The Odyssey Scavenger Hunt
Directions: Visit the following sites to gather the information needed for this
scavenger hunt. Have fun and good luck!
Site #1: www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/science/medicine/index.htm
It is believed that Homer (the author of The Odyssey) was blind. Visit this site to
find out about life in Ancient Greece and a little about medicine during his time.
Collect the following information:
1. What four substances were people thought to be made up of during this time? ______
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Explain what two methods were used to take care of a patient who supposedly had too
much blood. __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Check out the clothing of the time by scrolling down and clicking on the “Main
Greeks page” link. This will take you to the menu where the clothing page can be
accessed.
3. What did children wear? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. What did men wear? ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. What did women wear? _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Explore the food of the time by scrolling down and clicking on the “Greek food”
link.
6. How did the ancient Greeks feel about meat? ________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Site #2: www.pantheon.org/articles/a/athena.html
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Since Athena was Odysseus’ patron Goddess (special guardian), visit this site and
read the background information on Athena to find out a little more about her.
7. What was her gift to the city? _____________________________________________
Site #3: http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/homer.htm
Let’s find out a little bit about Homer’s life. There are several theories regarding
Homer’s existence. Visit this site and read about the history of Homer to gather
information about who he was.
8. What is “The Homeric Question”? (slide 3) _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
9. Where did Homer live? (slide 5) __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Site #4: www.in2greece.com/english/places/summer/islands/ithaca.htm
Since Odysseus is the King of Ithaca, take a look at his homeland and answer the
following questions:
10. How did the island get its name? __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
11. What happened to the island in 1953? ______________________________________
Site #5: www.mythweb.com/odyssey/
And now for a few questions about our epic…
Click on the “short version” link and read through the 24 books (it won’t take long;
they’re very short), and then answer the questions that follow.
12. Background: Who is the story told (sung) by? _______________________________
What war is being fought at the beginning of this epic? _____________
13. Book 1:
On whose island has Odysseus been marooned? ___________________
14. Book 2:
What is the name of Odysseus’ wife? ___________________________
What is the name of Odysseus’ son? ____________________________
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15. Book 5:
Who is Zeus? _____________________________________________
What happens to Odysseus after Calypso lets him go? _____________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
16. Book 9:
How does Odysseus destroy the Cyclops? _______________________
_________________________________________________________
17. Book 10:
What happened when Odysseus’ men opened up the leather bag they
thought was full of booty (stolen goods)? _______________________
_________________________________________________________
18. Book 11:
Who is Tiresias? ___________________________________________
19. Book 12:
What is the name of the women “whose sweet singing lures sailors to
their doom”? ______________________________________________
20. Book 16:
How long was Odysseus away from home? ______________________
21. Book 19:
How does Odysseus’ maid recognize him? ______________________
22. Book 21:
What must the suitors do to win Penelope’s hand in marriage? _______
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
23. Book 24:
What stops the fighting at the end? _____________________________
_________________________________________________________
Site #6: http://rhapsodes.homestead.com/quiz.html
Now for some fun.  Visit this site and take the quiz. In the space provided, write
your answers to the nine questions. Then write the results of your quiz and answer
the questions that follow.
1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____ 7. _____ 8. _____ 9. _____
Result: Which character from the Odyssey are you most like? _____________________
Do you agree with the results? Why or why not? ________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Now, to truly challenge your search skills, find related search engines and websites
to answer the following questions. Jot down the sites used to answer questions 24-26
in the spaces provided below.
Site #7: _________________________________________________________________
Site #8: _________________________________________________________________
Site #9: _________________________________________________________________
24. Look for the map of Odysseus’ journey and draw a rough sketch of this map below,
labeling his stops in numerical order. Make sure each stop is identified. (Hint: There
should eight stops).
25. List three positive qualities of Odysseus:
 ___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________
26. List two of Odysseus’ weaknesses:
 ___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________
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