Mankind: the Story of All of Us-Episode 2: "Iron Men"

What Phoenician invention, carved using iron tools, allowed their ships to remain stable even in unstable seas?

The keel

How was Suetonius Paulinus able to defeat the Britains?

better technology; better‐drilled military; annihilated druids

Besides trade goods, what else traveled along the Silk Road?

ideas, religions, armies, cultures, languages, migrants

The Phoenicians created an alphabet. What advantages does alphabetic writing have over other writing systems?

A combination of letters can be used to represent almost any sound in any language. It is easy to learn, thereby putting reading and writing in everyone's reach. It simplified the script, making it easier for people to learn how to read and write.

What other Greek city‐state had to choose whether to stand together with Sparta or accept Persian domination?

Athens

Why did Rome need to complete the conquest of Britain?

Britain had precious metals Britain's economy is based on conquest

Near the end of the segment, the video says that _________________ is "the lasting legacy of the Roman Empire."

Christianity

How did conflict, including attacks by the people mentioned in the above question, affect the bronze trade?

Disrupted it, causing the trade in bronze to dry up.

What are the advantages of iron over bronze?

Harder, can hold an edge better, and much more plentiful

How did Perpetua's execution affect Pudens, the prison guard?

He joined Christianity

Persian invaders threatened the new book. What did Zerubabbel do to try to save his people and their holy book?

He led 100 families back to his ancestral homeland.

What caused Shi Huangdi's death?

He was taking mercury tablets, which had been prescribed by his doctor to make him immortal.

What new religions came up during the iron age?

Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Judaism

What did the Romans go all the way to China to learn?

How to make silks.

The Greek historian Herodotus said, "Great deeds are wrought from great risk." What does this mean?

It is only when things are dangerous that people can accomplish important things - when life is easy, one can do easy things.

According to the documentary, war drives technological innovation. Is this true or false? Justify your answer with an example.

Most will say yes - using the crossbow as an example. There are numerous other examples for either yes or no.

The writers of the video chose Reza Aslan, an expert on Islam, to be their "talking head" for the segment on the origins of Judaism. Why might they have chosen an Islam expert instead of a Judaism expert for this segment?

Opinion question, but answers should address the constructed nature of history. They may point out the biases inherent in both members of a religion and non‐members.

What major power was invading the lands of Sparta?

Persia

What major empire will represent mankind "leaping forward, with a new pace of life?"

Rome

How do we know about Perpetua?

She kept a diary (the earliest writings of a Christian woman we have)

Captured Babylonian Jews codified (wrote) down many of their writings. What book does this become?

The Bible

Why did the Romans outlaw Christianity?

The Christians refused to honor the Roman gods. They placed their loyalty to Christ instead of to Rome.

Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor, unified China under one leader. What does this symbolize?

The birth of China

Why are Paul's letters important?

They become the bulk of the New Testament They help spread Christianity throughout the Roman empire

How did the Chinese prepare their iron differently than their western counterparts?

They cast the iron into molds to produce identical objects

The Greeks use a new tactic - the phalanx. What does that involve and what advantages does it give?

They fought very closely together, fighting together as a coordinated team The advantages: it allows them to work together, move forward slowly, and dominate the battlefield.

How did the Athenians decide which side to take in the Persian Wars?

They voted

What did Kara Cooney mean when she said, "Anybody who wants a stake in [Christianity], politically or economically, needs to be a Christian as well?"

Those who want financial or political gain have to adopt Christianity due to its growing popularity.

Many early Christians were the very poor, slaves, and women. Why?

Those with no voice in Rome could find a voice in the Christian movement.

How did standardized, interchangeable parts give an advantage to the Chinese?

You could have extra parts, you can replace pieces and fix it quickly.

Rome reserved crucifixion for pirates, slaves, and enemies of the state. Rome considered Jesus to be which of these?

an enemy of the state

One answer to riots and unrest was to build. Claudius decided to build an ______________ out of _______________ (what building material?).

aqueduct; concrete

Gates, the historian, says that Jesus' death transformed the course of human history "more profoundly than any other single event over the past 2,000 years." In contrast to this importance, how did the Roman empire view it?

crucifixion was so commonplace - the Romans barely registered it

How did this water affect the city of Rome?

demonstrated Rome's power delivered 250 million gallons/day; allowed 1300 fountains, 900 baths, 144 public toilets Rome became the most advanced city on earth - with big apartments, libraries, a sewer system, and temples Rome became the world's first mega‐city

Name at least two things the Romans would have found barbaric about the people of Britain.

fighting against Roman occupation use of guerilla tactics collect the heads of their enemies Druid worship of nature standing around naked practicing human sacrifice

Simon of Cyrene was just a normal guy who happened to be in Jerusalem. What role did he end up playing in the crucifixion?

he helped carry the cross

What major problem was Emperor Claudius facing?

lack of food

Why do you think gladiatorial games were so popular?

possible answers include: desiring to witness death firsthand, the potential danger brings an emotional rush, watching violence has always been popular, gets out aggression, viewing another's mortality makes them feel alive

We don't know the identity of the people who invaded the Egyptian coast. What did the Egyptians call them?

the sea people