The fall of the Roman Empire

The fall of the Roman Empire

(A) left behind a common culture unifying the Mediterranean basin.
(B) left the Persian Empire in control of the eastern Mediterranean.
(C) divided Christianity into Catholic and Orthodox (Greek) sects.
(D) had little effect on artistic and cultural traditions.
(E) divided the Mediterranean into three different cultural zones.

Answer: E

All of these contributed to the decline and fall of Rome EXCEPT:

All of these contributed to the decline and fall of Rome EXCEPT:

(A) the spread of Christianity.
(B) nomadic invasions.
(C) the collapse of effective government.
(D) plagues which decimated populations.
(E) economic disruptions.

Answer: A

Christianity differed from classic Mediterranean culture in all of these ways EXCEPT:

Christianity differed from classic Mediterranean culture in all of these ways EXCEPT:

(A) it offered salvation to the poor and slaves.
(B) it adapted classical Roman governmental institutions to organize the church.
(C) it emphasized eternal salvation instead of the pursuits of the secular world.
(D) it granted equal importance to the souls of men and women.
(E) it provided a common culture to unify all classes.

Answer: B

In India during the period after the Guptan collapse,

In India during the period after the Guptan collapse,

(A) Buddhism reasserted its influence, replacing Hinduism.
(B) the caste system lost its influence.
(C) Hinduism maintained cultural cohesion when the central state collapsed.
(D) invaders rarely assimilated into Hindu culture.
(E) trade and commercial activities collapsed.

Answer: C

As the Han Empire collapsed

As the Han Empire collapsed

(A) Daoists established political control of the various Chinese states.
(B) nomads swept into China replacing the Han with a "barbarian" dynasty.
(C) landowners and warlords dominated the successor governments.
(D) Christianity was introduced to China and began to spread.
(E) internal warfare subsided.

Answer: C

At the end of the Classical Age

At the end of the Classical Age

(A) belief systems failed to survive the collapse of classical civilizations.
(B) only the Mediterranean Greco-Roman civilization experienced upheavals.
(C) the Huns (Hsiung-Nu) destroyed all great Eurasian classical civilizations.
(D) there was a religious upsurge as a result of social and economic problems.
(E) trade ceased to be important.

Answer: D

In Ethiopia, trade and contacts

In Ethiopia, trade and contacts

(A) insulated the culture from African influences.
(B) led to the kingdom's conversion to Christianity.
(C) brought the state in contact with Bantu peoples.
(D) led to its conquest by Arabs.
(E) introduced Buddhism and Hinduism from India

Answer: B

The core or mother civilization for other civilizations in Mesoamerica was the

The core or mother civilization for other civilizations in Mesoamerica was the

(A) Olmecs.
(B) Toltecs.
(C) Aztecs.
(D) Mayas.
(E) Chavin peoples.

Answer: A

The two American centers of civilization included central Mexico and the

The two American centers of civilization included central Mexico and the

(A) Mississippi area.
(B) Yucatan peninsula.
(C) American southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah).
(D) Andean river valleys and plateaus of Ecuador and Peru.
(E) Rio Plata and Parana river systems of Argentina.

Answer: D

By 600, looking at the entire world, a good definition of "barbarian" would be

By 600, looking at the entire world, a good definition of "barbarian" would be

a. someone who is not part of a civilization.
b. someone who fights better than a peasant-soldier.
c. someone who is a knight.
d. someone who is not Christian.
e. someone who is illiterate.

Answer: A

Despite major differences, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism all show interest in

Despite major differences, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism all show interest in

a. polytheism.
b. clearly organized church structures.
c. absolute hostility to the worship of religious images and spirits of nature.
d. strong priesthood.
e. life after death.

Answer: E

Nomadic invaders often had military advantages over the armies of empires because

Nomadic invaders often had military advantages over the armies of empires because

a. they believed they were fighting inferior cultures.
b. they were more skilled as horsemen.
c. they had larger forces with more soldiers.
d. they had smaller distances to cover.
e. they developed better supply lines.

Answer: B

One important early symptom of Rome's decline was

One important early symptom of Rome's decline was

a. acceptance of Christianity.
b. the replacement of republic by empire.
c. the weakness of the eastern portion of the empire compared to the west.
d. the use of slave labor.
e. the drop in population due to a series of plagues.

Answer: E

Japan developed a religion called

Japan developed a religion called

a. Buddhism.
b. Jainism.
c. Shintoism.
d. Eastern Orthodox.
e. Zoroastrianism.

Answer: C

The first kingdoms in eastern Africa below the Sahara showed the influence of

The first kingdoms in eastern Africa below the Sahara showed the influence of

a. the flight of Jews from Israel.
b. Egypt and Hellenism.
c. Indian merchants and missionaries.
d. Persia.
e. Rome and Phoenicia.

Answer: B

The end of the Gupta Empire differed from the decline of Rome in that it did not involve

The end of the Gupta Empire differed from the decline of Rome in that it did not involve

a. big cultural changes.
b. the introduction of a new religion for the majority.
c. a change in political institutions.
d. the weakening of central government.
e. outside invasions such as the Huns and others.

Answer: B

Which of the following best survived the Hun invasions in India?

Which of the following best survived the Hun invasions in India?

a. Aryan traditions
b. Political unity
c. Hindu beliefs
d. Nationalist beliefs
e. Buddhist beliefs

Answer: C

By 600, looking at the entire world, a good definition of "barbarian" would be

By 600, looking at the entire world, a good definition of "barbarian" would be

a. someone who fights better than a peasant-soldier.
b. someone who is not Christian.
c. someone who is not part of a civilization.
d. someone who is illiterate.
e. someone who is a knight.

Answer: C

Compared to Hinduism and Buddhism, all of the following constitute distinctive features of late-Roman Christianity EXCEPT

Compared to Hinduism and Buddhism, all of the following constitute distinctive features of late-Roman Christianity EXCEPT

a. belief in a divine trinity.
b. a strong hierarchy of church officials.
c. non-believers cannot join the church.
d. a strong evangelizing impulse.
e. intolerance for competing beliefs.

Answer: C

After 200 C. E., an increasing number of people in Asia, Europe, and North Africa began to adapt faiths characterized by

After 200 C. E., an increasing number of people in Asia, Europe, and North Africa began to adapt faiths characterized by

a. ancestor worship.
b. monotheism.
c. polytheism.
d. secularism.
e. animism.

Answer: B