Exam 1: The Birth of Civilization

The Babylonian King ________ is best known for the collection of laws he created that bears his name.

About 2125 b.c.e.Sumerian ________ poems were composed,glorifying the deeds of the kings of Ur's ancestors.

What became the chief religion of the Persians by the middle of the sixth century b.c.e.

Throughout the Paleolithic Age,the human population had been small and relatively stable.With the shift from food gathering to food production,however,populations grew exponentially over a period of time.As modern humanity continues to exploit the environment with more efficient methods of agriculture and other means of food production,are we in danger of overpopulating the earth? Will we once again be subject to the same ecological and natural constraints that balanced the Paleolithic population? Apply the chief characteristics of the Neolithic Revolution to modern-day society and decide whether or not the aforementioned scenarios are plausible.

What was revealed in the Code of Hammurabi?

What is one reason why many Babylonians may have welcomed the Persians who arrived to conquer them in 539 b.c.e.

The greatest contribution of the Jews is the development of monotheism-the belief in one universal God,the creator and ruler of the universe.Juxtapose monotheism with the more common practice of polytheism-the worship of many gods.What are the perceived "advantages" of monotheism? What are the "disadvantages"? Explain.

The civilizations of the Mideast differed greatly from those of the Greeks in religion,philosophy,science,law,politics,and government.Discuss these views and what effect these views had on the lives of the people in the Mideast.

Egyptian religious views were varied and often included contradictions.Solar cults developed in a mostly rain-free area.The afterlife was considered to be full of danger,which could be overcome with spells listed in the Book of the Dead.Explain how these factors caused contradictory religious beliefs during this time period.

The Persians learned and borrowed from those they encountered and conquered,especially from ________.

Ancient historians tended to focus on particular aspects of civilization when compiling their histories.If you were to write the history of one of the ancient Near Eastern Empires,what would be your primary focus? Would it be architecture,religion,or political structures? Explain the reasoning behind your answer.

The largest group of laws in the Code of Hammurabi,showing Hammurabi's main focus,was on ________.

The Sumerians invented the writing system known as ________.

The Greek historian ________ analyzed and explained human behavior completely in terms of human nature and chance,leaving no place for the gods or supernatural forces.

The first empire in history was established by the ________.

The Hebrews,Babylonians,and Egyptians differed in certain specifics,but all held the general idea that cosmic order,human survival,and ________ all depended on divine will.

The earliest period of human culture,the Paleolithic Age,dates from the ________.

According to Hammurabi's laws,polygamy was based on ___________.

Royal Egyptian women,particularly during the Eighteenth Dynasty,________.

What factor contributed most to the success of the Second Assyrian Empire?