Art and Culture

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AP European History › Art and Culture

Questions 1 - 10
1

The Iliad and The Odyssey are the best known works of which ancient Greek poet?

Homer

Virgil

Ovid

Lord Byron

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Explanation

Homer is best known in the modern world for The Iliad and The Odyssey, so he would be the best choice. Ovid was the epic poet responsible for the Metamorphoses, but he was Roman, so he would not be the best choice. Virgil was also an influential Roman poet and he did not write the works in question, so he would not be a good choice. Lastly, Lord Byron and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were both famous poets, but they lived many thousands of years after the works in question were written, so they would not be good answers.

2

What was an acropolis in ancient Greece?

A fortified area on top of hill, often used for ceremonial purposes

An open space designated for public meetings

A defensive fortification designed to protect against land-based invasions

A shallow harbor designed to prevent naval invasions

None of these

Explanation

In ancient Greece an acropolis was a fortified area on top of hill that was often used for religious or ceremonial purposes. The most famous example of this is the Acropolis in Athens, which is the site of the famous Parthenon temple.

3

Which of these was central to religious ceremony in Archaic Era Greece?

animal sacrifice

human sacrifice

meditation

intoxication

communal prayer and chanting

Explanation

Religious ceremonies in Archaic Era Greece were extremely communal events. The community would gather in a public place and an animal (or many animals) would be sacrificed. This was meant to demonstrate the community’s commitment to the Gods. The people would then sit together and share the sacrificed meat in a great feast. This was meant to demonstrate the community’s commitment to one another.

4

Which of these Greek wonders was built at Delphi?

the Oracle

the Temple of Artemis

the Parthenon

the Statue of Zeus

the Colossus

Explanation

The Oracle of Apollo (sometimes called The Oracle at Delphi) was built in northern Greece sometime during the Dark or Archaic ages. It was a place of worship and ceremony for the ancient Greeks. It, along with other oracles, served a very important purpose in Greek religious life. Political and military leaders sought the advice of the holy men who worked and lived at Delphi to try and determine whether the Gods favored the actions they had taken or were considering. Greek rulers would consult the Oracle, for example, before declaring war.

5

Linear B fell into disuse after __________.

the decline of the Mycenaean civilization

the decline of the Minoan civilization

the rise of the Dorians in southern Greece

the rise of the Ionians in Anatolia

the decline of Athens

Explanation

Linear B was the written script of the Mycenaean Greeks. It fell into disuse in the immediate aftermath of the decline of the Mycenaean civilization. Linear B was a complicated script and was probably known only by a few, privileged palatial scribes. This helps explain why it was so hastily lost to history during the Greek Dark Ages.

6

Many of the more famous Greek dramas address ancient Greek concerns about __________.

the relationship between fate and free will in people’s lives

the rise of the Macedonian Empire and the threat of foreign invasion

social hierarchy and the importance of democratic institutions

the efficacy of different forms of government

private property and the wealth disparity in Athenian society

Explanation

Many of the more famous Greek dramas, such as the works of Aeschylus and Sophocles, are focused on the relationship between fate and free will in people’s lives. This is often examined in dramas through the intervention of the Gods and the inescapable truth of prophecy.

7

Alcman was a(n) __________.

Spartan choral lyrical poet

Athenian legal reformer

Athenian tyrant, who ruled in the sixth century

Spartan philosopher, who reformed Sparta’s legal code in the seventh century

Athenian poet, who wrote extensively on the foundation of Athens

Explanation

Alcman of Sparta was a Spartan choral lyrical poet. He is one of the famous “nine lyric poets” of the Greek Archaic Era. Alcman wrote many poems praising Spartan society and celebrating martial prowess. These poems were traditionally performed, accompanied by music, in large groups at Spartan public gatherings and religious festivals.

8

Epicurus is most notable for his contributions to __________.

philosophy

political theory

mathematics

chemistry

engineering

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.

9

Archilochus is most notable for his __________.

poetry

philosophy

political theories

dramas

comedies

Explanation

Archilochus is a seventh century BCE lyric poet. Archilochus was one of the most widely esteemed and beloved poets in ancient Greek society. He has been frequently credited (although not definitively) with the invention of the elegy.

10

Theognis of Megara is primarily remembered for his __________.

poetry

political theories

philosophy

mathematical theorems

scientific innovations

Explanation

Theognis of Megara is a well-known Greek poet from the Archaic Era. It is not known exactly when he lived, but general historical consensus seems to fall around the sixth century BCE. Theognis wrote extensively (and poetically) on the nature of class struggles and the formation of city-states during his time period.

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