Homer's 'Odyssey'

Have you read the second masterpiece of Western literature of that blind genius Homer? You know what I'm talking about - 'The Odyssey'. Well, if you haven't read it, then taking this quiz would be pretty pointless, but if you have, then why not test your knowledge? Quizzes are so fun. Plus it could help you if you are just about to take a Classical Studies exam, and - don't worry - we're in the same boat!

How nerdy are you? Take this comprehensive 'Odyssey' quiz to find out. It tests everything from characters' names to gods' motives and a load of random stuff that you may or may not have picked up while reading it. Just think if you got a high score... how good would you feel?

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18 to 24 Years Old
25 to 30 Years Old
31 to 40 Years Old
41 to 50 Years Old
51 to 60 Years Old
Over 60 Years Old
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Male
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1. Who killed Agamenmon?
Orestes
Aegisthus
Ajax
Athene
2. What was the name of Odysseus' loyal dog?
Jason
Argus
Argos
Shep
3. Who did Odysseus go to the Underworld to see?
Agamenmon
Achilles
Anticleia
Tereisias
4. Who accused the gods of being sexist?
Calypso
Circe
Penelope
Athene
5. Which of the following is an epithet for Telemachus?
Resourceful
Wise
Thoughtful
Handsome
6. Who was the Giant-killer?
Zeus
Atlas
Menelaus
Hermes
7. Who is Polybus?
The Cyclops
The father of Eurymachus
The father of Antinous
One of Nestor's sons
8. Which herb protected Odysseus from Circe's enchantments?
Aconite
Monkshood
Dittany
Moly
9. What is another name of Leucothoe?
Ino
Nausicaa
Eurycleia
Hera
10. Which of the following is a reason why Odysseus considers the Cyclopes to be uncivilised?
They let sheep live in their caves
They don't clear up the dung
They don't built ships
They treat the gods like children
11. Why did Elpenor fall off the roof of Circe's palace?
Odysseus pushed him
He was still a pig
Circe had drugged him
He was completely bladdered
12. Which two people did Odysseus spare, upon Telemachus' recommendation, during the battle in the hall?
Eurymachus and Antinous
Eurymachus and Medon
Medon and Leodes
Medon and Phemius
13. Which tree was Odysseus and Penelope's marital bed made from?
Poplar
Olive
Cedar
Alder
14. Who decided that the unfaithful maids should be hanged?
Telemachus
Odysseus
Eurycleia
Eumaeus
15. Which of the following people is related to Penelope?
Clytaemnestra
Icarius
Helen
All of the above
16. Who is Calypso's father?
Hyperion
Zeus
Poseidon
Atlas
17. What did Anticleia die of?
Grief
Old age
Laertes killed her
She fell... I didn't push her
18. Who is Homer invoking the the proemium?
Mnemosyne
Athene
Calliope
Artemis
19. What did Ctesippus throw at the beggar-Odysseus?
A cow's hoof
A stool
A chair
A spear
20. How long did Odysseus spend on Aeaea?
Three months
One year
Seven years
Ten years
21. What was in the bag given to Odysseus by Aeolus?
Wind
Gold
Wine
Salted pork
22. Which gift of Calypso almost made Odysseus drown?
The raft
The heavy treasure trunk
The fine clothes
The cursed necklace
23. What do the gods drink?
Wine
Red nectar
Ambrosia
Pomegranate juice
24. How many axes did Odysseus shoot through?
5
20
6
12
25. Why was Ajax killed?
He stole more than his fair share at the sack of Troy
He betrayed Menelaus
He tried to marry Helen
He raped Cassandra in the temple
26. How is Pylos described?
Illustrious
Sandy
God-like
Plentiful
27. What is the most likely historical date for the seige of Troy (if it actually happened)?
1250 BC
750 BC
55 BC
1066 AD
28. Who was 'the face that launched a thousand ships and burned the topless towers of Ilium'?
Penelope
Clytaemnestra
Paris
Helen
29. What blinded Polyphemus?
Odysseus
A bronze sword
A sharpened stake of olive wood
His own staff
30. Which man-servant betrayed Odysseus?
Eumaeus
Philoetius
Leodes
Melanthuis
31. What was the name of the famous drunken Centaur?
Eurymachus
Eurynome
Eurytion
Eurycleia
32. How many days does Odysseus take to build the raft?
5
20
17
4
33. Where did Odysseus build the raft?
Aeaea
Ogygia
Scherie
Thrinacie
34. Who murdered Cassandra?
Ajax
Agamenmon
Aegisthus
Clytaemnestra
35. How many heads does Scylla have?
6
3
10
13
36. Who does Athene disguise herself as first?
Mentor
Mentes
Penelope's sister
Nausicaa's friend
37. Through which gate do false dreams come?
The Gate of Hades
The Pearly Gate
The Ivory Gate
The Gate of Burnished Horn
38. What was Eumaeus?
A goatherd
A swineherd
A cowherd
A shepherd
39. Which Suitor did Odysseus kill first?
Eurymachus
Amphinomus
Antinous
Agelaus
40. Why is Athene so interested in Odysseus?
He is so brave
He is so handsome
He is so noble
He is so intelligent

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