Greek Myths

I used Book of Greek Myths when my children were small. I wrote up some comprehension questions for them to answer. I'll post them here for anyone who would like to use them.

It's Sunday! Here in Wisconsin it is sunny and beautiful. It was a gorgeous day to stand at the top of my little church's hill and observe the view in all its glory! Blessings to you this day--
Jean

D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

1. Uranus is the name of a planet. After whom was it named? Describe him. (P.10)

2. Who were the Titans? If someone referred to a person as being a Titan, what would you expect him to be like? Would you expect a football team to be named the Titans? Explain. (p. 12)

3. Who were the Cyclopes? (p. 12)

4. Who was Zeus? (p. 14-16)

5. What was Olympus? (p. 20)

6. Who was Athena? Describe her. (p. 34)

7. Who was Poseidan? Describe him. (p. 38)

8. Explain who the Oracle of Delphi was and why it was important in
Greek mythology.

9. Who was Apollo? Describe him. (p. 41)

10. Tell the story of Orion. (p. 48)

11. Who was Hermes? Describe his appearance. (p. 53)

12. What was Hades? (p. 56)

13. What did the Greeks believe was the cause of the change of
seasons? Tell the story. (p. 58-62)

14. Who was Prometheus and for what is he remembered? (p.72)

15. Tell the story of Pandora. If you heard someone refer to a problem as a Pandora’s box, what do you think that person meant? (p. 74)

16. Where did the term “pan pipes” originate? (p. 90)

17. Describe the type of person Narcissus was. Look up the word “Narcissism” in the dictionary and write its meaning. (p. 92)

18. Look up these words in the dictionary and define them: Centaur, satyr, and nymph. (p. 70)

19. Who were the Muses? Compare them to the words “muse” and “amuse” that we use today. (p. 100)

20. What did Orpheus play? Do you know what constellation was named in his honor? (p. 102-104)

21. Who was Europa? Can you guess what geographical name was named after her? (p. 104)

22. Explain the plight of Tantalus. Look up the word “tantalize” in the dictionary and define it. (p. 112)

23. Tell the story of Perseus. Locate each of these constellations on a star chart: Perseus, King Cephus, Queen Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Cetas (the whale). (p. 114)

24. For what was Hercules (sometimes spelled Heracles) famous? (p. 132)

25. Who were the Amazon women? If you were to refer to a person you knew as an “Amazon woman”, what type of person would you expect her to be?

26. What was Atlas’s job? (p. 140)

27. According to mythology, where did the Aegean Sea get its name? Find it on a map. (p. 153)

28. Tell the story of how Icarus died. (p. 154)

29. The story of the Golden Fleece describes the entrance to the Black Sea. Locate on a map where this might have been. (p. 166)

30. Who were Pollux and Castor? What constellations are they a part of today? Find them on a star chart. (p. 182)

31. Tell the story of Helen of Troy. (p. 183)