Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

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Greek and Roman religion: quiz worksheet

A printable worksheet for the classroom: 8 multiple-choice questions on Greek and Roman religion, with an answer key and explanations on the last page.

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Circle the letter of the best answer.

  1. Who led the Twelve Olympians?

    1. A Hermes, called Mercury
    2. B Zeus, called Jupiter by the Romans
    3. C Poseidon, called Neptune
    4. D Apollo

  2. When, by tradition, were the first Olympic games held in honour of Zeus?

    1. A 447 BCE
    2. B 776 BCE
    3. C 1200 BCE
    4. D 509 BCE

  3. Which god spoke through the oracle at Delphi?

    1. A Hermes
    2. B Athena
    3. C Apollo
    4. D Zeus

  4. For which goddess did the Athenians build the Parthenon?

    1. A Aphrodite
    2. B Artemis
    3. C Hera
    4. D Athena

  5. What did Greek and Roman religion stress above all?

    1. A Right practice: sacrifice, prayer and festivals
    2. B A separate priestly church
    3. C A single holy book
    4. D A fixed creed

  6. Which Roman god has no Greek counterpart?

    1. A Janus
    2. B Mars
    3. C Minerva
    4. D Neptune

  7. When did Theodosius I ban pagan sacrifice and close the temples?

    1. A 476
    2. B 529
    3. C 391–392
    4. D 313

  8. Whom did the Eleusinian Mysteries honour?

    1. A Isis and Osiris
    2. B Apollo and Artemis
    3. C Dionysus and Ariadne
    4. D Demeter and Persephone

Answer key

  1. B · Zeus, called Jupiter by the Romans. Zeus was king of the gods and lord of the sky; the thunderbolt was his weapon.
  2. B · 776 BCE. 509 BCE is the traditional dedication of Jupiter’s temple in Rome; 447 BCE the start of the Parthenon.
  3. C · Apollo. The oracle of Apollo advised cities and kings; the laurel was sacred to him.
  4. D · Athena. It was built in 447–432 BCE; the procession of her Panathenaia is carved on its frieze.
  5. A · Right practice: sacrifice, prayer and festivals. Priests were usually citizens holding office, and there was no creed or scripture.
  6. A · Janus. Mars was identified with Ares, Minerva with Athena and Neptune with Poseidon.
  7. C · 391–392. In 313 toleration was proclaimed; in 529 Justinian barred pagans from teaching.
  8. D · Demeter and Persephone. Initiation at Eleusis promised a happier fate after death.

From Codex of Faiths, codexoffaiths.com. You may print and copy this worksheet for teaching.