CLAS 253 Exam #1 Multiple Choice

n ideal oikos is... (check all that apply) Incorrect answer: A. A group of people who are related B. A group of people who all work together C. A group of people who all match each other's personal traits D. A well-ordered hierarchy E. A wealthy household

B. A group of people who all work together C. A group of people who all match each other's personal traits D. A well-ordered hierarchy

What was the social context of lyric poetry? A.A palace B. A symposium C. A theater D. A sanctuary

B. A symposium

This sidelining of the past is not confined to Lucian, but his example provides a good case study. Why is it important to understand this modern history of Classics as a discipline? A. Because it's important to understand what attitudes are actually in the ancient record, versus what has been projected onto the past B. All of these reasons C. Because understanding how to read an author in his or her original context, and strip away the layers of conflicting meaning that have been added, helps us understand people in general, regardless of time or place D. Because the Mediterranean world has always been a more diverse place than many people might realize, it might not be pleasant to talk about why that diversity isn't more appreciated, but it's a necessary conversation to have

B. All of these reasons

So wait, the Greeks didn't think of themselves as "Greek" prior to the Hellenistic period? That can't be right... right? A. Well no, what it meant to be "Greek" has always been defined by simply "being Greek" B. Basically yes, earlier Greek life was hyper-regionalized, with cities having unique gods, laws, customs, and even dialects

B. Basically yes, earlier Greek life was hyper-regionalized, with cities having unique gods, laws, customs, and even dialects

If you ever encounter a work by an ancient female author, odds are it's by Sappho. Why is that? A. Because there aren't other ancient female authors whose work has survived B. Because her work is the best preserved of all the ancient female authors that we have C. Because there weren't other female authors in antiquity

B. Because her work is the best preserved of all the ancient female authors that we have

Why did Lucian have the idea that there's virtue in a simple life? A. Lucian was a bit misanthrope and idealized a life spent apart from other people B. Because in the Alexandrian tradition the country life is the opposite of all the vice and morral compromises of city life C. Because Shepards like Paris were too uneducated to know about all the awful things happening in the world

B. Because in the Alexandrian tradition the country life is the opposite of all the vice and morral compromises of city life

According to Babrius (writing in the Roman period), the gods don't care at all about the mortals anymore, if indeed they ever did. A. True B. False

B. False

They are saying Heracles was not a literal divine being, but that he's "like" a god, right? A. Ture B. False

B. False

Thucydides gives a word-for-word transcript of what Pericles said? A. True B. False

B. False

True or False: Sappho wrote about the same themes as other poets, and wrote about them in the same way. A. True B. False

B. False

When we read ancient history, we're really reading objective historical truth? A. True B. False

B. False

When new gods ride in prominence, lesser dieties are promoted to greater importance, and humans are deifies, do people stop believing in the old gods? A. Yes, it was a wholesale replacement within the religion, that's why it marks such a big change B. No, they're still there and they're still important, it's just that human needs changed, and so did ideas about the gods

B. No, they're still there and they're still important, it's just that human needs changed, and so did ideas about the gods

So is Babrius being sacrilegious in his portrayal of Heracles in this story? A. Definitely, he wants people to question their beliefs and realize that the gods aren't real B. Not really, it's a reflection of how conception of the gods have changed over the previos 900 years or so

B. Not really, it's a reflection of how conception of the gods have changed over the previos 900 years or so

So the idea is that we can read between the lines, and that the only reason these ideas were written down is because people needed to be convinced that the ideals were worth striving for. Does that mean that a reasonably large portion of the population knew that the ideals existed, but didn't live up to them in their everyday lives? A. No, this is a misreading of the texts, if they wrote it down it must be true B. Of course, people are people, we haven't changed that much over the millennia C. It must mean that people simply didn't know about the ideals, and these works were supposed to educate the,

B. Of course, people are people, we haven't changed that much over the millennia

Odysseus is punished because... A. of his hubris and his violation of Xenia B. Of his carelessness and violation of proper conduct

B. Of his carelessness and violation of proper conduct

We've seen this before then, the idea that the gods seem to care for reasons that aren't made entirely clear (to us, since we're not part of this culture). Why did Zeus punish all of humanity for prometheus' tricks, and why was Hermes offended in Babrius' story? A. Lots of words: the gods are fickle and like watching mortals squirm B. One word: disrespect

B. One word: disrespect

Penelope's agency within her own oikos would have been understood differently by an ancient Greek audience than it typically is today. Why is that? A. Homer didn't put much effort into developing Penelope's character except as a foil to Odysseus, like most other characters in the Odyssey B. Our modern understanding is largely based on modern (and early modern) ideas of gender roles, which make her seem extremely passive C. She has a very minimal part and it's hard to figure out what her role is exactly

B. Our modern understanding is largely based on modern (and early modern) ideas of gender roles, which make her seem extremely passive

The goddess of fertility loses her daughter, starts drinking "medicine" that causes miscarriages, and then manages to become a surrogate mother to moose else's son. Demeter is: A. She's fine, no worries, she's divine after all B. Still mourning, she's definitely not okay

B. Still mourning, she's definitely not okay

So what's that important thing to remember? A. That the story is all about how weird the relationships of the Greek gods were B. That the story relies on an understanding of Ancient Greek family dynamics in order to make sense C. That the story is all about allegorical meanings

B. That the story relies on an understanding of Ancient Greek family dynamics in order to make sense

What can we learn from the simple fact that Archilochus wrote this poem? A. That he had no personal honor and was not considered a true "greek" because of his moral failings B. That while fighting to a glorious death on the battlefield was an ideal, it wasn't a part of everyday life for most Greek men

B. That while fighting to a glorious death on the battlefield was an ideal, it wasn't a part of everyday life for most Greek men

Wait Homer's not the author of Homeric Hymn to Demeter? A. It's the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, so of course Homer wrote it B. The ancient Greeks thought it was Homer, but it's probably best not to think about it that way

B. The ancient Greeks thought it was Homer, but it's probably best not to think about it that way

As in the passage from Athenaeus' Deipnosophistai, why did the athenians turn away from the old gods that had protected the city in earlier generations? A. They thought the old gods could not defeat new threats B. They felt the old gods had abandoned the city C. They thought the old gods had moved too high up in the heavens to hear their prayers D. Athens was inhabited by new people with new gods

B. They felt the old gods had abandoned the city

Just to recap: what do all of these "good" characters have in common? There's more than one answer that makes sense, but only one right answer that's important for understanding everything that follows... A. They've had hard lives and can all relate to each other B. They're all clever C. They're all eager to get rid of the suitors

B. They're all clever

So if ancient Greek women's viewpoints weren't often expressed in public, then how can we detect them today? A. We have to take what accounts we have as we get them, the Greeks knew their own culture best B. We have to read between the lines and take the context of different accounts into consideration C. We can't really, what's been lost is lost and there's no way to reconstruct a dead culture

B. We have to read between the lines and take the context of different accounts into consideration

It's interesting the Lucian makes the counterpoints to the typical idea, but is it really a big deal? A. Not really, the old classics still hold up and no one cared what Lucian had to say anyways, as evidenced by the fact that he's a fairly minor figure in the literal canon B. Well yes, it's like saying the Declaration of Independence was written by elves--it's obviously not true, but to understand WHY you need to strip away the mythology and think about the actual people

B. Well yes, it's like saying the Declaration of Independence was written by elves--it's obviously not true, but to understand WHY you need to strip away the mythology and think about the actual people

So genres were: A. categories of literature created by modern scholars. that the ancient authors were not aware of B. categories of literature that the ancient authors themselves were aware of

B. categories of literature that the ancient authors themselves were aware of

What was Pericles' main point about citizenship and good public behavior in his funeral oration? A. A man should only do what he thinks he is able to accomplish B. Men and women are political animals, they are all equal in the eyes of the state C. A man's death in service to the city makes him a hero and worthy of emulation D. A man is only as good as his word

C. A man's death in service to the city makes him a hero and worthy of emulation

An epic is: A. A poem involves superhuman people and creatures in the (semi-)mythic past B. The preservation of cultural knowledge C. All of the answers D. An elevated form of poetry that is sung

C. All of the answers

Which describes Archilochus' poem about his shield? A. Others cared deeply that he threw his shield away B. He didn't mind throwing his shield away C. All of the answers

C. All of the answers

The anxieties that Demeter feels in this story would also have been felt by: A. Ancient Greek in-laws who consider their son/s new wife to be like a new daughter in their household B. An Ancient Greek husband who is getting a wife and is ceremonially leading her back to his father's home C. An Ancient Greek mother whose daughter has just been married and must now leave the family

C. An Ancient Greek mother whose daughter has just been married and must now leave the family

Lyric poetry, as a genre, reflects whose worldview most closely? A. non-greeks B. Aristocratic women C. Aristocratic men

C. Aristocratic men

So why did Herodotus present this portion of the story in this way? A. Because he was making the whole thing up anyway, so he could do what he wanted B. We're not sure, it's a later addition to the story that was inserted sometime between the Roman period and the middle ages C. Because he was taking elements of the stories that he heard and tailoring them to suit his audience's cultural expectations

C. Because he was taking elements of the stories that he heard and tailoring them to suit his audience's cultural expectations

So wait, he's the king, why can't he just claim what's his? A. Because his wife, Penelope, has remarried and his son doesn't remember him, it's a personal problem B. Because the Greeks had different ideas of ownership, he has to fight for what's his, it's a legal issue C. Because he'd probably be killed before anyone would give him his stuff back, it's a practical concern

C. Because he'd probably be killed before anyone would give him his stuff back, it's a practical concern

What does Euripides's fragment about Melanippe show us about the lives of ancient Greeks? A. Greek women were often excluded from performing essential duties B. Greek men appreciated the contributions of women C. Greek women were often undervalued for performing essential duties D. Greek men were right to think their wives did not contribute much to society

C. Greek women were often undervalued for performing essential duties

What made Sappho's poetry different from that of other lyric poets? A. Her poems were written for a symposium audience B. Her poems were focused on masculine topics C. Her poems focused on people and emotions instead of on heroic themes D. Her poems were written earlier than others

C. Her poems focused on people and emotions instead of on heroic themes

What is the significance of the geography of Odysseus' travels? A. It helps explain why the Greeks should never levee home B. It helps the Greeks explain where masters come from C. It helps the Greeks explain the world at a time of colonization D. It helps explain places the Greeks should never go

C. It helps the Greeks explain the world at a time of colonization

Was Homer a real person? A. Yes B. No C. It's hard to say, maybe but id so he didn't "write" the epics as we hace them today

C. It's hard to say, maybe but id so he didn't "write" the epics as we hace them today

Why is philosophy written in dialogue form? A. It's the convention, but we don't really know why B. It's convenient way for the authors to consider different ideas and viewpoints C. It's whimsical and livens up what can otherwise be tedious ideas

C. It's whimsical and livens up what can otherwise be tedious ideas

To recap: women in ancient Greek society were allowed to have contact with who? [check all that apply] A. Male friends from other families B. Anyone they wanted C. Members of their immediate family D. Female friends

C. Members of their immediate family D. Female friends

If Ancient Greek society was a shame culture, does that mean that no one had any freedom of choice and that all actions should interpreted as fear-based? A. Yeah, life was pretty dismal back then B. No, asserting one's individual liberties and freedom of choice was widely accepted and celebrated as the readings demonstrate C. No, it's a little more complex than that, but individual liberty had its limits when going up against social expectations

C. No, it's a little more complex than that, but individual liberty had its limits when going up against social expectations

What best describes the Greek ideal of the relationship between gods and mortals during the Archaic and Classical periods (as in Hesiod)? A. Mortals are insects to be squashed for fun B. The gods are perfect in every way C. The gods need mortals, but they have their own motivations and don't always act in mortals' best interests

C. The gods need mortals, but they have their own motivations and don't always act in mortals' best interests

In the passage from Athenaeus' Deipnosophitai, to whom can Athens turn in its time of need? A. The divine Nemesis, goddess of vengeance B. The mortal Petronius the Brave C. The mortal Demetrius Poliorketes D. The divine fate

C. The mortal Demetrius Poliorketes

Why was Plutarch recording the sayings of the Spartans? A. To illustrate examples of good public behavior to a Roman audience B. To show the world how weird the Spartans were C. To show the world how much better the Athenians were D. To illustrate examples of good behavior to a Classical Greek audience

C. To show the world how much better the Athenians were

Imagine you are a member of an ancient Greek oikos, which of the following things would not be considered part of your oikos. A. Your pet cow, which gives you milk every morning B. Your prized collection of loom weights C. Your cousins, who live with their parents in a different house D. Your parents

C. Your cousins, who live with their parents in a different house

Why was Lucian a good example of a Roman period Greek? [check all that apply] A. He was born in a place that wasn't modern day Greece or Italy, just like most of the people in the empire B. He was illiterate, just like most people in the empire C. He traveled widely as a minor official in the empire and knew about places far from his home D. He spoke a language other than Greek or Latin as his mother tongue

A. He was born in a place that wasn't modern day Greece or Italy, just like most of the people in the empire C. He traveled widely as a minor official in the empire and knew about places far from his home D. He spoke a language other than Greek or Latin as his mother tongue

What does farming have to do with being a better person? A. Knowledge of agriculture is expected even of kings, there's virtue in it B. Nothing in particular, it's general common knowledge C. Press probably can't expect anything greater in life than being a poor farmer of a bad plot of land

A. Knowledge of agriculture is expected even of kings, there's virtue in it

Was Lucian a part of the Alexandrian School? A. No, he was influenced by it, but the "school" was much earlier B. Yes, that's why its in the lecture

A. No, he was influenced by it, but the "school" was much earlier

So the idea of song-as-pharmakon is central to this poem. What is a pharmakon again (it's the root of our word "pharmacy")? (there is more than one right answer) A. A cure B. A drug C. It's another word for "song" (Greek has lots of words for song) D. An instrument to accompany a song

A. A cure B. A drug

what does Arcadia represent? (check all that apply) Correct answer: A. A moralized realm of virtue through simple pastoral living B. A seat of high kingship and earthly authority C. An idealized place of escape from modern life D. An actual place in southern Greece with high mountains and idyllic valleys

A. A moralized realm of virtue through simple pastoral living C. An idealized place of escape from modern life D. An actual place in southern Greece with high mountains and idyllic valleys

Where did Lucian get his source material for his "dialogue" between Hermes and Pan? A. All of these sources B. From folk-tales and variant mythologies C. From Homer D. From pastoral Alexandrian poetry

A. All of these sources

Adrastus represents which of the following? [check all that apply] A. An exemplar of an unlucky man B. An ultimately unhappy man C. A man whose fate was beyond his control D. A tool of the gods' will that was used to fulfill someone else's fate

A. An exemplar of an unlucky man B. An ultimately unhappy man C. A man whose fate was beyond his control D. A tool of the gods' will that was used to fulfill someone else's fate

So to recap: the context of Lyric poetry, as a genre, is what? A. Aristocratic, all-male symposia/banquets B. Lower class all-male symposia/banquets C. Lower class, mixed gender symposia/banquets D. Aristocratic, mixed gender symposia/banquets

A. Aristocratic, all-male symposia/banquets

What's the custom, reflected in the story, that was fairly common in Ancient Greek society? A. Arranged marriages, even without the knowledge or consent of the women in the fancily B. marriages being formed by stealing a bride and then negotiation a brinde price after the fact C. Allowing children to find their own partners and form love-marriages

A. Arranged marriages, even without the knowledge or consent of the women in the fancily

How does Lucian portray his characters in the Judgment of the Goddesses? A. As stock characters in a comedy B. As revered mythological figures C. As virtuous divinities D. As evil conspirators

A. As stock characters in a comedy

In Herodotus, the character of Adrastus embodies what human quality? A. Bad luck B. good luck C. Happiness D. wealth

A. Bad luck

In babrius' fable about the ants, why does Hermes care what humans think id there just ants to the gods? A. Because humans are supposed to respect the gods, and the gods still demand respect B. The gods are fickle, sometimes they cause problems for fun just to see what people do C. Because Hermes has very delicate feeling and he didn't like the guy's tone D. Hermes was trying to teach the guy a moral lesson

A. Because humans are supposed to respect the gods, and the gods still demand respect

So on the surface of the storyline here, how do we know that Polyphemus is not going to end up getting the girl? A. Because, as a monster, he's literally made of awkward B. Do we know that? It could go either way at this point C. Because he doesn't know the social conventions of how to get her attention

A. Because, as a monster, he's literally made of awkward

According to Herodotus, why is the unfortunate kind of the Lydians to whom Solon tries to give advice? A. Croesus B. Peisistratus C. Atys D. Adrastus

A. Croesus

The Work and Days, with its themes of divine conflict and elevated language, is an example of which genre? A. Epic B. Theater C. Philosophy D. Lyric

A. Epic

What did Hesiod address his Works and Days to his brother? A. He wanted to provide moral lessons B. He was bitter because his brother thought h was a better poet C. He wanted to rationalize the unpredictable world D. He was bitter about losing contest in Chalkis

A. He wanted to provide moral lessons

Semonides' poem is a reflection of which aspects of Greek society? [check all that apply] A. Women's views of themselves in Greek society B. A general strain of misogyny in a symposium C. General anxieties about social order and gender roles

B. A general strain of misogyny in a symposium C. General anxieties about social order and gender roles

So the Greeks believed that id they made the proper sacrifices and prayers, then the gods would change their destiny and make good things happen for them? A. No, miracles weren't a part of this, the gods created the situation where humans could thrive , but humans had to do their part B. Kind of, the gods only showed their favor to people they liked, they left everyone else alone to do their own thing C. Basically, if a person was good the gods would reward them, if they were bad the gods would punish them, it's simple as that

A. No, miracles weren't a part of this, the gods created the situation where humans could thrive , but humans had to do their part

So does that mean that Bucolic poetry is moralizing poetry? A. Not really, the "morality" is there because it's a reflection of broader social ideals, the focus of the poems is on something else B. Definitely, it makes a moral point because it was written to convince people of that moral message C. No, Theocritus wasn't a philosopher and his poetry isn't really that moral

A. Not really, the "morality" is there because it's a reflection of broader social ideals, the focus of the poems is on something else

Why has about 90% (generally the overwhelming majority) of ancient literature been lost? [select all that are correct] A. Texts were written on natural material that were eaten by creatures over the millennia B. Personal choice played a role. some texts were copied more than others, which increased their chance of survival C. Some texts had more appeal for later Christian authors and so were more likely to be allegories in the new religious traditions D. Aliens, the answer is always aliens

A. Texts were written on natural material that were eaten by creatures over the millennia B. Personal choice played a role. some texts were copied more than others, which increased their chance of survival C. Some texts had more appeal for later Christian authors and so were more likely to be allegories in the new religious traditions

So "many" virtues, as ideals, in Athens were completely different from "manly" virtues in Sparta? A. That's what Pericles thought, but the truth is that in spite of the differences probably shared more virtues than the like to think about B. No, they were all Greeks and therefore shared the same ideological beliefs and outlooks on life C. Yep, the societies were completely different and placed value on contrasting morals and beliefs

A. That's what Pericles thought, but the truth is that in spite of the differences probably shared more virtues than the like to think about

According to Hesiod, what do the five ages of man demonstrate? A. The increasing distance between the gods and mortal life B. The rationalization of the epic past C. The increasing involvement of the gods in the lives of mortals D. A scientific appraisal of early history

A. The increasing distance between the gods and mortal life

According to Solon (in Herodotus), why are Tellus, Kleobis, and Biton considered "happy?" A. They led decent lives and died well after proving their worth to others B. They were generally pretty happy people C. They were wealthy people D. They led lives in service to their city

A. They led decent lives and died well after proving their worth to others

What is one reason that Semonides' bee-women were the only good kind of women in his poem? A. They mirrored the qualities of men in society while still knowing their place B. They stung men who crossed their wives C. They were quiet and rarely seen D. They were good at making things grow

A. They mirrored the qualities of men in society while still knowing their place

So a collective crisis of faith (although the Greeks might not have seen it that way) didn't cause people to turn away from the gods, it forced them to adapt to new realities, and their ideas about religion has to adapt too? A. True B. False

A. True

So by making an extraordinary sacrifice for the common good a person can be granted the honors normally reserved for a semi-divine hero? A. True B. False

A. True

The soap opera-ish style of this piece (and others like it) is influenced by contemporary comedic plays. A. True B. False

A. True

True or False (in terms of this particular philosophy): our lives are largely beyond our control, and so we can't define our enjoyment of life by the things we have, but by the way we deal with the fortunes and misfortunes that the gods give to mortals; a happy life and an enjoyable life are NOT the same thing. A. True B. False

A. True

True or False: Alexandrian literature requires the author/narrator to assert his or her authority by giving the reader obscure/arcane knowledge in the course of a poem. A. True B. False

A. True

Zeus only agrees to intervene when Demeter threatens to destroy all life on Earth, and not because he feels bad about what happened to his daughter? A. True B. False

A. True

according to Solon it's impossible to be considered happy while still alive. A. True B. False

A. True

What is the :judgement" that Lucian write about in the judgement of the goddesses? A. the judgement of Paris B. the judgement of Hermes C. The mytilene Affair D. The council of Sparta

A. the judgement of Paris

True or False: Theocritus had to write in a different style in part (at least) because older themes simply didn't mean the same things to his contemporary readers. A.True B. False

A.True

Lucian is drawing a contrast between the beautiful Apollo and the ugly Pan, but what does halos k'agathos ("good and Beautiful" as a moral concept) have to do with they story? A. It doesn't really, this was just a flimsy excuse for me to talk about the connection between being good and beautiful in ancient greek society B. Having an ugly monster in the family reflects badly on the whole family because of the moral implications of having such a child C. Apollo is more than a little stuck up, and just doesn't want to look at Pan

B. Having an ugly monster in the family reflects badly on the whole family because of the moral implications of having such a child

This is a recurring theme in the Odyssey: why does Odysseus decide to stay in a dangerous situation when he's supposed to be trying to get home? A. He thinks he needs to offer his host xenia B. He's over-confident in himself and his abilities C. He trusts his men to do the right thing

B. He's over-confident in himself and his abilities

There's a lot packed into that, so let's think about this for a minute. Acquiring a library wasn't just an academic pursuit, there was a reason the Ptolemies invested so much money in acquiring all those books. What might some consequences of these actions have been? (there is more than one right answer, check all that apply) A. It gave the Greeks in Alexandria a connection to the old Greek world by maintaining literary traditions B. It gave Alexandrian scholars and authors a huge leg up on research, allowing the Ptolemies to claim to be a capital of education and culture C. It's a power play, confiscating someone's stuff always makes a statement D. It gave Egyptians and other non-Greeks an opportunity to become familiar with Greek history and cultural traditions

B. It gave Alexandrian scholars and authors a huge leg up on research, allowing the Ptolemies to claim to be a capital of education and culture C. It's a power play, confiscating someone's stuff always makes a statement D. It gave Egyptians and other non-Greeks an opportunity to become familiar with Greek history and cultural traditions

So the bow contest is a trick, and Book 19 (the conversation that she and Odysseus had) was a setup to explain the trick to us, the audience. But how is it a trick? It seems risky. A. It's not really a trick, she's either given up hope or really does want to get married B. It relies on her understanding of the fact that the suitors haven't acted like proper men C. It relies on her knowledge that the bow is so strong that no one but Odysseus can string it

B. It relies on her understanding of the fact that the suitors haven't acted like proper men

Do you remember what an etiology is? A. It's a story about the gods B. It's an origin story C. It's a heroic myth

B. It's an origin story

So whose view(s) do we detect in Sappho's poetry? A. Sappho's clients only, her voice probably isn't there at all B. It's complicated, probably a mix of hers, her clients, and general social expectations C. Sappho's only, poetry is always a personal artistic expression

B. It's complicated, probably a mix of hers, her clients, and general social expectations

So is Penelope in charge of the oikos? (think about this, it's more complicated than it sounds at first) A. Yes, she's the one who's there so she's in charge B. Kind of, it's complicated, she's the one in charge, but only because no one else is around who can lay claim C. No, she's a woman and Greek women couldn't run oikoi (the plural of oikos)

B. Kind of, it's complicated, she's the one in charge, but only because no one else is around who can lay claim

What did Amazons represent? A. They show what proper social order should look like through positive examples B. Like Polyphemus the cyclops, they show proper social order through inverting it C. They show what society could look like if women were only given a chance

B. Like Polyphemus the cyclops, they show proper social order through inverting it

Why does the Odyssey have such a long afterlife? A. Everyone always wants to see the villain get what they deserve and everyone wants to know what else happens to the villain Polyphemus B. Making the poster into a sympathetic character turns him into an underdog, and everyone likes an underdog

B. Making the poster into a sympathetic character turns him into an underdog, and everyone likes an underdog

Herodotus is the "Father of Lies," right? A. Well... yeah, it's kind of hard to avoid that interpretation B. No, he's working with folk tales that were already a couple hundred years old by the time he was writing, and he used the story to make a larger point

B. No, he's working with folk tales that were already a couple hundred years old by the time he was writing, and he used the story to make a larger point

Why is it a problem that most of our sources come from one city? Sources are sources, right? A. Kind of, we still have an idea of the diversity of ancient life, it's just lopsided B. No, it limits our understanding of the ancient experience to a single city's narrative C. Right, it's not actually a problem

B. No, it limits our understanding of the ancient experience to a single city's narrative

Ultimately, Lucian is a comedian who's writing these texts to make us laugh, and if we think a little along way that's great too, right? A. Yeah, pretty much, he was a comic and sometimes it's best not to read into everything, comics aren't always sages B. No, it might be funnier if it's not read into, but Lucian was a philosopher and teacher, understanding that means he probably intended for them to be read into

B. No, it might be funnier if it's not read into, but Lucian was a philosopher and teacher, understanding that means he probably intended for them to be read into

So Herodotus, and ancient historians in general, didn't care about facts, they just wrote whatever they wanted? A. Yes, there's a reason Herodotus was also called "father of lies" B. No, that's too simplistic of an answer, they just had other reasons for turning to history for moral examples C. Kind of, it's just that there wasn't any way to know what did or didn't happen back then

B. No, that's too simplistic of an answer, they just had other reasons for turning to history for moral examples

If the Hymn to Demeter can be read as an allegory for the Eleusinian Mysteries, dies that invalidate the other interpretations we just talked about? A. Basically, this is the most important meaning so it's the only one that matters B. No, there can always be multiple meanings and interpretations of any text

B. No, there can always be multiple meanings and interpretations of any text

Approximately how much of all Ancient Greek and Roman Literature has been lost and is no longer preserved? A. 75% B. 20% C. 50% D. 90%

D. 90%

What was an oikos in ancient Greek society? A. A household in a very narrow sense B. A family C. A house D. A household in a very general sense

D. A household in a very general sense

Why was Xenia important? A. It was a divine obligation B. It helped maintain social ties with distant communities C. It was way of structuring and understanding the world D. All of these answers

D. All of these answers

What does agriculture represent in book 9 of the Odyssey? A. Barbarism B. Poverty C. The simple life D. Civilization

D. Civilization

What is the simplest definition of greek literature? A. Literate that has to do with the Greek culture B. Literature of any language written in the country of Greece C. Literature that mentions Greek people D. Literature written in the Greek Language

D. Literature written in the Greek Language

The bow contest in the Odyssey best demonstrates what? A. That Telemachus was ready to be the man of the house B. That Penelope had finally given up all hope C. That Odysseus set a clever trap D. That Penelope cleverly designed a test she knew the suitors would fail

D. That Penelope cleverly designed a test she knew the suitors would fail

How were texts copied in the ancient world, in an age before machine printing? A. They were copied using a primitive of printing press B. They weren't copied, that's why we don't have many C. People had better memories back then and could memorize a text and then write it out later D. They were copied by hand, word for word, errors and all

D. They were copied by hand, word for word, errors and all

What is the Homeric Hymn to Demeter's primary purpose? A. To sing the praises of Persephone B. To sing the praises of Demeter C. To warn Greek women about marriage D. To explain the origins of the Mystery Cult of Demeter at Eleusis

D. To explain the origins of the Mystery Cult of Demeter at Eleusis

In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, why does Hades kidnap Persephone? A. Persephone wanted to be queen of the underworld B. Demeter wanted her daughter to get married C. It wasn't planned, Hades acted impulsively D. Zeus have his permission

D. Zeus have his permission