory. Seeing the black sails, Aegeus assumed his son was dead and in despair, he leaped into the sea, ending his life.

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  • 12. 

    What did Theseus forget to do that caused his father's death?

    • A.

      He forgot to send him a message that he was alive

    • B.

      He forgot to put the ship flag at full mast

    • C.

      He forgot to have the ship re-painted white

    • D.

      He forgot to change the ship sails

    • E.

      He forgot to set out fireworks when he was approaching Athens

    Correct Answer
    D. He forgot to change the ship sails
    Explanation
    Theseus forgot to change the ship sails, which caused his father's death. This implies that the ship's sails were black, which was a sign of mourning. Theseus had promised his father that if he was successful in his mission, he would change the sails to white as a sign of victory. However, Theseus forgot to do so, and when his father saw the black sails from afar, he believed that his son had died. The grief-stricken father then threw himself into the sea, resulting in his death.

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  • 13. 

    How did Theseus eventually die?

    • A.

      He was poisoned

    • B.

      He died of old age

    • C.

      He was killed by a wild boar

    • D.

      He was pushed over a cliff into the sea

    • E.

      He was killed in a wrestling match

    Correct Answer
    D. He was pushed over a cliff into the sea
    Explanation
    Theseus eventually died by being pushed over a cliff into the sea. This is a well-known mythological story from Greek mythology. Theseus was a hero and the king of Athens, and he met his tragic end when he was pushed off a cliff by the god Poseidon. This event is often associated with Theseus' arrogance and his disrespect towards the gods, leading to his downfall.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Feb 03, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Nicossty
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