Ancient History: Greece : Ancient History: Greece

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Ancient History: Greece

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Example Questions

Example Question #9 : Philosophy And Religion

Plato, a seminal Greek philosopher, famously discussed the proper organization of a government and society in which work?

Possible Answers:

The Republic

Gorgias

None of these

The Democracy

The Theocracy

Correct answer:

The Republic

Explanation:

The Republic is one of Plato's better known works, and in it he posits the ideal form of government and famously explores the idea of the philosopher king, so that would be the best choice. Democracy and Theology do not refer to any one work, but rather to entire systems of government, and as such they would not be good choices. Finally, Gorgias is a Socratic dialogue, and while it was recorded by Plato it was not his work directly, nor did it discuss social organization, so it would not be a good answer.

Example Question #131 : Ancient History: Greece

Plato’s Republic primarily focuses on __________.

Possible Answers:

the role of free will in human lives

the pursuit of knowledge

the development of the identity of various classical city-states

how to justly govern a society

the history of Athenian democracy

Correct answer:

how to justly govern a society

Explanation:

Plato’s Republic was written in the fourth century BCE. It is one of the most important philosophical works of all time and remains widely influential today. The Republic is written in the style of a Socratic dialogue. It focuses on questions of justice in Greek society and how to most justly govern a society.

Example Question #132 : Ancient History: Greece

Which of these ancient Greek Gods is said to have introduced the Greek people to agriculture?

Possible Answers:

Athena

Ares

Demeter

Persephone

Hera

Correct answer:

Demeter

Explanation:

The Greek Goddess Demeter was believed to have introduced agriculture to the Greek people. She was revered as the Goddess of fertility and the harvest, and was the subject of cult-like worship in many ancient Greek societies.

Example Question #63 : The Classical Period (480 323 Bce)

Aristotle, a seminal Greek philosopher, is known to have personally tutored which one of the following leaders immediately preceding their conquests?

Possible Answers:

Alexander III of Macedon

Emperor Xerxes

Julius Caesar

King Leonidas

Philip II of Macedon

Correct answer:

Alexander III of Macedon

Explanation:

Alexander III - or Alexander the Great - was personally tutored by Aristotle before he ascended the throne and went on to conquer the Persian empire, so he would be the best choice. Philip II was Alexander's father and he hired Aristotle, although he was not tutored himself, so he would not be a good choice. Leonidas of Sparta did not have any particular ties to Aristotle nor did he conquer the Persians, so he would not be a good answer. Julius Caesar was Roman and lived many centuries after Aristotle, so he too would not be a good answer. Lastly, Emperor Xerxes ruled the Persian empire and did not conquer it, so he would not be a good choice either.

Example Question #64 : The Classical Period (480 323 Bce)

Which of the following leaders unified mainland Greece and conquered the Persian empire?

Possible Answers:

Philip II of Macedon

Darius III

Xerxes

Alexander III

Correct answer:

Alexander III

Explanation:

Alexander III - also known as Alexander the Great - unified mainland Greece and then used it as a jumping-off point to conquer the known world, so he would be the best choice. Philip II never conquered the Persian empire, so he would not be a good choice. Bother Darius III and Xerxes were Persian emperors themselves, and so did not conquer their own empire, so neither of them would be good answers.

Example Question #65 : The Classical Period (480 323 Bce)

The efforts of which man led to the rise of Macedon as the dominant state in Greek society in the fourth century BCE?

Possible Answers:

Draco

Pericles

Solon

Philip II

Themistocles

Correct answer:

Philip II

Explanation:

Philip II took the throne in Macedon in the mid-fourth century BCE, in the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War (which had greatly weakened the power of the Greek city-states). Philip II made a series of reforms of Macedonian society and greatly strengthened the military. His conquests and defeat of nearby rivals paved the way for the rapid expansion of Macedon under his brilliant young son, Alexander the Great.

Example Question #1 : Other Regions And States

Which of these most accurately describes Gytheon?

Possible Answers:

A Spartan colony established in Italy.

An Athenian colony established in North Africa.

An Athenian colony established on Sicily.

the port of Sparta

the port of Athens

Correct answer:

the port of Sparta

Explanation:

Gytheon was a port town used by Sparta to access the Mediterranean. Notably, Gytheon was very hard to invade by sea because of the dangerous conditions in and around that area. As a result, Spartans never became adept sailors or merchants, and instead focused on developing their land-based military.

Example Question #1 : The Hellenistic Period (323 146 Bce)

Why did King Oedipus blind himself?

Possible Answers:

He discovered that he had murdered his father and married his mother

His sons were murdered

He incorrectly answered the riddle of the Sphinx

His army was defeated by Queen Cleopatra of Egypt

Zeus ordered him to

Correct answer:

He discovered that he had murdered his father and married his mother

Explanation:

King Oedipus blinded himself when he discovered that (unbeknownst to him), he had murdered his father and married his mother. He was so upset that he blinded himself in shame. It is helpful to remember that there is a concept in psychology called the "Oedipus Complex," which describes an individual's sexual attraction to the parent of the opposite sex. This concept is derived from the story of King Oedipus. 

Example Question #2 : The Hellenistic Period (323 146 Bce)

What was Jason looking for on his quest with the Argonauts? 

Possible Answers:

The Cyclops

His father

The Golden Fleece

Queen Circe

Pegasus

Correct answer:

The Golden Fleece

Explanation:

Jason and the Argonauts were searching for the Golden Fleece. When Jason was a baby his throne was stolen by his half-uncle Pelias. As an adult, Jason challenged Pelias for the throne and Pelias only agreed to step down if Jason presented him with the mythical Golden Fleece.

Example Question #3 : The Hellenistic Period (323 146 Bce)

Epicurus is most notable for his contributions to __________.

Possible Answers:

political theory

engineering

philosophy

mathematics

chemistry

Correct answer:

philosophy

Explanation:

Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who lived in the fourth and third centuries BCE in Athens. He is most famous for founding the school of philosophy, Epicureanism, which bears his name. Epicurus advocated for a philosophy built around the pursuit of pleasure through knowledge acquisition. He sought freedom from fear and release from pain.

 

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