Ancient History: Greece : Philosophy and Religion

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Philosophy And Religion

Diogenes of Sinope demonstrated his ethical rejection of Greek society by _______________.

Possible Answers:

renouncing all worldly possessions and living in an empty wine bucket

writing long-still remembered tracts, which went on to form the basis of Cynic philosophy

traveling the countryside as a religious ascetic

lecturing and debating as a member of Plato's Academy

Correct answer:

renouncing all worldly possessions and living in an empty wine bucket

Explanation:

Diogenes of Sinope is a noted cynic more remembered for his prominent role in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and various stories about him than his actually enumerated philosophical thinking. Diogenes rejected the academic life, and was never a member of Plato's Academy. In fact, Diogenes' most notable interaction with Plato came when Diogenes humiliated Plato by disproving Plato's definition of a man. While Diogenes did wander between cities, he was not a religious ascetic.

It is true that Diogenes lived in an empty wine bucket by choice. For some time his only possession was a wooden bowl, which he destroyed after seeing a peasant boy eat with his hands. He would also wander the streets in broad daylight carrying a lantern and shouting that he was looking for a just man.

Example Question #1 : Philosophy And Religion

Which of the given statements accurately describes Sophists, as a social group?

Possible Answers:

Intellectuals who developed the principles of Greek law

Teachers and philosophers who travelled Greece teaching wealthy Greeks for a fee

Orators who gave speeches on behalf of politicians

Intellectuals who held public debates on randomly chosen topics

Correct answer:

Teachers and philosophers who travelled Greece teaching wealthy Greeks for a fee

Explanation:

Sophistry went on to become a somewhat pejorative designation for certain kinds of philosophy and logic. As a social group, however, Sophists were simply traveling intellectuals who taught rich Greek youths for money.

Example Question #2 : Philosophy And Religion

The idea of “Philosopher Kings” is associated with __________.

Possible Answers:

Solon

Plato

Pericles

Socrates

Draco

Correct answer:

Plato

Explanation:

In his most famous work The Republic, Plato presents his idea of a government ruled by “Philosopher Kings.” Plato believed that in order for society to be ruled benevolently and most effectively either philosophers needed to rule or kings needed to embrace philosophy.

Example Question #3 : Philosophy And Religion

In the ancient Greek pantheon who was Hermes?

Possible Answers:

The Goddess of hunting

The God of music and poetry

The messenger God

The Goddess of love and beauty

The God of death and the underworld

Correct answer:

The messenger God

Explanation:

In the ancient Greek pantheon, Hermes was the messenger God. Hermes often appears in Greek mythology as a guide for heroes and assists them in their quests.

Example Question #4 : Philosophy And Religion

Which of the following philosophers is known for graduating from Plato’s academy and tutoring Alexander the Great?

Possible Answers:

Archimedes

Socrates

Aristotle

Epicurus

Correct answer:

Aristotle

Explanation:

Aristotle was a student of Plato and attended the Academy in Athens, as well as tutoring Alexander the Great, so he would be the best choice. Socrates predated the Academy and taught Plato himself, so he would not be a good choice for this question. Epicurus was a child roughly when Alexander the Great was coming to power and Archimedes lived many years after him, so neither of them would be good answers.

Example Question #5 : Philosophy And Religion

Which of the following philosophers is known for his theory concerning the World of Forms and for founding the Academy in Athens?

Possible Answers:

Socrates

Epicurus

Plato

Aristotle

Archimedes

Correct answer:

Plato

Explanation:

Plato is arguably most famous for The Allegory of the Cave, in which he describes the World of Forms, and he founded the Academy, so he would be the best choice. Socrates was Plato's teacher and he did not have a concept of the World of Forms, so he would not be a good answer. Aristotle was taught by Plato and he attended the Academy himself, so he would not be the best choice. Lastly, Epicurus and Archimedes did not conceive of the World of Forms nor did they have any ties to the Academy, so they would not be good choices for this question.

Example Question #5 : Philosophy And Religion

Demeter is the Greek Goddess of __________.

Possible Answers:

wisdom and knowledge

fertility and the harvest

sailors, tradesmen, and soldiers

wealth and luxury

love and beauty

Correct answer:

fertility and the harvest

Explanation:

Demeter is the Greek Goddess of fertility and the harvest. She is important in Greek mythology because she is believed to have introduced agriculture to the prehistoric Greek people. Demeter was revered in ancient Greek society and was the subject of widespread cult worship.

Example Question #6 : Philosophy And Religion

Prometheus was punished by Zeus for __________.

Possible Answers:

introducing agriculture to mankind

introducing music to mankind

introducing fire to mankind

opening Pandora’s box and unleashing sin on the world

intervening in the affairs of daily human lives

Correct answer:

introducing fire to mankind

Explanation:

In Greek mythology Prometheus is a tragic figure. He introduces fire to mankind and in doing so greatly improves the standard of living. But, this was apparently not part of Zeus’ plan and Zeus condemned Prometheus to eternal torture.

Example Question #8 : Philosophy And Religion

Socrates lived in which of the following city-states?

Possible Answers:

Corinth

Sparta

Argos

Macedon

Athens

Correct answer:

Athens

Explanation:

Socrates was infamously put to death on charges of "Corrupting the Youth of Athens", and his intellectual successor Plato lived and taught there as well, so Athens would be the best choice. Sparta was not known for its philosophy or intellectual life and Socrates did not live there, so it would not be a good answer. Argos was a city-state at the time of Socrates, however he had no ties there, so it too would not be a good choice. Corinth, too, was a city-state that existed in that period but had no ties to Socrates, so it too would not be a good answer. Finally, Macedon was a more traditional kingdom in the mainland of Greece, so as it was not a city-state at all, it would not be a good choice.

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.

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