Chapter 7 Questions

Which of the following lists of Persian empires is listed in correct chronological order, from earliest to latest?

Achaemenids, Seleucids, Parthians, Sasanids

The Sasanids were defeated in 651 C.E. by

Arab warriors

From the mid-seventh century, Zoroastrianism lost its popularity because

Islamic conquerors placed pressure on the religion, and many Zoroastrians converted to Islam.

Which of the following geographic descriptors does the Roman numeral III identify on this map?

Parthia

The magnificent capital of the Persian empire constructed by Darius was

Persepolis

Which of these statements comparing the social structure of the Persians during the early days of the Achaemenid empire to the Aryans when they arrived in India is NOT correct?

Ritual human sacrifice remained prominent, based on a lunar cycle to assure that the sun would continue to rise.

The Seleucids were finally defeated in 83 B.C.E. by the

Romans

The centerpiece of the Persian communications network was the

Royal Road

Compare and contrast the post-Alexandrian empires by placing each description into the appropriate column.

Seleucid: -the most desired of Alexander's realm; included most of the former Achaemenid empire -faced opposition from the native Persians and rebellions from satraps Parthian: -retained many of the customs and traditions of nomadic peoples from the steppes of central Asia -bred large, powerful horses that could then support heavily armed warriors outfitted with metal armor -transformed into a mighty empire by Mithradates I Sasanid: -claimed direct descent from the Achaemenids and re-created much of the splendor of the Achaemenid empire -created a series of buffer states between themselves and the Roman empire during the reign of Shapur I -ended when Arab warriors killed its last ruler and incorporated the state into their Islamic empire

Historians often consider the period ca. 335-330 B.C.E. as a turning point in the history of Persia. Which of the following events that occurred in that period BEST supports that assertion?

The armies of Alexander of Macedon invaded and overthrew the Achaemenid empire.

What assumptions does Zarathustra make about human nature and the capacity of human beings to make morally good choices out of their own free will?

Zarathustra's observations seem to indicate that he believes that although human nature allows us to differentiate right from wrong, many of us are not strong enough to resist the temptations of evil, and thus must be deterred from it through the threat of eternal suffering, or "long punishment for the evil doer." This passage indicates a sophisticated understanding of human motives and behavior.

Discuss the influence of Zoroastrianism on other salvation religions. (4 concepts)

Zoroastrianism exerted considerable influence on other salvation religions. -Judaism, -Christianity, and -Islam. •These included the notions of: -an omnipotent deity responsible for all creation -the existence of an evil being working against the creator god -the conviction that the forces of good would ultimately prevail -that human beings must struggle to uphold the highest moral standards, and will undergo judgment after death.

What principal factors allowed the Achaemenids to retain the hold on their empire?

a large network of roads, communication methods, and trusted regional bureaucrats that helped the ruler administer an extensive empire

In the excerpt, the author's purpose is to reinforce which Zoroastrian doctrine?

the concept of the need for human beings to be conscious of the existence of good as well as evil, and to live their lives in a righteous way

Which of the following was NOT a basic tenet of Zoroastrianism?

the view of the material world as a place of temptation that had to be ignored