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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Religion & Mythology

How Well Do You Know the Erinyes? Take the Quiz Now!

Think you can ace this Greek mythology quiz? Dive into Erinyes trivia today!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of Erinyes quiz card featuring Greek Furies and underworld lore icons on golden yellow background

Embark on a thrilling descent into Hades with our free Erinyes quiz - designed to challenge your mastery of the Greek Furies, test your Erinyes trivia skills, and deepen your understanding of underworld justice. Whether you're a mythology buff seeking a Greek underworld quiz or a curious newcomer exploring a mythological creatures quiz, you'll test your recall of the Furies' punishments, symbols, and legendary stories. You'll even get to remember Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone by name and grasp their role in ancient tales of vengeance. Conquer the Erinyes, then expand your quest with our greek mythology quiz and confront ancient horrors in the daring Gorgon quiz . Ready to prove your prowess? Click to begin your epic mythic test and claim victory!

Who are the Erinyes in Greek mythology?
Muses of art
Personifications of vengeance
Nymphs of the sea
Goddesses of wisdom
The Erinyes, also known as the Furies, are chthonic deities representing vengeance and retribution. They pursue wrongdoers, especially those who commit familial crimes. Their relentless pursuit was central to many Greek myths and tragedies. Wikipedia: Erinyes
How many principal Erinyes are commonly named in Greek myth?
Two
Three
Five
Four
Classical sources typically name three Erinyes: Alecto (unceasing anger), Megaera (jealousy), and Tisiphone (avenging murder). These three embody the major aspects of vengeance. They appear together in many literary and artistic representations. Theoi: Erinyes
In which realm of the cosmos do the Erinyes reside?
Mount Olympus
The Underworld
The Sky
The Sea
The Erinyes are chthonic deities dwelling in the Underworld and its entrances. They emerge to punish moral crimes on earth but return to the nether realm afterward. This underworld association underscores their connection to death and cosmic order. Britannica: Furies
According to Hesiod, from whose blood did the Erinyes originate?
Poseidon
Cronus
Uranus
Zeus
Hesiod describes the Erinyes as springing from the blood of Uranus when he was castrated by Cronus. The drops that fell on Gaia produced the Furies. This violent origin highlights their nature as primordial enforcers of moral order. Wikipedia: Erinyes Origins
What type of crime do the Erinyes especially pursue?
Arson
Murder within the family
Forgery
Robbery
The Erinyes are most concerned with crimes of blood, especially kin-slaying or familial murder. Their role is to avenge such transgressions and restore cosmic justice. Other crimes might be punished by different deities or mortals. Theoi: Erinyes Punishments
Which goddess intercedes to temper the Erinyes' pursuit of Orestes in Aeschylus' Eumenides?
Hera
Artemis
Athena
Aphrodite
In Aeschylus' trilogy, Athena intervenes to establish a court of law and calm the Erinyes, transforming them into the 'Eumenides.' Her appearance marks the shift from personal vengeance to civic justice. It underscores her role as a goddess of wise counsel. Wikipedia: Eumenides
What does the Homeric epithet 'Eumenides' literally mean when applied to the Furies?
The Dark Ones
The Terrible Ones
The Watchful Ones
The Kindly Ones
The term 'Eumenides' is a euphemistic title meaning 'The Kindly Ones,' meant to appease these fearsome deities. It reflects ancient practice of using positive names to avoid their wrath. Aeschylus uses it in the title of his final play. Britannica: Eumenides
Which Roman poet describes the Erinyes pursuing sinners as part of the underworld guard in his epic?
Propertius
Virgil
Ovid
Horace
In the Aeneid, Virgil depicts the Erinyes as fearsome punishers guarding the Underworld. They reinforce the moral order by tormenting souls guilty of heinous crimes. This Roman version blends Greek tradition with Augustan ideology. Wikipedia: Aeneid Book VI
Which of the following roles is not traditionally among the Erinyes' duties?
Avenging murder
Blessing new marriages
Chasing fugitives
Punishing perjury
The Erinyes punish serious moral crimes like murder and perjury, and chase those who flee justice. They are not invoked as benevolent deities for matrimonial blessings. That role belongs to other gods such as Hera or Aphrodite. Britannica: Furies Duties
In Aeschylus' Eumenides, what legal innovation does Athena introduce to resolve Orestes' case?
A jury trial
Divine lottery
Oracular decision
Trial by combat
Athena establishes the Areopagus court and a jury of Athenian citizens to hear Orestes' case, replacing divine vengeance with human adjudication. This marks the birth of civic legal systems. The Erinyes agree to accept the court's verdict. Theoi: Eumenides Text
Which visual attribute is commonly used in ancient art to identify an Erinys?
Sun disk crown
Snakes entwined in hair
Trident in hand
Wings of a swan
Ancient vase paintings and reliefs often show the Erinyes with serpents in their hair, symbolizing their chthonic and terrifying nature. They may also hold torches or scourges. These features distinguish them from Olympian deities. Britannica: Furies Iconography
What is the literal meaning of the Greek verb erinneo, from which 'Erinyes' is derived?
To consume
To hide
To wander
To cry out for vengeance
The root erinneo literally means 'to cry out' or 'to call forth vengeance.' Hence the Erinyes are 'the avengers.' Their very name emphasizes their function as divine agents of retribution. Perseus: erinneo
In Ovid's Metamorphoses, which transformation involves the pursuit by Erinyes-like figures?
Apollo and Daphne
Pyramus and Thisbe
Narcissus
Alcyone and Ceyx
In Book XI of Ovid's Metamorphoses, after Ceyx's death, Alcyone dreams of his body being retrieved by Morpheus while Furies-like figures loom. Although not named explicitly, their presence echoes the Erinyes' pursuit of those wronged. Wikipedia: Metamorphoses XI
At which Athenian site was Orestes' trial held before the Erinyes in Aeschylus' play?
The Kerameikos
The Acropolis
The Pnyx
The Areopagus
Aeschylus situates Orestes' trial on the Areopagus, the hill in Athens where an actual council of elders met. This links myth with Athenian legal institutions. The Erinyes accept the verdict there and are honored afterwards. Britannica: Areopagus
Which ancient playwright wrote a lost tragedy titled after one of the Erinyes?
Agathon
Sophocles
Euripides
Pratinas
Euripides authored a now-lost play called Tisiphone, named for the Fury who avenged murder. Although only fragments remain, ancient commentators reference its themes of familial bloodshed. This attests to the Furies' continued dramatic appeal. Wikipedia: Euripides Lost Works
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the Origin and Functions of Erinyes -

    Gain insight into the mythological background and primary roles of the Furies as enforcers of justice in ancient Greek lore.

  2. Identify Key Mythological Instances -

    Recognize notable appearances of the Erinyes in Greek myths and literature featured in this Greek mythology quiz.

  3. Analyze Symbolism and Cultural Significance -

    Explore the symbolic meanings behind the Erinyes' representations and their impact on ancient religious and societal norms.

  4. Recall Specific Erinyes Trivia -

    Test your memory with focused Erinyes quiz questions covering names, attributes, and lesser-known facts about the Furies.

  5. Distinguish Erinyes from Other Mythological Creatures -

    Compare the Furies to other beings in a mythological creatures quiz to clarify their unique characteristics.

  6. Apply Knowledge in Broader Underworld Context -

    Use your understanding in a wider Greek underworld quiz setting, connecting Erinyes lore to Hades, gods, and other chthonic figures.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins and Names -

    The Erinyes, also known as the Furies, first appear in Hesiod's Theogony as daughters of Gaia tasked with vengeance. Their names - Alecto ("unceasing"), Megaera ("grudging"), and Tisiphone ("avenging murder") - spell out the mnemonic "A.M.T." to help you recall them during an Erinyes quiz. Classic academic sources like the Perseus Digital Library confirm these attributions.

  2. Roles and Responsibilities -

    In Aeschylus's Oresteia, the Erinyes pursue Orestes for matricide, embodying punishment for crimes against family and state. They traditionally prosecute parricide, adultery, and perjury - remember "PAP" to master this aspect in any Greek mythology quiz. Scholarly commentaries from Oxford University Press detail how these charges kept cosmic order in the ancient world.

  3. Iconography and Symbols -

    Classic vase paintings and sculptures, cataloged by the British Museum, depict the Erinyes with snakes for hair, bloodshot eyes, and wielding torches or whips. These visual cues are prime targets in Erinyes trivia and Greek underworld quiz questions. A quick memory hack: visualize "snakes & torches" to instantly recognize them in art.

  4. Literary and Artistic Influence -

    Beyond Greek drama, the Erinyes appear in Ovid's Fasti and influence Dante's Inferno, illustrating how their role evolved across cultures. In any mythological creatures quiz, noting their transformation from feared avengers to "Eumenides" ("the kindly ones") in Athenian democracy scores big points. University of Cambridge research highlights this shift in civic symbolism.

  5. Underworld Hierarchy -

    Though often conflated with Hades' judges, the Erinyes operated independently as divine prosecutors of moral law. They sit below Hades but above mortal courts - key for mastering Greek underworld quiz questions. Use the simple formula "H > E > M" (Hades > Erinyes > Mortals) to map their rank quickly.

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