Western Civilization I Final Exam Guide

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Questions and Answers

Who is credited with founding Jerusalem and is considered the greatest king of Israel?

King David (correct)

King Saul

Nebuchadnezzar II

Solomon

What was the most important contribution of the Phoenicians to the ancient Near East?

Development of democracy

Simplified alphabet and writing system (correct)

Founding of the Achaemenid Empire

Construction of the Hanging Gardens

What military formation was characterized by soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder in ranks often eight men deep?

Phalanx (correct)

Squadron

Legion

Cavalry

What did the poor in Athens do to address their economic problems during the Archaic Age?

Turned power over to Solon Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Athenians to victory at the Battle of Marathon?

Miltiades Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Peloponnesian War on Greek unity?

Destroyed Greek unity Signup and view all the answers

Which Persian ruler led the second invasion of Greece?

Xerxes Signup and view all the answers

What led to Socrates' forced suicide in Athens?

Accusations of corrupting the youth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes civilization?

A society characterized by the differentiation of wealth and power. Signup and view all the answers

What significance did the Nile River hold for Egyptian civilization?

It served as the main source of freshwater and agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

What is Cuneiform primarily associated with?

The writing system of ancient Mesopotamia Signup and view all the answers

Which title was adopted by rulers during the New Kingdom of Egypt?

Pharaoh Signup and view all the answers

What role did Osiris play in ancient Egyptian belief?

God associated with mummification Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Neolithic Revolution?

The transition to systematic agriculture from hunting and gathering. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Minoan civilization’s script known as Linear?

It remains undeciphered and was used for palace and religious texts. Signup and view all the answers

Which number serves as the basis of the Egyptian number system?

10 Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of indulgences in the Catholic Church?

To reduce time in purgatory for good acts and for revenue Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure is associated with the writing of the Ninety-Five Theses?

Martin Luther Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Council of Trent?

It reaffirmed Catholic teachings regarding faith and works Signup and view all the answers

What was the main aim of the Jesuit order founded by Ignatius of Loyola?

To combat Protestantism through education Signup and view all the answers

What was recognized by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648?

The independence of over 300 states in the Holy Roman Empire Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary philosophical and theological movement that used Aristotelian logic to interpret religious texts during the medieval period?

Scholasticism Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Magna Carta signed in 1215?

It marked a step toward constitutionalism in England. Signup and view all the answers

Which event was primarily about the power struggle between the church and the state during the medieval period?

The Investiture Controversy Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

William of Normandy became king of England. Signup and view all the answers

Which document was crucial in defining the constitution of the Holy Roman Empire?

The Golden Bull Signup and view all the answers

What natural disaster is considered the most devastating in Western Civilization during the mid-14th century?

The Black Death Signup and view all the answers

Who was Joan of Arc and what was her role during the Hundred Years' War?

A peasant who led the French to victory and was captured. Signup and view all the answers

What unique weapon gave the English an advantage in the Hundred Years' War?

The longbow Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant political impact of Sulla's actions in Rome?

He tried to consolidate power in the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the turning point that established Octavian's supremacy in Rome?

The Battle of Actium. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Paul play in the development of early Christianity?

He developed the first coherent Christian theology. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Edict of Thessalonica accomplish in 380 AD?

It established a state-sponsored religion for all citizens. Signup and view all the answers

Which emperor is recognized for issuing the Edict of Milan, tolerating Christianity?

Constantine Signup and view all the answers

How did the term 'Bread and Circuses' reflect Roman society?

It criticized the focus on entertainment over political responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main contributions of the First Council of Nicaea in 325?

The formulation of the Nicene Creed. Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of the monastic rule created by Saint Benedict of Nursia?

It emphasized communal living with major focus on manual labor. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of humanism during the Renaissance?

The philosophical and literary study of humanity Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized for writing 'The Prince', a significant work on political power?

Niccolo Machiavelli Signup and view all the answers

What major achievement is Francisco Pizarro known for?

Conquering the Inca Empire Signup and view all the answers

What did the Treaty of Tordesillas accomplish?

Divided exploration routes between Spain and Portugal Signup and view all the answers

Which artist is famous for the statue of 'David' and the ceiling of the 'Sistine Chapel'?

Michelangelo Buonarroti Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492?

To find a new route to India Signup and view all the answers

Under whose rule did the Ottoman Empire reach its height, conquering Hungary and besieging Vienna?

Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent Signup and view all the answers

What disease was responsible for causing epidemics among Native Americans during the Columbian Exchange?

Smallpox Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Western Civilization I - Final Exam Study Guide

Civilization: Is a society differentiated by levels of wealth, power, military, religious, economic, and political control based in cities.
Paleolithic Age: Spanned from 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. Witnessed cave paintings, division of labor between men and women, and the discovery of fire.
Neolithic Revolution: Shift from hunting and gathering to systematic food growing.
Mesopotamia: One of the first ancient civilizations, emerging in Sumer around 3000 BCE.
Akkadian Empire: Founded by Sargon the Great, the first empire in Mesopotamia.
Amorite Kings: Hammurabi, known for developing a significant set of laws, was a notable Amorite king of the Babylonian Empire.
Cuneiform: Mesopotamian wedge-shaped writing.
Epic of Gilgamesh: A great literary epic of the Sumerians.
Nile River: Of paramount importance in developing Egyptian civilization.
Egyptian History: Divided into three periods: Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Polytheistic with Re as the chief god. Pharaohs ruled during the New Kingdom. Osiris was the god associated with mummification.
Hieroglyphics: The primary writing system in ancient Egypt, using symbols representing sounds and objects.
Egyptian Number System: Based on the number 10.
Indo-European Language Group: Includes Greek, Latin, Persian, and other similar languages.
Minoan Civilization: Located on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Linear script was used for palace and religious writings.
Mycenaean Language Group: Belonged to the Greek language group. Warrior skills were highly valued.
Greek Language: Earliest written form used by Mycenaeans was Linear B.
Hebrew People: Abraham is considered their patriarch. King David founded Jerusalem and is considered their greatest king. Three important aspects of Jewish Tradition—the Covenant, the Law, and the Prophets.
Destruction of Jerusalem: In 586 BCE, Hebrews were exiled at the hands of the Chaldeans.
Phoenicians: Developed a simplified alphabet and system of writing.
Assyrian Military: Known for terror tactics, well-trained armies, and use of iron weapons and horse-drawn chariots. Conquerors of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Nebuchadnezzar II: Led important architectural achievements in Babylon, including the Hanging Gardens.
Archaic Greece: Greeks adopted the alphabet from the Phoenicians. The Iliad, which describes the Trojan War, featuring the wrath of the Greek hero Achilles. City-states or polis. New military formation—the phalanx.
Democracy in Athens: Involves rule by the people and not on birth or wealth. Solon and Cleisthenes implemented reforms that created Athenian democracy to address the economic problems caused by the poor.
Achaemenid Empire: Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, led Athenians to victory at the Battle of Marathon.
Xerxes (Persian King): Led the Second Invasion of Greece (480-479 BCE)
Battle of Thermopylae: Heroic delaying action led by King Leonidas.
Peloponnesian War: Destroyed Greek unity.
Herodotus: Known as "the Father of History" wrote about the Persian Wars.
Socrates: Famous Greek philosopher forced to commit suicide.
Hellenistic Age: Civilizations in the wake of Alexander the Great's conquests.
Philip II: Defeated Thebans and Athenians, contributing to the conquest of Greece.
Alexander the Great: Created the largest empire in the ancient world. Known for the diffusion of Hellenistic culture.
Apollonius of Rhodes: Famous for his epic poem, "The Argonautica".
Epicureanism: Philosophy founded by Epicurus, often referred to as "Doctrine of pleasure."
Stoicism: Emphasized the principles of accepting fate and active participation in public life, founded by Zeno.
Aristarchus of Samos: Proposed the heliocentric view of the universe.
Eratosthenes: Determined the circumference of the Earth.
Euclid: Compiled "Elements", a comprehensive geometry textbook.
Archimedes: Established the value of pi in mathematics.
Roman Republic: Early Roman civilization influences of Etruscans and Greeks. Consuls were the highest civil and military officials. Struggle of Orders between Patricians and Plebeians resulted in Plebians gaining more power. Laws of the Twelve Tables governed civil and criminal disputers in Roman culture.
Hannibal: Notable victories in the Second Punic War, including the Battle of Cannae.
Scipio Africanus: Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.
Punic Wars: Conflicts between Rome and Carthage.
Julius Caesar: Formed the First Triumvirate and defeated Pompey and Antony.
Octavian: Defeated Antony and Cleopatra.
Roman Empire, Late Empire, and Christianity: Reign of Augustus known as a Golden Age for Rome.
Nero: Julio-Claudian emperor during the Great Fire of Rome and persecution of Christians.
Antonine Decree: Granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants in 212.
Bread and Circuses: Roman metaphor for people prioritizing entertainment and food over political engagement.
Diaspora: Jewish life after the destruction of the Second Temple.
Jesus: Preached humility, charity, and brother love, eventually crucified, followed by a growing Christian community.
Paul: Developed the first coherent Christian theology.
Edict of Milan: Officially tolerated Christianity, allowing Christians to practice their religion freely.
Theodosius the Great: Declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Pope: Line of St. Peter to become the head of the church in the West, established a Petrine Primacy.
Nicene Creed: First uniform doctrine resulting from the First Council of Nicaea.
Saint Benedict of Nursia: Created communal monastic life in monasteries focusing on prayer and manual labor.
Byzantine Empire: Eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived and lasted for another thousand years. Emperor Justinian considered the most important emperor of the 6th century.
Hagia Sophia: Completed in 537 was the largest Christian cathedral of its times.
Iconoclasm Controversy: Dispute over the use of religious icons in the 8th and 9th centuries.
Seljuk Turks: Crushed Byzantine army at the Battle of Manzikert, capturing Emperor Romanos Diogenes.
Constantinople: Capital city of the Byzantine Empire.
Muhammad: Last prophet in Islam, united many clans.
Qur'an: Holy book of Islam.
Charles Martel: Led Frankish and Burgundian armies at the Battle of Tours, halting the Muslim advance.
Umayyad Caliphate: First stable Muslim state in Damascus.
Charlemagne: Important Frankish king of the Carolingian dynasty.
Carolingian Renaissance: Promoted "rebirth" of interest in Greek and Latin literature.
Vikings: Germanic people who raided Europe and practiced warfare.
Feudalism: Social system where Lords granted land in fiefs to vassals in exchange for personal service.
Crusades: Holy wars to liberate the Holy Land from Muslim control.
University of Paris: First medieval university.
Scholastism: A movement in medieval thought that used Aristotle's logic to interpret the Bible.
Excommunication: A decree prohibiting a sinner from participating in the Sacraments, social contact, and community.
Investiture Controversy: The first great struggle between church and state over the church officials.
Innocent III: Medieval Pope considered as the most capable.
Battle of Hastings: William of Normandy became the king of England after winning the battle.
Magna Carta: Signed by King John in 1215 and a step toward constitutionalism in England.
Philip IV the Fair: Established the Estates General during the Reconquista.
Golden Bull: Most important constitutional document of late medieval German history.
Reconquista: Kingdoms of Spain reemerged to regain control of territories from the Muslims.
Black Death: Global epidemic of bubonic plague in Europe and Asia (1347-1351).
Hundred Years' War: Conflict between England and France.
Genghis Khan: Mongol leader who united Mongol and Turkic clans.
Black Plague: Plague that hit Europe in 1347 and 1348 with the help of fleas.
Renaissance: Rebirth, revival, and rediscovery of Greco-Roman culture.
Humanism: Focus on philosophical and literary study of what it is to be human.
Niccolo Machiavelli: "The Prince" is a guide on political power.
Leonardo da Vinci: Famous Renaissance artists and inventor.
Donatello: Renaissance artist that exemplified the ideals of human beauty and individualism.
Raphael: Most celebrated Renaissance artist whose "The School of Athens" epitomizes Renaissance ideals.
Michelangelo: Greatest Renaissance artist whose "David" and "Sistine Chapel" are masterpieces.
Christopher Columbus: Sailed West in 1492 to find India, gold, and potential Christians marking the start of new explorations and European dominance.
Treaty of Tordesillas: 1494 document that divided exploration routes between Spain and Portugal.
Francisco Pizarro: Conquered the Inca Empire of South America.
Prince Henry the Navigator: Established a school for navigators helping Portugal lead overseas exploration.
Hernan Cortes: Conquered the Aztec civilization.
Columbian Exchange: Exchange of goods and diseases between the Americas and Europe during exploration.
Smallpox: Deadly disease that caused epidemics among Native Americans.
Mercantilism: Prevalent economic theory in the 17th century.
Indulgences: Certificates that reduced time in purgatory, granted for good acts.
Martin Luther: Published Ninety-Five Theses in 1517 that challenged the sale of indulgences, igniting the Reformation.
Ninety-Five Theses: 95 arguments and critiques of the sale of indulgences.
Salvation: Predestination is a core belief that salvation is predetermined by God.
Henry VIII: Broke with the Catholic Church over the issue of his divorce.
Ignatius of Loyola: Founded the Jesuit order.
Jesuits: Religious order that focused on combating Protestantism through education.
Council of Trent: Reaffirmed Catholic teachings during the Reformation, stating that faith and works were both important to salvation.
Edict of Nantes: 1598 document granting Huguenots the right to worship.
Philip II: Known as "The Most Catholic King", ruled Spain from 1556 to 1598.
Spanish Armada: Defeated in 1588, marking the decline of Spanish dominance in Europe.
Peace of Westphalia: (1648) Recognized the independence of over 300 states in the Holy Roman Empire.

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Prepare for your Western Civilization I final exam with this comprehensive study guide. Covering key concepts from the Paleolithic Age to the emergence of ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt, this resource highlights important figures, events, and innovations. Make sure you're ready with facts about the Akkadian Empire, Hammurabi's laws, and the significance of the Nile River.