Untitled Flashcards Set

What are the major characteristics of a civilization?

Civilizations feature complex social organization, urban development, a system of writing and record keeping, specialized labor, economic diversity, advanced art and architecture, organized government, and shared cultural, religious, and technological innovations.

Where is Ancient Sumer?

Ancient Sumer was located in southern Mesopotamia, in modern‐day southern Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

What are the major characteristics of a civilization?

Civilizations feature complex social organization, urban development, a system of writing and record keeping, specialized labor, economic diversity, advanced art and architecture, organized government, and shared cultural, religious, and technological innovations.

Where is Ancient Sumer?

Ancient Sumer was located in southern Mesopotamia, in modern‐day southern Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

What is cuneiform? When was it developed? Why was it important to the Sumerians?

Cuneiform is an early writing system developed around 3200 BCE by the Sumerians. Using a reed stylus on clay tablets, it was vital for recording transactions, laws, literature, and historical events.

What is the Lady of Warka, and what does she represent?

The Lady of Warka is an ancient Sumerian statue often linked to a goddess like Inanna, symbolizing fertility, divine power, and early religious art.

What are ziggurats? What were they used for?

Ziggurats are massive, multi-tiered step-pyramid structures that served as temple complexes. They were used as religious centers where priests conducted rituals to communicate with the divine.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, how does Enkidu describe the world of the dead?

Enkidu describes the world of the dead as a gloomy, barren, and dusty realm devoid of light and vitality—a stark contrast to the vibrancy of life.

How does Utnapishtim prove to Gilgamesh that he had slept, thus losing eternal life?

Utnapishtim explains that even with immortality, he still experiences sleep, symbolizing that even the immortal are not exempt from natural cycles akin to death.

How did Gilgamesh gain and then lose eternal youth?

Gilgamesh gains hope for eternal youth by obtaining a rejuvenating plant, but he ultimately loses it when a serpent steals the plant, underscoring the inevitability of aging.

Who was Gilgamesh, and what was his destiny according to the epic?

Gilgamesh was the semi-divine king of Uruk. His destiny was to learn humility, accept his mortality, and realize that true immortality lies in the enduring impact of his legacy.

Name the 4 divisions of ancient Egyptian history.

Ancient Egyptian history is divided into the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, the New Kingdom, and the Late Period.

What was the Book of the Dead?

The Book of the Dead is a collection of spells, prayers, and incantations on papyrus placed in tombs to guide the deceased safely through the underworld into the afterlife.

What was the title of the Egyptian ruler?

The Egyptian ruler was known as the “Pharaoh,” a title that signified both political power and divine authority.

Who was Akhenaton? Why did he cause a problem?

Akhenaton was an Egyptian pharaoh who attempted a religious revolution by promoting the worship of a single deity, the sun disk Aten, disrupting traditional polytheistic practices and alienating powerful priesthoods.

Why is King Tut important?

King Tutankhamun is important because the discovery of his nearly intact tomb in 1922 provided remarkable insights into ancient Egyptian art, burial practices, and everyday life, sparking worldwide interest in Egyptology.

What is the purpose of the pyramids?

The pyramids were built as monumental tombs to protect the bodies and possessions of pharaohs, ensuring their safe passage and sustenance in the afterlife.

Complete the proverb: 'Man fears time, but time fears ___________. '

Art.

What is a necropolis?

A necropolis is a large, ancient cemetery—literally a “city of the dead”—characterized by elaborate tombs and monuments.

Where did the Egyptians get their workforce to build the pyramids?

Egyptians employed a skilled labor force of artisans and seasonal workers (often conscripted during the Nile’s inundation) rather than slaves.

The Sphinx is part ______________ and part ______________.

The Sphinx is part lion and part human, symbolizing strength and intelligence.

What does a Cycladic idol look like?

A Cycladic idol is a small, abstract marble figurine with a simplified, geometric human form, often featuring folded arms and minimal facial features.

Who killed the Minotaur? With which city is the legend associated?

The hero Theseus killed the Minotaur. This legend is associated with Athens and the mythic labyrinth on the island of Crete.

What is the Snake Goddess of Knossos?

The Snake Goddess of Knossos is a Minoan figurine depicting a female deity adorned with snake motifs, symbolizing fertility, protection, and the cycle of life and death.

Who discovered the remains of the Mycenaean culture?

Heinrich Schliemann is credited with discovering the remains of the Mycenaean culture, notably at sites such as Troy and Mycenae.

Why are Polykleitos’ Doryphoros and Myron’s Discobolus examples of the Classical ideal?

These sculptures exemplify the Classical ideal through their balanced proportions, symmetry, and dynamic yet harmonious representation of the human body, celebrating physical perfection and movement.

In what ways does Classical architecture exhibit elements of the Classical ideal?

Classical architecture shows elements of balance, symmetry, proportion, and the systematic use of orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) to create harmonious and aesthetically pleasing structures.

What are friezes and pediments and their function in Classical architecture?

Friezes are horizontal decorative bands often depicting narrative scenes; pediments are triangular gables above a building’s entrance. Both enhance the building’s aesthetics and often convey cultural or mythological stories.

What was the Peloponnesian War and who was involved?

The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) was a prolonged conflict between Athens and its allies and Sparta and its coalition, which reshaped the Greek world politically and militarily.

What are the main tenets of the Classical Ideal?

The Classical Ideal emphasizes balance, harmony, proportion, and rational beauty, celebrating the idealized human form and the pursuit of excellence in art, architecture, and thought.

What is the role of the Chorus in Greek drama?

In Greek drama, the Chorus comments on the action, provides background information, reflects public opinion, and guides the audience’s emotional response.

Who was the most successful and prosperous Classical Greek playwright?

Sophocles is considered one of the most successful and influential Classical Greek playwrights, renowned for his tragedies and contributions to theater.

What is the main difference between the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle?

Plato focused on abstract ideal forms and a transcendent reality, while Aristotle emphasized empirical observation, practical experience, and studying the natural world.

What does “to Hellenize” mean?

To Hellenize means to adopt or spread Greek culture, language, and customs, often blending Greek traditions with local customs in conquered or colonized regions.

What are the characteristics of Hellenistic art?

Hellenistic art is marked by naturalism, dramatic expression, dynamic movement, and diverse subjects—including common people and emotionally charged scenes—reflecting a cosmopolitan era.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Greek polis?

Strengths include active citizen participation, democratic debate, and cultural achievements; weaknesses involve internal factionalism, exclusion of non-citizens, and susceptibility to internal conflict.

Why could ancient Greek religion be considered contradictory?

Ancient Greek religion is contradictory because it blends rational inquiry with mythological narratives, presenting anthropomorphic gods with human flaws alongside complex rituals and philosophical skepticism.

Who is credited with writing the Iliad and the Odyssey?

Homer is traditionally credited with composing these epic poems.

What is the main theme of the Iliad?

The Iliad explores themes of honor, glory, and the tragic costs of human conflict, set against the backdrop of the Trojan War.

What is a meander?

A meander is a continuous, repeating geometric pattern—often called a Greek key—that symbolizes infinity and is used as a decorative motif in art and architecture.

What led to colonization in the 8th and 7th centuries BC?

Colonization was driven by the search for new resources, trade opportunities, and relief from overpopulation, prompting Greek city-states to establish settlements around the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

What effect did colonization have on Greek art?

Colonization introduced diverse cultural influences and interactions, resulting in Greek art evolving to incorporate varied styles, themes, and techniques from different regions.

What caused the trade wars between Corinth and Athens?

Economic rivalry and competition for maritime trade dominance, fueled by conflicting commercial interests, led to trade wars between Corinth and Athens.

What is a kouros?

A kouros is a free-standing, life-sized statue of a young male, depicted in a rigid, frontal pose that idealizes youthful beauty, characteristic of Archaic Greek art.

What are the two possible reasons for the “archaic smile”?

The “archaic smile” may express a sense of well-being and vitality, or it could be an artistic convention suggesting that the figure is ideally animated or alive.

Why is the Kritios Boy important?

The Kritios Boy marks a transition from the Archaic to the Classical style, showcasing more naturalistic proportions and realistic portrayal of the human body.

What are the differences between Doric and Ionic architecture?

Doric architecture features sturdy, fluted columns without bases and simple capitals, while Ionic architecture is characterized by slender columns with bases and ornate, scroll-like capitals.

What is ethos?

Ethos refers to the character or credibility of a speaker or writer, reflecting the ethical appeal and trustworthiness that influences an audience’s reception.

What does philosophy mean?

Philosophy means “the love of wisdom” and is the systematic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and reason.

What were the three earliest schools of Greek philosophy?

The three earliest schools were the Milesian School (focused on natural phenomena), the Eleatic School (emphasizing the nature of being and change), and the Pythagorean School (blending mathematics, mysticism, and philosophical inquiry).