The Archaic Period (750- 480 BCE)

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AP European History › The Archaic Period (750- 480 BCE)

Questions 1 - 10
1

The Second Messenian War ended __________.

in victory for Sparta and the total enslavement of the Messenian people

in victory for Sparta and the concession of parts of Messenian territory to the growing Spartan empire

in a stalemate and the execution of Lysander

in victory for Messenia and the loss of Spartan territory

in victory for Messenia and the total enslavement of the Spartan people

Explanation

The Second Messenian War was fought in the second-half of the seventh century BCE. It was fought between Sparta and Messenia and ended in total victory for the Spartans. The Messenians were enslaved in large numbers and brought to Sparta to live and work as helots (communally owned slaves) in Spartan society.

2

During the Trojan War, what was King Odysseus most famous for doing?

Designing the Trojan Horse

Killing King Priam

Leading the Army of Myrmidons

Stealing Achilles' concubine

Dressing up as Achilles to turn the tide of war in favor of the Greeks

Explanation

King Odysseus designed the Trojan Horse. King Odysseus was widely considered one of the smartest of the Greek kings, and it was through his ingenuity that the fake Trojan Horse was thought up and delivered to the Trojans, leading to their ultimate defeat at the hands of the Greeks.

3

The identifying term Magna Graecia refers to __________.

ancient Greek settlements in southern Italy

ancient Greek settlements in North Africa

Greek colonies established along the shores of the Black Sea

Greek colonies established in Anatolia

the rule of Hellenistic culture in Egypt after the conquests of Alexander the Great

Explanation

The term Magna Graecia is a Roman term meaning “Great Greece.” It refers to the ancient Greek settlements in southern Italy and on the island of Sicily. During the period of time before the rise of the Roman Republic, Greek settlements were dominant in southern Italy. This had a lasting impact on the development of Roman and Italian culture.

4

The status of women was most elevated in which of these ancient Greek city-states?

Sparta

Athens

Corinth

Argos

Miletus

Explanation

The status of women was generally quite poor in ancient Greek society (certainly relatively to modern times). However, Spartan society was a notable exception. In Spartan society women had much more power than their contemporaries in other Greek cities. Spartan women participated in politics and enjoyed legal privileges and protections.

5

The Mycenaean civilization collapsed shortly after the Trojan War. The Mycenaeans fought a war with Troy, as legend has it, because the Trojan Prince Paris kidnapped, Helen, the beautiful wife of the Greek King Menelaus. Menelaus convinced his brother Agamemnon of Mycenae to attack Troy and return Helen to Greece. Whether Helen was kidnapped or willingly went with Paris, is not clear. Historically, the cause of the war also remains unclear. It is known that Agamemnon led a fleet of one thousand ships from the Greek Islands, crossing the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor. Upon arriving in Troy, he demanded the return of Helen from King Priam of Troy. The war is notable for the tale of the Trojan horse that enabled the Mycenaean Greek army to defeat Troy. Historians have questioned the validity of the Trojan War based on what seems to be a legend of love lost and regained. However, excavations by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, in the 1870s, have proven that the war did take place. He found archaeological proof of the existence of the city of Troy. His excavations uncovered a domed citadel in western Turkey matching historical records of the ancient city of Troy. Recent historians and archaeologists also confirm that a war did occur at this time. The Trojan War ended in circa 1200 BCE with the destruction of Troy. Helen returned to Greece to rule with Menelaus until his death when, according to the legend, she was exiled to the island of Rhodes. Also, according to legend, the Greek sailors and soldiers slowly returned to Greece engaging in various adventures as they returned to their homeland.

The Trojan War, although confirmed as an actual event and referred to in ancient Greek writing, is clouded with skepticism as legend. What is a logical reason for this lack of clarity?

All of the three provided options are correct

The main characters of the Trojan War Epics were Greek gods and goddesses and the events of the war are loosely based on the sagas of the gods and goddesses

Virgil’s poem the Aeneid

Archeological evidence shows that ancient cities could withstand a siege of only ten months not ten years

None of these

Explanation

The Trojan War is wrapped in mystery and legend. The finding of a domed citadel by Schliemann, that could have been seen by Homer in his time, proved that Troy did exist and appeared to have been destroyed in battle. The Trojan War Epics written by ancient writers, including Homer, in the first century BCE are based on oral tradition and the heroics and escapades of the Greek gods and goddesses. Virgil wrote the Aeneid to give the Roman Empire a sense of dynasty through its hero Aeneas, a Trojan soldier, who led his soldiers to Carthage before arriving in Rome to establish the Roman Empire. Virgil’s poem has a very loose relationship to the Trojan War as it is a work meant to inspire Romans. But it has no bearing on the Greek civilizations.

6

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.

7

The Second Messenian War ended __________.

in victory for Sparta and the total enslavement of the Messenian people

in victory for Sparta and the concession of parts of Messenian territory to the growing Spartan empire

in a stalemate and the execution of Lysander

in victory for Messenia and the loss of Spartan territory

in victory for Messenia and the total enslavement of the Spartan people

Explanation

The Second Messenian War was fought in the second-half of the seventh century BCE. It was fought between Sparta and Messenia and ended in total victory for the Spartans. The Messenians were enslaved in large numbers and brought to Sparta to live and work as helots (communally owned slaves) in Spartan society.

8

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.

9

Ares was the God of war, which of these ancient Greek Gods is incorrectly matched with the area of life they were most associated with?

Poseidon . . . wisdom and learning.

Aphrodite . . . love and beauty.

Apollo . . . music and archery.

Artemis . . . hunting and the moon.

Hades . . . death and the underworld.

Explanation

In the ancient Greek religion there was an extensive pantheon of Gods. Each God or Goddess was associated with certain areas of life, occupations, and ideals. All of these Gods are correctly paired with the areas of life they were said to watch over, except Poseidon. Poseidon was the God of sailors, horses and the sea.

10

The identifying term Magna Graecia refers to __________.

ancient Greek settlements in southern Italy

ancient Greek settlements in North Africa

Greek colonies established along the shores of the Black Sea

Greek colonies established in Anatolia

the rule of Hellenistic culture in Egypt after the conquests of Alexander the Great

Explanation

The term Magna Graecia is a Roman term meaning “Great Greece.” It refers to the ancient Greek settlements in southern Italy and on the island of Sicily. During the period of time before the rise of the Roman Republic, Greek settlements were dominant in southern Italy. This had a lasting impact on the development of Roman and Italian culture.

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