Ancient History: Greece : Ancient History: Greece

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Ancient History: Greece

The Milesian philosopher Thales argued that ____________.

Possible Answers:

None of these

the Earth floated on water

the sun was the center of the universe

the Earth was the center of the universe

Correct answer:

the Earth floated on water

Explanation:

A major pre-Socratic philosopher, Thales held that water as the unifying principle or system by which the universe operated. Thus, he believed that all parts of life came from water. This principle extended to his cosmological belief that the Earth itself floated on water.

Example Question #162 : Ancient History: Greece

Who is the pre-Socratic philosopher commonly credited with developing the theory of atomism?

Possible Answers:

Thales

Epicurus

Diogenes Laertius

Leucippus

Correct answer:

Leucippus

Explanation:

Leucippus is widely credited with the development of the pre-Socratic theory of atomism. Atomism was a materialist philosophy whose first principle was that the world was composed of tiny indivisible parts, called atoms. 

Diogenes Laertius was a historiographer and biographer of philosophers who actually disputed the historical existence of Leucippus. Epicurus is a later philosopher, and rather obviously, is more associated with Epicurean philosophy rather than atomism.

Example Question #163 : Ancient History: Greece

What was the central tenet of the philosophical worldview of Pythagoreanism?

Possible Answers:

That mathematics represented the kind of harmonious relationships humans should seek from life itself

None of these

That the goal of any harmonious life was to be physically harmonious with one's surroundings

That all of life was strictly dependent on mathematics

Correct answer:

That mathematics represented the kind of harmonious relationships humans should seek from life itself

Explanation:

Pythagoreanism is the set of beliefs outlined by later philosophers, like Plato and Aristotle, ascribed to followers of Pythagorus of Samos, widely credited as the discoverer of the Pythagorean theorem. Knowing this, one might be tempted into the answer stating that "all of life was strictly dependent on mathematics." Pythagoreanism, however, emphasized math as an example of the kind of harmony people should seek in all aspects of life. The school of thought, while heavily invested in mathematics as a guiding philosophical principle, was not exclusive in its emphasis on mathematical harmony.

Example Question #164 : Ancient History: Greece

Ares was the God of war, which of these ancient Greek Gods is incorrectly matched with the area of life they were most associated with?

Possible Answers:

Aphrodite . . . love and beauty.

Artemis . . . hunting and the moon.

Hades . . . death and the underworld.

Apollo . . . music and archery.

Poseidon . . . wisdom and learning.

Correct answer:

Poseidon . . . wisdom and learning.

Explanation:

In the ancient Greek religion there was an extensive pantheon of Gods. Each God or Goddess was associated with certain areas of life, occupations, and ideals. All of these Gods are correctly paired with the areas of life they were said to watch over, except Poseidon. Poseidon was the God of sailors, horses and the sea.

Example Question #165 : Ancient History: Greece

The philosophical tradition of atomism was first developed by __________.

Possible Answers:

Democritus

Socrates

Pythagoras

Anaximenes

Thales of Miletus

Correct answer:

Democritus

Explanation:

The philosophical tradition of atomism, or the belief that all things are composed of atoms, was first developed by the ancient Greek Democritus. Democritus and Leucippus developed the original atomic theory of the universe. They argued that everything was composed of atoms, which were indivisible and indestructible.

Example Question #166 : Ancient History: Greece

Ancient Greek philosophy first emerged in __________.

Possible Answers:

Athens

Ionia

Crete

Sparta

Thrace

Correct answer:

Ionia

Explanation:

Although ancient Greek philosophy is usually associated with Athens more than any other city-state, it actually first emerged among the Ionian Greeks (living in modern-day Turkey). The Ionians were the center of Greek culture and wealth in the seventh century BCE. It was here that Pre-Socratic philosophy, as it is generally referred to, was first developed.

Example Question #167 : Ancient History: Greece

In the ancient Greek pantheon who was Hephaestus?

Possible Answers:

The God of wealth and good fortune

The God of music and poetry

The God of war

The God of death and the underworld

The God of blacksmiths and craftsmen

Correct answer:

The God of blacksmiths and craftsmen

Explanation:

In the ancient Greek pantheon, Hephaestus was the God of blacksmiths and craftsmen. Hephaestus is generally presented as physically handicapped and is often mistreated by the other Gods as a result.

Example Question #168 : Ancient History: Greece

Which of these philosophers does not fit in with the others?

Possible Answers:

Anaximander

Parmenides

Anaximenes

Thales of Miletus

None of these are out of place; they are all part of the same school of philosophy

Correct answer:

Parmenides

Explanation:

Anaximander, Thales of Miletus, and Anaximenes are the three main figures in the so-called “Ionian Awakening.” They were the first three major philosophers in ancient Greek history and were all part of the Milesian school of thinkers. Parmenides, on the other hand, lived in southern Italy and founded the Eleatic school of philosophy.

Example Question #169 : Ancient History: Greece

Which of these is not one of the ancient Greek Gods?

Possible Answers:

Mars

Artemis

Zeus

Apollo

Athena

Correct answer:

Mars

Explanation:

Of these ancient Greek Gods only Mars is incorrect. Mars was the Roman name for the ancient Greek God of war, Ares. The Romans adopted the same pantheon of Gods as the ancient Greeks, although all their Gods had different names. 

Example Question #170 : Ancient History: Greece

In Greek mythology, as told by Hesiod, Zeus comes to power __________.

Possible Answers:

because he is the wisest and most knowledgeable of all the Gods

by overthrowing his father, Kronos

because he is the strongest and most violent of all the Gods

because he is elected to rule by the other Gods

by overthrowing Hades and condemning him to the underworld

Correct answer:

by overthrowing his father, Kronos

Explanation:

In Greek mythology, as told by Hesiod in The Theogony, Zeus comes to power by overthrowing his father, Kronos. Kronos himself came to power by overthrowing the God Sky. In Greek mythology, the Gods experience a very-human existence, full of power struggles, violence, love, and betrayal.

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