AP Euro Chapters 1-7

Ancient Empires Study Guide

1. What is civilization and why is that definition important to historians?
Civilization is the advanced state of human society in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached. This definition is important to historians because their job is too research the past – culture, science, industry, government, etc. - and decipher the mistakes and success made in ancient times in order to shape a better future. This definition is also important because it identifies different characteristics of different civilizations.

2. What is the significance of the Code of Hammurabi?
The Code of Hammurabi was a Babylonian law code that existed back in 1772 B.C. The lessons and morals that the code teachers are significant because they discussed everything influential to society and the laws on religious studies, military service, slavery, behavior, and trade, which were all the important factors of the civilization. The code outlined behavior and what was expected of you.

3. What do the Pyramids tell historians about Egyptian history and culture?
Ancient Pyramids tell historians several things about Egyptian history and culture. Egyptians of rank were buried with their most valued belongings, including all of their riches, in the hopes that they will accompany the person into the next life, and this was a main factor of Egyptian history that influenced the culture and civilization as a whole.

4. Why did polytheistic religion dominate the ancient world while monotheistic religions dominate the modern world?
The ancient world was dominated by polytheistic religion because it gave people a reason to believe that a god dominated everything important, and every natural substance was controlled by a higher power. Monotheism dominates the modern world because several cultures – including Judaism and Christianity – follow the belief of one god, and the existence of several gods controlling many factors of everyday life has simply faded in most cultures over time.

5. How and why did the Egyptian empire collapse… and why is that collapse different from most ancient empires?
The collapse of the Egyptian empire was triggered by "The Sea of Peoples” conquering their land. However, Egypt was not destructed and demolished by "The Sea of Peoples", because Egypt had already adapted as its own culture. In addition, it is believed by many that Egypt’s collapsed was influenced by Akhenaton IV, for he refused to change beliefs.

6. What is the most significant contribution of the Hebrews to Western Civilization?
The most significant contribution of the Hebrews to Western Civilization was monotheism. The belief in god was the core of Judaism, and their monotheistic belief system separated the Jews from different cultures and faiths who worshipped several gods. Polytheistic religions were more common, and therefore the Jewish people were out-casted for their opposing beliefs.

7. Why is Homer significant to historians? Homer is significant to historians because he was the first Greek poet too write about the Trojan War, and he is known for writing the Iliad and the Odyssey. As well, Homer documented history that would have otherwise been forgotten, and he was the greatest writer of his time, loved and greatly respected by the ancient Greeks.

8. What is the polis and what is its significance?
The polis is a city-state, and it was significant too Greece specifically because it led to the development of several political structures such as democracy, tyranny, and oligarchy. As well, the polis was important because it symbolized self-governance under the ruler chosen by the citizens of Greece. In conclusion, the political life of the classical epoch of Greece has been significantly transformed into an individualized philosophical and religious view of life.

9. What is the role of the tyrant in Greek society?
A tyrant in Greek society is one who seized power by force from the wealthy/aristocratic people. Tyrants ruled the polis as opposed to the aristocrats, and gained the support of most average Greek people. However, the wealthy citizens and politicians were supportive of the aristocratic rule.

10. Compare and contrast Spartan and Athenian society.
Athenian and Spartan society were two major Greek cities both difference and similar in several ways. In Athens, art, music, and drama were more common; where as the citizens of Sparta conducted a strict lifestyle, generally revolving around the military. However, both societies had slaves, were polis, believed in the same gods, and fought in the Persian War.

11. What role did the Persian wars play in Greek development?
The Persian wears played a huge role in Greek development, and because of these events, Greece established contact with Persia and were influenced by their knowledge and technology. In addition, the wars partially triggered Sparta’s development and strength as a military city. The wars united Sparta and Athens, who worked together to defeat the Persian forces. After the Greeks won the battle at Marathon, they began to view themselves as a powerful and undefeated empire, possibly the greatest one in existence.

12. What is the significance of the Great Peloponnesian War?
The Great Peloponnesian War was extremely significant to the history of Greece because it helped to cripple Athens as a whole in addiction to weakening surrounding city-states, making it particularly simple for Philip II of Macedonia to take over.

13. Why is Herodotus considered the father of history?
Herodotus is considered the father of history because he created the first narrative of the Persian War, which was later recorded as accurate written history. Herodotus is very similar to Homer, for they both scripted detailed narratives on ancient battles important to their individual civilizations that most likely would not have been otherwise recorded.

14. Compare and contrast the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
All three philosophers had similar views as far as the topics of government and justice. However, Socrates believed in democracy, and contributed greatly to the field of ethics. Aristotle had very specific opinions on how a perfect government should be run, which were not necessarily similar to that of Socrates’s views. Lastly, Plato was mostly open-minded.

15. Why is Alexander of Macedonia “Great?”
Alexander of Macedonia often has the word “great” in into his title because he took over the responsibilities and duties of Philip II because he conquered the Persian Empire, and laid down the foundation for the Hellenistic World. So, he was a hero and leader, which made him “Great”.

16. Why did Alexander’s empire collapse so quickly after his death?
After his death, Alexander the Great’s empire abruptly halted because the next generation was power-thirsty and constantly fought with another for control. However, four governed Kingdoms eventually arose.

17. What is the caste system and why is it significant?
The Caste System was a simple way to discriminate against those less fortunate. It was important because it sparked a movement in society where the citizens felt obligating to title themselves according to their worth and social status.

18. Why has Buddhism spread throughout the world without military conquest?
Buddhism has spread gradually and effectively throughout the world without a military conquest because it promotes simple ways of teachings and life lessons that are hard for any two people to disagree on, therefore creating a generally peaceful environment where many people are anxious to follow the ways of the Buddha.

19. What was the political system for Rome under the Republic?
The political system of the Roman Republic consisted of five phases; the revolution, the Pratrician Era, Conflict of the Orders, Power of New Nobility, and the transition of Gracchi to Ceaser.

20. How did power shift from the aristocrats to the plebes during Roman history?
In ancient from, power shifted from the aristocrats to the plebes because they protested, and little by little they started to have more rights like being allowed to have a position in the senate. In the senate, the plebes started winning more and more checks and after a while, they controlled the Roman Senate. After the revolution led by Julius Caesar in 49 AD, the Plebes were finally able to take full power.

21. What made Roman armies so successful?
Roman armies were so successful because of their strong leadership, intense training, and the countless strong and fearless soldiers. The Roman army remained undefeated for several decades because of the powerful leaders directing the military into victory,

22. What caused the Roman Republic to fall and be replaced by the empire?
The Roman Republic fell and was replaced by the empire due to a series of civil wars over the years between several different leaders and politicians. However, it was Caesar’s new dictatorship that began the Roman Empire. There were many factors that contributed to the fall of Rome; political, economic, and military to name a few. The senate was corrupted and was not stable, as bribes were common and people were being paid to vote for certain checks. Their military was weak and their soldiers were not the strong and fearless ones that they used to have. The empire itself lost a ton of money and taxes skyrocketed, which made many people unable to pay taxes at all, which put a huge strain on the government. 23. Compare and contrast Caesar and Octavian.
Caesar was a military man and preferred to ignore the senatorial class, and lacked tack. Octavian ruled according to the traditional aristocratic ways, and learned from his uncle’s mistakes. Unlike Caesar, Octavian was merciless and wise, and basically undefeated, for he outsmarted almost everyone.

24. What was the Pax Romona and why is it significant?
The Pax Romona was the Roman belief that peace and prosperity prevailed throughout the empire and thrived because of Rome. It is significant because it united a land with relative peace and stability.

25. What caused the fall of Rome?
Rome fell because of political problems, military issues, and more. Rome was simply conquered by illiterate Barbarians who were tired of Roman expansion onto their land. However, Rome was partially vulnerable and easy to defeat after countless civil wars and government issues – Rome was already on the verge of collapsing.

26. What differentiated Christianity from the dozens of other cult faiths in Rome?
Christianity profoundly differentiated from the dozens of other cult faiths in Rome for several reasons. Firstly, Christians had a human figurine, and believed in the teachings of a living being. As well, the Christian movement was different because unlike Roman cults, where a member must devote his/her life and all their time to the faith at hand, Christians had the free will to believe what they wished, and practice the religion by their own individual needs and whatever they felt comfortable with.

27. What is the significance of St. Augustine?
St. Augustine was the greatest Christian writer of his time, and the people were very fond of him, and devoted to his teachings.. His lessons and morals were carried on throughout future centuries to come. In conclusion, Augustine made a profound influential on the church.

28. What differentiates Islam from the other monotheistic faiths?
Islam is unique and separates itself from all of the other monotheistic faiths because it incorporates the studies of many different cultures into the teachings of Islam. For an example, Hebrew and Christian prophets have been accepted and believed in by Islamic followers, and the prophets have been incorporated into the religion.