First Civilizations
Ancient Near East
Greeks
Hellenistic World
Roman Republic
100
Where did the Neolithic agricultural revolution occur, and how did it affect the lives of men and women?
Near East, Asia, Africa, Americas. Men became the ones who worked out of the home (farming, specialized trades) and women did domestic tasks (child raising, chores, etc).
100
In what ways was the Jewish faith unique in the ancient Near East?
monotheistic, God = transcendent, loving, merciful, stressed personal relationship, covenant with the people
100
How did the geography of Greece affect Greek history?
mountains: separated Greeks from one another, resulting in a lot of warfare among the Greeks themselves. sea: allowed Greeks to become seafaring people and establish colonies along coasts of Mediterranean.
100
How was Alexander able to amass his empire, and what might his rule have been like if he had lived longer?
Ruthless and reckless in his conquests; took on customs of peoples he conquered, married natives, and used natives in gvt. He may have lost a battle and tarnished his "legacy"
100
What influence did the Etruscans and Greeks have on early Roman history?
Greeks: olives, alphabet, artistic models of sculptures and architecture. Etruscans: created cities to N and central Italy, including Rome.
200
What are the characteristics of civilization, and what are some explanations for why early civilizations emerged?
cities, trade, social, political, military, and religious structures, writing, art. challenge and response, food surplus, religious unity, want for more food
200
Who were the neighbors of the Israelites, and what was their significance?
Assyrians, Babylonians (Chaldeans), and Persians. Assyrians and Babylonians conquered and scattered them and destroyed their temple; Persians allowed them to rebuild the temple and return to Jerusalem
200
Why was Homer used as the basis for education?
The Odyssey and The Iliad stressed/inspired values that Greeks were expected to have; gave the Greeks the ideal past
200
What were the main features of the political and military organization of the Hellenistic kingdoms, and how did the new political systems differ from those of the Greek city-states?
main features: monarchies; kingdoms ruled by military force so war was an integral part of life. Break from the democracy-loving Greek city states, but Hellenistic cities still retained some forms of democracy.
200
What policies and institutions helps explain the Roman’s success in conquering Italy?
good diplomatic decisions, firm/cruel in rebellions but extended citizenship to some peoples and autonomy to others, acted when threatened, military strategy
300
How are the chief characteristics of civilizations evident in ancient Mesopotamia?
Sumerian cities, divine kingship, social structure (nobles, commoners, slaves), commerce (textiles, metalworks), Code of Hammurabi
300
What methods and institutions did the Assyrians use to amass and maintain their empire?
disciplined military, draft, iron weapons, adaptable military tactics, terror tactics
300
What was the polis, or city-state, and how did the major city-states of Athens and Sparta differ?
polis = center of social, political, and religious activity. Athens stressed pursuit of knowledge (philosophy) and democracy; Sparta stressed conformity and stability
300
What were the main social developments in the Hellenistic world?
new opportunities for upper-class women in economics and politics, slave trade expanded Greek culture throughout Hellenistic world, Greek cities began to supervise education
300
How did Rome achieve its empire from 264-133 B.C., and what is meant by the phrase “Roman imperialism?”
first, defeated Carthage and expanded empire through warfare; Roman imperialism = expanding empire through opportunities in the name of "self defense" or "protecting allies" but in reality probably expanded for glory and economic purposes
400
What are the basic features of the three major periods of Egyptian history?
Old: pharaoh = divine god-king, separated from the people, pyramids Middle: golden age, pharaoh became "for the people," age of expansion. New: strongest empire, imperialistic, religious change brought about end of empire.
400
What was the significance of the Neo-Babylonian Empire?
became a leading power in the Near East; known for its lavishness, but short lived empire bc people became dissatisfied with policies and welcomed Persians as liberators
400
What did the Greeks mean by democracy, and in what ways was the Athenian political system a democracy?
democracy = sovereignty of the people. Only males 18 and older could participate in the assemblies which passed laws and came up with policies; anyone could speak at the assemblies, although usually only respected citizens did.
400
What achievements in literature, art, science, medicine, and philosophy occurred during the Hellenistic period?
literature: libraries, plays, biographical, and historical writings. art: changed from Greek "ideal" to realistic art. science: astronomy (sun-centered vs earth-centered views) and math. medicine: dissection/vivisection, "magical" remedies still widely practiced. philosophy: epicureanism and stoicism.
400
How did the acquisition of an empire affect Roman social and economic institutions, values and attitudes, and art and literature?
social/economic: slavery heavily relied on, some women enjoyed considerable freedom, systemized laws. values/attitudes: changed from conservative/traditional/duty-driven to seeking affluence, status, and material possessions. art/lit: plays based on Greek New Comedy with Roman appeal, prose as history to exalt ideals, rejected Greek philosophy, Greek statues fashionable
500
What is the significance of the Indo-European-speaking peoples?
Combined their culture with Mesopotamian culture to later influence Mycenaean Greece, basis of Western civilization.
500
What methods and institutions did the Persians use to amass and maintain their empire, and how did these differ from those of the Assyrians?
used their military, but put natives in government, promoted religious tolerance, and was a merciful leader. Opposite of Assyrian rule of fear.
500
Upon what ideals was classical Greek art based, and how were these ideals expressed? What questions did the Greek philosophers pose, and what answers did they suggest?
ideals of symmetry, harmony, and balance; through architecture and the human body. Philosphers asked about how the universe worked and how to be your best self; could not figure out how the universe worked, but tried to get at what is the "greatest good" and "know thyself"
500
Which religions were prominent during the Hellenistic period, and what does their popularity suggest about Hellenistic society?
mystery religions/cults influenced from Egyptian religion required union with a savior who died and rose again promised eternal life, suggesting search for personal meaning through philosophies was not enough
500
What were the main problems Rome faced during the last century of the Republic, and how were they ultimately resolved?
main problems: republican institutions not enough to rule an empire, ambitious individuals fought for power. resolved: after numerous civil wars, Octavian emerged victorious and established a gvt that looked like a Republic but really an imperial state.
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