AP World History: Modern › Political and Governmental Structures 600 BCE to 600 CE
The Persian ruler Darius I is most often remembered __________.
for his efficient administrative reforms and improvements in internal infrastructure
for the conquest of Anatolia and Ancient Greece
for his legal code and his effective reforms of Persian social hierarchy
for his innovations in military tactics and his success on the battlefield
for his persecution of native people and his oppressive means of conscription
Darius I is one of the most famous rulers of the classical Persian Empire. He ruled over a vast territory and is most often remembered for his efficient administration, his bureaucratic reforms, and his improvements in internal infrastructure - including the construction of the Persian Royal Road and the establishment of a postal service.
The following is taken from a speech by Cicero to the Roman Senate:
The oration then made by Marcus Antonius was an admirable one; his disposition, too, appeared excellent; and lastly, by his means and by his sons’, peace was ratified with the most illustrious of the citizens and everything else was consistent with this beginning. He invited the chief men of the state to those deliberations which he held at his own house concerning the state of the republic; he referred all the most important matters to this order. Nothing was at that time found among the papers of Caius Cæsar except what was already well known to everybody; and he gave answers to every question that was asked of him with the greatest consistency. Were any exiles restored? He said that one was, and only one. Were any immunities granted? He answered, None. He wished us even to adopt the proposition of Servius Sulpicius, 3 that most illustrious man, that no tablet purporting to contain any decree or grant of Cæsar’s should be published after the Ides of March were expired. I pass over many other things, all excellent—for I am hastening to come to a very extraordinary act of virtue of Marcus Antonius. He utterly abolished from the constitution of the republic the dictatorship, which had by this time attained to the authority of regal power. And that measure was not even offered to us for discussion. He brought with him a decree of the senate, ready drawn up, ordering what he chose to have done; and when it had been read, we all submitted to his authority in the matter with the greatest eagerness; and, by another resolution of the senate, we returned him thanks in the most honorable and complimentary language.
Why would Antony abolish the dictatorship from the constitution?
In order to gather goodwill from the Senate
To guarantee the restoration of the Republic
To make sure Caesar's will is executed properly
To distract from Antony's interests in Spain
To win Cicero over to his side
Antony's desire to establish goodwill among the Senate by abolishing dictatorship was meant to convince the Senate that he had their best interests at heart. While part of the second triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus, it was politically savvy for him to try to win over the Senate, who might have had ultimate control over who would be the next emperor. Unfortunately for Antony, most of the Senate (minus Cicero, a staunch Republican) chose to side with Octavian, with partially led to Antony's fall.
Why was Nerva forced to adopt Tragan as his heir?
To quell unrest in the army headlined by a revolt of the Praetorian Guard
To ensure a peaceful succession after his death
As a favor to Tragan's mother, to whom he was married
Tragan bribed Nerva for the adoption with his holdings in Spain
To make himself more popular with the Senate
Nerva was very much a stopgap between Commodus and whomever the next emperor would be. A career politician, he was unpopular with the army, which led to an uprising of the Praetorian Guard. To quell this uprising, he adopted the popular general Tragan. Named as one of the "Five Good Emperors," the best thing Nerva ever did for Rome was adopt Tragan as his heir.
Which Greek city is usually referred as the first democracy?
Athens
Sparta
Corinth
Milos
Knossos
While not a democracy in the modern sense, Athens allowed citizens to cast votes that determined who held public office; however, as in most early or proto-democracies the definition of citizen was very stringent; a citizen had to be a free, male landowner. Democracy was also not a perpetual state of affairs in the city; it slipped in and out of dictatorship and oligarchy.
Which of these most accurately describes the term polis?
A city-state in Ancient Greece
A system of government, common in Ancient Greece
An authoritarian regime in Ancient Greece
A democratically elected regime in Ancient Greece
A system of philosophical thought developed in Ancient Greece
A polis is the name given to a city-state in Ancient Greece. Athens, Sparta, Thebes, Corinth, and Thessaloniki are all examples of polis’.
Which of these statements best describes the changes made to the Roman Republic as a result of the actions of Lucius Sulla?
The Roman Republic became more conservative and power was further concentrated in the hands of the wealthy
The Roman Republic was terminated and replaced with an authoritarian Roman Empire
The Roman Republic was terminated and replaced with a constitutional Roman monarchy
The Roman Republic became more inclusive and power was shared between the wealthy and the plebeians
The military of the Roman Republic was reformed, paving the way for the conquests of the Roman Empire
Lucius Sulla led an armed march on the city of Rome during the Roman Civil Wars and had himself crowned as emperor. His actions would eventually contribute to the decline of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire, but the initial consequences were that the Roman Republic became far more conservative as power was further concentrated in the hands of the wealthy few.
The ancient Athens Pericles is known for __________.
all of these answers
ordering renovation of the Acropolis and other ancient monuments
organizing the defense of Athens in the early years of the Peloponnesian War
fostering Athenian democracy and expanding the electorate
promoting the growth of arts and literature in Athens
Pericles is probably the most famous and esteemed statesman of ancient Athenian society. He lived in the fifth century BCE. The time of Pericles, between the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, is often referred to as the Golden Age of Athens. Pericles encouraged the growth of Athenian democracy and expanded the electorate; he promoted the growth of arts and literature; he organized the renovation of Athens’ ancient monuments, like the acropolis; and he contributed to the defense of the city from Spartan invasion.
In the Persian Empire of Darius I what were satraps?
Provincial governors
Military commanders
Peasant farmers
Roads and highways
Chariots
Darius I is often remembered as the great administrator of the Persian Empire. It was during his rule that satraps emerged. Satraps were provincial governors, given control over satrapies (districts/provinces). This allowed Darius I to control a large empire without having to directly oversee each individual province.
What was the role of tribunes in the Roman Republic?
To protect the interests of the plebeians
To represent the interests of the landed elite
To protect the rights and privileges of the soldiers
To amend the constitution in times of crises
To elect a temporary dictator in times of crises
Tribunes were elected officials in the ancient Roman Republic. The role of tribunes was to protect the interest of the plebeians (lower class) and act as a check on the power of the Roman Senate (which primarily served the interests of the aristocracy).
The Twelve Tables was the earliest known attempt at establishing a legal system in __________.
Ancient Rome
Ancient Greece
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Persia
Ancient India
The Twelve Tables were the earliest known attempt at establishing a legal system in Ancient Rome in the fifth century BCE.