History · Social Science
World Mythology
4,316 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
In Native American mythology, what artifact is associated with the trickster god, Coyote?
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Dreamcatcher
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Medicine Wheel
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Coyote's Bag of Tricks
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Wampum Belt
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Coyote's Bag of Tricks is a magical bag that contains all sorts of objects that Coyote uses to play tricks on others.
In African mythology, what artifact is associated with the god of thunder, Shango?
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Oshun's Mirror
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Oya's Fan
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Elegba's Walking Stick
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Shango's Axe
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Shango, the god of thunder, is often depicted carrying an axe, which he uses to control the storms.
In Aboriginal Australian mythology, what artifact is associated with the Rainbow Serpent?
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Didgeridoo
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Woomera
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Bunyip
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Dreamtime Stories
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Dreamtime Stories are sacred stories that tell of the creation of the world and the Rainbow Serpent's role in it.
In Sumerian mythology, what artifact is associated with the goddess of love and fertility, Inanna?
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Anzu's Tablet
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Enki's Me
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Inanna's Descent
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Gilgamesh's Epic
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Inanna's Descent is a poem that tells of the goddess Inanna's journey to the underworld and her return to the world of the living.
Which constellation is associated with the myth of the hero Perseus?
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Perseus
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Andromeda
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Cassiopeia
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Cepheus
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Perseus, the hero who rescued Andromeda from a sea monster, is commemorated in the constellation of the same name.
What is the story of the churning of the ocean of milk?
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The gods and demons churned the ocean of milk to create the nectar of immortality
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The gods and demons churned the ocean of milk to create the Sun and Moon
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The gods and demons churned the ocean of milk to create the Earth
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None of the above
A
Correct answer
Explanation
According to the story of the churning of the ocean of milk, the gods and demons worked together to churn the ocean of milk in order to create the nectar of immortality. During the churning, many wonderful things were created, including the Sun, Moon, and planets. However, the nectar of immortality was eventually stolen by the demon Rahu, who was beheaded by Vishnu.
Which herb is often associated with the goddess Aphrodite in Greek mythology?
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Myrtle is often associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and is said to be sacred to her.
In the poem (Ozymandias) by Percy Bysshe Shelley, what is the name of the fallen statue that the speaker encounters in the desert?
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Ozymandias
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Ramses II
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Akhenaten
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Tutankhamun
A
Correct answer
Explanation
In (Ozymandias), the speaker encounters a fallen statue of Ozymandias, a powerful king who once ruled Egypt.
Which ancient Greek myth tells the story of a hero who descends into the underworld to rescue his beloved?
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The Odyssey
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The Iliad
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The Aeneid
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Orpheus and Eurydice
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Orpheus and Eurydice is a Greek myth that tells the story of a musician who travels to the underworld to rescue his wife, Eurydice.
In Norse mythology, what is the name of the god of thunder and strength?
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Thor is the Norse god of thunder and strength. He is known for his mighty hammer, Mjölnir.
What is the name of the Egyptian god of the sun?
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Ra is the Egyptian god of the sun. He is often depicted as a man with the head of a hawk.
In Japanese mythology, what is the name of the goddess of the sun?
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Amaterasu
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Tsukuyomi
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Susanoo
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Inari
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Amaterasu is the Japanese goddess of the sun. She is the sister of Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon, and Susanoo, the god of storms.
Which ancient Greek myth tells the story of a young man who flies too close to the sun and falls to his death?
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Icarus and Daedalus
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Prometheus and Pandora
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Sisyphus and the Boulder
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Tantalus and the Golden Apples
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Icarus and Daedalus is a Greek myth that tells the story of a young man who flies too close to the sun and falls to his death.
In Norse mythology, what is the name of the god of mischief and chaos?
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Loki is the Norse god of mischief and chaos. He is known for his cunning and trickery.
What is the name of the Egyptian god of the underworld?
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Osiris is the Egyptian god of the underworld. He is often depicted as a man with a green face and a beard.