Q 01/05

Which novel, begun as a ghost-story dare at Lake Geneva, is subtitled The Modern Prometheus?

A) Dracula

B) Frankenstein

C) Carmilla

D) Jekyll and Hyde

Answer · why

B) Frankenstein

Frankenstein casts its scientist as a new fire-thief: he seizes the secret of life and pays dearly for it. Mary Shelley was 18 when she began the stor...

Q 02/05

Which organ of the chained Prometheus grew back every night, only to be torn out again each day?

A) Liver

B) Heart

C) Lungs

D) Stomach

Answer · why

A) Liver

Liver tissue really can regrow: it is the only internal organ able to regenerate. The ancient Greeks also thought of it as the seat of human emotions.

Q 03/05

Which bird, a symbol of Zeus, came every day to feed on Prometheus as he hung in chains?

A) Vulture

B) Raven

C) Eagle

D) Hawk

Answer · why

C) Eagle

The eagle was the emblem of Zeus himself. Greek vase painters showed the scene, often with an archer taking aim at the bird.

Q 04/05

Which hero, a son of Zeus, shot the bird tormenting Prometheus and set the prisoner free?

A) Perseus

B) Theseus

C) Achilles

D) Heracles

Answer · why

D) Heracles

Heracles had his father's permission for the rescue. Known to the Romans as Hercules, he came upon the prisoner while travelling on one of his twelve ...

Q 05/05

Which first mortal woman did Zeus send among humans as payback for Prometheus's theft of fire?

A) Helen

B) Pandora

C) Psyche

D) Eurydice

Answer · why

B) Pandora

Pandora arrived carrying a sealed jar of miseries. Centuries later a translation slip, usually pinned on the scholar Erasmus, turned that jar into the...