Ancient Civilizations
World Religions
Medieval Times
Empires of the Americas
Potpouri
100
What did the ancient Egyptians believe about the afterlife and how did that differ from the Mesopotamian belief about it?
Egyptians believed the afterlife was a good place in which you brought the things you collected in this life with you, whereas the Mesopotamians saw the afterlife as a dark, dreary place.
100
What is the most sacred text of Judaism?
The Torah
100
What is the feudal system (feudalism)?
A decentralized form of government that stresses alliances of mutual protection between monarchs and nobles.
100
Who were the Olmecs? Why do historians believe their practice of ritual human sacrifice is particularly significant?
Earliest civilization in the Americas' (located in present-day Mexico). Especially known for their remarkably elaborate giant head sculptures; Earliest archaeological evidence of human sacrifice
100
Name three contributions of Rome to western society.
Answers vary
200
Who were the Phoenicians and what were their biggest contributions?
Ancient civilization of Mediterranean Sea traders who developed world's first alphabet; known for trading purple dye that became origin of color purple being associated with royalty
200
Explain the difference between Shi'a and Sunni Islam.
Sunni believe leader should be elected, whereas Shi'a believe he needs to be a direct descendant of Muhammad.
200
In Medieval Europe, what was the difference between and serf and any other peasant?
Serfs were bound to a manor essentially as property, while other peasants were free, but still part of society's common, lower class.
200
How did the Aztecs build and control their empire?
The Aztecs grew their empire primarily through military conquest of neighboring peoples. Their government was run from the capital at Tenochtitlan, and appointed officials governed other parts of the empire under the umbrella of the capital.
200
What was one of Martin Luther's teachings?
Answers may vary
300
What was the Silk Road?
Famous trade route, originating in China, that would eventually reach from China all the way to Western Europe
300
Eastern Orthodox Christianity was the state religion of which empire?
Byzantine Empire
300
What is a guild?
Organization a craftsman had to belong to in Middle Ages Europe to be able to sell his work; controlled prices and wages
300
What was the Mayan calendar based on?
The sun
300
In what ways was Renaissance art different than that of the Middle Ages?
2D vs. 3D, increased detail, focus on common people/occurrences (humanism), depth, etc.
400
What is the caste system, and who brought it to India originally?
Caste system is a social hierarchy determining status in Indian society; originally introduced by the Aryans
400
How did Islam originally spread through Africa?
North African Muslim Berbers introduced Islam to western Africa by traveling through gold-salt trade routes
400
What were Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV fighting over?
Issue of Lay Investiture
400
What led to the decline of the Mayan Empire?
The Mayan empire mysteriously declined for unknown reasons as cities were one by one abandoned through the late 8th and 9th centuries CE.
400
Who was Michelangelo?
One of the greatest Renaissance artists; painted ceiling of Sistine Chapel, as well as "The Creation of Adam" and "The Last Judgement"; sculpted famous statue of David and "Pieta"
500
Part 1: Each of the earliest civilizations were built around what geographic feature, and why? Part 2: Each of these civilizations had what type of religion?
Part 1: rivers- provided the water needed to sustain an agricultural economy; Part 2: Polytheistic
500
What is one way in which beliefs differ between Hinduism and Buddhism?
Answers may vary
500
What was the Black Death? Where did it come from, how did it spread, and what was its impact?
Bubonic plague - entered Constantinople through trade routes from Asia, carried by infected fleas on rats. Rats continued into Europe and their fleas infected people living in close quarters with them and each other. Approximately 25 million people killed in Europe in less than 5 year span.
500
Describe the structure of the Mayan government.
The Mayans had a governmental hierarchy in which kings and priests at the top ruled over individual city-states.
500
Who was Charlemagne and what were his greatest achievements?
Frankish king who was declared "Holy Roman Emperor" by the Pope on Christmas Day, 800 CE; united Germanic peoples of Europe into one "Holy Roman Empire," which at its height would be the largest in Europe since the fall of Rome.
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