Western Civilization Test Study Guides

TEST 1 STUDY GUIDE As you read and prepare for the test, use the questions below to guide you. Use this study guide to review on a daily basis, and also feel free to use it on the open-book/open-notes test at the end of the module/week. Textbook Chapter 1: 1. What was the first civilization and where was it located? The first civilization was Mespotamia located between Tigris and Euphrates River -Egyptian located between Nile River 2. Recognize the legacies of the following: a. Sumer – Semitic tongue – transformed swamps into field of barlety and date palms, invented cuneiform (pictograms and sign language), invented thew hell, the plough, irrigation, sailing boats, the keel (p. 10). b. Mesopotamia c. Egypt d. Phoenicians - phonetic alphabet, purple dye e. Assyrians f. Persia - Political unity – divided into small divisions with local governments Economic unity – weights and measure, common coinage for trade Universal language – Aramaic based on the Phonecian alphabet, enhanced trade and commerce Paved way for cosmopolitan society – brought together all near east peoples 3. What was the central belief of Mesopotamians regarding purpose? The central belief was believed that their king was an instrument chosen by the gods to rule. The gods transmitted their laws to the people through the kings, and thus, in Mesopotamian societies, the kings were often also priests. 4. What was the Epic of Gilgamesh? Why was it significant? The Epic of Gilgamesh, penned a hundred years earlier, is the oldest written document, and lays out much of Mesopotamian philosophy and beliefs, though it is not a religious text. 5. Be able to explain the Law Code of Hammurabi and its significance. Understand some basics regarding Mesopotamian law and justice. Page 1 of 9 Before Hammurabi conquered Akkad and started to consolidate the Old Babylonian Empire. Mesopotamian laws were transmitted by word of mouth but were never written down. Hammurabi codified and inscribed all the laws of the land, giving us the first written law code around 1790 BC. This was possibly up to 500 years before Moses received the 10 Commandments. Two things stand out in this ancient law code – the prevalence of the death penalty for many offenses which would be considered misdemeanors today – and the differing penalties, not based on the weight of the crime, but rather on the social status of the criminal and victim. 6. What was the role of environment and geography in the beliefs of Mesopotamians and Egyptians? Most early civilizations rose up near water – either rivers or coastal regions. This is because water provided both sustenance and an easy method of transportation. 7. Understand the role of pharaoh in Egyptian civilization. Be able to contrast this to Mesopotamian rulers. The pharaoh claimed to be a god as well, using this to establish authority over the land, and as a god, he was expected to mete out justice and law for the people under him. Unlike the Mesopotamian kings, the pharaoh was above the law and ruled with supreme power. Mesopotamians believed that their king was an instrument chosen by the gods to rule. The gods transmitted their laws to the people through the kings, and thus, in Mesopotamian societies, the kings were often also priests. 8. Who was Hatshepsut of Egypt? Be able to explain the importance of her reign. Hatsheput of Egypt was the daughter of Thutmose I and a female pharaoh who served after her husband died and husband son was too young to reign. Her reign was important because it promoted external building projects, including her royal tomb, trading expeditions particularly by land in Punt. From their expeditions they obtained Page 2 of 9 myrrh and frankincense, precious resins and perfumer. These treasure increased the prestige of the female pharaoh. Page 20 9. Who was considered one of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs? One of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs Ramesses II (page 21) 10. Who was Cyrus the Great and why was he significant? Cyrus the Great helped to conquer all lands between the Nile in Egypt and the Indus River in India which took 25 years from 550-525 BC. Chaldean Empire was torn by civil war and threatened by a new Power – the Persians (p. 24). 11. How was Zoroastrianism different from other Near Eastern religions? Zoroastrianism was different from other Near Eastern religions because it was named for its founder, the Persian prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster in Greek) who probably lived in the sixth century. (p. 25). The religion taught belief in Ahura Mazda- the wise lord- the eternal god of light, the creator of the universe, the emobidment of justice, wisdom, goodness, and immortality. It was differenct because it rejected magic, polytheism, and blood sacrifies instead it stressed ethics. (p. 25-26) 12. Define and understand the term mythopoeic. Mythopoeic was inherited by the Mesoptamians and Eqyptians from their ancestors with a variety of commuanally produced imagery, rituals, and tales accouting for the origin of the world and human life. The use myth new and old to resolve questions that today we try to answer with science. It is consider humanity’s first way of thinking and was the earliest attempt to explan the beginnings of the unverse and human histriy (p. 27) Chapter 2: 13. Understand the key differences between Hebrews and Near Eastern neighbors (law, religious beliefs, social customs). Law – Hebrews (10 commandments Gods law) Near Eastern (Pharaoh laws) Religious beliefs – Hebrews (theorcracy) Near Eastern (mythopoeic) Social Customs 14. Where did the Hebrews originate? Page 3 of 9 The Hebrews originate from Mesopotamia in the land of Ur and migrated to Canaan (p. 32). 15. Who were the important kings of Israel, and why? The important kings of Isarel where Saul (charismatic hero), David ( a gifted warrior and poet), Solomon (Israel experienced a cultural flowering, height of its power and prosperity & tax policies and his favored treatment of the region of Judah) p. 34 16. There were two periods of captivity for the Israelites. Recognize them, when they occurred and how they were different. The two periods of captivity for the Isralites are in 722 B.C. defeated by the Assyrians who deported many Hebres to other parts of the Assyrian Empire. (they lost their identity as the peole who made a covenant with God The chaldeans conquered Judah in 586 B.C. conquering Judah, destroyed Solomon’s temple, devasted the land and deported several thoughs Hebrews to Babylon. (Punishment for violating God’s laws, Hebrews darkest moments, thousand died, executed or had fled to Egypt) p.34-35) 17. How did Hebrews view man and his moral autonomy? Hebrew view man as being created in the image of God and his more autonomy as being unique, qualiatily differenct from the rest of animate naute. (p. 38). 18. What was the covenant and law? How did this define the Hebrew nation? The covenant and law is God’s special agreement with the Hebrew people. This cause the Hebrew people to see themselves as a unique nation, as a chosen people for God had given them special honer, a profound opportunity and as they never forget and awesome responsibility (p. 39-40). Ten commandments 19. How did Jewish law and society view women? The Jewish law and society view women as subordinate, wife were their husbands mast and she often addressed him as a servant or subject would speak to a superior. They were not allowed to witness in courand played a lesser role than men in organized worship. (p. 41). 20. What was the role of the prophets in Hebrew history? The role of the prophers were they acted as God’s messengers, they believed God speak to them and legitimated their words (p. 41-42). 21. Recognize the legacy of social justice for Western Civilization and consider its place in the Old Testament. Page 4 of 9 The legacy of social justice for Western civilization is the attacking of oppression, cruelty, greed, and exploitation, the classical prophets added a new dimension to israel’s religious development. In the old testament it helps to strength justice and righteousness as God’s principal concerns and his supreme commandments 22. What is universalism? Universalism is the concern for all humanity, which found expression in the prophets who envisioned the unity of all people under God. 23. Understand the legacy of the Hebrews. Lectures – Make sure you have watched each of the lecture presentations for Module/Week 1 and use the following questions to guide you in study. 1. Understand the importance of studying Western Civilization and the purpose of this course. It is important to studying western civilization because it The history major provides the student with a broad based understanding of a wide range of societies and cultures. A degree in history also means that graduates learn to read and research, to evaluate evidence, and to communicate these findings orally and in writing. Although sometimes students think the only opportunity for the history major is teaching, there are many other options available. The skills obtained through the study of history are highly valued in today’s complex world of work. The purpose of the course This course will focus instead on process’ and developments. You will learn to look for the overall concepts, the big idea. 2. Understand the scope of this course. Analysis & Critical thinking Processes and developments Difference in regards to events, people and development The scope of the course include the chronological and geographical topics covered 3. Recognize the important geographic elements for the rise of civilizations. The important geopgraphic elements for the rise of civilization was water or river – sustenance and transportation 4. Recognize the geographic boundaries of Mesopotamia, particularly in its early stages. Fertile cresent between Euphrates and tygris river Page 5 of 9 5. Review the legacies of the earliest civilizations. Mesopotamisa – wheel, lunar calendar, multiplication and division tables, Chaldean and Persian empire, dividion by 360 degrees, chart star and plantes Egypt – architure, art, science, and medicine, surgery, h uman anatomy, solar calendar (12 months with 30 days), pyramids Phoenicians- phonetic alphabet, purple dye 6. Who fashioned the first iron weapons? Hittites (p. 8 notes) 7. Recognize the significance and contributions of Assyrians. By 800 BC, this changed when the Assyrians sought once again to expand their borders. By the 7th century BC, the Assyrians were a deadly force of ruthless attackers, feared by all (p. 8-9 notes) 8. Know the origins of world empires, and recognize the difference between a small nation and an empire. Egypt not an empire because the kingdom in homogenus Empires led to the intermingling of people (multi people group, ethnicities and culture) Small nations – The small nations of the Near East, which tended to be the weakest targets of land hungry invaders, were left in relative peace, little fearing massive invasion. (Mespotamia, Empires – Assyrians, Babylonian Empire, Chaldean, Persian In political science, a "nation" refers to a group of people who feel bound into a single body by shared culture, values, folkways, religion and/or language. Empire is a comparatively larger geographical entity in which a group of states or nations are ruled by a single monarch or authority 9. Know the largest empire covered in this section and its extent. Persian empire it extents from Fertile Crescent in the East to the Mediterranean Sea in the West Page 6 of 9 10. Know the origins of the Hebrews, and recognize their contributions to Western Civilization. The origins of the Hebrews a Mesopotamia. 11. Understand the key players in the Babylonian Captivity and the destruction of Israel. The key players in the Babylonian Captivity was King Nebuchadnezzar II – leader when Jews were brought into Babylonian captivity. (p. 44) 12. Understand and recognize the legacy of Persia. Political unity – divided into small divisions with local governments Economic unity – weights and measure, common coinage for trade Universal language – Aramaic based on the Phonecian alphabet, enhanced trade and commerce Paved way for cosmopolitan society – brought together all near east peoples Websites and Articles – Make sure you have read all the additional websites and articles within the required reading section. Use the following questions to guide your reading and study. 1. Understand the use and origin of BC and AD in the dating system used in this course. in years "Before Christ," or BC. All events that occurred after Christ's birth are counted in years "of our Lord," or AD. 2. In “Western Civilization, Our Tradition” focus on the following areas: a. What is the author’s main argument? (Found in the first few paragraphs) Value for studying western civilization is lost today b. What are the three traditions of Western Civilization listed by the author? Classical culture of Greece and Rome Christian Religion (Western Christianity) The enlightenment of the modern era c. Who does the author claim has the most interest in studying Western Civilization? The author claimed that the most interest in studying western civilization is Muslim societies. Religious leaders of nonwestern societies. d. Where did the term Western Civilization come from? The term Western Civilization was invented a century ago it came from classical culture. Page 7 of 9 They are able to recognize that the central and crucial tradition of Western civilization is the Christian tradition. e. What was the “Heroic Age” of Western Civilization, and why did it reach this point? The Heroic age of western civilization The combination of American energy and European legacy gave the idea of Western civilization both power and legitimacy in both America and Europe. The power helped the United States win the First World War against the German Empire, the Second World War against Nazi Germany, and the Cold War against the Soviet Union. The legitimacy helped to order the long peace within West- ern Europe that was very much intertwined with the Cold War. With its appropriation by America, therefore, the idea of Western civilization experienced its heroic age. f. Of the aspects of Western Civilization, which aspect is the only one accepted by intellectual elites of the West? Why is this? Enlightenment – want to eliminate all other aspects, secularize g. Who does the author argue will be the true defenders of the Western Civilization? Traditional conservatives 3. In “Biblical History,” consider the article in light of the following questions: a. What is the main purpose of the author? The main purpose of the author was to examine allegations of biblical truth to some myth that persist in regards to biblical history Attack on Old testament that is full-fledged, no holds barred variety. Such extreme views invite dismissal of this assault as the work of a cadre of sensation seeking quasi scholars whose radical revisionism almost guarantees attention in media. b. What is the main argument of the article? This scriptures/Bible are historically accurate Page 8 of 9 c. What examples does the author offer to support his argument? Is this “proof” convincing? yes - Abraham a myth - No migration from Mespotamia - The patriarchs - No Israelite sojourn in Egypt or exodus therefrom - No Moses - No exodus - No conquest of Canaan by Joshua Page 9 of 9