1. How are the Spartans described? What makes them such good warriors?
The Spartans were a group of people that made one of the finest armies in the ancient world. They had a harsh way of life, a sense of duty and a strict moral code. They made good warriors because they were examined for fitness even as babies. They were also placed in a military-style education. The food was intentionally scarce to prove physical fitness. In addition, they were not allowed to surrender because it would be considered as a disgrace.
2. How is Xerxes portrayed by Herodotus? Does he seem like a good ruler? Why or why not?
Herodotus describes Xerxes as a proud and rough man. He also portrays him someone who is slavish, foolish and barbarous. Despite the fact that he was an ambitious man, he was not a good ruler; this is because Xerxes was violent, and wanted everything by force, including land and food. In addition, he was a selfish and self-conceited leader. He was also ruthless because he did not care about the life of soldiers. He was also an invader because he invaded Greece.
Plato, Apologia
1. How does Socrates defend himself against charges of impiety and corrupting the youth? Do you find his argument convincing? Explain.
Socrates claimed that he was on a mission to instill good morals to the state. He claimed he was a victim of prejudice and gossip. His argument is convincing because he uses a Socratic method to answer the questions asked, which was a wise approach.
2. How does Socrates define and seek wisdom?
Socrates defined wisdom as accepting that one knows nothing. He did not boast about the knowledge he had. He gained knowledge through asking questions and seeking clear answers to them. He was determined to find nothing less than an adequate account.
Iliad
1. Why is Achilles enraged that Agamemnon wants to take away his female slave? What does he threaten to do if she is taken from him?
Achilles was enraged because he had grown attached to the slave girl. He was also angry because he wanted to take her for his pleasure. He threatened that he would not fight for the Greeks against the Trojans and that he would kill Agamemnon.
2. What do the Greek warriors care most about? Why are they fighting?
The Greek soldiers care most about the glory of war. The Greeks were always fighting over their borders.
3. How does Achilles feel when he hears Patroclus has been killed?
Achilles became enraged and deeply saddened by the death of Patroclus.
4. What does Achilles do to Hektor after defeating him in combat? Why would Achilles have treated Hektor's body in this way?
After defeating him in a duel, he killed him, tied his body to a chariot, and paraded his corpse. He would not let him get buried respectfully because Hektor killed Patroclus.
Egeria
1. What rituals take place on Good Friday?
The altar is usually bare, and no candles are lit. Successive prayers are said and at noon, there is adoration of the Cross. There is a Mass of the pre-sanctified. The communion ends at 3 pm with a procession and finally evening prayers.
2. Why would people venerate the "True Cross"? What does the story about a person biting the "True Cross “reveal about early Christian piety?
People would venerate it as a sign of true faith. Even though it was somehow an act of faith, it reveals that religion was more of physical than internal relationship with God. People also venerate the “True Cross” because it symbolizes the sacrifices that God made for the salvation of humankind. No one was supposed to lay his or her hands on the “True Cross.” However, the story of the man who bit the “True Cross” shows the piety that God had on human beings to the extent of allowing them to walk scot free for the transgressions that they had committed.
Short Answers
Give a short answer to each of the following.
33. What are the three main parts of the Hebrew (Jewish) Bible?
The Torah, the prophets and the writings
34. What does the ankh hieroglyph (☥) signify?
It means life.
35. What are the five pillars of Islam?
Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting and paying homage to Mecca.
36. Why is the Narmer palette a significant archaeological discovery?
It is a symbol of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
37. How does the Egyptian Book of the Dead resemble the Ten Commandments of Moses?
It has similarities because some rules state that God should not be belittled, one should not cause or inflict pain, one should not murder, one should not provide offerings to other gods, one should not use false balances, and should not steal, lie or curse. All these are highly comparable to the Ten Commandments.
38. What is the significance of Egeria writing (Peregrinatio Egeriae)?
It is significant because it contains a detailed account of the journey or pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
39. How did monasticism contribute to the preservation of ancient history?
They mainly took part in reading and writing; they were custodians of information and contributed to the conservation of ancient history.
40. How did Muslims help preserve and advance Western civilization?
They had so much knowledge and many science and technology inventions that contributed to maintaining and promoting western civilization.
41. Does Plato's Charmides (dialogue) suggest that homosexuality exerted a significant influence on Socrates' philosophy?
Plato’s dialogue suggests that homosexuality exerted an influence on Socratic philosophy. It referred to the history of homosexuality and the concept of the law of nature. All these were a great influence on Socratic philosophy.
