Mastermind Club
Quiz 2022
Mythology & Religion
Set by Mel Kinsey
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Answers
1/ In the First Book of Samuel, the Witch of Endor was a medium who apparently summoned the spirit of the prophet Samuel, at the demand of which ruler, who would later commit suicide after being defeated by the Philistines at Mt Gilboa?
King Saul
2/ In Nordic myth, which son of Odin is often considered the messenger of the gods? His name meaning ‘war spirit’ in Old Norse, he was sent to the underworld to see Hel and plead for the return of Baldr’s soul when the latter was killed.
Hermod
3/ His name meaning ‘he who has a golden sword’, which figure in Greek myth is the son of Medusa and the brother of the winged horse Pegasus? Born when Perseus cut off Medusa’s head, he is said to have become a king of Iberia.
Chrysaor
4/ Originally the god of the source of the River Nile and creator of human babies which he made from a potter’s wheel, which Egyptian deity is usually depicted with the head of a ram?
Khnum (Khnemu/ Khenmu)
5/ In Indian mythology, what name is given to the beautiful, supernatural female beings that are the spirits of clouds and waters? They are superb in the art of dancing, and are often the wives of the Gandharvas — the court musicians of Indra.
Apsaras
6 / Depicted in art as a giant serpent, which ancient Egyptian deity (the embodiment of chaos) was the opponent of light and Ma’at (order)? Legend has it that he would lie in wait for the sun god Ra every night just before dawn, when they would do battle for the fate of the world.
Apophis/ Apep
7/ Commonly translated as `pain’, ‘suffering’ or `unsatisfactoriness’, which concept in Buddhism (and Hinduism) inspires the Four Noble Truths and nirvana doctrines?
Dukkha
8/ In Nordic myth, which dwarf who lives underneath a waterfall possesses the ability to transform himself into a fish, as well as a magic ring that brings fabulous wealth which was eventually stolen from him by Loki? Wagner apparently based the character Alberich in his Ring Cycle on him.
Andvari
9/ The biblical kings Saul, David and Solomon ruled over a united kingdom, which split in 930 BCE into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah under the reign of which son of Solomon? He also gives his name to a 4.5 liter wine bottle.
Rehoboam
10/ In Egyptian myth, which part of his body did Horus lose in his battle with Seth over the throne of Egypt?
Eye
11/ In Greek mythology, which king of Tiryns was responsible for setting the Twelve Labours for Heracles (Hercules) to fulfill?
Eurystheus
12/ The Hindu god Hanuman and the character Sun Wukong from Chinese myth, both take the form of which animal?
Monkey
13/ In Greek mythology, who slew the Minotaur within the depths of the Labyrinth?
Theseus
14/ Derived from the Greek for ‘herald’s staff’, which 8-letter word is the name given to the staff with two serpents entwined around it and is a symbol of the deity Hermes? It is commonly confused with Asclepius’ rod (symbol of medicine), which has only one serpent around it.
Caduceus
15/ In Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, what is the name of the nymph who kept the homeward-bound Odysseus on her island of Ogygia for seven years?
Calypso
16/ One of the three supreme deities (or Trimurti) in Hinduism, which god, is usually known as the ‘Preserver’ or ‘Protector’?
Vishnu
17/ Anubis, the Egyptian god of the afterlife, is usually portrayed with having the head of which animal?
A Jackal
18/ In Christian tradition, which of the Four Evangelists are symbolized by a winged lion?
St. Mark
19/ In Greek mythology, what is the name of the nymph who fell in love with Narcissus but was rejected, subsequently fading away to nothing except the sound of her voice?
Echo
20/ What is the name of Orpheus’ wife in Greek mythology, whom he tried to rescue from the underworld by charming Hades with his beautiful music?
Eurydice
21/ Agatha Christie’s novel ‘The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side’ takes its title from a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson about which mythical figure of Arthurian legend?
The Lady of Shalott
22/ If Hera is to Zeus and Persephone is to Hades, then __________ is to Poseidon?
Amphitrite
23/ Her name translates as ‘night monster’ in Hebrew, which female demonic figure in Jewish folklore was supposedly the first wife of Adam, created at the same time and from the same earth as opposed to Eve (who was created from one of Adam’s ribs)?
Lilith
23/ In Norse mythology, which god is tasked with keeping watch over the rainbow bridge Bifrost, and to blow the Gjallarhorn at the approach of Ragnarok?
Heimdallr
24/ In mythology, which name is shard by an ivory statue carved by Pygmalion which subsequently came to life, as well as a nereid (sea nymph) who was the love interest of Polyphemus the Cyclops?
Galatea
25/ Which ancient philosopher committed suicide by drinking poisonous hemlock?
Socrates