History · Social Science

World Mythology

4,373 Questions

Review the deities, legendary figures, and ancient epics from Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian mythology. This topic traces classical literature origins and ancient religious beliefs. Such history and culture questions are commonly found in the general awareness sections of state and central government exams.

Greek and Roman deitiesNorse gods and goddessesAncient epics and literatureAztec and Egyptian mythology

World Mythology Questions

Multiple choice

Which ancient Greek myth tells the story of a sculptor who falls in love with his own creation?

  1. Pygmalion and Galatea

  2. Orpheus and Eurydice

  3. Daedalus and Icarus

  4. Sisyphus and the Boulder
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pygmalion, a sculptor, falls in love with his creation, a statue named Galatea, and prays to Aphrodite to bring her to life.

Multiple choice

In Greek mythology, who was the god of fire and metalworking?

  1. Hephaestus

  2. Zeus

  3. Poseidon

  4. Hades
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hephaestus was the god of fire, metalworking, and sculpture.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Egyptian myth tells the story of a goddess who is depicted as a winged woman with the head of a lion?

  1. Sekhmet

  2. Isis

  3. Hathor

  4. Ma'at
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sekhmet is a goddess of war and healing, often depicted as a winged woman with the head of a lioness.

Multiple choice

In Norse mythology, what is the name of the giant who is said to have built the walls of Asgard, the home of the gods?

  1. Hrungnir

  2. Loki

  3. Thor

  4. Odin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hrungnir is a giant who is tricked into helping build the walls of Asgard, but is killed by Thor before he can complete the task.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Roman myth tells the story of a young woman who is turned into a laurel tree?

  1. Daphne and Apollo

  2. Eurydice and Orpheus

  3. Pyramus and Thisbe

  4. Romeo and Juliet
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Daphne is a young woman who is pursued by the god Apollo, but she prays to her father, the river god Peneus, to turn her into a laurel tree to escape Apollo's advances.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Chinese myth tells the story of a young woman who is turned into a white snake?

  1. The Legend of the White Snake

  2. The Butterfly Lovers

  3. The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

  4. The Eight Immortals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Legend of the White Snake is a Chinese folk tale about a young woman named Bai Suzhen who is turned into a white snake after she is betrayed by her lover.

Multiple choice

In Japanese mythology, what is the name of the goddess of the sun?

  1. Amaterasu

  2. Tsukuyomi

  3. Susanoo

  4. Izanagi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun and the most important deity in Japanese mythology.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Greek myth tells the story of a young man who flies too close to the sun and falls to his death?

  1. Daedalus and Icarus

  2. Orpheus and Eurydice

  3. Pygmalion and Galatea

  4. Sisyphus and the Boulder
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Daedalus and Icarus are a father and son who escape from Crete using wings made of wax and feathers, but Icarus flies too close to the sun and the wax melts, causing him to fall to his death.

Multiple choice

In Norse mythology, what is the name of the god of thunder and strength?

  1. Thor

  2. Odin

  3. Loki

  4. Freyr
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Thor is the god of thunder and strength, and is often depicted with a hammer named Mjölnir.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Egyptian myth tells the story of a god who is resurrected after being killed by his brother?

  1. Osiris and Isis

  2. Horus and Set

  3. Anubis and Nephthys

  4. Thoth and Ma'at
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Osiris is a god of the underworld who is killed by his brother Set, but is resurrected by his wife Isis.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Chinese myth tells the story of a young woman who is turned into a peach tree?

  1. The Peach Blossom Spring

  2. The Butterfly Lovers

  3. The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

  4. The Eight Immortals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Peach Blossom Spring is a Chinese folk tale about a young man who discovers a hidden valley where people live in peace and harmony.

Multiple choice

In Japanese mythology, what is the name of the god of the sea?

  1. Susanoo

  2. Ryujin

  3. Ebisu

  4. Daikokuten
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ryujin is the god of the sea and is often depicted as a dragon with a human head.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Greek myth tells the story of a young woman who is turned into a spider?

  1. Arachne and Athena

  2. Daphne and Apollo

  3. Eurydice and Orpheus

  4. Pygmalion and Galatea
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Arachne is a young woman who challenges the goddess Athena to a weaving contest, but Athena turns her into a spider after she wins.

Multiple choice

In Greek mythology, who was the god of prophecy and divination?

  1. Zeus

  2. Apollo

  3. Hermes

  4. Poseidon
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Apollo was the Greek god of prophecy, divination, and healing.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the oracle at Delphi, one of the most famous oracles in ancient Greece?

  1. Pythia

  2. Cassandra

  3. Sibyl

  4. Tiresias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Pythia was the oracle at Delphi who delivered prophecies while in a trance.