Origins, worldview, meaning
The Phoenician people occupied an area that is known as modern day Lebanon and were well known seafarers and traders. What were the two largest Phoenician city-states and what were they known for? Explain the connection of the clothing of royalty to the Phoenicians?
Tyre and Sidon. cedar or fir wood and purple dye. Purple cloth became associated with royalty due to its rarity, beauty, and being expensive
From which two epic poems do we get a glimpse of Greek life during the period from 1150 to 750 BC? To whom are those poems attributed? In ancient times the Greeks called themselves what name? Where did the Greeks establish the most important of their colonies outside Greece?
The Iliad and the Odyssey; Homer. Hellenes. Sicily and southern Italy.
What was the basic political unit in Greece? At what age did Spartan boys begin military training? What athletic contests began as an attempt to please the Greek gods through physical prowess?
Polis or city-state. 7. the olympics
List in order three most famous consecutive Greek philosophers.
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Why was preservation of the body following death important to the Egyptians?
The Egyptians believed the body needed to be preserved in order to enter and enjoy the benefits of the afterlife.
What role did the region of Mesopotamia play in shaping some of the ancient world? List at least one these empires
Multiple empires fell and rose to rule over the political landscape of the ancient Near East. Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian
Why did Athens rather than Sparta become the cultural center of the Greek city-states during the Golden Age?
Athens promoted knowledge and trade; Sparta resisted change and suppressed individualism.
In what ways does the original Hippocratic Oath reflect the times in which it was written and how does it compare to the modern version? In examining these two oaths, what does it teach us about Ancient and modern people?
Both emphasize doing good, but the modern oath permits abortion and reflects a diminished respect for life, while the ancient oath upheld the sanctity of life more.
BIEQ: Why did the Israelites desire to return to slavery in Egypt, and how does this show the human tendency to prioritize security over freedom?
The Israelites chose slavery’s security over freedom’s uncertainty, showing our struggle to trust God in the unknown.
BIEQ: Putting aside the issue of human worth, using a biblical worldview, why would Lycurgus's Spartan view of the family be seen in some ways better than our culture?
Ancient cultures often saw parenthood as a virtuous duty, whereas modern culture despite being dramatically more wealthy tends to treat children as a burden or optional.
What are the similarities and differences between the Genesis flood account (Genesis 6-9) and other ancient flood narratives around the world?
Typically share that God or gods were judging the world. Non-biblical accounts tend to include mythical and embellished stories but the Bible has exact and embarrassing details about Noah.
Evaluate the Pharisees’ role in preserving Jewish faithfulness to the Law and explain how they also failed to grasp its deeper purpose
They preserved Jewish identity and devotion to God’s Law, but Jesus rebuked them for elevating traditions and outward obedience while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
According to the book of Daniel, who would conquer the Persians? How did the conqueror react upon arriving in Jerusalem, according to Josephus? Over what area did Phillip II originally rule? What Greek teacher instilled in Philip’s son a love of greek culture?
A Greek kingdom. Alexander, while conquering widely, met Jerusalem’s high priest and, believing he saw a divine vision, spared the city and offered sacrifices to God. Macedonia. Aristotle.
Assess the significance of the Oracle of Delphi. Briefly describe what God thinks of these practices?
The Oracle of Delphi held great influence, guiding both farmers and kings—shaping decisions from planting crops to declaring war.
It is considered an abomination and one of the reasons God wanted Israel to drive out Canaanites.
BIEQ: How did Jeremiah call out the hypocrisy of Israel’s spiritual leaders and what practical lesson can Christians learn from this today?
He warned leaders of God’s wrath for disobedience. We must not rely on leaders but grow in truth ourselves, and obey God in the way in which He has commanded us.
How does the Code of Hammurabi differ from the Old Testament law?
Hammurabi's code systematized crime but it treated some more favorably than others. Punishment from OT law had to fit the crime and thus was impartial.
Evaluate the threefold use of the Law in the Christian life
The Law is a mirror reflecting human sin, restraint against evil, and reveals what is pleasing to God. The law leads Christians to seek grace in Christ, curb injustice, and serve as a means to glorify God through obedience.
How did the Sophists use rhetoric and teaching to gain influence in democratic Athens, and why did some philosophers like Socrates criticize their approach to truth and virtue? List the Sophists view of truth and morality compared to today’s culture? How does starting with God’s absolute truth protect us from sophistic reasoning when investigating events or claims in a culture filled with confusion and persuasive voices?
Sophists gained influence in Athens by selling persuasive speech for success in politics. Socrates criticized them for valuing argument and power over truth and virtue. truth and morality is relative. God’s Word gives a perfect standard that helps us spot man-centered reasoning and deception.
The medieval model of education aimed to mirror Aristotle’s four causes and the order of creation. How did the Protestant Reformers reinterpret this model?
kept the structure but grounded all knowledge in God’s Word.
The Northern kingdom of Israel and southern kingdom of Judah were exiled. What two cities does God destroy in Genesis for which he says Judah has surpassed them in sin? Assess the punishments given for their disobedience to God's covenant?
Sodom and Gomorrah. Because of their rebellion against God, they were killed, enslaved, and brought to Assyria and Babylon.
BIEQ: Why would worldviews without Christian beliefs about truth and human worth struggle to create things like universal education and organized care for the vulnerable?
Non-Christians lacked a basis for equal dignity, but Christians saw all people as God’s image-bearers, which is why Christians created schools and hospitals.
In what ways did Solon address the conflicts between the rich and the poor in Athens, and what was his justification for doing so? Solon’s reforms in Athens led to a democracy, explain what a democracy is? Is the United States a democracy or something else?
Solon dealt with the conflict by canceling and freeing those enslaved by debt. He believed government influence should not be dominated by either rich or poor but balanced to avoid tyranny and unrest. Democracy: a government conducted by popular feeling. Republic
Athens and Sparta: Which was the better model, and which has most shaped the United States?
Both were influential but Athens generally was a better model. Athens was known for civic duty, public debate and individual freedom. Sparta emphasized discipline, patriotism and solidarity.
BIEQ: In what ways might the allegory of the cave align with or differ from a Christian worldview?
It aligns through the journey from darkness (ignorance or sin) to light (truth or salvation), similar to the Christian belief in Jesus as the “light of the world.” Reason can only get you so far and ultimately fails without the revelation of God.
Based upon Rome’s way of entering the Third Punic war, what can be revealed about the underlying intentions of the victorious power? How do you think this victory shaped Rome’s future?
Rome’s impossible demands revealed it no longer feared Carthage militarily but intended to eliminate its rival completely. No longer in defense against a great rival, it became aggressive with those who resisted the will of Rome.