Ancient Near East & Classical Greece: Key Concepts Review

These flashcards review major themes from the lecture: Hebrew Scriptures, Persian policies, Egyptian and Greek political structures, and foundational philosophical and technological developments.

What are the three sections of the Hebrew Bible?

Torah, Prophets, and Writings

Which books make up the Torah?

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

Who is traditionally credited with writing the Torah?

Moses

Around when was the Hebrew Bible compiled?

Approximately 1000–500 BCE

What major religious idea did the Hebrews introduce?

Monotheism—the belief in one God

The word "Bible" comes from which Greek term and what does it mean?

From Greek biblia, meaning "book"

Which Hebrew prophet foretold the coming of a messiah?

Isaiah

Who founded the Persian Empire?

Cyrus the Great

For what policy is Cyrus the Great especially remembered?

Tolerance, including allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem

What artifact is linked to Cyrus and early human-rights ideas?

The Cyrus Cylinder

How did Persian rule differ from earlier empires in dealing with conquered peoples?

It allowed religious and cultural freedom

What title was given to the rulers of ancient Egypt?

Pharaoh

Name one famous female pharaoh.

Hatshepsut

What key action is King Tutankhamun known for?

Restoring traditional Egyptian polytheism

Why was the Nile River vital to ancient Egypt?

It provided agriculture, trade routes, and societal structure

Who judged Egyptians in the afterlife?

Osiris

What religious reform did Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) attempt?

Introducing monotheism focused on the god Aten

Define a Greek polis.

An independent Greek city-state

What form of government did Athens practice?

Democracy

What form of government did Sparta have?

Oligarchy with two kings

What rights did Spartan women enjoy compared to other Greeks?

They could own property and received physical training

Which major battle did the Greeks win against Persia in 490 BCE?

The Battle of Marathon

Plato was a student of which philosopher?

Socrates

What is Plato’s best-known written work?

The Republic

Who did Plato believe were best suited to rule?

Philosopher-Kings

What was Plato’s view of democracy?

He distrusted it, seeing it as prone to mob rule

What school did Plato found in Athens?

The Academy

Which rivers supported Mesopotamian civilization?

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Why is Egypt called “the gift of the Nile”?

Because the Nile’s floods enabled agriculture and civilization

What did Hammurabi’s Code emphasize?

Justice and social hierarchy

What was cuneiform?

The earliest known writing system, developed by the Sumerians

How did the Hebrew God differ from Mesopotamian gods?

He was monotheistic, moral, and non-human

What primary purpose did Egyptian pyramids serve?

They were tombs for pharaohs

Name two key innovations of the Bronze Age.

Metal tools and sailboats (others include irrigation and writing)

How did Hebrew religion influence Western civilization?

It introduced monotheism and a moral legal code

How did the polis shape Greek life?

It fostered citizen participation and political rights

What administrative tools helped Persians build their empire?

Tolerance policies, royal roads, and satraps (provincial governors)

Why was writing essential to early civilizations?

It enabled record-keeping, law, government, and religious practice