Deck 4: Life in the Hellenistic World 336-30 BCE

Question 1

How was Alexander the Great's empire divided?

A)His generals negotiated a division of his empire in order to avoid bloodshed.
B)His strongest generals divided it among themselves in warfare that lasted for forty years.
C)Before his death, he assigned his leading generals various territories as rewards for their service.
D)On his death, his leading generals drew lots to determine which general would receive what territory.

Answer 1

His strongest generals divided it among themselves in warfare that lasted for forty years.

Question 2

Why did Alexander's expedition eastward halt at the Hyphasis River?

A)The Macedonian army refused to go farther.
B)The powerful Indian army repulsed the Macedonians.
C)The young emperor died.
D)The river was flooding.

Answer 2

The Macedonian army refused to go farther.

Question 3

How did the Ptolemies affect the local Egyptian population?

A)They tied locals more firmly to the land, cutting off traditional avenues of social and economic advancement.
B)They turned the local population into a slave class forced into continuous labor.
C)They paid for the sons of local elites to be educated in Greece in preparation for careers in the bureaucracy.
D)They provided a model of wise administration, offering security to the local population with ample food supplies.

Answer 3

They tied locals more firmly to the land, cutting off traditional avenues of social and economic advancement.

Question 4

What primary advantage did Greek culture offer to non-Greeks?

A)It introduced philosophical rationalism, which permitted non-Greeks to become self-critical of their own cultures.
B)Greek became the language of commerce and politics, and learning Greek allowed non-Greeks access to a wide array of activities.
C)It brought a new approach to nature, which opened nature to scientific investigation.
D)Greek literature introduced the epic poem to non-Greeks and provided them a form in which to preserve the knowledge of their ancestors.

Question 5

How was the Greek world affected by the conquests of Alexander the Great?

A)The cultural and ethnic unity of the early Hellenic world was shattered by the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Hellenistic world.
B)The constant warfare of the Greek city-states was replaced with the stability and peace of the Hellenistic world.
C)The significant cultural difference among the various Greek city-states gave way to the broad cultural unity of the Hellenistic period.
D)The cultural unity of the Hellenic era was spread largely unchanged with the peace established across the Near and Middle East in the Hellenistic era.

Question 6

Which of the following characterizes the Hellenistic city?

A)Despite its political importance, the Hellenistic city had been artificially created and often lacked an economic foundation on which to thrive.
B)As a consequence of its isolation, the Hellenistic city had to be completely self-supporting.
C)In addition to its economic role, the Hellenistic city served as a cultural and educational center.
D)As a result of its large Greek population, the Hellenistic city had little contact with the local population, and the two cultures remained largely independent.

Question 7

The role of women in Hellenistic society

A)was more limited than in Hellenic society.
B)improved mostly for upper-class and royal women.
C)improved for women of all social classes.
D)suffered as a result of increased commercial activity.

Question 8

As part of his staff on a military campaign, Alexander the Great brought with him

A)a harem of royal wives and concubines for himself and his commanders.
B)the priests from the Oracle at Delphi so that they could provide advice during the campaign.
C)the Greek engineer Archimedes to assist in military planning.
D)philosophers, poets, and scientists, who mapped and studied the countries invaded.

Question 9

How were Greek women affected by the emergence of the Hellenized cities?

A)In Hellenized cities, women, especially those who were literate, had greater opportunity to engage in professions and participate in commercial affairs.
B)In Hellenized cities, few Greek women were present, and those who were served usually as concubines and prostitutes.
C)In Hellenized cities, Greek women were permitted rights equal with Greek men in order to demonstrate Greek superiority to the local population.
D)In Hellenized cities, Greek women were strictly required to obey local customs, usually forcing greater restrictions on their personal freedoms.

Question 10

How did political administration develop in the Hellenized cities?

A)Local elites replaced Greek administrators as few Greeks were willing to leave their homeland.
B)Greeks communities within the Hellenized cities established themselves as a self-perpetuating caste, allowing neither local elites nor other Greeks into their ranks.
C)A corps of professional Greek administrators formed since kings appointed officials without the need for elections.
D)Local administration was handled by a priestly class who had substantial training in literacy and culture.

Question 11

How did slavery affect the Hellenistic world?

A)Slavery was crucial for maintaining the army.
B)Slavery was strictly an urban phenomenon.
C)Slavery was vitally important to the economy.
D)Slavery was the basis for agriculture.

Question 12

How did Hellenistic kings seek to establish a new form of political unity?

A)The king's authority was linked to support from the property-owning classes as expressed through city councils.
B)Kings established elected councils that gave the people an official voice in the political system.
C)The king's authority was linked to the merchant elite, who represent the king as the source of all prosperity.
D)The king's authority was linked with that of the gods' authority in a cult of the ruler.

Question 13

To the Greeks, civilized life was unthinkable outside of

A)a kingdom.
B)a city.
C)the countryside.
D)Greece.

Question 14

How did the Hellenistic city differ from the polis?

A)Hellenistic cities had greater political liberties and self-rule but lacked control over taxation.
B)Hellenistic cities could not engage in foreign policy or war, nor could they govern their internal affairs without interference from the king.
C)Hellenistic cities had free and independent markets for trade but few rights and suffered heavier taxation.
D)Hellenistic cities functioned as completely secular entities in which all religious affairs were considered private matters.

Question 15

The Stoics' most important practical achievement was the creation of the concept of

A)divine right.
B)personal liberty.
C)the common good.
D)natural law.

Question 16

When Alexander the Great began to establish cities in the Near and Middle East, with whom were the cities founded?

A)Philosophers and scientists whom Alexander had brought along on his campaigns.
B)Local religious minorities whom Alexander believed would be loyal to him for placing them in positions of authority.
C)Greek mercenaries and Macedonian veterans unable to continue active military campaigning.
D)Local landowners long suppressed by local ruling classes and anxious to establish their own power.

Question 17

How did the Hellenistic empires affect the nature of warfare?

A)Warfare became based on mass conscription as Hellenistic kings drafted large numbers of troops into military service.
B)Warfare became rare since the Hellenized kings worked cooperatively to avoid conflict.
C)Warfare became more professional as soldiers became trained, full-time employees of the kings, who often gave them incentives to remain loyal.
D)Warfare became more savage, and improved technologies resulted in many more deaths.

Question 18

After Alexander's death, where did the Ptolemies found a dynasty?

A)Egypt
B)Macedonia
C)Persia
D)Asia Minor

Question 19

The political history of the Hellenistic period was dominated by Greek leagues and

A)sovereign city-states.
B)the Macedonian Empire.
C)great monarchies.
D)small kingdoms.

Question 20

In the Hellenistic city, Greeks represented

A)a hated ruling cabal.
B)the lowest dregs of society.
C)a despised foreign minority.
D)an elite citizen class.

Question 21

How did the Hellenistic empires revolutionize the art of warfare?

A)They introduced the practice of drills and training for troops.
B)They integrated the use of naval and land forces to overcome coastal defenses.
C)They adopted a military command structure with coordination throughout the ranks.
D)They applied mechanics to siege machinery to build the first field artillery in the Western world.

Question 22

How did the nature of warfare change under the Hellenistic empires?

A)Warfare was no longer confined to the battlefield; now cities were attacked directly and whole populations threatened.
B)Warfare became subject to sets of laws meant to limit damage to property and to civilian populations.
C)Warfare was established as the principal occupation of states, with other duties such as religious rites and civil order of much less significance.
D)Hellenistic empires sought to resolve disputes through diplomacy, establishing the principle that warfare was an act of last resort.

Question 23

How did the formation of the Hellenistic empires affect trade?

A)The constant warfare of the Hellenistic era undermined the trade routes established across the Middle East and encouraged in its place regional trade networks.
B)Improved shipping in the eastern Mediterranean facilitated trade in the west, but the eastern Hellenistic empires were too isolated to benefit.
C)The eastern Hellenistic empires were so thoroughly engaged in the Indian Ocean trade that they largely ignored trade to the west.
D)A common language and similar currency, together with improved roads and ports, established durable caravan routes that survived continuing wars.

Question 24

What items did Greek city-states and Aegean societies trade for the essential commodity of grains?

A)Marble and slate stones
B)Olive oil and wine
C)Gold and silver
D)Tin and copper

Question 25

On what did all of the major branches of Hellenistic philosophy agree?

A)People could be truly happy only when they turned away from the world and focused full attention on one enduring thing.
B)Peace could only be found by setting aside oneself in order to find fulfillment and contentment in the social community.
C)People had all of the potential for goodness within themselves but had to free themselves from the restraints of society in order to pursue it.
D)Joy was the consequence of perfection when pursued and achieved through travails and difficulties.

Question 26

What was the most attractive feature of the Greek religious cults?

A)Their ability to address issues of sin and redemption
B)The body of cohesive doctrine that believers embraced
C)Their ability to satisfy deep spiritual yearnings
D)The rituals and festivals with bright, lively entertainment

Question 27

Alexander the Great used the wealth of Persia to

A)finance the creation of new cities.
B)bribe his enemies.
C)build an enormous palace complex in Macedonia.
D)promote Greek religion.

Question 28

Which new Greek dialect was formed due to the mobility of Greek soldiers and their assimilation with Greeks from other regions?

A)Koine
B)Bactrian
C)Amphoras
D)Politeuma

Question 29

Eratosthenes was able to calculate with considerable accuracy

A)the speed of sound.
B)the volume of water in the Mediterranean Sea.
C)the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
D)the circumference of the earth.

Question 30

How did the Hellenistic states seek to improve the welfare of local populations?

A)They established public schools throughout their empires to foster education and learning.
B)They promoted political and economic freedoms for most of the local populations.
C)They sponsored experimentation with seed grain to increase agricultural productivity.
D)They encouraged social mobility for local populations by providing them opportunities in new governments.

Question 31

What was the name given to the spread of Greek culture by Alexander and his successors?

A)Urbanism
B)Epicureanism
C)Stoicism
D)Hellenism

Question 32

According to the text, the Hellenistic thinker Archimedes was most interested in

A)botany.
B)the invention of catapults, water pumps, and other mechanical devices.
C)pure mathematics.
D)the conflict between the individual and society.

Question 33

When Hellenistic monarchs built new cities in newly conquered territories, they would also build what type of public structure, which provided sponsored literary, musical, and athletic contests in an impressive new Greek style?

A)Temples
B)Public parks
C)Bathhouses
D)Palaces

Question 34

What advantage did the new mystery cults of the Hellenistic world have over the older Greek mystery cults?

A)The new mystery cults committed their rituals and beliefs to writing, which allowed them to spread more quickly than the older cults that permitted oral traditions.
B)The new mystery cults were not tied to specific locations that required long pilgrimages, permitting them to spread more easily.
C)The new mystery cults permitted the continued development of their rituals and beliefs, adopting elements of Eastern spirituality.
D)The new mystery cults did not require the payment of dues or inheritance of property, making them more attractive to poorer families.

Question 35

Which philosophical school established the concept of "natural law"?

A)Epicureanism
B)Hellenism
C)Stoicism
D)Aristotelianism

Question 36

How did Hellenistic culture influence the Jewish religion?

A)Many Jews came to worship the Greek pantheon.
B)Persecution by Hellenistic monarchs drove Judaism underground.
C)The Jews integrated many Greek rituals into their worship.
D)The Hebrew Bible and synagogue services were both translated into Greek as many Jews assimilated into Greek life.

Question 37

Alexander's conquest of the Persian Empire resulted in the acquisition of gold, silver, and other treasures. What development took place as a result, increasing commerce in the Hellenistic world?

A)The building of infrastructure such as roads, harbors, and new cities
B)The hiring of bureaucratic officials and administrators
C)The acquisition of new luxury items for elites of Greek society
D)The bribing of monarchs and rulers of other societies

Question 38

How did Euclid influence Western civilization?

A)With his text The Elements of Geometry
B)With his study of geography
C)By developing the heliocentric theory
D)By refining the design of the Hellenistic merchant ship

Question 39

Which of the following describes trade among the Hellenistic monarchies?

A)The Greek cities imported sheep and cattle and exported grain and olive oil.
B)The Greek cities imported grain and exported olive oil and wine.
C)The Greek cities imported ironworks and exported sheep and cattle.
D)The Greek cities imported grain and exported iron works.

Question 40

In the Hellenistic era, mercantile cities developed along caravan routes, forming a chain to connect the Western world to

A)Japan and Burma.
B)Egypt and Libya.
C)Bactria and Parthia.
D)China and India.

Question 41

What deity is an example of the assimilation of religion that occurred under most Hellenistic monarchies developed by Egyptian and Greek priests?

A)Osiris
B)Hades
C)Serapis
D)Jupiter

Question 42

Why did Alexander the Great build new cities and military colonies as he moved eastward?

Question 43

Why did Alexander found new cities as he moved eastward?

A)To help maintain contact with the Greek world
B)To prove to local inhabitants that he was a good ruler
C)To appease the gods
D)To provide housing for the refugees produced by his wars

Question 44

Why did the king Antiochus III take such care to protect the Jews, their religion, and their way of life?

Question 45

How did the Ptolemaic rule of Egypt differ from the Seleucid kingdom?

Question 46

What is the name of the Jewish rebellion, which took place from 166 to 164 B.C.E., that occurred as a result of restrictions initiated by the Seleucid kingdom and is remembered in the annual holiday of Hanukkah?

A)Antigonid Overthrow
B)Antiochus Rebellion
C)Siege of Jerusalem
D)Maccabee Revolt

Question 47

How did Epicureanism seek to promote serenity?

Question 48

"And just as the year is governed at one time by winter, then by spring, then by summer, and then by autumn; so at one time in the body phlegm predominates, at another time blood, at another time yellow bile and this is followed by a preponderance of black bile. In these circumstances it follows that the diseases which increase in winter should decrease in summer and vice versa. . . ." What does this excerpt from the writings of Hippocrates (Thinking Like a Historian: Hellenistic Medicine) tell us about his understanding of disease?

A)That he believed that disease was caused by the gods
B)That he believed that disease was essentially untreatable
C)That he believed that disease was caused by an excess of a particular substance in the body
D)That he believed that disease was caused by genetic factors

Question 49

"Go back and report at home that your king Alexander, the conqueror of the Persians, Medes, Bactrians, and Sacians; . . . report that when you returned to Susa you deserted him and went away, handing him over to the protection of conquered foreigners. . . . Depart!" Who is Alexander addressing in his speech excerpted in Evaluating the Evidence 4.1: Arrian on Alexander the Great?

A)Egyptian troops
B)Persian troops
C)Macedonian troops
D)Phoenician troops

Question 50

Explain the difference between the Epicureanism and Stoicism schools of philosophy.

Question 51

How did the Hellenistic kingdoms create opportunities for women?

Question 52

As Hebrew communities in Hellenistic cities grew in size, what political corporations were they allowed to form?

A)Politeuma
B)Ptolemies
C)Hoplites
D)Polis

Question 53

"The signs to watch for in acute diseases are as follows: First, study the patient's face; whether it has a healthy look and in particular whether it is exactly as it normally is. If the patient's normal appearance is preserved, this is best; just as the more abnormal it is, the worse it is.…" What can we conclude about Hippocrates's methods from this passage (Thinking Like a Historian: Hellenistic Medicine)?

A)That he believed that close observation of patients was important
B)That he believed physicians should study astronomical charts
C)That he believed most diseases could be cured with charms
D)That he believed that patients should be subjected to a variety of medical tests

Question 54

In attacking __________, Alexander the Great was carrying out the intended plans of his father Philip.

A)Persia
B)Sparta
C)Athens
D)Egypt

Question 55

How did the Ptolemies in Egypt dominate the local population?

Question 56

What was the impact of Alexander the Great's conquests in Asia?

Question 57

Describe the Hellenistic slave trade.

Question 58

"Rounding them up, they assign them to the gold mines, taking revenge on those who were condemned and through their labors gaining huge revenue." What is Diodorus describing in this quote?

A)The influence of Hellenistic science on the social structure
B)The Egyptian monarch's wealth derived from slave labor
C)The influence of Hellenistic philosophy on society
D)The technology of gold mining

Question 59

What was the economic impact of Alexander the Great's conquests?

Question 60

"But the cheerfulness of my mind, which comes from the recollection of all my philosophical contemplation, counterbalances all these afflictions." Biographer Diogenes Laertes quotes from this Greek philosopher's deathbed letter, which exhibits this philosopher's view that a life of contentment is the greatest good. Who was the philosopher?

A)Socrates
B)Aristotle
C)Epicurus
D)Zeno

Question 61

"The Hellenistic city offered cultural and economic opportunities but did not foster a sense of united, integrated enterprise." How accurate is this assessment?

Question 62

Answer the following questions:
Hellenization

A)A term that literally means "like the Greek," used to describe the period after the death of Alexander the Great, when Greek culture spread.
B)The spread of Greek ideas, culture, and traditions to non-Greek groups across a wide area.
C)A philosophy, based on the ideas of Zeno, that people could be happy only when living in accordance with nature and accepting whatever happened.
D)A system of philosophy based on the teachings of a philosopher who viewed a life of contentment, free from fear and suffering, as the greatest good.
E)A Stoic concept that a single law that was part of the natural order of life governed all people.

Question 63

Answer the following questions:
Epicureanism

A)A term that literally means "like the Greek," used to describe the period after the death of Alexander the Great, when Greek culture spread.
B)The spread of Greek ideas, culture, and traditions to non-Greek groups across a wide area.
C)A philosophy, based on the ideas of Zeno, that people could be happy only when living in accordance with nature and accepting whatever happened.
D)A system of philosophy based on the teachings of a philosopher who viewed a life of contentment, free from fear and suffering, as the greatest good.
E)A Stoic concept that a single law that was part of the natural order of life governed all people.

Question 64

Answer the following questions:
Stoicism

A)A term that literally means "like the Greek," used to describe the period after the death of Alexander the Great, when Greek culture spread.
B)The spread of Greek ideas, culture, and traditions to non-Greek groups across a wide area.
C)A philosophy, based on the ideas of Zeno, that people could be happy only when living in accordance with nature and accepting whatever happened.
D)A system of philosophy based on the teachings of a philosopher who viewed a life of contentment, free from fear and suffering, as the greatest good.
E)A Stoic concept that a single law that was part of the natural order of life governed all people.

Question 65

The Hellenistic civilization witnessed the spread of cities founded by Alexander and his successors. What role and what impact did these new cities have?

Question 66

Answer the following questions:
Hellenistic

A)A term that literally means "like the Greek," used to describe the period after the death of Alexander the Great, when Greek culture spread.
B)The spread of Greek ideas, culture, and traditions to non-Greek groups across a wide area.
C)A philosophy, based on the ideas of Zeno, that people could be happy only when living in accordance with nature and accepting whatever happened.
D)A system of philosophy based on the teachings of a philosopher who viewed a life of contentment, free from fear and suffering, as the greatest good.
E)A Stoic concept that a single law that was part of the natural order of life governed all people.

Question 67

The Hellenistic period was a time of substantial democratization of philosophy. Describe this democratization and explain why increasing numbers of people in this era turned to philosophy for comfort. What alternatives existed to offer solace to the confused and concerned of the Hellenistic era?

Question 68

Answer the following questions:
natural law

A)A term that literally means "like the Greek," used to describe the period after the death of Alexander the Great, when Greek culture spread.
B)The spread of Greek ideas, culture, and traditions to non-Greek groups across a wide area.
C)A philosophy, based on the ideas of Zeno, that people could be happy only when living in accordance with nature and accepting whatever happened.
D)A system of philosophy based on the teachings of a philosopher who viewed a life of contentment, free from fear and suffering, as the greatest good.
E)A Stoic concept that a single law that was part of the natural order of life governed all people.

Question 69

"Perhaps the greatest consequence of Alexander's conquest was economic." Discuss this statement. In what ways did the pattern of economic activity change in the Hellenistic era? What were the long-range consequences of this change?