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HIST201 > 3. Early Near-Eastern Civilizations > Flashcards

3. Early Near-Eastern Civilizations Flashcards

1
Q

What is the basic definition of “civilization” as discussed in the text?

A) A society marked by urban life
B) A refined way of life
C) The practice of kind and restrained behavior
D) The gathering of agricultural communities

A

A) A society marked by urban life

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2
Q

What is the Latin root word for “civilization” and what does it mean?

A) Societas, meaning “society”
B) Civitas, meaning “city”
C) Urb, meaning “urban”
D) Humanitas, meaning “human”

A

B) Civitas, meaning “city”

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3
Q

Which area is considered the starting point of Western civilization according to the text?

A) Egypt
B) Europe
C) The ancient Near East
D) Greece

A

C) The ancient Near East

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4
Q

Mesopotamia is referred to as “the land between the rivers.” Which two rivers does this refer to?

A) Nile and Euphrates
B) Tigris and Euphrates
C) Tigris and Nile
D) Jordan and Euphrates

A

B) Tigris and Euphrates

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5
Q

The “fertile crescent” is important in early civilization due to its:

A) Heavy rainfall
B) Isolation from other regions
C) Productive lands along rivers
D) Mountainous protection

A

C) Productive lands along rivers

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6
Q

What major change accompanied the Neolithic Revolution?

A) Transition to metal tools
B) Development of nomadic lifestyles
C) Invention of agriculture
D) Discovery of writing

A

C) Invention of agriculture

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7
Q

Why were rivers critical in the development of early civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia?

A) They enabled travel and trade routes
B) They allowed for efficient irrigation systems
C) They provided barriers from invaders
D) They were sites for ceremonial rituals

A

B) They allowed for efficient irrigation systems

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8
Q

What architectural change accompanied the Neolithic Revolution in the Natufian people’s homes?

A) Development of irrigation channels
B) Introduction of rectangular huts
C) Circular homes used for social gatherings
D) Moving from mud huts to stone houses

A

B) Introduction of rectangular huts

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9
Q

According to Kent Flannery, what social shift may have helped drive the Neolithic Revolution?

A) Rise of urban governance
B) Transition from communal to family responsibility
C) Development of art and culture
D) Expansion of religious institutions

A

B) Transition from communal to family responsibility

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10
Q

What does the site of Jericho provide evidence for?

A) Early metalwork in human history
B) The world’s oldest pyramid
C) The earliest permanent human settlement
D) Development of early monotheistic beliefs

A

C) The earliest permanent human settlement

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11
Q

Why are ziggurats in Mesopotamia considered significant?

A) They were the first form of written records
B) They served as public marketplaces
C) They were thought to be a place of connection with the gods
D) They were used for storing food supplies

A

C) They were thought to be a place of connection with the gods

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12
Q

Which ancient writing system used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets?

A) Hieroglyphs
B) Latin script
C) Cuneiform
D) Aramaic script

A

C) Cuneiform

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13
Q

Which statement best explains why early civilizations built monumental structures like pyramids and ziggurats?

A) To impress rival civilizations
B) To divert resources away from agriculture
C) To please and house their gods
D) To educate the population

A

C) To please and house their gods

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14
Q

What was one purpose of the early temple statues in Mesopotamian temples?

A) To act as guardians of the city
B) To symbolize the authority of rulers
C) To represent the gods for worship and ritual
D) To commemorate important historical events

A

C) To represent the gods for worship and ritual

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15
Q

What was an implication of circular huts among the Natufian people?

A) They allowed for larger family units
B) They indicated the importance of nuclear families
C) They suggested a communal sharing structure
D) They represented early religious beliefs

A

C) They suggested a communal sharing structure

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16
Q

In what way do modern Western religious buildings differ from ancient Mesopotamian temples?

A) They are more physically imposing
B) They are built primarily to please the gods
C) They focus on the worshipper’s experience
D) They use stone more frequently

A

C) They focus on the worshipper’s experience

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17
Q

Why was the Neolithic Revolution essential to the construction of large monuments?

A) It freed up labor for building projects
B) It developed new construction materials
C) It increased trade with neighboring regions
D) It provided education for more workers

A

A) It freed up labor for building projects

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18
Q

What advantage did domesticated plants provide in early farming communities?

A) They grew in harsh climates
B) They offered more nutritional diversity
C) They allowed for predictable food sources
D) They required less maintenance than wild plants

A

C) They allowed for predictable food sources

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19
Q

What is a primary limitation of material evidence in understanding early civilizations?

A) It is too fragile to study
B) It doesn’t provide insight into beliefs or attitudes
C) It only reveals information about warfare
D) It lacks archaeological context

A

B) It doesn’t provide insight into beliefs or attitudes

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20
Q

What was one major similarity between the governments of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?

A) They were both theocracies.
B) They both practiced democracy.
C) Both were ruled by elected officials.
D) Both had separation of church and state.

A

A) They were both theocracies.

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21
Q

In Egypt, what was the ka?

A) A type of royal tomb.
B) A spiritual double of a person.
C) A temple for pharaoh worship.
D) A god of vegetation.

A

B) A spiritual double of a person.

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22
Q

What was the primary purpose of Mesopotamian ziggurats?

A) Tombs for kings.
B) Residences for the gods.
C) Storage for grain.
D) Palaces for the royal family.

A

B) Residences for the gods.

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23
Q

How did Mesopotamians view the afterlife?

A) A place of eternal bliss.
B) A continuation of earthly life.
C) Eternal misery or non-existence.
D) A reincarnation into another body.

A

C) Eternal misery or non-existence.

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24
Q

What role did maat play in Egyptian society?

A) It was the Egyptian word for temple.
B) It was a principle of justice, truth, and order.
C) It referred to the pharaoh’s divine power.
D) It was the name of a famous pyramid.

A

B) It was a principle of justice, truth, and order.

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25
Q

What distinguished the Egyptian pharaoh from Mesopotamian kings?

A) Egyptian pharaohs were considered gods.
B) Mesopotamian kings had no religious duties.
C) Egyptian pharaohs were elected by priests.
D) Mesopotamian kings ruled democratically.

A

A) Egyptian pharaohs were considered gods.

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26
Q

What was the purpose of Egyptian mummification?

A) To preserve bodies for use in the afterlife.
B) To honor the pharaohs during their reign.
C) To display in temples for worship.
D) To ward off evil spirits.

A

A) To preserve bodies for use in the afterlife.

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27
Q

What feature characterized early Egyptian pyramids?

A) They were used as temples.
B) They resembled ziggurats in structure.
C) They had evenly sloping sides.
D) They were circular in shape.

A

B) They resembled ziggurats in structure.

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27
Q

What were Mesopotamian kings often depicted as in religious ceremonies?

A) Sons of the gods.
B) Equal to gods.
C) Representatives of gods.
D) Servants of priests.

A

C) Representatives of gods.

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28
Q

Which god was central to the Opet festival in Egypt?

A) Marduk.
B) Osiris.
C) Horus.
D) Ningirsu.

A

C) Horus.

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29
Q

What did Mesopotamian inscriptions often emphasize about kings?

A) Their achievements in war.
B) Their divine ancestry.
C) Their duty to build temples.
D) Their role in democratic governance.

A

C) Their duty to build temples.

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30
Q

How did the Egyptians view the king after death?

A) He ceased to exist.
B) He became the god Osiris.
C) He was reincarnated as another pharaoh.
D) He became the god Marduk.

A

B) He became the god Osiris.

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31
Q

What was the symbolic function of pyramids in Egypt?

A) They housed the living gods.
B) They symbolized royal power and divine connection.
C) They served as government centers.
D) They acted as granaries.

A

B) They symbolized royal power and divine connection.

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32
Q

Which statement about justice in Mesopotamia and Egypt is accurate?

A) Both societies had similar views on the afterlife and justice.
B) Egyptians associated justice with maat, a universal principle.
C) Mesopotamians believed justice was rooted in eternal happiness.
D) Egyptians believed justice was arbitrary and inconsistent.

A

B) Egyptians associated justice with maat, a universal principle.

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33
Q

Which cultural outlook is suggested to be more optimistic?

A. Egyptian
B. Mesopotamian
C. Both equally
D. Neither

A

A. Egyptian

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34
Q

What was the Egyptian king believed to be?

A. A priest
B. A god on earth
C. A warrior
D. A divine agent

A

B. A god on earth

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35
Q

How did Mesopotamians generally view life after death?

A. Comparable to this life
B. As final and bleak
C. Filled with joy and prosperity
D. Controlled by the gods

A

B. As final and bleak

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36
Q

Which civilization experienced more frequent unity?

A. Mesopotamia
B. Sumer
C. Egypt
D. Akkadia

A

C. Egypt

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37
Q

Which geographic feature provided Egypt with natural protection?

A. The Tigris River
B. Deserts on either side of the Nile
C. The Euphrates River
D. Fertile plains

A

B. Deserts on either side of the Nile

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38
Q

What characteristic made the Nile unique compared to the Tigris and Euphrates?

A. It never flooded
B. It had predictable floods
C. It divided the region into city-states
D. It was more vulnerable to invasion

A

B. It had predictable floods

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39
Q

What event could make it harder to view a Mesopotamian king as divine?

A. Regular flooding
B. Unpredictable river behavior
C. Political unity
D. Egyptian invasions

A

B. Unpredictable river behavior

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40
Q

How did Egyptians preserve their dead, influenced by their environment?

A. Through elaborate rituals
B. Natural mummification in the desert
C. Burial in waterlogged areas
D. Cremation practices

A

B. Natural mummification in the desert

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41
Q

What was a key challenge for unifying Mesopotamia?

A. The difficulty of uniting two rivers
B. Lack of resources
C. Isolation from neighbors
D. Frequent droughts

A

A. The difficulty of uniting two rivers

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42
Q

What role did Hatshepsut play in Egyptian history?

A. A famous warrior king
B. A female ruler presenting herself as king
C. An invader from the north
D. A religious reformer

A

B. A female ruler presenting herself as king

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43
Q

Why did Egyptians often rewrite their history?

A. To show unity and stability
B. To honor invading rulers
C. To exaggerate their military defeats
D. To remove all traces of conflict

A

A. To show unity and stability

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44
Q

How did Egyptians view periods of instability in their history?

A. As natural cycles of life
B. As events to conceal or deny
C. As opportunities for growth
D. As evidence of divine wrath

A

B. As events to conceal or deny

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45
Q

What was a significant innovation by the Egyptians after expelling the Hyksos?

A. Adoption of their gods
B. Establishment of a standing army
C. Creation of new irrigation systems
D. Abandonment of traditional burial practices

A

B. Establishment of a standing army

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46
Q

Which Mesopotamian cultural artifact demonstrates joy rather than pessimism?

A. A hymn to a god
B. A drinking song
C. A historical timeline
D. A royal decree

A

B. A drinking song

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47
Q

What question does the text leave unanswered?

A. The role of gods in Egyptian society
B. Whether geography or culture controls society
C. The importance of military innovation
D. The reason for Mesopotamian instability

A

B. Whether geography or culture controls society

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48
Q

Which factor made the Aton different from other Egyptian gods under Akhenaton’s reign?

A. Its depiction as a non-human form
B. Its association with morality
C. Its reliance on a craftsman for its creation
D. Its role in supporting agriculture

A

A. Its depiction as a non-human form

49
Q

What was the result of Tutankhamen’s reign regarding religion in Egypt?

A. He reinstated polytheism and the worship of Amon.
B. He expanded Akhenaton’s monotheistic reforms.
C. He replaced the worship of the Aton with Seth.
D. He abolished all forms of worship.

A

A. He reinstated polytheism and the worship of Amon.

50
Q

What does the story of Shukaletuda and Inanna illustrate about polytheistic gods?

A. They were all-knowing and omnipotent.
B. They possessed human-like traits and limitations.
C. They were uninterested in human affairs.
D. They always acted consistently with good moral standards.

A

B. They possessed human-like traits and limitations.

51
Q

Why is the “problem of evil” significant in monotheistic religions?

A. It highlights the limits of human understanding.
B. It challenges the coexistence of an all-good, all-powerful god with evil.
C. It demonstrates the moral consistency of monotheistic gods.
D. It aligns monotheism closely with ancient polytheism.

A

B. It challenges the coexistence of an all-good, all-powerful god with evil.

52
Q

Why did Akhenaton change his name from Amenhotep IV?

A. To honor his father’s legacy.
B. To signify his rejection of Amon and devotion to the Aton.
C. To align his name with the principles of syncretism.
D. To appease the priestly class.

A

B. To signify his rejection of Amon and devotion to the Aton.

53
Q

What is a defining feature of Zoroastrianism during its early stages?

A. A dualistic system with two gods battling for dominance.
B. A monotheistic belief in Ahura Mazda as the sole god.
C. A polytheistic system with a pantheon of human-like gods.
D. A complete rejection of moral decision-making by gods.

A

B. A monotheistic belief in Ahura Mazda as the sole god.

54
Q

What distinguishes monotheistic gods from polytheistic gods?

A. Their human characteristics and moral inconsistencies.
B. Their incomprehensibility and lack of human frailties.
C. Their reliance on cultus for sustenance.
D. Their physical presence in statues and idols.

A

B. Their incomprehensibility and lack of human frailties.

55
Q

Why were prayers to Osiris omitted from shabtis during Akhenaton’s reign?

A. Akhenaton forbade prayers to other gods.
B. Egyptians no longer believed in an afterlife.
C. Akhenaton replaced shabtis with new funerary practices.
D. The priests opposed prayers to Osiris during this time.

A

A. Akhenaton forbade prayers to other gods.

56
Q

How did Egyptians express their discontent with Akhenaton’s monotheism after his death?

A. They peacefully debated the merits of polytheism.
B. They vandalized Akhenaton’s monuments at ground level.
C. They adopted dualistic religious systems.
D. They abandoned religion altogether.

A

B. They vandalized Akhenaton’s monuments at ground level.

57
Q

What was one reason polytheism remained dominant in the ancient Near East?

A. The gods’ human-like qualities made them relatable.
B. Monotheism offered fewer moral explanations.
C. The rulers favored religious diversity over monotheism.
D. Polytheistic gods consistently exhibited moral perfection.

A

A. The gods’ human-like qualities made them relatable.

58
Q

What role did syncretism play in ancient polytheistic religions?

A. It combined gods, creating overlapping domains and identities.
B. It prevented conflict between different religious traditions.
C. It excluded conquered peoples from religious practices.
D. It established monotheism as the dominant belief.

A

A. It combined gods, creating overlapping domains and identities.

59
Q

How did Akhenaton try to limit the influence of traditional Egyptian gods?

A. He exiled the priests of Amon to foreign lands.
B. He defaced inscriptions mentioning other gods.
C. He declared all gods to be aspects of Amon.
D. He reduced taxes on Aton worshipers.

A

B. He defaced inscriptions mentioning other gods.

60
Q

What term is used to describe the Hebrew understanding of their agreement with Yahweh?

A. Covenant
B. Syncretism
C. Berit
D. Patronage

A

C. Berit

61
Q

Which kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC?

A. Judaea
B. Israel
C. Babylon
D. Canaan

A

B. Israel

62
Q

How did monotheism among the Hebrews affect their monarchy?

A. It gave kings unchecked power over their people.
B. It allowed prophets to challenge a king’s moral authority.
C. It led to the complete elimination of theocratic rule.
D. It prevented any criticism of the king’s actions.

A

B. It allowed prophets to challenge a king’s moral authority.

63
Q

What does the term “henotheism” mean in the context of Hebrew religion?

A. Belief in multiple gods but favoring one over others.
B. Denying the existence of all gods but one.
C. Worship of one god while acknowledging others exist.
D. Complete rejection of all gods.

A

C. Worship of one god while acknowledging others exist.

64
Q

How did the Hebrews explain defeats in battle according to their monotheistic beliefs?

A. Their patron god was weaker than others.
B. Yahweh used enemies to punish the Hebrews for their transgressions.
C. Their covenant with Yahweh had been broken permanently.
D. They had failed to worship other gods.

A

B. Yahweh used enemies to punish the Hebrews for their transgressions.

65
Q

What role did prophets play in Hebrew society?

A. They performed rituals for the king’s success.
B. They delivered warnings about failing the covenant with Yahweh.
C. They acted as military advisors.
D. They served as judges in royal courts.

A

B. They delivered warnings about failing the covenant with Yahweh.

66
Q

Why was the making of images of Yahweh prohibited?

A. To prevent idolatry common in Mesopotamia.
B. To ensure Yahweh remained incomprehensible and beyond human understanding.
C. To eliminate all forms of art in Hebrew society.
D. To reduce the influence of foreign gods.

A

B. To ensure Yahweh remained incomprehensible and beyond human understanding.

67
Q

What was the ultimate fate of the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel?

A. They established a new empire in Canaan.
B. They became known as the “ten lost tribes.”
C. They joined forces with the southern kingdom of Judaea.
D. They converted to Babylonian religion.

A

B. They became known as the “ten lost tribes.”

68
Q

What accusation did Elijah make against King Ahab after the death of Naboth?

A. “You have acted in cowardice against the Lord.”
B. “You have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord.”
C. “You have broken the covenant of your forefathers.”
D. “You have placed foreign gods above Yahweh.”

A

B. “You have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord.”

69
Q

How did monotheism limit the theocratic nature of the Hebrew monarchy?

A. Prophets could challenge the king’s ethical authority.
B. Yahweh directly ruled the people without intermediaries.
C. Kings were chosen by popular vote, not divine selection.
D. Monotheism encouraged the worship of multiple deities.

A

A. Prophets could challenge the king’s ethical authority.

70
Q

Which empire conquered Judaea and destroyed Yahweh’s temple in 588 BC?
A. Assyria
B. Babylon
C. Persia
D. Rome

A

B. Babylon

71
Q

What explanation did the Hebrews develop for undeserved suffering?
A. It was a test of faithfulness to Yahweh.
B. It indicated Yahweh’s weakness.
C. It was due to the actions of rival gods.
D. It resulted from natural disasters.

A

A. It was a test of faithfulness to Yahweh.

72
Q

What was a distinguishing feature of Hebrew monotheism compared to polytheism?
A. Yahweh’s emotions were depicted in human terms.
B. Yahweh was entirely incomprehensible and without emotion.
C. Yahweh supported the worship of other gods in difficult times.
D. Yahweh demanded sacrifices to multiple deities.

A

A. Yahweh’s emotions were depicted in human terms.

73
Q

Why did the Old Testament discourage the construction of a house for Yahweh?
A. Yahweh could not be confined like other gods.
B. Temples were deemed unnecessary in monotheism.
C. Hebrews lacked the resources to build temples.
D. Prophets opposed all forms of construction.

A

A. Yahweh could not be confined like other gods.

74
Q

What term is used to describe the blending of gods into overlapping domains in polytheism?
A. Henotheism
B. Syncretism
C. Monotheism
D. Covenant

A

B. Syncretism

75
Q

What were the chief duties of ancient kings?
A. Administer justice, lead in war, and foster cultus
B. Oversee trade, build schools, and create marketplaces
C. Collect taxes, trade with other kingdoms, and write laws
D. Train scribes, build ships, and teach literacy

A

A. Administer justice, lead in war, and foster cultus

76
Q

How did kings in large states manage governance?
A. By conquering more territory
B. By appointing subordinates and using written instructions
C. By maintaining a council of gods
D. By holding weekly public meetings

A

B. By appointing subordinates and using written instructions

77
Q

What was the original purpose of writing in the ancient Near East?
A. Religious rituals
B. Keeping track of business transactions
C. Storytelling and entertainment
D. Military communication

A

B. Keeping track of business transactions

78
Q

What was one purpose of early law codes like that of King Ur-Nammu?
A. To collect taxes more efficiently
B. To guide future legal decisions
C. To record the king’s daily activities
D. To resolve disputes between kings

A

B. To guide future legal decisions

79
Q

Why did the Assyrians deport conquered peoples?
A. To provide labor for Assyrian cities
B. To help them integrate into the empire
C. To break their sense of identity and reduce rebellion
D. To punish them for religious differences

A

C. To break their sense of identity and reduce rebellion

80
Q

What advantage did iron weapons provide the Assyrian army?
A. Lighter weight for faster attacks
B. Superior strength compared to bronze weapons
C. Resistance to rust and decay
D. Easier to produce than bronze weapons

A

B. Superior strength compared to bronze weapons

81
Q

How did Assyrian kings use fear to maintain control?
A. By publicizing brutal punishments for rebels
B. By forgiving enemies and granting them gifts
C. By hiring spies to spread misinformation
D. By hiding the consequences of rebellion

A

A. By publicizing brutal punishments for rebels

82
Q

What made the Persian approach to governance different from the Assyrians’?
A. Use of extreme punishments
B. Emphasis on cultural and administrative integration
C. Avoidance of taxation and military recruitment
D. Replacement of local laws with Persian laws

A

B. Emphasis on cultural and administrative integration

83
Q

What were satrapies in the Persian Empire?
A. Regions ruled by independent kings
B. Territories governed by Persian-appointed officials
C. Large cities fortified with walls
D. Religious centers controlled by priests

A

B. Territories governed by Persian-appointed officials

84
Q

How did the Persian king maintain authority over distant satraps?
A. By marrying into local ruling families
B. By appointing only Persians, often relatives, as satraps
C. By replacing local leaders with Greek administrators
D. By frequently visiting all parts of the empire

A

B. By appointing only Persians, often relatives, as satraps

85
Q

What was a common justification for war in ancient Near Eastern societies?
A. To promote trade and economic growth
B. To defend the honor of the city’s patron god
C. To establish new religions
D. To improve farming methods

A

B. To defend the honor of the city’s patron god

86
Q

How did scribes prepare for government service?
A. By attending royally sponsored schools
B. By being born into the royal family
C. By serving in the military first
D. By learning from priests in temples

A

A. By attending royally sponsored schools

87
Q

What was one result of the Assyrian Empire’s policy of deportation?
A. Increased rebellion among conquered peoples
B. Integration and assimilation of conquered peoples
C. Economic decline in conquered regions
D. Loss of cultural practices among the Assyrians

A

B. Integration and assimilation of conquered peoples

88
Q

What event marked the end of the Assyrian Empire?
A. A plague that decimated the population
B. An alliance between Babylonian rebels and the Medes
C. The assassination of the last king
D. Conquest by Alexander the Great

A

B. An alliance between Babylonian rebels and the Medes

89
Q

Why did Persian kings claim to be chosen by the gods of conquered peoples?
A. To ensure loyalty by aligning with local traditions
B. To eliminate the need for military intervention
C. To justify higher taxes on conquered territories
D. To reduce the number of rebellions

A

A. To ensure loyalty by aligning with local traditions

90
Q

What was a shared method of governance between the Persians and Assyrians?
A) Establishing democratic councils
B) Attempting indirect control through intimidation
C) Completely abolishing local traditions
D) Encouraging cultural assimilation

A

B) Attempting indirect control through intimidation

91
Q

What was a common communication strategy for both the Persians and the Assyrians?
A) Use of carrier pigeons
B) Construction of advanced sea routes
C) Establishing roads and relays
D) Developing written communication systems

A

C) Establishing roads and relays

92
Q

In indirect control by the Persians and Assyrians, what did weaker states often give up?
A) Military resources
B) Economic independence
C) Independence in foreign relations
D) Autonomy in local governance

A

C) Independence in foreign relations

93
Q

What was a distinctive policy of Persian satraps compared to Assyrian governors?
A) Satraps were chosen from diverse cultural backgrounds.
B) Satraps were always Persian.
C) Satraps were elected by local populations.
D) Satraps directly controlled military operations.

A

B) Satraps were always Persian.

94
Q

How did the Assyrians treat the cultures of conquered peoples?
A) They preserved and celebrated them.
B) They attempted to erase them through deportation.
C) They integrated them into their empire’s traditions.
D) They left them entirely autonomous.

A

B) They attempted to erase them through deportation.

95
Q

What distinguishes Persian governance from Assyrian rule in the passage?
A) The Persians allowed more local autonomy and cultural respect.
B) The Persians relied solely on diplomacy over conquest.
C) The Persians used stricter military control.
D) The Persians abolished the satrap system.

A

A) The Persians allowed more local autonomy and cultural respect.

96
Q

From the Assyrian perspective, what justified their violent actions?
A) Loyalty to the god Ashur
B) A desire to promote peace
C) Fear of retaliation from conquered peoples
D) Economic necessity

A

A) Loyalty to the god Ashur

97
Q

What was considered “unnatural” according to Assyrian beliefs?
A) Local gods being worshiped alongside Ashur
B) Resisting Assyrian rule
C) Allowing cultural diversity in conquered lands
D) Granting foreign nations autonomy

A

B) Resisting Assyrian rule

98
Q

What dilemma does the passage highlight about the role of historians?
A) Whether to judge the past or strive to understand it
B) How to accurately measure ancient atrocities
C) The difficulty of comparing ancient and modern events
D) Whether to preserve or discard historical evidence

A

A) Whether to judge the past or strive to understand it

99
Q

Why does the author suggest ethical judgments of ancient peoples might be unproductive?
A) Dead people cannot be punished or rewarded.
B) Ancient societies had no concept of ethics.
C) Ethical judgments distort historical facts.
D) Ancient atrocities were exaggerated.

A

A) Dead people cannot be punished or rewarded.

100
Q

What is the author’s main goal for studying the past?
A) To justify modern ethical standards
B) To punish historical wrongdoers
C) To understand the past and present better
D) To romanticize ancient civilizations

A

C) To understand the past and present better

101
Q

How does the author suggest we perceive the Assyrians’ actions?
A) As inherently evil
B) As a product of their religious and cultural beliefs
C) As worse than the actions of other ancient empires
D) As a random occurrence

A

B) As a product of their religious and cultural beliefs

102
Q

What does the author argue is more valuable than moral judgment of the past?
A) Developing modern policies based on historical models
B) Understanding historical events in their context
C) Highlighting atrocities to prevent repetition
D) Condemning unethical ancient leaders

A

B) Understanding historical events in their context

103
Q

What was one primary effect of Near Eastern empires expanding their networks of exchange?
A) Reduction of cultural diversity
B) Suppression of local economies
C) The flow of goods, ideas, and technology
D) Decentralization of imperial governance

A

C) The flow of goods, ideas, and technology

104
Q

How did some local rulers interact with neighboring empires?
A) They resisted all external influence.
B) They sought help to maintain local dominance or combat enemies.
C) They avoided any political or military alliances.
D) They became independent states to avoid conquest.

A

B) They sought help to maintain local dominance or combat enemies.

105
Q

What was a key feature of Persian governance compared to the Assyrians?
A) Centralized authority with no local autonomy
B) A reliance on military conquest to maintain order
C) Respect for local religions, temples, and priesthoods
D) The use of deportation to weaken conquered populations

A

C) Respect for local religions, temples, and priesthoods

106
Q

In what way did Near Eastern civilizations influence early Greece?
A) By introducing monotheistic religions
B) By leading direct military conquests of Greek city-states
C) Through trade and the adoption of administrative techniques
D) By establishing colonies throughout mainland Greece

A

C) Through trade and the adoption of administrative techniques

107
Q

Why might some local rulers in the Near East have welcomed imperial involvement?
A) To completely dismantle their local governance systems
B) To gain protection from foreign trade competition
C) To ensure dominance over local enemies and stabilize their rule
D) To secure exclusive access to technological advancements

A

C) To ensure dominance over local enemies and stabilize their rule

108
Q

What is one reason Greek civilization is often considered the start of Western civilization?
A) The Greeks rejected all influences from the Near East.
B) Greek culture remained isolated from other civilizations.
C) The Greeks defined their society in contrast to the Near East.
D) Greek writing predates all other ancient civilizations.

A

C) The Greeks defined their society in contrast to the Near East.

109
Q

What evidence demonstrates the influence of the Near East on the Minoan palace at Cnossos?
A) The lack of royal workshops for crafts
B) Its similarity in layout to the palace at Mari in Mesopotamia
C) Its lack of administrative records compared to Mesopotamian cities
D) Its complete independence from other civilizations’ designs

A

B) Its similarity in layout to the palace at Mari in Mesopotamia

110
Q

What caused the collapse of Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations?
A) Overpopulation and famine
B) A catastrophic volcanic eruption
C) Possible raids by the “Sea Peoples”
D) Economic decline due to reduced trade

A

C) Possible raids by the “Sea Peoples”

111
Q

What was the primary purpose of most written Mycenaean documents?
A) Religious practices and rituals
B) Personal letters and storytelling
C) Government accounting and administration
D) Philosophical essays and scientific observations

A

C) Government accounting and administration

112
Q

How did Greek society recover writing after the Dark Ages?
A) They independently rediscovered earlier Greek scripts.
B) They adapted a new script from Phoenicia in the Near East.
C) They borrowed writing techniques from Egyptian scribes.
D) They relied on oral traditions rather than written language.

A

B) They adapted a new script from Phoenicia in the Near East.

113
Q

What marked the end of the Greek Dark Ages?
A) The abandonment of market-based trade
B) The construction of palaces modeled on Near Eastern designs
C) The reintroduction of writing in the eighth century BCE
D) The emergence of centralized monarchy systems

A

C) The reintroduction of writing in the eighth century BCE

114
Q

What is one reason the Minoan and Mycenaean economies were different from later Greek economies?
A) They were more market-oriented than later Greek economies.
B) They relied heavily on royal workshops for craft production.
C) They lacked significant trade with the Near East.
D) They were not influenced by Mesopotamian economic practices.

A

B) They relied heavily on royal workshops for craft production.

115
Q

Which Greek myth echoes a similar theme found in Mesopotamian mythology?
A) Pandora’s creation
B) Zeus’s defeat of Cronos
C) Athena’s birth from Zeus’s head
D) The tale of Hercules’ labors

A

B) Zeus’s defeat of Cronos

116
Q

What does Hesiod’s account of Pandora suggest about Greek and Near Eastern views on women?
A) Women were seen as the ultimate creators of civilization.
B) Women were viewed as inherently wise and nurturing.
C) Women were often associated with bringing trouble to men.
D) Women were valued equally to men in cultural myths.

A

C) Women were often associated with bringing trouble to men.

117
Q

What marked the transition to the Archaic period of Greek history?
A) A shift to cremation practices and market-based trade
B) A complete rejection of Near Eastern cultural influences
C) The rebuilding of Mycenaean-style palaces
D) The decline of written records and oral traditions

A

A) A shift to cremation practices and market-based trade

118
Q

How did Near Eastern myths influence Greek religion?
A) Greek gods and goddesses were modeled on human traits.
B) Greek myths lacked generational conflicts between gods.
C) Greek temples had no equivalent structures in the Near East.
D) Greek mythology developed independently from the Near East.

A

A) Greek gods and goddesses were modeled on human traits.

119
Q

What was the purpose of the Parthenon in ancient Athens?
A) A royal palace for Athenian kings
B) A marketplace for religious artifacts
C) A home for the goddess Athena on earth
D) A training ground for Olympic athletes

A

C) A home for the goddess Athena on earth

120
Q

How did Greek society adopt gender roles influenced by the Near East?
A) Greek men were primarily associated with physical labor.
B) Women were considered more spiritual than men.
C) Men were linked to mind/spirit, and women to body/matter.
D) Women were allowed to hold the same roles as men in society.

A

C) Men were linked to mind/spirit, and women to body/matter.

121
Q

What did Aristotle believe about the role of men and women in conception?
A) Women provided the human essence, while men provided material.
B) Men supplied the human essence, while women provided material.
C) Both men and women equally contributed to the child’s humanity.
D) Conception was entirely dependent on the gods’ will.

A

B) Men supplied the human essence, while women provided material.

HIST201 (3 decks)

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