Culture and Religion in the West to 500 AD

Question 1

Zoroastrianism

Answer 1

The official religion of ancient Persia

Question 2

Avesta

Answer 2

The main text of Zoroastrianism

Question 3

Augurs

Answer 3

Roman priests in charge with interpreting signs from gods

Question 4

Dies fasti / nefasti

Answer 4

Good and bad days for business in the Roman calendar

Question 5

Cybele and Attis

Answer 5

Deities from Asia Minor imported by Rome

Question 6

Isis and Sarapis

Answer 6

Hellenistic deities from Egypt imported by Rome

Question 7

Mithras

Answer 7

Mystery cult from Persia popular with Roman soldiers in Late Antiquity

Question 8

Sol Invictus

Answer 8

Cult of the Unconquered Sun popular in Late Antiquity, often associated with Mithras

Question 9

Ecclesia

Answer 9

Small communities in early Christianity; later came to mean “church” in most neo-Latin languages (e.g. Spanish iglesia)

Question 10

Arianism

Answer 10

From an Orthodox standpoint, a Christian heresy rejecting the nature of the Trinity. (i.e. Jesus was not consubstantial with the Father)

Question 11

Monophysitism

Answer 11

From an Orthodox standpoint, a Christian heresy stating that Jesus was only a “god” with no human attributes.