The West in the World, 4th Edition (Sherman)

Chapter 1: The Roots of Western Civilization

Essay Quiz

1
What role did cultural diffusion play in this period?
2
What environmental advantages did the ancient Middle East have that permitted the growth of agriculture and cities? What disadvantages did the Middle East have?
3
Why was agriculture a key step for the beginnings of Western civilization? Why did it lead to differentiation within societies?
4
Why did Sumerians develop a highly organized society? What was the role of religion in the organization of Sumerian society?
5
Why did writing develop in Sumerian civilization? What uses was it put to? How did those uses change over time? Why is record-keeping important for Western civilization?
6
Compare the religious outlooks of Egyptians and Sumerians. How can we explain the differences?
7
What made some Egyptian rulers successful? Why did others fail?
8
Why was the Phoenician alphabet such an important contribution to Western civilization?
9
How were the Jews able to maintain their integrity while being part of a Diaspora?
10
How did cultural diffusion and the achievements of preceding cultures shape Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian cultures? What were the strengths and weaknesses of each empire?
11
Why is the Persian Empire considered the culmination of the Middle Eastern phase of Western civilization?
Sherman: The West in the World, Fourth Edition
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