Question 1

Why was the capital of the Byzantine Empire established at Constantinople?

Accepted Answer

A)  Roman culture was strongest in Anatolia. 
B)  Its strategic location on the strait of Gibraltar,which controlled western Mediterranean Sea lanes 
C)  Constantine's birthplace was there,providing religious significance. 
D)  Its strategic location on the Bosporus,which controlled the trade in the eastern Mediterranean 
A)  Roman culture was strongest in Anatolia. 
B)  Its strategic location on the strait of Gibraltar,which controlled western Mediterranean Sea lanes 
C)  Constantine's birthplace was there,providing religious significance. 
D)  Its strategic location on the Bosporus,which controlled the trade in the eastern Mediterranean D

Question 2

Which of the following was Emperor Justinian's most enduring legacy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Selecting Byzantium as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire 
B)  Instituting a major reform and codification of Roman law 
C)  Conquering the Sasanian Empire 
D)  Establishing fiscal responsibility by frugally controlling his personal expenses 
A)  Selecting Byzantium as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire 
B)  Instituting a major reform and codification of Roman law 
C)  Conquering the Sasanian Empire 
D)  Establishing fiscal responsibility by frugally controlling his personal expenses B

Question 3

Explain and compare the ways that the Bantu and Mayan political,social,and cultural systems provided unity for their regions.

Accepted Answer

In both sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas,it was not easy for ideas,institutions,peoples,and commodities to circulate broadly,because of ecological and geographical barriers.So,the religions that emerged here were more localized than universalizing.The Bantu were a group that migrated out of West Africa in two great waves.Their skill as agriculturalists and ability to smelt iron tools allowed them to settle in diverse environments and successfully adapt their methods to multiple ecological zones.This ecological diversity prevented the Bantu from establishing common political and social institutions.Instead,their political and social structures reflected the areas in which they settled.While the Eastern Bantu peoples lived in areas conducive to rule by kings,the Western Bantu established political and social order based on family and clan structures.Individuals,big men,would rise to the top based on their specific talents.What did provide unity for much of Sub-Saharan Africa was the Bantu language and cultural traditions such as the belief that nature was filled with spirits,including ancestral spirits,that needed to be placated by diviners. The Americas also lacked the integrating artery of a giant river,but despite this the Mayans developed a common culture that dominated large stretches of Mesoamerica through a series of kingdoms built around ritual centers rather than cities.They aggressively engaged in warfare and trade,expanding their control through tributary relationships.The extraordinary feature of Mayan society was that its people were defined not by a great ruler or great capital city,but by their shared religious beliefs,worldview,and sense of purpose.Thus,as with the Bantu,religion instead of politics was the uniting feature of the Mayans.However,unlike the Bantu,the Mayans achieved a unity through many villages linked by tribute payments.They may have numbered as many as 10 million,achieving bigness in a cultural system without big cities.

Question 4

Which of the following was a reason that Constantine called all bishops to a council in Nicaea in 325 CE?

Accepted Answer

A)  He hoped to convince the bishops to pay taxes to support his army. 
B)  He wanted the support of the bishops to start a crusade against nonbelievers. 
C)  He hoped to bring unity to the diversity of beliefs within Christian communities. 
D)  He wanted the endorsement of the bishops when he seized the throne. 
A)  He hoped to convince the bishops to pay taxes to support his army. 
B)  He wanted the support of the bishops to start a crusade against nonbelievers. 
C)  He hoped to bring unity to the diversity of beliefs within Christian communities. 
D)  He wanted the endorsement of the bishops when he seized the throne.

Question 5

Which of the following changes in the Brahmanic tradition in South Asia began during the reign of Chandragupta?

Accepted Answer

A)  Brahmanic practices became increasingly centered in urban culture. 
B)  Brahmanic beliefs about ideal behavior became major literary topics. 
C)  Animal sacrifice became essential to Brahmanic practices. 
D)  Buddhist and Jainist practices were rejected. 
A)  Brahmanic practices became increasingly centered in urban culture. 
B)  Brahmanic beliefs about ideal behavior became major literary topics. 
C)  Animal sacrifice became essential to Brahmanic practices. 
D)  Buddhist and Jainist practices were rejected.

Question 6

What new crop introduced by the Bantus into the rain forests of Central Africa radically changed regional agriculture and slowed deforestation?

Accepted Answer

A)  The yam 
B)  Manioc 
C)  The banana 
D)  Date palms 
A)  The yam 
B)  Manioc 
C)  The banana 
D)  Date palms

Question 7

Which of the following did the Tuoba,founders of the Northern Wei dynasty,pursue after taking control of part of the old Han territory?

Accepted Answer

A)  They maintained many Chinese traditions of statecraft. 
B)  They refashioned the Chinese military traditions to emphasize the military practices of the nomadic tribes. 
C)  They abolished the practice of forced labor for large public projects. 
D)  They worked to systematically destroy all evidence of previous dynasties,especially the Han. 
A)  They maintained many Chinese traditions of statecraft. 
B)  They refashioned the Chinese military traditions to emphasize the military practices of the nomadic tribes. 
C)  They abolished the practice of forced labor for large public projects. 
D)  They worked to systematically destroy all evidence of previous dynasties,especially the Han.

Question 8

The Sasanian Empire established a practice of religious tolerance that allowed Christian and Jewish populations to flourish in their empire.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Why did the progressive land reform policies of the Northern Wei dynasty fail to bridge the cultural divide between the Han and the Tuoba?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Han were insulted that the Tuoba wanted to redistribute their land. 
B)  The Han nobility had all fled south,and Han peasants refused to work for the Tuoba. 
C)  The Han showed little interest in working with the Tuoba because they had little interest in farming. 
D)  Empress Fang had overreached her powers as regent,raising strong opposition to the Northern Wei dynasty. 
A)  The Han were insulted that the Tuoba wanted to redistribute their land. 
B)  The Han nobility had all fled south,and Han peasants refused to work for the Tuoba. 
C)  The Han showed little interest in working with the Tuoba because they had little interest in farming. 
D)  Empress Fang had overreached her powers as regent,raising strong opposition to the Northern Wei dynasty.

Question 10

During this period,Buddhism was highly adaptable,incorporating the deities and wisdom of every country it touched.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following is an accurate comparison between the way Bantu "big men" and Eurasian elites achieved status and wealth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Eurasian elites achieved status through education,while "big men" relied on the support of their age groups. 
B)  Eurasian nobles were usually military leaders,while "big men" opposed territorial expansion. 
C)  "Big men" attracted followers based on valor and wisdom,while Eurasian nobility was based on inheritance. 
D)  Bantu ruling elders included women beyond childbearing age,while Eurasian elites rarely included women. 
A)  Eurasian elites achieved status through education,while "big men" relied on the support of their age groups. 
B)  Eurasian nobles were usually military leaders,while "big men" opposed territorial expansion. 
C)  "Big men" attracted followers based on valor and wisdom,while Eurasian nobility was based on inheritance. 
D)  Bantu ruling elders included women beyond childbearing age,while Eurasian elites rarely included women.

Question 12

The status of Nestorians in the Sasanian Empire exemplified which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Sasanian Empire's persecution of non-Zoroastrians 
B)  Universalizing religious communities spreading across Asia along trade routes 
C)  The lack of political unity in the Sasanian Empire 
D)  Merging Christian and Zoroastrian beliefs 
A)  The Sasanian Empire's persecution of non-Zoroastrians 
B)  Universalizing religious communities spreading across Asia along trade routes 
C)  The lack of political unity in the Sasanian Empire 
D)  Merging Christian and Zoroastrian beliefs

Question 13

Analyze the ways that Buddhism's diffusion beyond South Asia affected its further development.

Accepted Answer

The Mahayana school of Buddhism in parti

Question 14

Which of the following accurately describes Central Asia between 400 and 600 CE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Huns prevented trade from following traditional routes. 
B)  It became the hub of a system that linked eastern and western Afro-Eurasia,as well as South Asia. 
C)  The Sasanian Empire brought it under its control. 
D)  Unusually warm weather destroyed pasturelands required by horse and camel caravans. 
A)  The Huns prevented trade from following traditional routes. 
B)  It became the hub of a system that linked eastern and western Afro-Eurasia,as well as South Asia. 
C)  The Sasanian Empire brought it under its control. 
D)  Unusually warm weather destroyed pasturelands required by horse and camel caravans.

Question 15

During this period,Mayan kingdoms consisted of major ritual centers and their agricultural hinterlands.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which technological innovation allowed the Bantu to become successful agriculturalists in different ecological zones?

Accepted Answer

A)  Digging sticks 
B)  Iron smelting 
C)  Crop rotation 
D)  Ox-drawn plow 
A)  Digging sticks 
B)  Iron smelting 
C)  Crop rotation 
D)  Ox-drawn plow

Question 17

Which of the following statements concerning Christian churches built after the conversion of Constantine indicates the structure of the religion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only male Christian converts were permitted inside. 
B)  The bishop sat on a throne to preach his sermon. 
C)  The buildings were small and intimate. 
D)  The buildings were elaborately decorated. 
A)  Only male Christian converts were permitted inside. 
B)  The bishop sat on a throne to preach his sermon. 
C)  The buildings were small and intimate. 
D)  The buildings were elaborately decorated.

Question 18

Which of the following statements concerning Buddhism in the third and fourth centuries CE is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Buddhist travelers had become frequent visitors in the competing Chinese capitals of various Warring States. 
B)  Buddhism had already been widely adopted and would now develop its Chinese forms without continued influence from South Asia. 
C)  Buddhism had been outlawed as an example of negative foreign influence. 
D)  Buddhist thought found little support due to the violence and chaos of constant war. 
A)  Buddhist travelers had become frequent visitors in the competing Chinese capitals of various Warring States. 
B)  Buddhism had already been widely adopted and would now develop its Chinese forms without continued influence from South Asia. 
C)  Buddhism had been outlawed as an example of negative foreign influence. 
D)  Buddhist thought found little support due to the violence and chaos of constant war.

Question 19

The Sogdians were responsible for which of the following achievements?

Accepted Answer

A)  Blending Christian and Jewish beliefs to create a new religion 
B)  Adopting the techniques of siege warfare from Alexander's heirs 
C)  Linking the two ends of the Silk Road through their oasis cities 
D)  Organizing the caravan trade across the Sahara Desert 
A)  Blending Christian and Jewish beliefs to create a new religion 
B)  Adopting the techniques of siege warfare from Alexander's heirs 
C)  Linking the two ends of the Silk Road through their oasis cities 
D)  Organizing the caravan trade across the Sahara Desert

Question 20

Which of the following was a major difference between Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada)Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Hinayana school became a major universalizing religion,while the Mahayana school remained centered in South Asia. 
B)  The Hinayana school was accepted by Hinduism,while the Mahayana school was not. 
C)  The Mahayana school encouraged bhakti devotion,but the Hinayana school rejected it. 
D)  The Mahayana school accepted the divinity of both the Buddha and the bodhisattvas,while the Hinayana barred colorful idols of the bodhisattvas. 
A)  The Hinayana school became a major universalizing religion,while the Mahayana school remained centered in South Asia. 
B)  The Hinayana school was accepted by Hinduism,while the Mahayana school was not. 
C)  The Mahayana school encouraged bhakti devotion,but the Hinayana school rejected it. 
D)  The Mahayana school accepted the divinity of both the Buddha and the bodhisattvas,while the Hinayana barred colorful idols of the bodhisattvas.

Exam 8: The Rise of Universalizing Religions 300-600 Ce

Why was the capital of the Byzantine Empire established at Constantinople?

Which of the following was Emperor Justinian's most enduring legacy?

Explain and compare the ways that the Bantu and Mayan political,social,and cultural systems provided unity for their regions.

Which of the following was a reason that Constantine called all bishops to a council in Nicaea in 325 CE?

Which of the following changes in the Brahmanic tradition in South Asia began during the reign of Chandragupta?

What new crop introduced by the Bantus into the rain forests of Central Africa radically changed regional agriculture and slowed deforestation?

Which of the following did the Tuoba,founders of the Northern Wei dynasty,pursue after taking control of part of the old Han territory?

The Sasanian Empire established a practice of religious tolerance that allowed Christian and Jewish populations to flourish in their empire.

Why did the progressive land reform policies of the Northern Wei dynasty fail to bridge the cultural divide between the Han and the Tuoba?

During this period,Buddhism was highly adaptable,incorporating the deities and wisdom of every country it touched.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison between the way Bantu "big men" and Eurasian elites achieved status and wealth?

The status of Nestorians in the Sasanian Empire exemplified which of the following?

Analyze the ways that Buddhism's diffusion beyond South Asia affected its further development.

Which of the following accurately describes Central Asia between 400 and 600 CE?

During this period,Mayan kingdoms consisted of major ritual centers and their agricultural hinterlands.

Which technological innovation allowed the Bantu to become successful agriculturalists in different ecological zones?

Which of the following statements concerning Christian churches built after the conversion of Constantine indicates the structure of the religion?

Which of the following statements concerning Buddhism in the third and fourth centuries CE is accurate?

The Sogdians were responsible for which of the following achievements?

Which of the following was a major difference between Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada)Buddhism?

Becoming Human

Rivers,cities,and First States 3500-2000 Bce

Nomads,territorial States,and Microsocieties 2000-1200 Bce

First Empires and Common Cultures in Afro-Eurasia 1250-325 Bce

Worlds Turned Inside Out 1000-350 Bce

Shrinking the Afro-Eurasian World 350-100 Bce

Han Dynasty China and Imperial Rome 300 Bce-300 Ce

New Empires and Common Cultures 600-1000 Ce

Becoming the World 1000-1300 Ce

Crisis and Recovery in Afro-Eurasia 1300-1500

Contact,commerce,and Colonization 1450-1600

Worlds Entangled 1600-1750

Cultures of Splendor and Power 1500-1780

Reordering the World 1750-1850

Alternative Visions of the Nineteenth Century

Nations and Empires 1850-1914

An Unsettled World 1890-1914

Of Masses and Visions of the Modern 1910-1939

The Three-World Order 1940-1975

Globalization 1970-2000

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