Mycenaean Age (1100- 750 BCE)
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AP European History › Mycenaean Age (1100- 750 BCE)
The Mycenaean civilization collapsed shortly after the Trojan War. The Mycenaeans fought a war with Troy, as legend has it, because the Trojan Prince Paris kidnapped, Helen, the beautiful wife of the Greek King Menelaus. Menelaus convinced his brother Agamemnon of Mycenae to attack Troy and return Helen to Greece. Whether Helen was kidnapped or willingly went with Paris, is not clear. Historically, the cause of the war also remains unclear. It is known that Agamemnon led a fleet of one thousand ships from the Greek Islands, crossing the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor. Upon arriving in Troy, he demanded the return of Helen from King Priam of Troy. The war is notable for the tale of the Trojan horse that enabled the Mycenaean Greek army to defeat Troy. Historians have questioned the validity of the Trojan War based on what seems to be a legend of love lost and regained. However, excavations by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, in the 1870s, have proven that the war did take place. He found archaeological proof of the existence of the city of Troy. His excavations uncovered a domed citadel in western Turkey matching historical records of the ancient city of Troy. Recent historians and archaeologists also confirm that a war did occur at this time. The Trojan War ended in circa 1200 BCE with the destruction of Troy. Helen returned to Greece to rule with Menelaus until his death when, according to the legend, she was exiled to the island of Rhodes. Also, according to legend, the Greek sailors and soldiers slowly returned to Greece engaging in various adventures as they returned to their homeland.
The Trojan War, although confirmed as an actual event and referred to in ancient Greek writing, is clouded with skepticism as legend. What is a logical reason for this lack of clarity?
All of the three provided options are correct
The main characters of the Trojan War Epics were Greek gods and goddesses and the events of the war are loosely based on the sagas of the gods and goddesses
Virgil’s poem the Aeneid
Archeological evidence shows that ancient cities could withstand a siege of only ten months not ten years
None of these
Explanation
The Trojan War is wrapped in mystery and legend. The finding of a domed citadel by Schliemann, that could have been seen by Homer in his time, proved that Troy did exist and appeared to have been destroyed in battle. The Trojan War Epics written by ancient writers, including Homer, in the first century BCE are based on oral tradition and the heroics and escapades of the Greek gods and goddesses. Virgil wrote the Aeneid to give the Roman Empire a sense of dynasty through its hero Aeneas, a Trojan soldier, who led his soldiers to Carthage before arriving in Rome to establish the Roman Empire. Virgil’s poem has a very loose relationship to the Trojan War as it is a work meant to inspire Romans. But it has no bearing on the Greek civilizations.
Ares was the God of war, which of these ancient Greek Gods is incorrectly matched with the area of life they were most associated with?
Poseidon . . . wisdom and learning.
Aphrodite . . . love and beauty.
Apollo . . . music and archery.
Artemis . . . hunting and the moon.
Hades . . . death and the underworld.
Explanation
In the ancient Greek religion there was an extensive pantheon of Gods. Each God or Goddess was associated with certain areas of life, occupations, and ideals. All of these Gods are correctly paired with the areas of life they were said to watch over, except Poseidon. Poseidon was the God of sailors, horses and the sea.
The Mycenaean civilization collapsed shortly after the Trojan War. The Mycenaeans fought a war with Troy, as legend has it, because the Trojan Prince Paris kidnapped, Helen, the beautiful wife of the Greek King Menelaus. Menelaus convinced his brother Agamemnon of Mycenae to attack Troy and return Helen to Greece. Whether Helen was kidnapped or willingly went with Paris, is not clear. Historically, the cause of the war also remains unclear. It is known that Agamemnon led a fleet of one thousand ships from the Greek Islands, crossing the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor. Upon arriving in Troy, he demanded the return of Helen from King Priam of Troy. The war is notable for the tale of the Trojan horse that enabled the Mycenaean Greek army to defeat Troy. Historians have questioned the validity of the Trojan War based on what seems to be a legend of love lost and regained. However, excavations by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, in the 1870s, have proven that the war did take place. He found archaeological proof of the existence of the city of Troy. His excavations uncovered a domed citadel in western Turkey matching historical records of the ancient city of Troy. Recent historians and archaeologists also confirm that a war did occur at this time. The Trojan War ended in circa 1200 BCE with the destruction of Troy. Helen returned to Greece to rule with Menelaus until his death when, according to the legend, she was exiled to the island of Rhodes. Also, according to legend, the Greek sailors and soldiers slowly returned to Greece engaging in various adventures as they returned to their homeland.
The Trojan War, although confirmed as an actual event and referred to in ancient Greek writing, is clouded with skepticism as legend. What is a logical reason for this lack of clarity?
All of the three provided options are correct
The main characters of the Trojan War Epics were Greek gods and goddesses and the events of the war are loosely based on the sagas of the gods and goddesses
Virgil’s poem the Aeneid
Archeological evidence shows that ancient cities could withstand a siege of only ten months not ten years
None of these
Explanation
The Trojan War is wrapped in mystery and legend. The finding of a domed citadel by Schliemann, that could have been seen by Homer in his time, proved that Troy did exist and appeared to have been destroyed in battle. The Trojan War Epics written by ancient writers, including Homer, in the first century BCE are based on oral tradition and the heroics and escapades of the Greek gods and goddesses. Virgil wrote the Aeneid to give the Roman Empire a sense of dynasty through its hero Aeneas, a Trojan soldier, who led his soldiers to Carthage before arriving in Rome to establish the Roman Empire. Virgil’s poem has a very loose relationship to the Trojan War as it is a work meant to inspire Romans. But it has no bearing on the Greek civilizations.
Which of these best describes Attica?
The region around the city-state of Athens
The collection of Greek city-states founded in Asia Minor
The collection of Greek colonies founded in southern Italy
The territory to the north of ancient Greece that was inhabited by Macedonians
The region around the city-state of Sparta
Explanation
Attica is the region around the city-state of Athens. Attica, with its natural harbors, has long been important in the development of Greek culture.
The Iliad and The Odyssey are the best known works of which ancient Greek poet?
Homer
Virgil
Ovid
Lord Byron
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Explanation
Homer is best known in the modern world for The Iliad and The Odyssey, so he would be the best choice. Ovid was the epic poet responsible for the Metamorphoses, but he was Roman, so he would not be the best choice. Virgil was also an influential Roman poet and he did not write the works in question, so he would not be a good choice. Lastly, Lord Byron and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were both famous poets, but they lived many thousands of years after the works in question were written, so they would not be good answers.
The Iliad and The Odyssey are the best known works of which ancient Greek poet?
Homer
Virgil
Ovid
Lord Byron
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Explanation
Homer is best known in the modern world for The Iliad and The Odyssey, so he would be the best choice. Ovid was the epic poet responsible for the Metamorphoses, but he was Roman, so he would not be the best choice. Virgil was also an influential Roman poet and he did not write the works in question, so he would not be a good choice. Lastly, Lord Byron and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were both famous poets, but they lived many thousands of years after the works in question were written, so they would not be good answers.
Epicureanism emphasized .
the pursuit of pleasure through the acquisition of knowledge
the importance of republicanism in Greek life
the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom
communal living and harmonious relationships
prayer and a close personal relationship with God
Explanation
Epicureanism is a philosophy that was developed in ancient Greece by the philosopher Epicurus. It was founded in the late-fourth century BCE. Epicureanism emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure through the acquisition of knowledge and through moderate living. It is often misunderstood as a sort of hedonism, but Epicurus actually advocated for a much stricter style of living.
What was an acropolis in ancient Greece?
A fortified area on top of hill, often used for ceremonial purposes
An open space designated for public meetings
A defensive fortification designed to protect against land-based invasions
A shallow harbor designed to prevent naval invasions
None of these
Explanation
In ancient Greece an acropolis was a fortified area on top of hill that was often used for religious or ceremonial purposes. The most famous example of this is the Acropolis in Athens, which is the site of the famous Parthenon temple.
During the Trojan War, what was King Odysseus most famous for doing?
Designing the Trojan Horse
Killing King Priam
Leading the Army of Myrmidons
Stealing Achilles' concubine
Dressing up as Achilles to turn the tide of war in favor of the Greeks
Explanation
King Odysseus designed the Trojan Horse. King Odysseus was widely considered one of the smartest of the Greek kings, and it was through his ingenuity that the fake Trojan Horse was thought up and delivered to the Trojans, leading to their ultimate defeat at the hands of the Greeks.
A Mycenaean palace, such as those found at Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos, is best described as consisting of .
central megaron with closed courtyards
subterranean with light-wells
cement constructions with domed ceilings
encircled with marble columns
built on a podium
Explanation
The Mycenaean palace contains a central megaron with courtyards allowing increasing segregation.
Roman temples are built on podia. Greek temples are encircled by columns. The Romans developed the use of cement and domed architecture. Structures with subterranean light wells are also prehistoric, but they are characteristic of the Minoan society.