Ancient Religions and Paganism

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AP World History: Modern › Ancient Religions and Paganism

Questions 1 - 5
1

Which of the following is an early monotheistic religion that arose in the Persian Empire approximately in the seventh century BCE?

Zoroastrianism

Jainism

Sikhism

Buddhism

Islam

Explanation

Zoroastrianism arose in the Persian Empire in roughly the seventh century BCE. Along with Judaism, it is one of the earliest known monotheistic religions. Its influence has waned significantly in the last thousand years, but it is still practiced by over 100,000 people worldwide.

2

The Ancient Indian religion of Jainism is centered around the principles of __________.

nonviolence and self-control

meditation and filial piety

obedience and hard work

abstinence and self-sacrifice

good works and good faith

Explanation

Jainism is an Ancient Indian religion that arose in approximately the seventh century B.C.E. It still is influential today, although there are relatively few practicioners outside of India. The central tenets of Jainism are nonviolence and self-control.

3

Which of the following religions is the earliest monotheistic religion of the presented options?

Zoroastrianism

Eastern Orthodoxy

Christianity

Islam

Hinduism

Explanation

Monotheistic religions are differentiated from polytheistic religions in that monotheistic religions believe in only one deity while polytheistic religions believe in many. Examples of monotheistic religions are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, whereas examples of polytheistic religions are Hinduism, Paganism, and Roman, Egyptian, and Greek mythologies.

Zoroastrianism arose in the eastern region of the ancient Persian Empire in about the seventh century BCE. It involves two opposing forces of good and evil and one god. Zoroastrianism is generally considered by historians to be the first monotheistic religion in human history and a great influencing factor in the development of Judaism and, later, Christianity and Islam. Today, somewhere between five hundred thousand and three million people identify as Zoroastrians.

4

Which of these religions most heavily emphasizes oneness with nature?

Daoism

Deism

Confucianism

Hinduism

Judaism

Explanation

Daoism is an ancient religion founded approximately in the fourth century BCE. Its principle tenets are the belief in yin and yang and the balance of the universe. In Daoism, oneness with nature is very important.

5

Zarathustra is the founder of which ancient religion?

Zoroastrianism

Arianism

Gnosticism

Daoism

Shinto

Explanation

Zarathustra, also called Zoroaster, is the founder of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is often considered to be the earliest known monotheistic religion, predating Judaism, although academic consensus on this has not yet been reached.

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