The Classical World Book Back Questions 9th Social Science Lesson 5
9th Social Science Lesson 5
5] The Classical World
Book Back Questions with Answer and Do You Know Box Content
Do You Know?
Classical World comprises ancient Greece and Rome. Classical age refers to the inter-locking civilisation of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, known as Graeco-Roman World.
The ruling class in Greece controlled the land. Slaves cultivated the land. Greek writers and philosophers saw the ownership of slaves as essential to a civilized life. Aristotle compared the master and slave relationship to that of husband and wife, and father and children.
The word “Democracy” literally means “rule of the people”. In reality it excluded slaves, women, and non-residents known as metics (traders and craftsmen) .
The Athenian government, after Pericles, did not like Socrates’ way of finding truth. In a trial, Socrates was accused of refusing to accept the gods recognized by the State and corrupting the youth. The jury found Socrates guilty and sentenced him to die by drinking hemlock (a poison) .
A major source of revenue to the Roman state was slave trade. The island of Delos became a great slave market.
Cultural development that took place rapidly after Alexander’s death 323 BC (BCE) is called Hellenistic civilisation.
Slave Revolts: There were more slave revolts in Rome than in Greece. The revolt of Spartacus was the most famous. It began in 73 BC (BCE) involving about 70,000 slaves. The revolt threatened the power in Rome. Ultimately Spartacus was killed and the revolt crushed. 6,000 of the followers of Spartacus were executed.
Punic Wars and the Emergence of Imperial Roman Empire: As Rome was growing in Italy, Carthage was growing in power in North Africa. The Carthaginians were the descendants of the Phoenicians who excelled in seafaring and trade. Rome and Carthage united to drive out the Greeks. Thereafter Carthage took Sicily and threatened the very existence of the Roman state. The three wars fought between them are called Punic Wars. Carthage sent a general named Hannibal. He defeated the Roman army and made a great part of Italy a desert. Fabius, who led the Romans, did not give up. In the second Punic war, Fabius confronted Hannibal and defeated him in the Battle of Zama. Pursued by the Roman army, Hannibal ended his life by poisoning himself. The third Punic War was declared on the Carthaginians by Rome. After the defeat and destruction of the Carthage in this War, Rome emerged as an unrivalled power in the Western World.
The trade route from China to Asia Minor and India, known as the Silk Road or Silk Route, linked China with the West. Goods and ideas between the two great civilisation of Rome and China were exchanged through this route. Silk went westward, and wools, gold, and silver went east. China received Buddhism from India via the Silk Road.
St. Sophia Cathedral: St. Sophia Cathedral was built in mid-sixth century AD (CE) . The most magnificent building in Europe at that time, it was known for its innovative architectural techniques. This Cathedral was turned into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks when they captured Constantinople.
India during the Classical Period: The Kushan period corresponded with the last days of the Roman Republic, when Julius Caesar was alive. The Kushan Empire is said to have sent an embassy to Augustus Caesar who succeeded Julius. Eighteen major works of Sangam age Viz eight Anthologies (Ettuthogai) and Ten Idylls (Pathupaatu) compiled during the first three centuries of Common Era were composed during this period. Sangam Literature hailed as first secular literature of India. The corresponding period 4th and 5th A.D. (C.E) in south India, characterized as Kalabhra period. Teakwood, pepper, pearls, ivory, brocades and precious stones and the like were exported from the Malabar Coast to Babylonia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Trade with Rome further flourished.
Choose the best answers:
1. ___________ is the Greek city-state which resisted the Persians to the end.
(a) Acropolis
(b) Sparta
(c) Athens
(d) Rome
2. The other name for Greeks was ____________
(a) Hellenists
(b) Hellenes
(c) Phoenicians
(d) Spartans
3. The founder of Han dynasty was _____________
(a) Wu Ti
(b) Hung Chao
(c) Liu Pang
(d) Mangu Khan
4. _____________ was the Roman Governor responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.
(a) Innocent I
(b) Hildebrand
(c) Leo I
(d) Pontius Pilate
5. The Peloponnesian War was fought between _________ and ____________
(a) Greeks and Persians
(b) Plebeians and Patricians
(c) Spartans and Athenians
(d) Greeks and Romans
Fill in the blanks:
1. Greeks defeated the Persians at _____________
2. ___________ stood in favour of poor peasants in Roman republic.
3. Buddhism came to China from India during the reign of ____________ dynasty.
4. The most magnificent building in Europe was ______________
5. ____________ and _______________ were Magistrates in Rome.
Consider the following the statements and tick the appropriate answer:
1. i) First Persian attack on Greece failed.
ii) The downfall of Roman Empire is attributed to Julius Caesar.
iii) The Barbarians who invaded Rome were considered to be culturally advanced.
iv) Buddhism weakened the Roman Empire.
(a) i is correct
(b) ii is correct
(c) ii and iii are correct
(d) iv is correct
2. i) Euclid developed a model for the motion of planets and stars.
ii) Romans established a republic after overthrowing Etruscans.
iii) Acropolis became a famous slave market.
iv) Rome and Carthage united to drive out the Greeks.
(a) i is correct
(b) ii is correct
(c) ii and iv are correct
(d) iv is correct
3. i) Silk road was closed during the Han dynasty.
ii) Peasant uprisings posed threats to Athenian democracy.
iii) Virgil’s Aeneid glorified Roman imperialism.
iv) Spartacus killed Julius Caesar.
(a) i is correct
(b) ii is correct
(c) ii and iv are correct
(d) iii is correct
4. i) Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was a tyrant.
ii) Romulus Aurelius was the most admired ruler in Roman History.
iii) Abius was a famous Carthaginian General.
iv) Tacitus is respected more than Livy as a historian.
(a) i is correct
(b) ii is correct
(c) ii and iii are correct
(d) iv is correct
5. i) Buddhism went to China from Japan
ii) After crucifixion of Jesus, St. Thomas spread the Christian doctrine.
iii) St. Sophia Cathedral was the most magnificent building in Europe.
iv) Trajan was one of the worst dictators that Rome had.
(a) i is correct
(b) ii is correct
(c) iii are correct
(d) iv is correct
Match the following:
1. Acropolis – Consul
2. Plato – Athens
3. Marius – Philosopher
4. Zeus – Materialist
5. Epicurus – A fortified city
Answers:
Choose the correct answers:
1. Athens 2. Hellenes 3. Liu Pang 4. Pontius Pilate 5. Spartans and Athenians
Fill in the blanks:
1. Marathon 2. Tiberius Gracchus and Garius do Gracchus 3. Han 4.St. Sophia Cathedral 5. Pliny the younger and Plutarch
Consider the following statements and choose the correct answers:
1. Statement i is correct 2. Statement ii and iv are correct 3. Statement iii is correct
4. Statement iv is correct 5. Statement iii is correct
Match the following:
1. A fortified city 2. Philosopher 3. Consul 4.Athens 5.Materialist