Early Civilizations and Greek History Quiz

Early Civilizations and Religions

• Brahman: Early Hindu deity, considered the primary God.
• Pharaoh: Egyptians considered their ruler a god on Earth.
• Prehistory: Period before written records.
• Civilization: Complex culture with shared common elements.
• Shinto: Japanese religion focusing on spirits in living things and ancestor worship.
• Buddhism: Suffering caused by material things

Greek History and Culture

• Cleisthenes: Established foundational aspects of Athenian democracy.
• Herodotus: Known as the "Father of History."
• Aristophanes: Greek comedic playwright, whose works offer social commentary.
• Greek Dramas: Explored themes of good vs. evil, individual rights, and human nature.
• Plato's Just State: Divided into philosopher-kings, warriors, and producers.
• Alexander the Great: Unified Greece and conquered Persia after his father's death.
• Homer's Works: Provided models of heroism, honor, and pride for Greek culture.
• Greek Society in Athenian Dramas: Represented Greek religious beliefs and moral values.

Roman Empire

• Pax Romana: Period of peace under the rule of five emperors.
• Constantine: First Christian Emperor of Rome.
• Fall of the Roman Empire: Intensified barbarian pressure led to the fall.
• Five Good Emperors: Policies included expanded trade, relief for the poor, and public works.
• Roman Roads: Facilitated integration of conquered peoples and suppressed resistance.
• Slaves and artistic skills: Favored Greek slaves for education and artistic endeavors.

Middle Ages

• Manorialism: Economic and social system based on noble-held estates.
• Vassalage: Agreement of loyalty and service in exchange for land.
• Investiture: Part of the vassalage contract.
• Feudal Council-Estates General: Expanded feudal council that was used by Philip IV.
• Charlemagne: Anointed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and supported education.
• Carolingian Manuscripts: Preserved ancient Roman knowledge.
• Troubadours: Introduced the concept of love marriages.
• Curia Regis: Advisory board to the English King.
• Exchequer: Court of accounts supervising royal revenue.
• Statutes: Laws drawn up by the king.
• Magna Carta: Established that the king was not above the law.
• Hundred Years' War: Causes included French expansion, dispute over the French throne, and land disputes.

Islamic Empire

• Abu Bakr: First caliph of Islam.
• Purpose of Reincarnation in Caste System: Religious support for social division, and hope of upward mobility for lower classes.
• Islam's Five Pillars: Goal is a place in paradise.

Japanese History and Culture

• Bushido: Warrior code in Japan.
• Daimyo: Japanese noble families in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Germanic History

• King Canute: Respected by Anglo-Saxons.
• King Alfred of Wessex: Defeated the Danes.
• William, Duke of Normandy: Became King of England after the Battle of Hastings.
• Henry II: Inherited French lands and established common law.
• Richard the Lionhearted: Extended absences for crusades.
• Edward I: Monarch who established Parliament.
• Louis the Fat: Strengthened the French monarchy by crushing defiant nobles.

Christian Church

• Illumination: Technique of painting brightly colored pictures in manuscripts.
• Pope Gregory I: Reformed the Catholic Church.
• Problems faced by the Church after the fall of the Roman Empire: Loss of imperial support, lack of understanding/following Christian teachings, and morally lax leadership.

Other

• Silk Roads: Exchange route between Han China and the Roman Empire.
• Bourgeoisie: Medieval middle class, whose economic interests led to capitalism.
• Neolithic Revolution: Adoption of settled agriculture led to denser populations.
• Serf: Half-free people who worked land and were loyal to nobles.
• Geography's Influence on Mesopotamian Civilization: Tigris and Euphrates rivers enabled farming and trade.
• Hyksos' Role in Defeat: Provided Egyptians with military and metalworking skills.
• Golden Bull: Political constitution of Germany.
• Leif Ericson: Established the first European settlement in North America.
• Benedict of Nursia: Defined monastic guidelines.
• Henry II's impact of Thomas Becket: Loss of public support for the monarch's control over the church.
• Frederick III's Support for Wars: Gave up royal German lands.
• Richard III: Had his nephews murdered and was removed from rule.
• Edified Medieval towns: Were given charters by the King.
• Otto the Great: Ended Magyar invasions and strengthened control over regional nobles.

Arts and Architecture

• Gothic Architecture: Elements include stained glass, external buttresses.
• Romanesque Architecture: Features rounded arches

Other Topics

• The Divine Comedy: Dante Alighieri's masterpiece.

• Spanish Unification: Negative effects include contempt for Muslims and hindering Spanish economic development.

• Spanish Inquisition: Used to assert royal control by forcing Christian compliance.

• Joan of Arc's Effects: Inspired French nationalism.

• Causes of the Hundred Years' War: French expansion into Flanders; dispute over the French throne; conflict over lands from John of England

• Confucianism & Daoism: Confucianism centered on social cohesion; Daoism focused on human connection to nature.

• Chinese Social Institutions: Family was central.

• Israelite Culture's Impact: Monotheistic belief system profoundly influenced Western civilization.

• The Mongols and the Abbasid Caliphate: Mongols ended the Caliphate.

• Development of Parliament: Made laws by petitioning the king.

• Manuscript Writing: Scribes worked in scriptoria.

• Tailles: Taxes for French Monarch independence