Chapter 1.1 The political setting

Question 1

During the near east in the 6th century, what great 2 empires were divided?

Answer 1

The Byzantine(Later called the Roman Empire) was in the west.

The Sasanian Empire(Persia) in the east, with the kingdoms of Himyar in southern Arabia, and Axum in Africa.

Question 2

What cultural traditions did the Byzantine practice?

Answer 2

Hellenistic culture

Question 3

What cultural traditions did the Sasanians practice?

Answer 3

Ancient Iranian and Semitic cultural traditions.

Zoroastrianism

Question 4

What large religious homogenous population was the Byzantines and Sasanian made up of?

Answer 4

The Jews

Question 5

What is the capital of Byzantine?

Answer 5

Constantinople

Question 6

What is the capital of Sasanian?

Answer 6

Ctesiphon

Question 7

What were some of the main cities the Jews lived in?

Answer 7

Alexandria , Jerusalem, Antioch, Hamadan, Rayy, Susa, and the two capitals of Byzantine and Sasanian.

Question 8

What is orthodox Christianity ?

Answer 8

F

Question 9

What is Hellenism ?

Answer 9

B

Question 10

What is Zoroastrianism?

Answer 10

R

Question 11

Why did the Byzantine and Sasanian had wars with each other?

Answer 11

• to secure and extend their territories

- to seize key towns from one another to to gain control and to tax the lucrative “orient trade”.