Strictly Test Review AP World

Where did Alexander the Great conquer?

He conquered Persia, Egypt, and lands stretching into India.

What religion spread along the Silk Roads?

Buddhism.

What is the difference between history and prehistory?

History has written records; prehistory is the time before writing.

Why was Alexandria important?

It became a major center of trade, learning, and Hellenistic culture.

What was the social status of women in most ancient civilizations?

Women usually had fewer legal, political, and social rights than men.

How did the Persians usually treat conquered peoples?

They were generally tolerant and allowed people to keep their religions and customs.

How were the Persians somewhat similar to Alexander the Great’s rule?

Both often allowed local cultures to continue instead of completely replacing them.

How was Egypt theocratic?

The pharaoh was both a political ruler and considered divine.

How were Mesopotamian rulers different from Egyptian pharaohs?

Mesopotamian rulers were usually seen as servants or representatives of the gods, not gods themselves.

What did Mesoamerican civilizations generally not have?

Large domesticated draft animals and wheeled transportation.

How did Greek geography affect Greek history?

Mountains and islands separated communities and helped independent city-states develop.

What similarities did Han China and Rome share?

Both had large empires, strong governments, roads, armies, trade networks, and problems with overexpansion and invasions.

What helped cause the end of the Gupta Empire?

Invasions by the Huns and weakening central authority.

Who was Ashoka?

A Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War.

How did Ashoka help spread Buddhism?

He sent missionaries and promoted Buddhist ideas through edicts.

How did Rome’s size contribute to its collapse?

The empire became too large and expensive to govern and defend.

What was Sparta like?

A militaristic society focused on discipline, warfare, and strong soldiers.

How did patriarchy appear in ancient law codes?

Men generally had more rights and power than women.

What is ancestor veneration?

Honoring and respecting deceased family ancestors.

What were important features of Chinese civilization?

Civil service exams, filial piety, Confucianism, and strong bureaucracy.

What are public works?

Government-built projects such as roads, canals, walls, bridges, and irrigation systems.

What functions did public works serve?

They helped trade, transportation, farming, defense, and government control.

Why was Qin Shihuangdi important?

He was the first emperor to unify China and standardized writing, weights, measures, and currency.

Who were the Harappans?

The people of the Indus Valley Civilization.

What were Harappan cities known for?

Planned cities, drainage systems, standardized bricks, and trade.

What were major continuities in Indian civilization?

The caste system, Hindu traditions, village life, and strong family structures.

What was the Achaemenid Empire?

The ancient Persian Empire ruled by leaders such as Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes.

Who was Cyrus the Great?

The founder of the Persian Empire who was known for tolerance.

Who was Darius I?

A Persian ruler who organized the empire and improved roads and administration.

Who was Xerxes?

A Persian king who fought against the Greek city-states.

How did Greek expansion differ from Persian expansion?

Persians built a large land empire through conquest and administration, while Greeks expanded through colonies, trade, and Alexander’s conquests.

What is syncretism?

The blending of different cultures, religions, or traditions.

What is minting?

The production of coins by stamping metal.

Who first used standardized coin currency?

The Lydians.

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

The Chinese belief that rulers had heaven’s approval to rule.

How could a ruler lose the Mandate of Heaven?

By ruling badly, becoming corrupt, or failing to protect the people.

What is monotheism?

Belief in one god.

What is egalitarianism?

The belief that people should have equal status or rights.

How were most ancient societies socially divided?

Into rulers or elites, priests, merchants and artisans, peasants, and enslaved people.

Where was the city-state system important?

Ancient Greece and Mesopotamia.

How did geography influence Indian history?

Mountain passes allowed invasions and cultural exchange, while other natural barriers provided some protection.

How did geography influence Chinese history?

Mountains, deserts, and seas helped isolate China and support cultural continuity.

What is provincialism?

Strong loyalty to a local region or province instead of the larger state.

Who split the Roman Empire into eastern and western sections?

Diocletian.

Why did Diocletian split the Roman Empire?

To make the large empire easier to govern.

Who were the Byzantines?

The people of the Eastern Roman Empire after the Western Roman Empire fell.

What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?

Constantinople.

What were major Persian achievements?

Qanats, tolerance, Zoroastrianism, roads, and a courier system.

What are qanats?

Underground canals used to transport water.

What is Zoroastrianism?

A Persian religion centered on the struggle between good and evil.

What are pastoral nomads?

People who move from place to place with herds of animals.

What is mobilization?

Organizing people and resources for war or another major effort.

What is bureaucracy?

A system of government officials who manage and carry out government policies.

What is direct democracy?

A system in which citizens vote directly on laws and decisions.

What is representative democracy?

A system in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

What was Pax Romana?

A long period of Roman peace, stability, and prosperity.

What was one of the biggest threats to ancient empires?

Invasion by outside groups, especially when the empire was already weakened internally.

What is the caste system?

A hereditary social hierarchy in India.

What was the major contribution of the Hebrews?

Monotheism and the development of Judaism.

Who were the Phoenicians?

Seafaring traders from the eastern Mediterranean.

What was the Phoenicians’ major contribution?

They spread an alphabet that influenced Greek and Roman writing.

What does Hellenism mean?

The spread and blending of Greek culture with Egyptian, Persian, and Asian cultures.