pre-ap world history greek

What is Zoroastrianism?

Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion from ancient Persia, focusing on Ahura Mazda and the struggle between good and evil.

What was the Royal Road?

The Royal Road was a major Persian highway facilitating communication across the empire, spanning about 1,677 miles.

How did the Persian Empire treat religious minorities it conquered?

The Persian Empire practiced religious tolerance, allowing conquered peoples to maintain their beliefs.

What is prostration and how did the Greeks feel about this practice?

Prostration is the act of lying face down as a sign of submission, which was common in Persian court etiquette. The Greeks viewed this practice negatively, seeing it as degrading.

What was Phoenician religion and religious practice like?

Phoenician religion was polytheistic, featuring a pantheon of gods associated with nature and celestial bodies, but specific practices remain largely undocumented. Their religious life included temple worship and festivals.

. Where did the Phoenicians set up colonies?

The Phoenicians established colonies throughout the Western Mediterranean, including Carthage, Cadiz, and Motya. These settlements were vital for trade and cultural exchange.

What was the most important invention with which the Phoenicians are credited?

The Phoenicians are credited with creating the first alphabetic writing system, which laid the foundation for many modern alphabets. This phonetic alphabet significantly influenced Greek and Latin scripts.

How and why are the Phoenicians referred to in the Bible?

In the Bible, Phoenicians are often mentioned as skilled craftsmen and traders, particularly in their interactions with the Israelites. They are noted for their role in constructing Solomon's Temple.

What was Carthage? Where is it?

Carthage was a powerful Phoenician city-state located in modern Tunisia, known for its maritime prowess and rivalry with Rome. It became one of the most influential cities in the ancient Mediterranean.

What kind of language did the Phoenicians speak?

The Phoenicians spoke a Canaanite Semitic language closely related to Hebrew, using an alphabetic script that influenced later languages. Their language reflected their cultural connections within the region.

What is an Abrahamic religion? What are the Abrahamic religions?

Abrahamic religions are monotheistic faiths that trace their origins to Abraham, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These religions share common beliefs and historical narratives.

What is monotheism?

Monotheism is the belief in a single supreme deity, distinguishing it from polytheism, which recognizes multiple gods. Major monotheistic religions include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

What is Mosaic law? What are the Ten Commandments?

Mosaic law encompasses ancient Hebrew laws traditionally believed to have been given to Moses, including the Ten Commandments as key moral directives. These laws play a central role in Jewish and Christian traditions.

Why were the Israelites in conflict with the Phoenicians – and many other Near Eastern people?

The Israelites often conflicted with neighboring peoples like the Phoenicians due to territorial disputes and differing religious beliefs. Their monotheism clashed with surrounding polytheistic cultures.

What is the Jewish Diaspora?

The Jewish Diaspora refers to the dispersion of Jewish people from their ancestral homeland into various parts of the world over time. This occurred due to persecution, exile, and voluntary migration.

Why is Jerusalem important to three religions?

Jerusalem is significant to Judaism as the site of the ancient Temple; to Christianity as the location of Jesus' crucifixion; and to Islam as the third-holiest city linked to Muhammad's Night Journey.

What sort of religion did the ancient Greeks follow?

Ancient Greeks practiced a polytheistic religion with a rich pantheon of gods representing various aspects of life and nature. Their religious practices included rituals, myths, and festivals dedicated to these deities.

What is Greece’s geography like and how did this influence its development?

Greece's geography features mountainous terrain and numerous islands that encouraged the development of independent city-states and maritime trade networks. This landscape shaped political organization and cultural exchange.

What is a polis?

A polis was an independent city-state in ancient Greece characterized by its urban center and surrounding territory. Each polis had its own government, laws, and customs.

Who was Solon and why is he important?

Solon was an Athenian statesman known for implementing reforms in the 6th century BCE that addressed social inequalities and laid foundations for democracy. His policies included debt forgiveness and expanding citizenship rights.

Who were the helots?

Helots were unfree laborers in Sparta who were primarily conquered peoples forced to work for Spartan masters under harsh conditions. They were subjected to strict control to prevent rebellion.

What is the modern country where the Persian Empire had its capital, Persepolis?

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire located in modern-day Iran's Fars Province. Its ruins reflect the grandeur of Persian architecture and administration.

What was a satrap?

A satrap was a governor appointed by Persian kings to oversee provinces within their empire, responsible for tax collection and maintaining order while remaining loyal to central authority. This system helped manage Persia's vast territories effectively.

What form of government did Athens adopt under its ancient constitution?

Athens adopted direct democracy under its ancient constitution, allowing male citizens to participate directly in governance through assemblies and public offices. This system promoted civic engagement among citizens.

How did ancient Athenians select most of their government officials?

Most government officials in ancient Athens were selected by lottery from eligible male citizens through sortition to ensure fairness and reduce corruption in public service roles. This practice reflected democratic principles of equal opportunity.

What is a tyrant?

In ancient Greece, a tyrant was someone who seized power unconstitutionally but often enjoyed popular support; they were not necessarily cruel by nature but could become autocratic over time. This term has evolved in modern usage to imply oppressive rule.

What is the Parthenon and why was it built?

The Parthenon is a temple on Athens' Acropolis dedicated to Athena, symbolizing Athenian power and cultural achievement built during the 5th century BCE. It serves both as a religious shrine and an architectural marvel.

How did the Spartans educate their people?

Spartan education focused on military training through a rigorous program known as agoge that began at age seven for boys removed from their families to instill discipline and prepare them for citizenship roles as soldiers.

Why were young Spartan men and women kept separate most of the year?

Young Spartan men and women were kept separate most of the year to maintain discipline; men trained for military service while women focused on managing households and raising strong children for Sparta.

How did the Spartans treat the helots?

Spartans treated helots harshly through oppression and surveillance to prevent uprisings; they were subjected to humiliation and violence by their Spartan masters as part of maintaining control over this labor class.

What were the ancient Olympics like?

Ancient Olympics were athletic festivals held every four years at Olympia featuring competitions like running, wrestling, and chariot racing attended by athletes from various Greek city-states celebrating unity through sport.

What were the Persian Wars?

The Persian Wars were conflicts between Greek city-states and Persia during the 5th century BCE marked by significant battles such as Marathon and Salamis that ultimately led to Greek victories over Persian forces.

What is a phalanx and why is it important?

A phalanx was a military formation of heavily armed infantry crucial for Greek warfare success; this close-order tactic allowed Greek armies to effectively combat larger enemy forces during battles like those in the Persian Wars.

What was the Periclean Age?

The Periclean Age refers to Athens' golden age under Pericles' leadership during the 5th century BCE marked by significant advancements in art, architecture, philosophy, and democratic governance establishing Athens as a cultural center.

Who were Sophocles and Euripides?

Sophocles and Euripides were prominent ancient Greek tragedians whose works explored complex human emotions and moral dilemmas; they are considered among the greatest playwrights whose dramas are still performed today.

What are Doric, Ionian and Corinthian columns?

Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns are three classical architectural styles characterized by distinct features: Doric columns are simple; Ionic columns have scrolls; Corinthian columns are ornate with acanthus leaves.

What is hubris?

Hubris is an ancient Greek concept referring to excessive pride or arrogance often leading characters toward downfall; it is a common theme in Greek tragedies where characters face divine retribution for their hubris.

What is Hellenism?

Hellenism refers to the spread of Greek culture following Alexander the Great's conquests blending Greek traditions with local customs across his vast empire influencing art, philosophy, language, and governance throughout regions he conquered.

Who was Socrates? What were his beliefs? 

Socrates was an influential philosopher who emphasized ethical self-examination through questioning assumptions; his method encouraged dialogue aimed at uncovering truth which laid foundational ideas for Western philosophy.

What is The Republic and what type of government does it endorse?

The Republic" is Plato's philosophical work discussing justice while advocating for governance by philosopher-kings who possess wisdom necessary for creating a just society based on knowledge rather than power alone.

What crimes was Socrates accused of and why, most likely, was he accused and tried?

Socrates was accused of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens. He was likely accused and tried due to his questioning of traditional beliefs and authorities, which threatened the established order in Athens, especially following the city's defeat in the Peloponnesian War.

Who was Plato?

Plato was Socrates' student who founded the Academy in Athens; he wrote influential works on philosophy that shaped Western thought including "The Republic" exploring ideas about justice governance ethics education among others.

What was the Academy?

The Academy was an early institution of higher learning founded by Plato around 387 BCE focused on subjects like philosophy mathematics theoretical sciences influencing future educational systems throughout history.

Who was Aristotle?

Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist who studied under Plato and later tutored Alexander the Great. He made significant contributions to various fields including logic, metaphysics, ethics, biology, and politics, and his works greatly influenced Western philosophy and science.

What are Cynicism, Skepticism, Epicureanism and Stoicism?

Cynicism Skepticism Epicureanism Stoicism represent Hellenistic philosophical schools emerging during ancient Greece addressing ethics happiness differently: Cynicism advocated simple living Skepticism questioned certainty Epicureanism sought pleasure freedom from fear Stoicism emphasized virtue reason harmony with nature.

Who was Archimedes and why is he important?

Archimedes was an ancient Greek mathematician known for his contributions across various fields including physics engineering mathematics; he made important discoveries like buoyancy principles inventions such as Archimedes' screw used for lifting water.

What were the Peloponnesian Wars and what was their outcome?

The Peloponnesian Wars were conflicts between Athens Sparta resulting in Athens' defeat leading decline power among Greek city-states; these wars highlighted tensions between rival factions within Greece impacting future political dynamics.

Who were the Thirty Tyrants and what was their rule like?

The Thirty Tyrants were an oligarchic regime imposed on Athens after its defeat characterized by brutality executions property confiscations leading swift overthrow after only eight months due popular resistance against oppressive rule.

What is the Hippocratic Oath?

The Hippocratic Oath outlines ethical principles guiding medical practitioners emphasizing patient care confidentiality respect teachers established foundation professional ethics within medicine still relevant today.

Who was Alexander’s teacher?

Architect Alexander Great’s teacher philosopher Aristotle influenced his education providing instruction across subjects including philosophy politics natural sciences shaping Alexander’s worldview leadership approach during conquests.

Where did Alexander The Great conquer?

Alexander Great conquered vast territories stretching from Greece India creating one history's largest empires marked by cultural exchange blending diverse traditions across regions under his rule.

What city did Alexander have constructed and named after him?

Alexandria founded by Alexander Egypt became significant center Hellenistic culture known great library lighthouse serving hub intellectual activity trade attracting scholars thinkers throughout antiquity.

How did Alexander deal with a Theban rebellion?

Alexander dealt decisively with Theban rebellion capturing razing city selling inhabitants into slavery sending strong message against dissent among other Greek cities considering revolt against Macedonian authority.

What happened to Alexander’s conquests after his death?

After Alexander’s death his empire fragmented among generals known Diadochi leading series wars establishing several Hellenistic kingdoms including Ptolemaic Kingdom Egypt Seleucid Empire Asia Antigonid Dynasty Macedonia shaping political landscape future centuries.

What are some important Greek myths?

Importance Greek myths includes tales Olympian gods heroes like Heracles Trojan War adventures Odysseus stories Perseus Medusa Theseus Minotaur reflecting cultural values beliefs shaping identity ancient Greek civilization throughout history.