Western Civ Midterm

The Assyrians are important in history for their innovations in A. empire building B. urban architecture C. religion D. trade and commerce E. fine art and literature

A empire building

The famous Indian ruler who sent Buddhist missionaries to Greek rulers was A. Asoka B. Akbar C. Bodhisattva D. Shiva

A. Asoka

After the death of Solomon, tensions between the northern and southern tribes led to the establishment of two kingdoms, the kingdom of ____ and the kingdom of ____. A.Israel and Judah B. Palestine and Judea C. Israel and Palestine D. Palestine and Judea E. Canaan and Palestine

A. Israel and Judah

The greatest international sea traders of the ancient Near East were the A. Phoenicians B. Sea Peoples C. Carthaginians E. Philistines F. Canaanites

A. Phoenicians

Hadrian's wall was built to protect A. Roman Britain B. Gaul C. Rome itself D. Alexandria

A. Roman Britain

For the Romans, Italy's geography A. provided little productive land for agriculture B. divided the peninsula into small isolated communities C. made Rome a natural crossroads and an area easy to defend D. made the conquering of the Mediterranean a difficult task

C. made Rome a natural crossroads and an area easy to defend

Zoroastrianism was A. atheist B. dualist C. monotheist D. polytheist E. agnostic

C. monotheist

Rome set a precedent for treating its vanquished foes after forming the Roman Confederation by A. confiscating all the property of defeated peoples B. forcing slave labor on the populace of the defeated cities C. offering the most favored "allied" peoples full Roman citizenship, thus giving them a stake in successful Roman expansion D. slaughtering the citizens wholesale and selling the rest to pirates

C. offering the most favored "allied" peoples full Roman citizenship, thus giving them a stake in successful Roman expansion

The Roman Senate under Augustus was A. a full and equal partner of the princeps. B. stripped of all but the most superficial of powers. C. retained as the chief deliberative body of the Roman state. D. completely dissolved and eliminated.

C. retained as the chief deliberative body of the Roman state.

The Hellenistic era describes an age that saw A. the absence of autocratic power for nearly three centuries. B. the disappearance of a Greek cultural legacy until Roman times. C. the extension and imitation of Greek culture throughout the ancient Near East. D. Alexander's successors maintain a united empire until Roman times.

C. the extension and imitation of Greek culture throughout the ancient Near East.

The Sumerians A.defeated the Hittites in 2600 B.C. B. had a complicated religion with a sophisticated belief in life after death C. were plagued by incessant warfare between their many city-states D. built damns and irrigation canals along the Indus River E. were warriors who instituted totalitarian government

C. were plagues by incessant warfare between their many city-states

The colonies of veterans established by Augustus throughout the empire proved especially valuable in A. attracting new recruits to the army from frontier provinces B. Romanizing the provinces C. getting rid of external threats D. drawing extra criticism to the emperor

B. Romanizing the provinces

The Persian Royal Road stretched from Sardis to the capital at A. Ephess B. Susa C. Persepolis D. Athens E. Byblos

B. Susa

All of the following are believed to be developments of the Paleolithic Age except A. the controlled use of fire B. the regular production of food through agriculture C. a social system with rough equality between the sexes D. the utilization of tools E. origins of religious and decorative art

B. The regular production of food through argiculture

In general, separate early Greek communities A. established formal federations early in Greece's history B. became fierce rivals fighting so often as to threaten Greek civilization itself C. developed close ties and cooperated with one another D. avoided all contact to appease their city gods E. exchanged diplomatic representatives only

B. became fierce rivals fighting so often as to threaten Greek civilization itself

The Greek polis put primary emphasis on A. cooperating with neighboring poleis for the common good. B. cooperation between its citizens for the common welfare. C. untrammeled private enterprise. D. the protection of its citizens' individual rights

B. cooperation between its citizens for the common good

The Roman praetorian guards were A. mobile units meant to patrol the boundaries of the empire B. elite troops given the task of protecting the emperor C. stationed along Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain D. cavalry used to spearhead military offensives

B. elite troops given the task of protecting the emperor

Cleisthenes' constitution established the Athenian government as A. oligarchy B. tyranny C. democracy D. dictatorship

C. democracy

The hoplite phalanx relied for its success on A. individual acts of valor. B. speed and mobility C. discipline and teamwork D. superior horsemanship E. fortified wine

C. discipline and teamwork

Which of the following was not one of Philip II's military reforms? A. Made use of engineers who designed catapults to destroy enemy fortifications. B. He made use of cavalry contingents in breaking the opposing line of battle. C. He abandoned the phalanx formation as too ineffective and inefficient D. His warriors used a longer thrusting spear, double that of the Greek hoplite.

C. he abandoned the phalanx formation as too ineffective and inefficient

Which of the following statements best describes the Mycenaeans? A. They were a warrior people who achieved their apex between 1400 and 1200 B.C. B. They were a people dominated by a theocracy; they were often led into battle by their warrior priesthood. C. They were a non-Greek speaking peoples on the island of Crete. D. They were merchants who dominated Mediterranean trade in the fourth century B.C. E. They produced exotic articles of trade in the fifth century B.C.

A. They were a warrior people who achieved their apex between 1400 and 1200 B.C.

The immediate cause of the Persian Wars was A. a revolt of the Ionian Greek colonies in Asia Minor B. the Persian defeat of Sparta C. the Ionian invasion of Persia D. the capture of the Persian queen by Aristagoras of Miletus

A. a revolt of the Ionian Greek colonies in Asia Minor

In establishing his empire, Alexander the Great A. all of the above. B. combined Greek and Persian practices to allow its administration. C. saw himself as a descendant of Greek gods and heroes. D. allowed intermarriage between his soldiers and native Persian women

A. all of the above

In defeating the Greek city-states in southern Italy, Rome A. had to fight the soldiers of King Pyrrhus, sent against them by the Greeks B. gained a sense of security and demobilized its military C. employed mercenary armies from Persia and Asia Minor D. faced large, well-trained armies from the Greek colonies

A. had to fight the soldiers of King Pyrrhus, sent against them by the Greeks

Homer's Iliad points out the A. honor and courage of Greek aristocratic heroes in battle. B. superiority of the military phalanx over the aristocratic cavalry. C. absolute abhorrence of violence by the Greeks. D. exalted position of women in Greek society. E. Greeks' rejection of slavery.

A. honor and courage of Greek aristocratic heroes in battle

The Senate granted Octavian the title Imperator (Emperor) but he preferred to be addressed as A. princeps B. senator C. pontifex D. overlord

A. princeps

The result of the Third Punic War was A. the complete destruction and subjugation of Carthage B. the sacking of Rome C. the loss of Rome's mastery of the Mediterranean Sea D. an alliance between Rome and Carthage

A. the complete destruction and subjugation of Carthage

Imperium was A. the power to command Roman citizens B. the duties which Roman citizens owed to the gods C. the privileges reserved to patricians D. the right to collect taxes

A. the power to command Roman citizens

The Greek general who took Egypt after Alexander's death and converted it into the first Hellenistic kingdom was A. Ptolemy B. Seleucis C. Bucephalus D. Antigonis

A.Ptolemy

The founder of the Kingdom of Israel (1000-970 B.C.) was the military hero A. Joshua B. David C. Solomon D. Ezra E. Saul

B. David

At the Battle of Chaeronea (338 B.C.E.), Philip II A. was killed, leaving Alexander in control of Greece. B. defeated the Greek poleis, ending their independence. C. suffered a humiliating defeat. D. drove the Persian navy out of the Aegean Sea.

B. Defeated the Greek poleis, ending their independence

Unlike the rivers in Mesopotamia, the Nile River A. is subject to violent, unpredictable floods B. floods predictably at the same time every year C. never rises or falls, but flows steadily year-round D. was a dry shell for ten months of the year E. frequently goes dry, leaving the land barren

B. Floods predictably at the same time every year

The term "civilization" refers to human societies which, amongst other features, A. have learned to live in peace with their neighbors B. have an urban focus and a distinct religious structure C. have given up religion and adopted rational thinking D. have art and music E. support themselves mainly by trading and manufacturing

B. Have an urban focus and a distinct religious structure

Alexander the Great's conquests in Asia occurred despite A. the Persian king Darius III's refusal to make any peace settlements and resort to guerilla warfare. B. his eventual difficulties in convincing his troops to fight so far from home. C. his having no military expertise prior to his father's assassination. D. the lack of a strong cavalry and inability to capture Egypt.

B. his eventual difficulties in convincing his troops to fight so far from home

The rise of tyrants in the poleis in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. A. meant the increased oppression of the peasants B. often encouraged the economic and cultural progress of the cities C. were supported by the aristocracy in order to control the merchant and artisan classes D. had little to do with the development of the hoplite fighting force E. crushed for good the power of the democratic oligarchies

B. often encouraged the economic and cultural progress of the cities

The Twelve Tables was/were A. used to record and inspire a new religious cult in Rome B. the first formal codification of Roman law and customs C. the only place in Rome where patricians and plebeians could meet together D. arts of the Roman festival celebrating spring's arrival

B. the first formal codification of Roman law and customs

All of the following occurred during the reigns of the five "good emperors" except for A. extensive building programs B. the halting of imperial bureaucratic growth C. being a period of peace for approximately 100 years D. the establishment of educational programs for the poor

B. the halting of imperial bureaucratic growth

The Spartans made the army the center of their society because A. they feared a naval attack by Athens B. they feared an uprising by their helots C. they feared a naval attack by Persia D. the Spartans had always loved killing and mayhem E. Thebes appeared to be a looming threat

B. they feared an uprising by their helots

Which of the statements best describes the Julio-Claudian emperors? A. undid all the military reforms of Augustus B. varied in ability and effectiveness C. were responsible for a tremendous amount of social legislation D. were all competent rulers

B. varied in ability and effectiveness

The Struggle of the Orders A. was a peaceful struggle between the patricians and plebeians, won completely by the patricians B. was a peaceful struggle which resulted in political compromise C. was a violent struggle between the patricians and plebeians D. was a violent conflict between Rome's citizens and their slaves

B. was a peaceful struggle which resulted in political compromise

In ancient civilizations, bronze would replace copper because A. bronze ore was easier to find B. it was prettier and therefore made prettier jewelry C. bronze was harder and more durable D. copper tools and weapons became too soft because of the hot weather of the Middle East E. bronze took less time to smelt

C. Bronze was harder and more durable

The destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and the Babylonian Captivity of the Hebrews occurred at the hands of the A. Assyrians B. Philistines C. Chaldeans D. Persians E. Sea Peoples

C. Chaldeans

The elite infantry of the Persian army were known as the? A. Invisibles B. Praetorian Guard C. Immortals D. Assassins E. Marines

C. Immortals

The most important figure in early Christianity after Jesus was A. Mary Magdalene B. the Apostle Peter C. Paul of Tarsus D. John the Baptist

C. Paul of Tarsus

The immediate cause of the First Punic War was A. Roman colonization in North Africa B. Carthaginian treachery in the Pyrrhic Wars C. Rome sending an army to Sicily D. Carthaginian expansion along the Spanish and Italian coasts

C. Rome sending an army to Sicily

The "good emperor" Marcus Aurelius was regarded as a philosopher king deeply influenced by the principles of A. Zoroastrianism B. Christianity C. Stoicism D. Epicurianism

C. Stoicism

Mesopotamia is located in the valley of the A. Danube River B. Po River C. Tigris and Euphrates rivers D. Nile River E. Indus River

C. Tigris and Euphrates rivers

The physical environment of the Mesopotamians generally led to A. a pessimistic outlook and loathing of religion B. an optimistic outlook emphasizing the secular life C. a pessimistic outlook with an emphasis on satisfying their angry gods D. an optimistic outlook with a belief in providing for benevolent gods E. profound apathy and lack of any material accomplishments

C. a pessimistic outlook with an emphasis on satisfying their angry gods

The Second Punic War saw Carthage A. capture and sack the city of Rome B. precipitate the war by encroaching on Roman Gaul C. carry a land war to Rome by crossing the Alps D. try to force a naval war in the Mediterranean as a precursor to invasion of Italy

C. carry a land war to Rome by crossing the Alps

At the Battle of Gaugamela, A. the Greeks under Alexander were able to break the center of the Persian line and with boldness turn the battle into a rout. B. Alexander determined that the battle should be fought on a narrow plain, negating the numbers of the Persians and the importance of the war chariots. C. Alexander was forced to retreat back to Susa. You Answered D. Alexander was able to win a close victory by bringing up cavalry at the last minute.

D. Alexander was able to win a close victory by bringing up cavalry at the last minute

When Augustus died, who chose his successor? A. The Praetorian Guard B. The army C. The Senate D. Augustus himself

D. Augustus himself

The people to the north of Rome who apparently ruled Rome for a century and heavily influenced Roman urban culture were the A. Ligurians B. Gauls C. Samnites D. Etruscans

D. Etruscans

All of the following are prominent features of Greece's topography except A. mountains B. bays and harbors C. valleys D. extensive open plains E. long seacoast

D. extensive open plains

All of the following helped make Assyria an efficient military machine except for A. ruthless leaders B. superior, diversified tactics C. terrorist actions D. humane treatment of prisoners E. iron weapons

D. humane treatment for prisioners

Which of the following statements best describes Hellenistic cities? A. urban centers, where the inhabitants spoke only their native tongue. B. small and governed by a military elite. C. most were ruled by non-Greeks. D. important centers of administration, most of which were dominated by Greeks and Greek culture.

D. important centers of administration, most of which were dominated by Greeks and Greek culture

In his Philippics, Demosthenes A. praised Philip II for freeing the Ionian cities. B. glorified the Macedonian armies as the saviors of Greece. C. foresaw a revival of Athenian culture under Philip II. D. portrayed Philip II as a looming threat to Greek freedom.

D. portrayed Philip II as a looming threat to Greek freedom

The early Neolithic era saw A.all of the above B. the domestication of the horse in ancient Egypt C. the appearance of cities and urban life D. the smelting of iron E. a slow transition from hunting and gathering to an agricultural society

E. A slow transition from hunting and gathering to an agricultural society

The most tolerant and efficient of the Near Eastern empires was the A. Chaldean B. Assyrian C. Babylonian D. Egyptian E. Persian

E. Persian

The written script of Sumer is known as A. phonogram B. alphabetic C. Cyrillic D. hieroglyphs E. cuneiform

E. cuneiform

The Epic of Gilgamesh teaches that A. immortality is guaranteed for the believing worshippers B. a periodic flood is necessary to cleanse the world C. a wish fulfilled is not always a good thing D. the gods are benevolent and care greatly for their people E. human life is difficult and immortality is only for the gods

E. human life is difficult and immortality is one for the gods