The following are essay questions that I have used on exams in the past, and in some ways they may perhaps resemble questions that I might ask on the exam this semester. At the very least they give you examples of how I structure essay questions, as well as an idea of the intensity of my exams. All students should be able to write a competent essay on every one of these questions, as well as on any combination or permutation thereof, or indeed on any topic discussed in class or the assigned readings.
1. In a well organized essay, describe and assess western civilization in the mid fourth century A.D. and examine the extent to which the civilization was characterized by a confluence of the religious, intellectual, and cultural traditions of Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome. What general and specific aspects of these centers of civilization were foundational to western civilization? How were these influences transmitted to and assimilated by western civilization? What was Tertullian's point (in the second century) when he asked "what has Athens to do with Jerusalem," and why might Julian the Apostate have complained bitterly (in the fourth century) "you have triumphed, Galilean!"2. The Israelite religion, although significantly different from the pagan religions of the ancient world, was in other ways a logical development of certain religious tendencies that characterized the ancient world from Sumerian times onwards. Describe the basic nature of the Israelite religion, and compare and contrast it with the pagan religions of the ancient world. What were the contributions of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Deborah, David, Solomon, and Jeremiah?
3. Discuss the emergence and development of early Greek culture and civilization as reflected in the literary selections from Homer, Hesiod, Sappho, Theognis, and Pindar that you have studied for this class. In your analysis, be sure to discuss such important themes as heroism, loyalty, warfare, government, religion, economic and social change, erotic love, and athletics, making specific references throughout to assigned readings from the Bailkey text.
4. Discuss the emergence and development of various approaches to governance and politics in ancient Athens from the archaic age through the Classical period. Be sure to consider the particular importance and individual contributions of: Draco, Solon, Pisistratus, Cleisthenes, and Pericles, as well as the most important political factions in Athens. Be sure to include in your discussion the various constitutional, legal, economic, military, tribal, and cultural changes that are associated with the individuals or groups mentioned above.
5. Compare and contrast the political systems, economies, cultures, and empires of Athens and Sparta from the Archaic age down to the Macedonian conquest of Greece. How did each treat their subject peoples? In what ways might geography and natural resources have affected the ways these two societies developed? How was it that these two very different poleis collaborated as the “yoke mates” of Greece during the Persian wars, and yet became bitter enemies during the Peloponnesian wars?
6. Although historians often focus on the political and military aspects of ancient Greece, early Greek civilization has been even more foundational to Western Civilizations as a consequence of its intellectual and cultural achievements. Describe the culture and civilization of the ancient Greeks in terms of at least three of the following: philosophy, science, ethics, historiography, oratory, religion.
7. What was the res publica and how might its gradual evolution (through 133 B.C.) have contributed to the strength of Rome? How was Rome able to survive and eventually to dominate Italy? How and where did Rome get involved in overseas expansion in the western and eastern Mediterranean? What were some of the consequences of these conquests for Rome? For the peoples of the Mediterranean? Why does Sullivan say "the fate of civilization was now in Roman hands"?
8. Discuss the failure of the Roman Republic during the years 133-31 B.C. Be sure to consider the particular importance and individual contributions of: the Gracchi, Marius, Sulla, Cataline, Pompey, Crassus, Caesar, Marcus Antonius, Lepidus, and Octavian, as well as the most important political factions in Rome. You should also mention in your discussion the various constitutional, economic, military, and administrative problems that faced Rome during this period, as well as how the individuals or groups mentioned above attempted to resolve those issues.
9. Augustus transformed Rome from a Republic into an Empire. What do we mean by this? What changes did Augustus make that facilitated this transformation? What were the problems he faced at the beginning of this transformation? How did he attempt to deal with these problems? What problems was he ultimately unable to solve successfully? In what ways did subsequent Roman Emperors (AD 14-180) maintain, modify, and/or abandon the "Augustan System?"
10. According to the early Christians, who was Jesus and what was his role in the Christian faith? What basic tenets of the Christian faith and way of life made it attractive to so many people? How did prospective converts learn the basic tenets of the Christian faith, and how were they gradually initiated into the Church? What forces in the Greco-Roman world mitigated for or against the success of the Christian faith and way of life? How did the Church preserve the "treasury of faith" from heresy? How did the lives and activities early Christians such Mary, Peter, Paul, the Bishops, and the Church Fathers affect the development of the early Church?
11. Compare and Contrast the early Roman Empire (27 BC - AD 284) with the Roman Empire of Late Antiquity (AD 284 - 641). How did institutions such as the emperorship, the bureaucracy, and the army change? How did the cities change? How did such things as private benevolence and public expressions of social criticism change? How was the economy of Late Antiquity different from the earlier economy? What individuals and groups do we associate with these changes?
12. Whether we consider these non-western civilization to be opponents or competitors, for centuries multiple attempts were made from the centers of civilization in the Ancient Near East and Persia to expand into Europe and the Mediterranean basin and either conquer outright or subjugate the centers of civilization in Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome. What Middle Eastern and Persian rulers and empires in the period from 2400 BC to AD 400 were most aggressive in their imperialism against the civilizations of the west, and what were the consequences for the west of these attempts at assimilation, conquest or colonization?