Q 01/05

In Greek and Roman lore, griffins were famous for fiercely guarding deposits of which metal in Central Asia?

A) Silver

B) Gold

C) Copper

D) Tin

Answer · why

B) Gold

Gold in the far mountains was said to be watched by griffins, which chased down any thief who came near. The tale turned the griffin into a lasting em...

Q 02/05

Which winged creature of legend, born of a mare, do knights ride in the poem Orlando Furioso?

A) Pegasus

B) Thunderbird

C) Manticore

D) Hippogriff

Answer · why

D) Hippogriff

The Hippogriff has a griffin for a father, and it first took flight in the Italian poet Ariosto's early 1500s epic. Harry Potter readers know one by t...

Q 03/05

Often mistaken for griffins, the statues that guard the City of London's boundaries are actually which creatures?

A) Phoenixes

B) Sphinxes

C) Dragons

D) Basilisks

Answer · why

C) Dragons

Dragons hold up the shield in the City of London's coat of arms, so cast-iron ones stand at its edges. Their bat-like wings give them away, because a ...

Q 04/05

Medieval treasuries proudly displayed 'griffin eggs' that were often really the eggs of which bird?

A) Swan

B) Peacock

C) Pelican

D) Ostrich

Answer · why

D) Ostrich

Ostrich eggs were rare and exotic enough in medieval Europe to pass as relics of a mythical beast. In a few cases the prized 'egg' turned out to be a ...

Q 05/05

In the Harry Potter series, which Hogwarts wizard has a knocker shaped like a griffin on his door?

A) Albus Dumbledore

B) Severus Snape

C) Rubeus Hagrid

D) Gilderoy Lockhart

Answer · why

A) Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore's knocker is not the saga's only nod to the creature. The surname of the Hogwarts founder Godric Gryffindor plays on the French phras...