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.