Samson, Steven Alan

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Liberty UniversityDigitalCommons@LibertyUniversityFaculty Publications and Presentations Helms School of Government1988Thomas Greer - A Brief History of the WesternWorld Study GuideSteven Alan SamsonLiberty University, ssamson@liberty.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/gov_fac_pubsPart of the Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Political Science Commons, and thePublic Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Helms School of Government at DigitalCommons@Liberty University. It has beenaccepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Liberty University. For moreinformation, please contact scholarlycommunication@liberty.edu.Recommended CitationSamson, Steven Alan, "Thomas Greer - A Brief History of the Western World Study Guide" (1988). Faculty Publications andPresentations. Paper 215.http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/gov_fac_pubs/2151 STUDY QUESTIONS FOR THE GREER TEXT CHAPTER ONE: THE BIRTH OF CIVILIZATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1. Identify some of the social and intellectual consequences of the Agricultural Revolution. 2. What developments were made by the Sumerians In the followlng areas: agriculture, government, writing, law, religlon, mathematlcs, science, and engineering? Identify some attributes of the Code of Hammurapi [Hammurabi]. What contrlbutions were made by some of the neighboring states after the fall of the Kassites? 3. How did the Egyptlan civillzation dlffer from the Mesopotamian? Characterize and dlstinguish the three kingdoms of Egypt. What was the Egyptian idea of kingshlp? How did Egyptian religion resemble or differ from the Hesopotamian? How the Egyptians compare ,AJith the Hesopotamians in the following areas: writing, mathematlcs, the calendar, and medlcine. 4. How did the Assyrians build and govern their empire? What was the fatal weakness of the empire? How did they pursue a policy of terror and what were the consequences? 5. How did the Persian klng Cyrus dlffer from the Assyrians in building and governing hls emplre? Describe the nature of the PerSlan monarchy and its historical influence. Identify some Persian contributions In the following: religion, language, and commerce. priesthood cl asses talent vault alphabet Sphinx pyramids Gre at King TERMINOLOGY cunelform shekel months dome pharaoh hieroglyphics post-and-lintel method s atr ap stylus mina arch ziggurat VlZler papyrus cosmopo 1 i tan Zoroastri anism 2 CHAPTER TWO: THE GREEK BEGINNINGS OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 1. What were the origins of the Greeks? What were their native characteristics? What were the sources of Greek civilization? How did geography affect its character? 2. What was the origin of the city-state? What were its social, rellgious, and political characteristics? 3. How were the Spartan and Assyrian (ch. 1) systems similar? How was Sparta governed? What classes filled the following occupations: military, farming, business? How was life among the ruling class? 4. How did the Athenians differ from the Spartans? What were the two turning points in the life of Athens? Why did Darius and Xerxes invade Greece? \i\7hat did the Greeks believe made them victorious? What were the st~es in the development of Athenian democracy? How dld the Athenians govern themselves? What role was played by slavery? What was the status of women? 5. What were some of the common features of Greek rellgion? Who were the chlef gods and goddesses? How were religious rites celebrated? What were the mystery cults? 6. How did Greek philosophy originate? Who were some of the pioneers of rational thought? Who were the SOphlStS and what did they teach? What was the Socratic method? What was Socrates' theory of knowledge (epistemology)? 1A7hat was Plato's "doctrlne of Ideas?" How dld Plato believe society should be governed? What were some of the leading ideas of Aristotle? 7. Identlfy the chief epic and lyric poets of the Greek tradition. What ",Jere the orlgins of tragedy and comedy? Who were the three greatest tragedians and their characteristic themes? What were the themes of the hlstories of Herodotus and Thucydides? 8. What purpose was served by Greek architecture and sculpture? What values did they express? 9. What causes contributed to the decline of the Greek clty-states. How dld Athens provoke the Peloponnesian War? What contributed to the disillusionment that followed? How dld Alexander seek to unify East and West in a universal empire? Identify some of the characteristics of the Hellenlstlc period which followed? Minoan colony sovereign laconic polytheism omens dialogue orchestra TERMINOLOGY Mycenae an Pan-Hellenic games helot marathon anthropomorphism or acles Ide as or Forms Dionysos metropolis infanticide acropolls hoplite barb ari ans ~10 ir a hedonists philosopher-kings Deli an Le ague 3 CHAPTER THREE: THE ROMAN TRIUMPH AND FALL 1. What physical advantages contributed to the rlse of Rome as a world power? What contributions did the Etruscans and Greeks make to Roman civillzation? why did the Romans create a plural executive? Identify some of the steps by which the plebeians acquired politlcal power. What was the role of the Senate in Roman politics? 2. How was the Roman army organized? How did the Romans treat conquered peoples and admlnister their affairs? What advantages dld Roman rule offer them? How were the provinces governed? 3. What social changes contributed to the fall of the Roman republic? Which social classes grew to great size, and why? What changes account for moral decay and the decline in patriotism? How were the allies treated? How did politics at the top degenerate? Why did the policies of the Gracchl lead to the destruction of the republlc? 4. How did Julius Caesar clinch personal sway over Rome? What signs of pride led to his fall? How did Augustus disguise the change from a republic to an empire? What were his goals as the first emperor? How did he consolidate his power over Rome? Over the provlnces? 5. INhat was the fl aw in theA.ugustan settlement? How were the empire's cities governed? What did the Pax Romana mean in practical effect? Identify the chief characteristlcs of Roman religion and family life. What were the four "hlgh old virtues" of the Roman republic? 6. Identify the chief characteristics of Roman literature and philosophy. What were the chief characteristics (similarities and dlfferences) of Epicureanism and Stoicism? 7. What was the guidlng purpose of Roman 1 aw? What two bodies of 1 aw were merged by 212 A.D.? What consequences followed from the idea of natural law? From the codification of Roman law? Identify the chief forms, purposes, and monuments of Roman architecture. 8. What factors contlbuted to the decline and fall of the Roman emplre? Identify niocletian's reforms and their effects? How did his idea of a sacred monarchy influence subsequent history? How dld imperial religlous policy change under Constantine and his successors? 9. How did the Germanic invaders conquer the empire? How did they contribute to a further bre akdown of central authori ty? What role was played by the Church in the transition? consul cllents centuries pontifex maximus genius paterf ami 1 i as s impl ici t as jus gentium Code arch basil ic a Pantheon prefecture republlc tribunes provinces princeps municipium virtus -justitia patricians pr aetors latifundia imperator senate pietas jus naturale Corpus Novels vault apse rotunda hlerarchy plebeians pontiffs proletariat cen.s;_us numina gravitas jus civile Juris Civllis Instltutes dome podium augustl dominus 1 CHAPTER FOUR: A CONQUERING NEW FAITH: CHRISTIANITY 1. What is the connection between Christianity and Judaism? Identify two key differences. What does the author believe about the role played by monotheism and the belief in sin? 2. who was Zoroaster? What role was played by dualism in Persian religion? How did the mystery religions and Greek philosophical thought affect early Christianity? 3. How does the author view the life and teachings of Jesus? Does he indicate a personal belief that the Biblical account is accurate? What seems to be his viewpoint? 4. Identify some factors that made it easier for Paul and the Apostles to spread the Gospel? What were Some of the charges against the Christians that Romans used to justify the persecutions? 5. How did the offices of bishop and pope originate? What is the canon? How did heresies like Gnosticism and Donatism differ from orthodox Christianity? What were the issues at the Council of Nicaea and how were they resolved? 6. What role did Theodosius play in giving worldly power to the Church? How did dist1.ngu1.sh between the "Earthly City" and the "Heavenly City?" How did he explain the sack of Rome by the Visigoths? 7. What is asceticism? How was the ascet1.C l.deal reflected differently by the hermit monks and the regulated monastic communities? How did the Rule of Benedict regularize monastic life? JUdaism Torah Pentecost pagani (pagans) episcopal diocese monarchical theory canon Donatism Di aspora ascetic TEmlINOLOGY Zion Zoroaster Pax Romana ordination presbyterian metropol it an papa (pope) Gnosticism creed charity hermit monks secular clergy monotheism Hithr aism faith hier archy excommunication conciliar theory Vulgate monasticism subordinationism Manicheism Benedictine Rule 2 CHAPTER FIVE: THE CREATION OF EUROPE 1. What characteristics were generally shared by the Germanic barbarians who overran the Roman Empire? What was the comitatus (the original "posse")? How did Clovis establish the Kingdom of the Franks? 2. Identify three of Justinian's accomplishments. Did he succeed in his ambi tion to reconquer the Vi7est? Identify three cuI tur al contributions of the Byzantines. 3. Who was Muhammad and how he originate Islam? What f actors account for the rapid spread of the new religion? trilhat are the "five pillars of faith?" Identify three Islamic contributions to the West. 4. What role dld Charles Martel play in the defense of Christendom against the Saracens and the development of feudalism? What were some results of the alliance between Pepin and Pope Stephen II? What were the Donation of Pepin and the Donation of Constantlne? 5. How did Charlemagne build up his empire? Identify three of the marches or military zones that helped consolidate Christian rule in Europe. Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne as emperor? What three elements of medieval civilization were thereby joined? 6. Why did Charlemagne's empire disintegrate? Identify three of the invading barbarian groups that threatened Christendom. What two rulers in the East and west helped revive central authority? 7. What was the character of the feudal compact? What were the respective duties of lords and vassals? How did the manorial system operate? How were manors divided up in order to enhance self-sufficiency? 8. How did medieval towns get started? How were they governed? Who were the bourgeoisie? How were the guilds operated? comitatus Hagia Sophia muslim caliphate Ramadan Carolinglan dynasty county sovereign ordeal ransom investiture pilgrimage towns and burgs masters TERflINOLOGY mayor of the palace Cyrillic alphabet Hegira Sharia Koran chevaliers duke fief relief homage primogeniture bailiffs bourgeoisie journeymen Corpus Juris Civilis islam jihad (holy war) polyg amy Omar Khayyam march or mark feudalism custom hospitality feal ty manorialism serfs guilds apprentices 3 CHAPTER SIX: THE FLOv,JERING OF MEDIEVAL CULTURE 1. Identlfy the seven sacraments of the Catholic traditlon. \A7hich sacraments were thought to be indelible? 2. Identify two "cults" which reflected popular religious feelings. Wh at sort of reI ics bec ame obj ects of vener at ion? 3. What were the monastery at Cluny and lts priories organized? How dld the Cistercians and the Franciscan friars differ from the Cluniac Benedictines? How did Francis and Dominic differ? 4. What reforms did Hildebrand introduce? How did they affect papal elections and strengthen papal authority? Identify three ways the pope's disciplinary powers might be exercised. What was the Inquisition and what did it have to do with the Albigensian heresy? 5. How did Gregory VII assert the Church's authority over the state? What tactics did Gregory use to bring Henry IV into submission? How did Innocent III treat John? \A/hy did Boniface VIII fail in his conflict with Philip the Fair? 6. Identify five attributes each of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. How did the two styles differ? 7. How did the medieval university get its start? How was it organized? Identify the seven liberal arts. How did degrees originate? What was the first college and why was it built? 8. What was scholasticism and who were its major representatives? What was the methodology of Aquinas? How did modern languages develop from Latin and the vernaculars? Identlfy three types of medieval literature. What were the two great literary works of the era? 9. Why was the First Crusade organized? What were the objectives of Pope Urban II? What was the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem? Who was Saladln? What went wrong with the Fourth Crusade and why? 1iJhat was the Latin Empire of Constantinople? Who finally won the Crusades? 10. Why were medieval Jews persecuted? What was the basis of the medieval synthesis? Eucharist veneration friars leg ates indulgences depos i tion lnvestiture masters quadrivium Goliardic poetry f abli aux TERfIlINOLOGY brevi ary monastery College of Cardinals curia excommunic ation Inquisition bull apprentices deduction vernacul ar allegory ghetto canonizatlon priories celibacy dispens at ions interdiction canon law clerics (clerks, clergy) trivium inductlon troubadors Spanish March 4 CHAPT8R SEVP.N: THE TRANSFORMATION AND EXPANSION OF EUROPE 1. What were some of the forces that helped dissolve the medieval synthesis? What were some of the factors that shook up Europe in the fourteenth century (Tercento)? 2. How did modern capitalism and banking originate? Why did partnership and the family firm begin to replace the guild? How did the Fugger family acquire wealth and influence? How did the development of a money economy change the social structure? with what consequences? 3. Why did Europe turn to overseas expansioon around 1500? What nations encouraged exloration and why? Identify five marlners and their most famous discoveries. 4. How did the Portuguese arrival in India affect international trade? How and by whom were the Aztecs and Incas conquered? What were the consequences of the overseas expansion for the conquered people as well as for Europe? 5. Where did modern absolutism and modern diplomacy get their start? Identify the five major powers of Italy. How did the Sforzas and Medicis govern their respective city-states? How were the other three city-states governed? 6. How did the Italy's age Aquinas's? express the political theory of Machiavelli reflect the politics of of despots? Who did Machiavelli's theory did from Identify five Machiavellian doctrines that seem to domlnant view today? 7. What event stimulated French nationalism? How did the French people react to Joan of Arc? How was the power of the French monarchy consolidated under Charles VII and Louis XI? What accounts for the Gallican Church? How did absolutism affect Christendom in practice? Why was absolutism less secure in England than in France? 8. What accounts for the eclipse of the Holy Roman Emplre? When did it finally end? \iVhat family dominated it after 1438? ]i\Jhat were the family holdings of Emperor Charles V, who was also the Spanish Jnng? J acquerie partnership bill of credit free tenants c artogr aphy mestizos castello c av aIry t aille TER~HNOLOGY Bl ack De ath entrepreneur philanthropy fixed and movable assets northwest passage sovereign doge longbow electors dyn asty reinvestment the Hanse serfs astrol abe encomiend as condottieri secul ar i z ation gunpowder Golden Bull 

Thomas Greer - A Brief History of the Western World Study Guide

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