Ready to unravel the myth of Arachne? Our free Greek myth of Arachne quiz invites mythology lovers to delve into Arachne story trivia and tackle intriguing Myth of Arachne questions. You'll test your memory, spark fresh insights, and prove your mastery in this Arachne mythology test. Perfect for students, educators, and curious explorers alike, this quiz turns learning into an engaging adventure. If you can't resist a classic mythology trivia challenge or you're always on the hunt for a fun greek mythology quiz , this friendly test is your ideal next adventure. Let your curiosity run wild - take the quiz now and weave the truth!
From which ancient Greek city did Arachne originate?
Athens
Colophon
Sparta
Delphi
In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Arachne is introduced as a talented weaver from the city of Colophon in Lydia. Colophon was renowned in antiquity for its skilled textile production. The myth uses her origins to highlight the contrast between her mortal roots and Athena’s divine status. For more details see Wikipedia: Arachne.
What craft was Arachne renowned for?
Sculpture
Painting
Weaving
Pottery
Arachne was famed throughout ancient lore for her exceptional weaving skills. Her talents became so renowned that she dared to claim superiority over the goddess Athena. The craft of weaving is central to her story and ultimate punishment. See more at Wikipedia: Arachne.
Which goddess did Arachne challenge to a weaving contest?
Hera
Aphrodite
Athena
Demeter
Arachne’s hubristic claim drew the attention of Athena, goddess of wisdom and crafts, who accepted the weaving challenge. Athena is depicted as both mentor and judge in the contest. Her divine status underscores the severity of Arachne’s pride. Learn more at Wikipedia: Athena.
What did Arachne claim about her own weaving ability?
That it was best taught by Athena
That no mortal could ever match her skill
That she would cease weaving if defeated
That her loom was divine
Arachne boldly proclaimed that her weaving surpassed that of any mortal or even the gods themselves. This act of hubris directly challenged Athena and set the stage for the contest. The myth warns against the dangers of excessive pride. For more context see Wikipedia: Arachne.
What did Athena weave on her tapestry to demonstrate her divine power?
The birth of Zeus
The contest between Athena and Poseidon for Athens
The founding of Rome
The creation of Pandora
Athena’s tapestry depicted the famous contest between herself and Poseidon to determine the patron deity of Athens. This display of divine narrative contrasted sharply with Arachne’s mortal perspective. It underscored the power and legitimacy of the gods. See Wikipedia: Athena for details.
What theme did Arachne depict in her tapestry that enraged Athena?
The labors of Hercules
The wedding of Peleus and Thetis
The affairs and transgressions of the gods
The Trojan War
Arachne’s tapestry illustrated the numerous adulteries and misdeeds of the Olympian gods, mocking their behavior. Athena viewed this as a direct insult to the divine order and her own honor. The portrayal inflamed the contest to tragic proportions. More at Wikipedia: Arachne.
In which literary work is the myth of Arachne primarily found?
Homer's Iliad
Ovid’s Metamorphoses
Hesiod’s Theogony
Virgil’s Aeneid
The tale of Arachne is best known from Book VI of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a Latin epic poem of mythological transformations. Ovid’s narrative gives rich detail to her challenge and punishment. It remains the principal ancient source for her story. Read more at Wikipedia: Metamorphoses.
Into what creature was Arachne transformed by Athena?
A bee
A swallow
A spider
A butterfly
As punishment for her hubris, Athena turned Arachne into a spider so that she and her descendants would weave forever. This transformation explains the origin of spiders in mythological terms. It provides an etiological element to the tale. See Wikipedia: Arachne for further reading.
Why did Athena disguise herself as an old woman before confronting Arachne?
To steal Arachne’s tapestry
To test Arachne’s humility and warn her
To teach Arachne new weaving techniques
To hide from Hera
Ovid describes Athena taking the form of an elderly woman to advise Arachne to moderate her pride. This act offered Arachne a chance to repent before divine punishment. It underscores the moral dimension of the myth. More details at Wikipedia: Arachne.
Which of the following was NOT depicted on Arachne’s tapestry?
Zeus and Europa
The contest of Athena and Poseidon
Zeus and Danaë
Zeus and Leda
Arachne’s work focused on the gods’ romantic exploits rather than their civic achievements. The contest between Athena and Poseidon was featured on Athena’s tapestry, not Arachne’s. This contrast fueled Athena’s anger. See Wikipedia: Arachne.
What English word derives directly from Arachne’s name?
Archon
Arachnid
Architect
Archive
The scientific class name "Arachnida," which includes spiders and scorpions, derives from the Greek name Arachne. This term reflects her mythological transformation and lasting legacy. Many English words related to spiders stem from this root. Read more at Wikipedia: Arachnid.
What moral lesson is commonly drawn from the myth of Arachne?
Pride can lead to downfall
True skill needs no practice
Honesty is always rewarded
Love conquers all
Arachne’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris—excessive pride before the gods. Her downfall illustrates how overestimating one’s abilities can provoke severe consequences. This moral resonates throughout Greek mythology. More at Wikipedia: Arachne.
Which animal appears as a symbol of Athena and is featured in her tapestry?
Lion
Owl
Dolphin
Bull
The owl is a well-known symbol of Athena, representing wisdom. It often accompanies her in art and literature. Athena’s tapestry showcased this emblem to emphasize her divine authority. For further information see Wikipedia: Athena.
According to Ovid, what did Arachne do immediately after losing the contest?
She apologized to Athena
She hanged herself in despair
She destroyed her tapestry
She fled to Delphi
Ovid narrates that Arachne, overcome with shame after her defeat, hanged herself. Athena then took pity and restored her to life as a spider. This sequence adds depth to the theme of transformation. See Wikipedia: Arachne.
The myth of Arachne is primarily an example of which type of Greek myth?
Cosmogony
Etiological myth explaining origins
Eschatological myth
Heroic epic
Arachne’s tale explains the origin of spiders and weavers’ craft in mythological terms. Myths providing such origin stories are classified as etiological. It merges moral lessons with an explanation of natural phenomena. For more see Wikipedia: Etiological myth.
In what language was the original text of Metamorphoses written?
Latin
Greek
Etruscan
Egyptian
Ovid composed Metamorphoses in Latin during the reign of Augustus. This work remains one of the most influential Latin poetic texts. Its language and meter helped preserve many ancient myths. Learn more at Wikipedia: Metamorphoses.
In which ancient region was the city of Colophon, where Arachne lived, located?
Attica
Crete
Lydia
Peloponnese
Colophon was an Ionian city in the ancient region of Lydia, in what is now western Turkey. It was famous for its artisans, especially weavers. Its location underscores the myth’s cultural context. See Wikipedia: Colophon.
In Greek mythology, what term describes the excessive pride exhibited by Arachne?
Hubris
Pathos
Hekatomba
Nemesis
The Greek term for dangerous arrogance against the gods is 'hubris'. Arachne’s confrontation with Athena is a classic example of hubris in myth. Such pride inevitably invites nemesis, or divine retribution. More at Wikipedia: Hubris.
What is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Athena?
Venus
Minerva
Juno
Diana
In Roman mythology, Athena’s counterpart is Minerva, goddess of wisdom and crafts. The Romans adopted much of the Greek pantheon and equated Athena with Minerva. Both share attributes like strategic warfare and weaving. See Wikipedia: Minerva.
In which book of Ovid's Metamorphoses does Arachne's story appear?
Book III
Book VI
Book IX
Book XII
The weaving contest between Athena and Arachne is narrated in Book VI of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. This passage is one of the most celebrated tales of transformation in the epic. It emphasizes both artistry and divine justice. Reference: Wikipedia: Metamorphoses.
Besides Ovid, which ancient writer also recounted the tale of Arachne in his works?
Pausanias
Hyginus
Pliny the Elder
Homer
The myth of Arachne also appears in Hyginus’s Fabulae, a compendium of Greek and Roman myths. His version briefly recounts her pride, the contest, and her transformation. Hyginus is a key secondary source for many classical myths. More at Wikipedia: Hyginus.
The biological class name 'Arachnida', which includes spiders and scorpions, is derived from which mythological figure?
Athena
Arachne
Aristaeus
Argus
The taxonomic class 'Arachnida' is named after Arachne, reflecting her transformation into a spider. Linnaean taxonomy often draws on classical sources for nomenclature. This name perpetuates her mythological legacy in science. See Wikipedia: Arachnida.
Which Spanish Baroque painter created the painting 'Las Hilanderas', inspired by the myth of Arachne?
Francisco Goya
El Greco
Diego Velázquez
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Diego Velázquez painted 'Las Hilanderas' (The Spinners) around 1657, drawing on Arachne’s myth. The work subtly contrasts divine and mortal artistry. It remains one of Velázquez’s most studied masterpieces. More at Wikipedia: Las Hilanderas.
The myth of Arachne is best categorized as what type of mythological narrative?
Metamorphosis myth
Cosmogony
Theogony
Prophecy myth
Arachne’s tale is a classic metamorphosis myth, detailing her transformation from human to spider. Ovid’s Metamorphoses specializes in such transformation stories. The narrative focuses on change as both punishment and revelation. For more see Wikipedia: Metamorphosis in literature.
What narrative purpose does Athena's disguise as an old woman serve in Ovid's account of Arachne?
To punish Arachne immediately
To test her humility and offer a chance to repent
To hide her identity from the gods
To learn mortal weaving techniques
Ovid uses Athena’s old?woman disguise to warn Arachne and test her willingness to admit fault. This device highlights the theme of mercy versus vengeance within divine justice. It also emphasizes Arachne’s choice to cling to pride rather than seek forgiveness. For analysis see Wikipedia: Arachne.
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Study Outcomes
Understand the myth of Arachne's narrative -
Grasp the core storyline of the mortal weaver's challenge to Athena and her ultimate transformation in this legendary Greek myth.
Analyze themes of hubris and craftsmanship -
Examine how Arachne's pride and skill intertwine to drive the plot and highlight cultural values in ancient Greek society.
Recall key details for the Greek myth of Arachne quiz -
Memorize major characters, plot points, and symbolic elements to excel in our Arachne story trivia and Myth of Arachne questions.
Identify symbolic imagery in Arachne's tapestry -
Spot the hidden messages and artistic symbols woven into her work that reflect both mortal ingenuity and divine power.
Evaluate moral lessons and cultural impact -
Reflect on the enduring messages about pride, artistry, and the relationship between humans and gods in Arachne's tale.
Cheat Sheet
Canonical Source: Ovid's Metamorphoses -
The myth of Arachne is primarily preserved in Ovid's Metamorphoses (Book VI), offering the most detailed ancient account of her story. Scholars reference the Oxford Classical Dictionary and the University of Chicago Press edition for authoritative commentary and context.
The Weaving Contest & Hubris -
Arachne's challenge to Athena illustrates the theme of hubris in Greek myth, showing how mortals risk divine wrath by overstepping boundaries. Use the mnemonic "ARTS" (Arachne, Rivalry, Tapestry, Supremacy) to recall the sequence of events in the contest. Academic analyses from Cambridge's Centre for Hellenic Studies highlight how this rivalry underscores moral caution.
Symbolism in Arachne's Tapestry -
Arachne's tapestry depicted the gods' misdeeds in intricate detail, symbolizing the power of art to critique authority. Art historians at the Getty Research Institute note her weaving technique mirrors real ancient textile practices, making her work a teaching tool for classical craftsmanship. Remember "weave truth, dodge wrath" to link artistic honesty with caution.
Metamorphosis & Transformation Theme -
Transformation is central: Athena punishes Arachne by turning her into a spider, embodying the metamorphosis motif found throughout Ovid's work. This change underscores both divine justice and creative immortality, as Arachne's skill lives on in every spider's web. University of Michigan's Classics Department emphasizes how this duality reflects enduring human concerns.
Enduring Legacy & Taxonomic Tribute -
Arachne's story inspired not only art and literature but also biological nomenclature - several spider genera bear her name in tribute to her weaving prowess. Modern quizzes like ours on the Greek myth of Arachne quiz draw on these layers of cultural impact, making her tale a staple in classical studies and pop culture alike.
