Ancient History: Greece : The Classical Period (480- 323 BCE)

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Governmental Structures

Which of the following ancient Greek city-states is famous for inventing democracy?

Possible Answers:

Sparta

Corinth

Athens

Argos

Macedon

Correct answer:

Athens

Explanation:

Athens is best known for practicing democracy in the Classic Period, so they would be the best choice. Sparta was ruled by two kings for most of its history, so it would not be a good answer. Macedon was the kingdom that produced Alexander the Great and they were not known for democracy, so that would not be a good choice. Lastly, both Argos and Corinth were Greek city-states, however neither of them were known for democracy, so they would not be good answers either. 

Example Question #4 : Governmental Structures

Cylon is most notable for __________.

Possible Answers:

leading the Spartan forces in the First Messenian War

ruling as a tyrant in Corinth during the seventh century

ruling as a tyrant in Samos during the sixth century

leading a failed coup against the Athenian government

establishing a set of legal codes in Athens

Correct answer:

leading a failed coup against the Athenian government

Explanation:

Cylon is most notable for leading a failed coup against the Athenian government in the seventh century BCE. This event is particularly notable because it is the first reliable recorded and dated event in Athenian history, and because it demonstrates the nature of Athenian power struggles during the Archaic Era.

Example Question #121 : Ancient History: Greece

Which of these best reflects who could vote in ancient Athenian society?

Possible Answers:

free, adult, native, male citizens

free, adult, male citizens

free, adult citizens

adult citizens

all citizens

Correct answer:

free, adult, native, male citizens

Explanation:

In modern times, we remember ancient Athenian society as the birthplace of democracy, and in many ways, this is not an incorrect association. It is worth noting, however, that in Athenian society only free, adult, native, male citizens of the city could vote. This meant that the vast majority of the population remained completely excluded from the political process.

Example Question #122 : Ancient History: Greece

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

Possible Answers:

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

lecturing and debating as a member of Plato's Academy

traveling the countryside as a religious ascetic

renouncing all worldly possessions and living in an empty wine bucket

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 #51 : The Classical Period (480 323 Bce)

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

Possible Answers:

Orators who gave speeches on behalf of politicians

Intellectuals who held public debates on randomly chosen topics

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

Intellectuals who developed the principles of Greek law

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 #124 : Ancient History: Greece

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

Possible Answers:

Solon

Plato

Socrates

Pericles

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 #125 : Ancient History: Greece

In the ancient Greek pantheon who was Hermes?

Possible Answers:

The God of death and the underworld

The Goddess of hunting

The God of music and poetry

The messenger God

The Goddess of love and beauty

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 #52 : The Classical Period (480 323 Bce)

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

Possible Answers:

Aristotle

Epicurus

Socrates

Archimedes

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 #53 : The Classical Period (480 323 Bce)

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

Possible Answers:

Aristotle

Plato

Socrates

Archimedes

Epicurus

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 #128 : Ancient History: Greece

Demeter is the Greek Goddess of __________.

Possible Answers:

wisdom and knowledge

love and beauty

sailors, tradesmen, and soldiers

wealth and luxury

fertility and the harvest

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.

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