Ancient Civilizations
Which river was central to the development of Ancient Egypt?
The Nile
What was the capital of the Roman Empire?
Rome
What city is considered the birthplace of Islam?
Mecca
What does the word "renaissance" mean?
Rebirth
Name the three Abrahamic religions in the order they were founded:
Judaism, Christianity, Islam
What is the two-word phrase that describes the land around the Tigris & Euphrates rivers (Mesopotamia)?
Aside from Silk, name two goods traded along the Silk Road:
Spices, paper, jade, glass
What was the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire?
Constantinople (later Istanbul)
City-states like Florence, Milan, Venice, and Naples were major sites of the European Renaissance. What modern day country are these cities in?
Italy
What was the main spice traded in the Spice Trade, and where was it from?
Black Pepper, from India
This is the oldest known civilization, based in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). What was it called?
Sumer (Sumerian Empire)
Who was the war general from North Africa who crossed the Alps with elephants?
Hannibal
What is the word used to describe people in feudal society who were legally bound to the land and lord they worked for?
Serfs
Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?
Michelangelo
Which empire connected East Asia to the Mediterranean through trade?
The Mongol Empire
What does B.C.E. stand for?
Before Common Era
Who was the first emperor of Rome?
Augustus (Octavian)
This West African king’s hajj is still legendary today. Who was he?
Mansa Musa
What invention from Islamic civilization helped European navigation?
The astrolabe
In what century did the Black Death (the Plague) occur?
14th Century
What is the name of the system of writing invented by the Sumerians using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets?
Cuneiform
Name the philosopher who was Alexander the Great’s teacher:
Aristotle
What empire ruled over Jerusalem during the Crusades?
The Seljuk Turks
Born in 1564 in England, this poet and playwright became famous for his plays.
William Shakespeare
This Moroccan explorer traveled 75,000 miles, more than Marco Polo. Who was he?