First Age of Empires

Which group of Asiatic invaders used horse-drawn chariots to conquer Egypt near the end of the Middle Kingdom?

• Kushites

• Hyksos

• Hittites

• Hebrews

Hatshepsut’s leadership was distinctive among New Kingdom rulers primarily because she focused on which strategy to strengthen Egypt?

• Launching invasions into Palestine and Syria

• Building pyramids to honor gods

• Expanding trade, such as the expedition to Punt

• Conquering the Hittites at Kadesh

Which factor contributed to Egypt’s inability to recover its previous power after 1200 B.C.?

• The construction of larger pyramids

• Repeated invasions by groups such as the Sea Peoples and Libyans

• A severe drought along the Nile lasting a century

• The abolition of pharaoh rule

Piankhi’s victory in 751 B.C. is best described as which of the following?

• Defeating the Assyrians and moving the Kushite capital to Meroë

• Overthrowing Libyan dynasties and uniting the Nile Valley from the delta to Napata

• Expelling the Sea Peoples from the eastern Mediterranean

• Inventing iron tools that led to Meroë’s prosperity

Which ruler expanded Egypt into a powerful and wealthy empire during the New Kingdom by leading numerous military campaigns?

• Hatshepsut

• Thutmose III

• Piankhi

• Sennacherib

Why did Meroë become a major center of trade in Northeast Africa?

• It had rich farmland along the lower Nile that supported large populations.

• Its seaport on the Red Sea connected African trade with routes to Arabia and India.

• It controlled the Mediterranean coastline and taxed sea travel.

• It was protected by mountains, keeping invaders away.

Which statement best explains why Assyria became a dominant military power in Southwest Asia around 850 B.C.?

• Its soldiers relied on bronze weapons and chariots.

• It developed a highly advanced military organization and state-of-the-art iron weaponry.

• It formed peaceful alliances with neighboring mountain peoples.

• It avoided siege warfare and fought only in open fields.

Sennacherib is most closely associated with which action during Assyrian expansion?

• Introducing democracy to conquered cities

• Bragging that he destroyed 89 cities and 820 villages, and ordering most inhabitants killed

• Building the Hanging Gardens of Babylon

• Leading the Medes and Chaldeans against Assyria

Which sequence correctly describes Assyrian siege tactics used to capture fortified cities?

• Charge gates directly; set fires; retreat to lure defenders out

• Span rivers with pontoons; weaken city walls by digging; foot soldiers advance shoulder to shoulder while archers fire; battering rams smash gates

• Surround city and wait for surrender; offer mercy; relocate defenders to nearby towns

• Send cavalry first; then chariots; finally deploy scouts to negotiate

Which statement best describes Ashurbanipal’s library at Nineveh?

• It held only military records from Assyrian campaigns.

• It was one of the ancient world’s largest libraries, with over 20,000 clay tablets organized by subject.

• It stored papyrus scrolls from Egypt and Greece exclusively.

• It was a private royal collection not accessible to scholars.