25 short questions with answers, suitable for 2 to 3 marks each, covering Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome
Ancient Greece:
1.Question: Briefly explain two key differences between the social structures of Athens and Sparta.
Answer: Athenian society was more open with citizens, metics, and slaves, emphasizing intellectual pursuits. Spartan society was rigid with citizens focused on military discipline, alongside perioikoi and the enslaved helots.
2.Question: What was the significance of Solon's reforms in the evolution of Athenian democracy? Answer: Solon's reforms, like debt cancellation and class division based on wealth, reduced aristocratic power and laid the groundwork for broader citizen participation.
3.Question: Describe the role of the "ekklesia" in Athenian direct democracy. Answer: The "ekklesia" was the main assembly of Athenian citizens. It was responsible for debating and voting on laws, electing officials, and making important policy decisions.
4.Question: What were two limitations of direct democracy in ancient Athens? Answer: It excluded women, slaves, and foreigners (metics) from participation, and decision-making could be influenced by skilled orators, potentially swaying the opinions of the large assembly.
5.Question: What were two significant achievements or characteristics of the Age of Pericles? Answer: It was a period of great cultural flourishing in Athens, marked by advancements in arts and philosophy, and Pericles oversaw the rebuilding of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon.
6.Question: Explain Pericles' use of the Delian League's treasury. Answer: Pericles controversially used the treasury of the Delian League, originally meant for defense against Persia, to fund Athenian projects, particularly the magnificent buildings on the Acropolis, asserting Athenian dominance.
7.Question: Briefly describe the main geographical influence on the rise of independent city-states in ancient Greece. Answer: The mountainous terrain and numerous islands fragmented the land, leading to the development of independent and often isolated city-states with distinct identities and governments.
8.Question: What was ostracism in Athenian politics and what was its purpose? Answer: Ostracism was a process where Athenian citizens could vote to exile a prominent individual for ten years. Its purpose was to prevent any single person from becoming too powerful and threatening democracy.
Ancient Rome:
9.Question: Name two major social classes in early Roman society and briefly distinguish between them. Answer: Patricians were the aristocratic landowning class who initially held most of the power. Plebeians were the common citizens who gradually gained political rights through struggles.
10.Question: What was the role of the "paterfamilias" in a Roman family? Answer: The "paterfamilias" was the male head of the household who held significant legal authority over his wife, children, slaves, and even adult sons and their families.
11.Question: Briefly describe the general status of women in Roman society. Answer: Roman women had limited public roles but held influence within the family and could own property. Their level of freedom and influence varied across different periods of Roman history.
12.Question: How did economic expansion impact Roman society? Give one positive and one negative consequence.
Answer: Positive: It brought wealth, resources, and trade opportunities. Negative: It led to increased reliance on slavery and growing social inequalities between the wealthy elite and the poor.
13.Question: What were two key features of the Roman Republic's constitution? Answer: It featured a system of elected magistrates (like Consuls), a powerful advisory body called the Senate, and various popular assemblies where citizens could vote.
14.Question: What were the main roles of the Consuls in the Roman Republic? Answer: The two annually elected Consuls served as the chief executives, commanding the army in wartime and administering the government in peacetime.
15.Question: What was the significance of the Tribunes of the Plebs in the Roman Republic?
Answer: The Tribunes were elected representatives of the plebeians who had the power to veto actions of the Senate or magistrates that they deemed harmful to plebeian interests, thus protecting their rights.
16.Question: Briefly explain the concept of "veto" in the Roman constitution. Answer: "Veto" meant "I forbid" in Latin. Certain Roman officials, most notably the Tribunes of the Plebs, had the power to block the actions of other officials or the passage of laws.
17.Question: Name two key achievements of Julius Caesar before his assassination. Answer: His successful military conquest of Gaul, which expanded Roman territory and brought him fame and a loyal army, and his introduction of the Julian calendar.
18.Question: What was the First Triumvirate and what was its significance?
Answer: It was an informal political alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. It allowed these three powerful individuals to dominate Roman politics for a time, bypassing the traditional Republican institutions.
19.Question: Why did Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon mark a significant turning point in Roman history?
Answer: By crossing the Rubicon River with his army, Caesar defied the Senate's direct order and initiated a civil war, ultimately leading to the end of the Roman Republic.
Combined Greece and Rome:
20.Question: Briefly compare the concept of citizenship in ancient Athens and Rome. Answer: Athenian citizenship was more exclusive, limited to adult males of Athenian descent. Roman citizenship, while initially restricted, gradually expanded to include inhabitants of conquered territories, though with varying degrees of rights.
21.Question: Identify one cultural aspect where Roman society was significantly influenced by ancient Greece.
Answer: Roman religion heavily adopted and adapted the Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses, often simply changing their names (e.g., Zeus became Jupiter, Athena became Minerva).
22.Question: How did slavery impact the economies of both ancient Greece and Rome?
Answer: In both societies, slavery provided a significant source of labor, particularly in agriculture and mining, contributing to economic output but also creating social hierarchies and hindering technological innovation in some areas.
23.Question: Briefly explain the difference between direct democracy (Athens) and the Republican system (Rome).
Answer: In Athens, eligible citizens directly voted on laws and policies. In Rome's Republic, citizens elected representatives and officials (like senators and magistrates) to make decisions on their behalf.
24.Question: What role did military expansion play in the development of both ancient Greece and Rome?
Answer: For Greek city-states like Sparta, military strength was central to their identity and power. For Rome, military conquest was crucial for territorial expansion, economic gain (through resources and slaves), and the growth of its empire.
25.Question: Identify one lasting contribution of either ancient Greece or ancient Rome to Western civilization and briefly explain its significance. Answer: Ancient Greece: The development of democratic principles provided a foundational model for later democratic systems. Ancient Rome: Roman law established a sophisticated legal framework that continues to influence legal systems in many parts of the world.
.
