History 101: Western Civilization Rise of the Greeks: Study Questions

2. The forerunners to classical Greek civilization on the island of Crete were the
a. Trojans
b. Dorians
c. Minoans
d. Mycenaeans

3. The above (#2) civilization can best described as
a. warlike
b. Greeks
c. long-lasting
d. all of the above

4. The activities of Heinrich Schliemann resulted in
a.  the discovery of the Mycenaean civilization.
b.  the earliest translations of Homeric works.
c.  excavations on the island of Crete.
d.  an understanding of the route of the Dorian invasions.

5. At the top of the Mycenaean society were the
a.  kings.
b.  priests.
c.  oligarchs.
d.  generals.

6. The Mycenaean civilization thrived during the years
a.  2100-1850 B.C.
b.  1400-1230 B.C.
c.  850-430 B.C.
d.  180-24 B.C.

7. Homer's works may be said to represent the ideals of a(n) ______________ society.
a. peaceful
b. warrior
c. inhuman
d. philosophical

8. How would you best describe Achilles' attitude toward his leader, Agamemmnon, in the Iliad's opening scene?
a. loyal and respectful
b. contemptuous and angry
c. flattering and obsequious
d. cowering and fearful

9. Who said this: "I know nothing save to fight bravely in the forefront of the Trojan host and win
renown alike for my father and myself."
a. Achilles
b. Agammemnon
c. Hector
d. Ajax

10. The people in Homer's poetry see their highest purpose is the pursuit of arete, or _________________.

11. Mount Olympus was famous as
a.  the home of the Greek gods.
b.  the area where the gods fought for supremacy.
c.  a shrine for those who fell in the Peloponnesian Wars.
d.  Agamemnon's home.

12. The chief God of Greek mythology was ___________ .

13. The characteristic political and social unit of classical Greece was the __________________, sometimes translated as "city-state."

14. By the fifth century B.C. Greeks believed the only way to the good life was through
a.  practicing charity toward the less fortunate.
b.  amassing enough wealth to live without fear.
c.  participating in the affairs of the polis.
d.  devotion to the gods of their city.

15. Who generally was allowed to participate in lawmaking in the Greek polis?
a. resident aliens
b. adult male citizens
c. women
d. all of the above

16. According to Aristotle, those best suited to govern were
a. extremely wealthy persons
b. very poor people
c. the middle class
d. women

17. The state slaves of Sparta were called
a. helots
b. perioikoi
c. tyrants
d. oikos

18. In ancient Greece, the term aristocracy may be associated with
a.  rule by the best.
b.  rule by the people.
c.  rule by the elders.
d.  rule by the victors.

19. Which of the following was not an Athenian leader during the first half of the sixth century B.C.?
a.  Cleisthenes
b.  Solon
c.  Lycurgus
d.  Pisistratus

20. Of the following, which pair is least well matched?
a.  Homer-Iliad
b.  Solon-Spartan military leader
c.  Draco-law codes
d.  Pisistratus-tyranny

21. The Athenian practice of exiling individuals who were thought dangerous to the state for a period of ten years was known as
a. rid-a-bug
b. oratory
c. ostracism
d. termination

22. In his famous funeral oration, Pericles expressed his belief that
a.  democracy helped to make Athens great.
b.  any citizen may benefit Athens, whether rich or poor
c.  Athens was better than Sparta
d.  all of the above

23. Which of the following statements is inaccurate?
a.  Pericles believed freedom helped to make Athens great.
b.  Pisistratus is associated with currying favor with peasants and the masses.
c.  Homer's epics dealt with the fall of Troy.
d.  Pisistratus neglected cultural life.

24. The land battle of 490 B.C. at which the Greeks defeated the Persian army was
a. Themistocles
b. Salamis
c. Thermopylae
d. Marathon

25. Salamis was the site of
a.  the delivery of the Funeral Oration.
b.  a great Greek naval victory.
c.  Sparta's capital.
d.  Homer's birthplace.

26. The Peloponnesian War resulted from the rivalry between
a. Greece and Persia
b. Egypt and Crete
c. Athens and Sparta
d. Achaea and Troy

27. The Athenian action against Syracuse in 415 B.C. resulted in
a.  the praise of Thucydides for Athenian valor.
b.  a speedy subjection of Sicily.
c.  an ignominious defeat for Athens.
d.  the establishment of the Delian League.

28. Among the effects of the Peloponnesian War was/were the
a. decline of Athens
b. triumph of selfish individualism over civic duty
c. civil war and political unrest
d. all of the above

29. In 338 B.C. Greece was conquered by _____________ of Macedonia.
a. Philip II
b. Alexander
c. Bucephalus
d. Demosthenes

30. According to your text, the major problem of the Greek city-states was that they were too
a. peaceful
b. democratic
c. small
d. Persian