HST 1100-honors   --Daily Focus Questions Set A

 

Ancient Cities

1. Why did ancient Mesopotamians invent writing?

*2. In a few sentences, describe the nature of Mesopotamian gods, and their relationship with humans.

*3. What is the key difference between Hammurabi laws 196, 198, and 199?

4.What conclusions can you can draw about Mesopotamian society from reading Hammurabi's Code?

 

Hebrew Religious Revolution

*5. In what ways can scholars recognize the different writers of the Hebrew Bible?

6. Why are David and Solomon so important for Hebrew history?

*7 Compare Hammurabi 209-14 with Exodus 21: 22-27. What is the main difference in the treatment of slaves?

8. Compare Hammurabi 196-99 with Exodus 21: 22-25.

 

King David and Prophetic History

 

9. What were the sins David committed?

10. What did David do to cover up his crimes?

*11. What three punishments did God impose on David? Why do you suppose that God chose these particular punishments?

12. What are the various things that anger God, according to Jeremiah? 

*13. Offer an example from Jeremiah of each of the following prophetic themes:

            a) God is a loving God

            b) God demands that people act justly

            c) God acts through history to improve the people of Israel

 

The Greek Polis

14. The Greeks were influenced by the glorious Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.  How did the Minoans become so rich and powerful?

*15. The Greek cities developed a new form of infantry fighting, based on the phalanx. What were the social consequences of this?

16. What did Ionian philosophers contribute to history?

*17. What was the role of tyrants in the development of Athenian democracy?

 

Athens

18. Greek tragedy was meant to help a citizen order his emotions. What were two messages did tragic plays have to offer about the sadness and confusion of this life?

*19. Pericles suggests that Athens has a well-balanced life.  Fill in the part he says balanced each aspect named below:  Athenians

a. personal freedom does not make Athenians ­­­________________________________

b. Athenians work hard but they also __________________________________________

*c. Athenians have an easier life than Spartans, but ­­­­­­­­­­____________________________

d. a refined lifestyle does not make Athenians  __________________________________

e. Athenians balance their public duties with ­­­­­­­__________________________________

f. careful deliberation does not prevent them from also being _______________

*20. What were some consequences of Athenian defeat in the Peloponnesian War?

21. How might Athenian defeat be described as a classic tragedy?

 

Classical Culture

*22. What are the basic similarities and differences between the Doryphoros and the Korous (on Art Page link)?

23. Consider how the Parthenon might be considered a work of art?

24. What is Thucydides�s historical method? 

*25. How is Socrates different from philosophers that came before him?

Hellenistic World

26. Describe two ways in which the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern World changed as a result of Alexander�s conquests and Greek rule

*27. What are two scientific advances of the Hellenistic era?

*28. Compare the differences between the Doryphoros and the Laoco�n (see Art Page) in terms of artistic style, form and emotional impact.