Social Studies 8 Q2: Classical Civilizations

How would you describe Ancient Greece's physical geography?

• Flat, sprawling grasslands dotted with lakes.

• Mountainous islands surrounded by the sea

• High plateaus and dense forests set atop mountains.

• Desert landscapes with varied topography broken up by valleys.

Answer explanation

Unlike most other civilizations, Ancient Greece didn't have to develop around a river valley, because of how it was surrounded by water.

Greece is actually a series of islands or archipelagos and peninsulas covered with high mountains, making travel by land very difficult.

Ancient Greece was a very united civilization, having the same cultures and societies across the whole country.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Ancient Greece was actually more of a loose collection of culturally and linguistically related city-states and other territories due to its mountainous island geography causing a separation within their culture itself.

What was Athens' main focus as a city-state?

• Cultural and Intellectual Development

• Military Strength

• Diverse Societal Equality

Answer explanation

Athenians were a thoughtful people who enjoyed the systematic study of subjects such as science, philosophy, and history, to name a few. with a heavy emphasis on the arts, architecture, and literature.

What were the Ancient Greeks' main method of livelihood?

• Fishing and Trading

• Agriculture and Crafts

• Hunting and War

Answer explanation

The Greeks were a skilled seafaring people & traders who built some of the most impressive structures in antiquity. The geography of Greece greatly influenced the culture in that, with few natural resources and surrounded by water, the people eventually took to the sea for their livelihood. Greece's main exports were olive oil, wine, pottery, and metalwork. 

Spartan women typically had more rights and independence than the average Ancient Greek woman in other city-states.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Fun Fact: Despite still not allowing women to vote, the Spartans believed that in order to have a healthy child that could serve the military, they had to have a strong mother as well. Therefore, Spartan women followed a strict exercise program and contributed actively to Spartan society.

Why did Rome succeed as a civilization?

• Military Power

• Political Flexibility

• Economic Expansion

• Good Luck

Answer explanation

Trick question: It's actually all of the above! Rome became the most powerful state in the world by the first century BCE through a combination of military power, political flexibility, economic expansion, and more than a bit of good luck. So many factors contributed to the expansion changed the Mediterranean world and also changed Rome itself.

What were the "common" people of Ancient Rome called?

• Senates

• Plebians

• Patricians

• Praetors

Rome was located on which river?

• Danube

• Nile

• Tiber

• Euphrates

What was the governing body of Rome called?

• The Senate

• The Tribune

• The Consul

• The House of Representatives

What building material did the Romans invent that helped them build bigger and more stable structures?

• Stacco

• Tar

• Asphalt

• Cement