General knowledge
Which way does the Nile Flow
Towards The Mediterranean Sea
In what year did Mount Vesuvius erupt, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum?
AD 79
Name one of Hatshepsut’s key building projects.
Her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri
Who was the founder of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt?
Ahmose I
What were the roles of women in Spartan society?
Managing households and estates, producing healthy children, and enjoying more freedom and education than in other Greek states.
Describe the relationship between Egypt and Mitanni during this period.
Initially adversarial, but diplomatic relations improved under Thutmose IV through treaties and royal marriages.
Name one method archaeologists use to preserve wall paintings in Pompeii.
Consolidation with chemicals like Paraloid B72 or protective sheeting and shelters
Who was Senenmut, and what role did he play in Hatshepsut’s reign?
A close advisor and architect, possibly her tutor and trusted official
Which pharaoh conducted extensive military campaigns into Nubia and Syria?
Thutmose III
Who were the helots, and what role did they play in Spartan society?
Enslaved people primarily from Messenia, forced to work the land and support the Spartan economy.
What was the religious title of the Queen?
God’s wife of Amun
What was the role of the forum in Pompeii?
It was the Political, Religious, and Economic centre of the city.
How did Hatshepsut portray herself in statues and inscriptions?
As a male king with traditional pharaonic attributes (false beard, kilt, crown)
What is the significance of the Battle of Megiddo under Thutmose III?
It demonstrated Egypt's military might and began Egypt's dominance in the Levant.
What was the function of the ephorate in the Spartan political system?
A group of five magistrates who oversaw kings, enforced laws, and managed daily governance.
Who were the decuriones in local Pompeian government?
Members of the local town council who governed municipal affairs.
How do frescoes provide insight into Roman daily life?
They depict domestic scenes, mythology, trade, fashion, and leisure.
How did Hatshepsut justify her rule as pharaoh in official texts?
Claimed divine birth from Amun and support of the priesthood and gods
What was the function of the Temple of Karnak during the 18th Dynasty?
It served as a major religious and political center dedicated to Amun-Re.
Who were the perioikoi?
Free, non-citizen inhabitants of Sparta who were involved in trade and craftsmanship.
What is the significance of the Villa of the Papyri?
It housed a large private library, offering rare examples of ancient literature.
What limitations are there in using archaeological evidence from these sites?
Preservation bias, interpretation challenges, looting, and incomplete records.
How do historians debate Hatshepsut’s impact on Egyptian history?
Some see her as a successful and peaceful ruler; others argue over the extent of her political power and legacy.
Name two architectural achievements attributed to Amenhotep I.
Temple at Karnak (extensions), early royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
What does Plutarch’s “Life of Lycurgus” tell us about Spartan values?
It highlights discipline, equality among citizens, military excellence, and the subordination of individual desires to the state.