Mesopotamia
What two rivers were crucial to the development of Mesopotamian civilization?
The Tigris and Euphrates
What river was essential to the development of ancient Egyptian civilization?
The Nile River
What is the name of the religious text that forms the foundation of Judaism?
The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible)
What type of political system was established in Athens, allowing citizens to participate directly in decision-making?
Democracy
What was the main governing body of the Roman Republic?
The Senate
What is the name of the first known system of writing developed by the Sumerians?
Cuneiform
What is the name of the principle that represented balance, order, and justice in Egyptian society?
Ma'at
How did monotheism distinguish the Israelites from neighboring civilizations?
The Israelites believed in one god (Yahweh), whereas neighboring civilizations practiced polytheism.
How did Greece’s mountainous geography affect the development of its political structure?
It led to the formation of independent city-states (poleis) rather than a unified empire.
Who were the plebeians, and how did they gain political power in the Roman Republic?
Plebeians were the common people of Rome who gained political power through strikes and the creation of the Plebeian Council.
What role did Mesopotamian rulers claim to have in order to justify their power?
They claimed to be chosen by the gods to maintain law and order.
How did pharaohs use religion to maintain their power?
Pharaohs were seen as divine or semi-divine, chosen by the gods to rule and maintain ma’at.
What happened to Jewish religious practices after the destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian Exile?
Synagogues became the center of worship, with a focus on prayer and study instead of temple sacrifices.
Who were the hoplites, and what role did they play in Athenian democracy?
Hoplites were citizen-soldiers who used their military service to gain political influence and demand more rights.
How did Rome’s military expansion both strengthen and weaken the Roman Republic?
Military expansion brought wealth and power to Rome but also created social inequality and internal conflicts, leading to the rise of powerful generals like Julius Caesar.
How did Mesopotamians manage agriculture given the unpredictable flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates?
They built complex irrigation systems to control water flow.
Why was irrigation necessary in Egypt even though the Nile flooded predictably each year?
Irrigation allowed crops to grow year-round, not just during the flood season.
What are the Ten Commandments, and why are they significant in Jewish law?
The Ten Commandments are a set of religious and moral laws given to the Israelites by God, forming the basis of their legal and ethical system.
How did the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations influence later Greek culture?
The Minoans influenced Greek art and architecture, while the Mycenaeans contributed to Greek military structures and political traditions.
How did Augustus maintain the appearance of a republic while consolidating his power as emperor?
Augustus kept the Senate and other republican institutions intact but controlled the military and foreign policy, making him the true ruler of Rome while maintaining the image of the Republic.
How did religion influence Mesopotamian government and law?
The rulers were considered representatives of the gods, and laws, such as the Code of Hammurabi, were often believed to have been divinely inspired.
How did Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife shape their architecture and burial practices?
Egyptians believed in an elaborate afterlife, leading to the construction of pyramids and elaborate tombs to ensure safe passage and provide for the deceased in the afterlife.
How did the covenant between the Israelites and their god influence their political and legal structures?
The Israelites believed they were chosen by Yahweh to follow divine laws in exchange for protection and land, which shaped their social, political, and legal systems.
Compare the social structures of Athens and Sparta and explain how these differences affected their political systems.
Athens valued intellectual life and had a more democratic government, while Sparta was focused on military discipline and had a rigid class structure, with power concentrated in the hands of a few.
What role did slavery play in the economy and social structure of the Roman Republic?
Slavery was essential to Rome’s economy, especially in agriculture and construction. It also created a stark division between the wealthy elite and the lower classes, contributing to social inequality.