Humanities 101 Chapter 2 Study Guide

Chapter 2 Study Guide 1. What new technology followed agriculture in defining Mesopotamia?
Metallurgy

2. Why did the arts develop in Mesopotamia?
As celebrations of the priest-kings' power 3. What were ziggurats most likely designed to resemble?
A mountain 4. Why did visitors to the ziggurats often leave a statue representing themselves?
To serve as prayer offerings to the Gods. 5. How did the Mesopotamians view human society?
As part of a larger society 6. What was the Mesopotamian ruler’s role in religion?
The act of intermediary between Gods and human kinds. 7. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies the subjects illustrated on the Royal Standard of Ur?
“War” and “Peace” 8. What about the Royal Standard of Ur illustrates social perspective or hierarchy of scale?
The most important figures are represented as larger than the others. 9. Why is the Royal Standard of Ur such an important discovery?
The importance of the Royal Standard of Ur is not simply as documentary evidence of Sumerian life, but as one of the earliest examples we have of historical narrative. 10. Why is the legend of Sargon I considered a “rags to riches” story?
As a child abandoned at birth, he grows up to be king. 11. What did lost-wax casting enable the Mesopotamian sculptors to create?
Larger and more lightweight bronze pieces. 12. Why did Mesopotamian scribes move from pictograms to the more linear cuneiform writing?
Drawing lines in wet clay was easiest. 13. What distinguishes the Law Code of Hammurabi from its predecessors?
It’s most complete. 14. What does Hammurabi’s code tell about the position of Mesopotamian women?
They are inferior to man and some level of slaves. 15. Why does Hammurabi’s law code represent an important change for Mesopotamian justice?
It made laws more uniform, objective, and impartial. 16. What distinguishes an epic from other literary forms?
It describes a people's common heritage 17. What classic struggle do Gilgamesh and Enkidu represent?
Nature versus civilization 18. Why is the Epic of Gilgamesh a first in known literary works?
It is the first to confront the idea of death. 19. Which of the following differentiates the Hebrews from other Near Eastern cultures?
They worship a single God. 20. What did the Hebrews believe their status as “chosen people” meant?
YHINH

21. Why do the Ten Commandments provide equal treatment for all classes of the Hebrews?
The Hebrews had once themselves been slaves. 22. Why is King Solomon’s authorship of the “Song of Solomon” doubtful?
The female protagonist’s voice is stronger than the man’s. 23. What was the role of the Hebrew prophets in the era following Solomon’s death?
To provide moral instruction according to the laws of the Torah. 24. What is the Persian Zoroaster’s greatest contribution to religious thought?
The emphasis on free will. 25. As noted in the chapter’s “Continuity and Change’ section, what most distinguishes Mesopotamia from Egypt?
Egyptians are more stable and united. Be able to identify and know the origins of the following pieces of art:
26 The Ishtar Gate -
27. The Royal Standard
28. Gilgamesh