6. The Hellenistic Greeks

Question 1

What did Aristotle mean by describing human beings as “political animals”?
a) Humans are naturally inclined to live in poleis.
b) Humans thrive in large kingdoms rather than city-states.
c) Humans are naturally inclined to pursue power and dominance.
d) Humans cannot survive without strong leadership.

Answer 1

a) Humans are naturally inclined to live in poleis.

Question 2

Who unified Greece, ending the Classical period and beginning the Hellenistic world?
a) Aristotle
b) Philip II of Macedon
c) Isocrates
d) Alexander the Great

Answer 2

b) Philip II of Macedon

Question 3

What does the term “Hellenistic” refer to?
a) A revival of traditional Greek city-states.
b) A purely Greek culture independent of external influences.
c) A fusion between Greek and Near Eastern cultures.
d) The decline of Greek civilization under Macedonian rule.

Answer 3

c) A fusion between Greek and Near Eastern cultures.

Question 4

What was a notable feature of Macedonian society under Philip II?
a) A highly democratic political structure.
b) Horseriding warrior nobles who were often equals to their kings.
c) A well-organized system of Greek-style city-states.
d) Strictly enforced loyalty to a centralized monarchy.

Answer 4

b) Horseriding warrior nobles who were often equals to their kings.

Question 5

What innovation helped Philip II’s Macedonian army succeed in battle?
a) Advanced naval technology.
b) Longer thrusting spears and uniform hoplite equipment.
c) Highly trained archers with superior bows.
d) Catapults and siege engines for attacking city walls.

Answer 5

b) Longer thrusting spears and uniform hoplite equipment.

Question 6

What was the purpose of the League of Corinth created by Philip II?
a) To unite Greek city-states under Philip’s direct monarchy.
b) To provide a front for Philip’s dominance while preserving city autonomy.
c) To establish a democratic system across Greece.
d) To formalize the dissolution of the polis system in Greece.

Answer 6

b) To provide a front for Philip’s dominance while preserving city autonomy.

Question 7

What problem did Isocrates identify as tearing Greece apart?
a) The rise of Macedonian power over Greek city-states.
b) Wars among the poleis and internal divisions.
c) The decline of trade routes across the Aegean Sea.
d) The influence of Persian culture on Greek traditions.

Answer 7

b) Wars among the poleis and internal divisions.

Question 8

What solution did Isocrates propose to address Greece’s problems?
a) A focus on rebuilding individual city-states.
b) An alliance among Greek cities to attack the Persian Empire.
c) A cultural renaissance led by philosophers and artists.
d) A shift toward economic alliances with neighboring regions.

Answer 8

b) An alliance among Greek cities to attack the Persian Empire.

Question 9

What did Isocrates claim about the Persian Empire in his proposal?
a) The Persians were natural allies of the Greeks.
b) The Persians were natural slaves and a source of wealth.
c) The Persians would willingly negotiate peace with Greece.
d) The Persians had superior military strength compared to the Greeks.

Answer 9

b) The Persians were natural slaves and a source of wealth.

Question 10

Why did Macedonian kings sometimes face assassination by their nobles?
a) Nobles resented the king’s absolute power.
b) The kings failed to protect Macedonian cities.
c) Nobles sought to establish a democratic government.
d) Assassinations were encouraged by neighboring Greek city-states.

Answer 10

a) Nobles resented the king’s absolute power.

Question 11

What did Isocrates and Philip of Macedon both see as a means to unify the Greeks?
a) Developing trade alliances among poleis.
b) Establishing a common Greek language.
c) A shared focus on cultural development.
d) A war against Persia.

Answer 11

d) A war against Persia.

Question 12

How did Philip of Macedon die?
a) He was assassinated by a Macedonian noble.
b) He was killed during a rebellion in Greece.
c) In battle against Persian forces.
d) Due to illness while planning the Persian war.

Answer 12

a) He was assassinated by a Macedonian noble.

Question 13

What significant accomplishment did Alexander achieve by the time of his death?
a) He united all Greek city-states into a single polis.
b) He created the first democratic government in the Hellenistic world.
c) He formed alliances with all the major kingdoms in the Near East.
d) He conquered the Persian Empire and extended his rule to the Indus River.

Answer 13

d) He conquered the Persian Empire and extended his rule to the Indus River.

Question 14

What were the successor states that emerged after Alexander’s empire fragmented?
a) The Seleucid kingdom, Ptolemaic Egypt, and the Antigonid kingdom.
b) The Spartan kingdom, the Athenian League, and the Attalid kingdom.
c) The Roman Empire, the Parthian Empire, and the Egyptian Empire.
d) The Macedonian Empire, the Syrian Empire, and the Persian Empire.

Answer 14

a) The Seleucid kingdom, Ptolemaic Egypt, and the Antigonid kingdom.

Question 15

Why did Hellenistic monarchs encourage Greek immigration into their kingdoms?
a) To create stronger cultural ties with the Greek mainland.
b) To fulfill the demand for soldiers and bureaucrats.
c) To establish Greek dominance in local trade networks.
d) To train local populations in Greek warfare techniques.

Answer 15

b) To fulfill the demand for soldiers and bureaucrats.

Question 16

What was the significance of the inscription by Antiochus I regarding Magnesia-on-the-Maeander?
a) It showed how Greek cities sent settlers to populate new Hellenistic cities.
b) It described the alliance between Greek cities and Near Eastern rulers.
c) It demonstrated the decline of Greek influence in the Near East.
d) It revealed the tension between Greek settlers and local populations.

Answer 16

a) It showed how Greek cities sent settlers to populate new Hellenistic cities.

Question 17

How did Alexander’s followers expect to position themselves in the conquered territories?
a) As settlers focused on farming and trade.
b) As equal partners with the local populations.
c) As a ruling class over the conquered peoples.
d) As independent leaders of new poleis.

Answer 17

c) As a ruling class over the conquered peoples.

Question 18

What percentage of Seleucid government officials had Greek or Macedonian names into the third generation after Alexander’s conquest?
a) 97.5%
b) 100%
c) 90%
d) 80%

Answer 18

a) 97.5%

Question 19

What development in language symbolized Greek unity during the Hellenistic period?
a) The creation of a dialect unique to Hellenistic monarchs.
b) The adoption of Aramaic as a unifying language.
c) The emergence of koinē, a common Greek dialect.
d) The translation of Greek texts into local languages.

Answer 19

c) The emergence of koinē, a common Greek dialect.

Question 20

Why did later Christians choose koinē Greek for their texts?
a) It was the only language spoken by early Christians.
b) It allowed them to reach a broader audience.
c) It was mandated by the Greek ruling class.
d) It was easier to translate than other languages.

Answer 20

b) It allowed them to reach a broader audience.

Question 21

What complaint did Herakleidēs make to King Ptolemy?
a) He was attacked by an Egyptian woman, Psenobastis.
b) His property was seized by Egyptian officials.
c) He was falsely accused of owing a debt.
d) He was expelled from the city due to his Greek heritage.

Answer 21

a) He was attacked by an Egyptian woman, Psenobastis.

Question 22

What aspect of the complaint highlights Greek attitudes toward Egyptians?
a) Herakleidēs demanded equal treatment under the law.
b) He appealed to his Greek identity for sympathy from the king.
c) He sought revenge against the Egyptian population.
d) He described Egyptians as skilled administrators.

Answer 22

b) He appealed to his Greek identity for sympathy from the king.

Question 23

What was a significant feature of Alexandria-by-Egypt during the Hellenistic period?
a) Its large theater that could hold 5,000 spectators.
b) Its status as a major military outpost.
c) Its famous library, the greatest in the Greek world.
d) Its strict exclusion of non-Greeks from public spaces.

Answer 23

c) Its famous library, the greatest in the Greek world.

Question 24

What cultural practice was found in the Hellenistic city of Ay Khānom?
a) The construction of large temples to Near Eastern gods.
b) The preservation of moral sayings from Delphi in a gymnasium.
c) The use of local dialects alongside Greek in public spaces.
d) The replacement of Greek theaters with Near Eastern designs.

Answer 24

b) The preservation of moral sayings from Delphi in a gymnasium.

Question 25

What does the presence of Greek features in Ay Khānom suggest?
a) Greeks abandoned their own traditions in favor of local customs.
b) Greek culture was imposed over older local traditions.
c) Local populations fully integrated into Greek society.
d) Greek settlers adopted Near Eastern practices exclusively.

Answer 25

b) Greek culture was imposed over older local traditions.

Question 26

How did some non-Greeks potentially gain acceptance in Greek-dominated societies?
a) By converting to the Greek religion.
b) By serving as mercenaries for Greek rulers.
c) By adopting Greek names and cultural practices.
d) By demonstrating loyalty through tax contributions.

Answer 26

c) By adopting Greek names and cultural practices.

Question 27

What does the blending of Greek and Near Eastern cultures reveal most clearly?
a) The fusion of gods and religious practices.
b) The rejection of Near Eastern traditions.
c) The complete separation of Greek and Near Eastern deities.
d) The dominance of Greek gods over others.

Answer 27

a) The fusion of gods and religious practices.

Question 28

Which god was a combination of Osiris and several Greek gods?
a) Zeus-Baalshamin.
b) Apollo.
c) Serapis.
d) Dionysus.

Answer 28

c) Serapis.

Question 29

What role did women play in Hellenistic monarchy?
a) They were confined to the household and avoided public roles.
b) They were advisors but lacked public recognition.
c) Their influence was limited to religious ceremonies.
d) They could become political players and appear on coins.

Answer 29

d) They could become political players and appear on coins.

Question 30

What change occurred in the status of women during the Hellenistic period?
a) They gained public recognition and appeared in official documents.
b) They were granted equal political rights with men.
c) Their societal roles were restricted further.
d) Their public presence became controversial again.

Answer 30

a) They gained public recognition and appeared in official documents.

Question 31

How did Hellenistic kings justify their rule?
a) Through democratic election by their subjects.
b) By emphasizing their military achievements.
c) By adopting Greek democratic practices.
d) By claiming divine backing for their authority.

Answer 31

d) By claiming divine backing for their authority.

Question 32

What governance model did the Seleucids adopt for their empire?
a) Centralized administration with strict control.
b) A system based on Greek city-state autonomy.
c) Extensive local self-rule based on tradition.
d) A tribal governance structure borrowed from the Persians.

Answer 32

c) Extensive local self-rule based on tradition.

Question 33

What practice symbolized the divine authority of Hellenistic kings?
a) Wearing purple robes and a diadem.
b) Holding assemblies in the agora.
c) Erecting statues only in Greek cities.
d) Encouraging democratic reforms.

Answer 33

a) Wearing purple robes and a diadem.

Question 34

Why did Greeks adopt Near Eastern theocracy?
a) To establish better trade relations with Near Eastern societies.
b) To address the crisis of legitimacy in the Classical polis.
c) To reject traditional Greek religious practices.
d) To distance themselves from democratic ideals.

Answer 34

b) To address the crisis of legitimacy in the Classical polis.