WORLD CIVILIZATIONSUNIT TEST STUDY GUIDE – CLASSICAL EMPIRES

Format: The test will have three sections: 1) Multiple Choice; 2) Short Answer/Identifications; and 3) Open Response Questions. You are responsible for reviewing all concepts covered in class and any assigned readings/questions.

Be Able to Identify the Following Terms:

EmpireLegalismOligarchyPlebeians

NationalismDaoismTyrannyTwelve Tables

DiplomacyAristocracyPeloponnesian WarsJulius Caesar

Cultural DiffusionShi HuangdiHellenismAugustus Caesar

Darius I (Persia)The HunsMesoamericaPaxRomana

ZoroastrianismImperialismMandate of HeavenRepublic

ConfucianismDemocracyPatriciansDelian League

Be Able to Answer the Following Questions:

  1. Compare and Contrast the social aspects of the Classical Civilizations (China, India, Persia, Greece, Rome)
  2. What are the main ways that empires interact with each other? Be able to provide examples from the Classical civilizations to support your arguments.
  3. Explain what the term cultural diffusion means and provide two clear examples of Cultural Diffusion throughout the Classical Era.
  4. In your own words, explain the three major philosophies of Classical China – Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. What is the goal shared by all three, and how do they differ on how to achieve that goal? Why were they all created around the same time period?
  5. What are some of the major similarities and differences between the Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta? Be able to compare the two in the following categories:

Type of GovernmentStatus of Women

Requirements for CitizenshipStandard of Living

Slavery

  1. What are some similarities and differences between Ancient Greece and one other classical civilization from the following list

ChinaPersia

Gupta India

  1. What is the Indian Caste system? Who created the system? What are the main groups in the system? Is there any social mobility – why or why not? How is the caste system connected to the main religion of India?
  2. Describe the major trade patterns that existed during the Classical Era.
  3. Explain THREE main causes that led to the fall of the Roman Empire. What effect did the fall of the Western Roman Empire have on Western Europe? Explain any similarities you see between the Roman Empire before the fall of Rome and the present-day United States.