Quiz 3: Ancient India & China

Question 1

How did the Indus Valley civilization resemble other early river valley cultures? How was it different?

Answer 1

They were all well-organized. They all used a common system of weights and measurements. They were all also located by rivers and were able to water crops. Likely polytheistic; Mother Earth. Likely city-states.
Unlike others, the Indus Valley civilization did not build large, monumental structures.

Question 2

What likely contributed to the decline of the Indus Valley civilization?

Answer 2

Beginning in 1750’s, quality of life deteriorating - cities falling into disorder. Theories: disease, climate change, civilization decay

Question 3

How did the Zhou Dynasty maintain control of China for such a long period of time? What political theory did they use to justify their rule?

Answer 3

Justified rule by Mandate from Heaven: belief that dynasties fall due to divine will.

Question 4

How did the Western and Eastern Zhou periods differ from each other?

Answer 4

Western: China largely isolated by geography, feudalistic society with strong emphasis of Patrilineal Primogeniture.
Eastern: Nomads invited into China, collapse of Zhou Dynasty into separate warring kingdoms following Partrition of Jin.

Question 5

What is the Late Bronze Age Collapse? What might have caused the collapse? Do historians generally agree on what happened, or are there still unanswered questions?

Answer 5

Sudden collapse of Bronze Age societies
Volcanic eruption in Iceland & draughts causing food shortages. Bubonic plague causing massive pandemic.
Global trade destroyed, copper supplies effectively dried up.
Still unanswered questions - cause is ultimately unknown.

Question 6

What are some significant details of the Assyrian Empire?

Answer 6

Akkadian-speaking, warlike people from northern Mesopotamia.
Frequently fought with Amorite and Kassite Babylon. Survived Bronze Age collapse.

Question 7

How was the Assyrian Empire connected with the rest of the world?

Answer 7

Near East well connected from Media to Egypt - trade protected by Assyria.

Question 8

How was the Assyrians society/government organized?

Answer 8

Eunuchs from lower classes given roles of prominence.

Question 9

What artistic or technological advancements were made in this era? for the Assyrians

Answer 9

Planned capitol cities - use of iron weapons, mounted cavalry, and siege engines.

Question 10

What are some significant details of the Babylonian Empire?

Answer 10

Most famously ruled by Nebuchadnezzar the Great. Founded by Nabopolassar. “Chaldean” Empire - smaller and shorter lived than Assyrian Empire - ruled with similar government structures.

Question 11

How was the Babylonian Empire connected with the rest of the world?

Answer 11

Babylon at center of Mesopotamian culture - greater trade with Media, less with Egypt.

Question 12

How was the Babylonians government organized?

Answer 12

Strict hierarchy with king on top, large slave class on the bottom.

Question 13

What artistic or technological advancements were made in this era? for the Babylonians?

Answer 13

Renaissance of Babylonian arts, similar military tech

Question 14

What are some significant details of the Persian Empire?

Answer 14

Persian dynasty founded by Achaemenes. Also known as Ahaemenid Empire = largest empire to date. Rise of Persian Empire marks Iron Age end and Classical antiquity beginning.

Question 15

How was the Persian Empire connected with the rest of the world?

Answer 15

Massive empire, trade protected

Question 16

How was the Persian government/society organized?

Answer 16

Satraps: viceroys given substantial autonomy in their territories.

Question 17

What artistic or technological advancements were made in the era of the Persian empire?

Answer 17

Persian art and architecture blended aesthetics from empire. Best military tech, horses, chariots, camels, etc.

Question 18

How did the Persian Empire differ from the earlier Mesopotamian empires?

Answer 18

The Persians were far more affable - conquered people could practice their own religion, speak their native language, and continue to appoint their own local officials.

Question 20

What new challenges did the Achaemenids face in trying to govern their massive world-spanning empire?

Answer 20

Maintaining a massive empire = very expensive, massive taxes. Failed to create a shared national identity led to disunity in military. Ultimately conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

Question 21

Who were the Minoans? Where is their civilization located?

Answer 21

Named for Minos, mythical King of Crete. First Greek civilization - influenced later cultures. Located on the island of Crete.

Question 22

How did the Minoans influence later Greek societies?

Answer 22

By their writing system in later languages. Cretan alphabet.

Question 23

How did Classical Athens and Sparta differ in their forms of government? How did the two cities organize their respective societies? How did most other poleis govern themselves during the Archaic and Classical Ages?

Answer 23

Athens: main polis in Attica. Originally ruled by tyrants like other Poleis.
Democracy of Athens: assemblies any male 20+, 50 reps from each tribe (500 total) for financial goverance - courts for settling criminal and civil suits.
Sparta: militaristic polis dominating Lacedaemon. Social structures and economy oriented towards warfare. Spartan Oligarchy, ruled by 2 king, supported by priests, elders, military officers. (Most Poleis ruled by a tyrant or king.)

Question 24

What did Alexander the Great accomplish?

Answer 24

He conquered a ton of regions - Syria, Phoenicia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persian etc.

Question 24

Who is Alexander the Great?

Answer 24

Alexander III - eldest son of Philip II and 4th wife Olympias.
Mother lightning dream caused some to think of him as son of Zeus. (at least he is destined for greatness). Skilled, effective leader; quickly brought nearly entire ancient world under his rule. Ascended throne at age 20; personally tutored by Aristotle.

Question 25

What are the lasting effects of Alexander the Great’s accomplishments? And how did he die + what age?

Answer 25

He destroyed the Persian Empire forever. Alexander the Great died at the age of 32 supposedly from a fever (malaria/typhus); possibly poisoned.