Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
THT MIDDLE ENST: Cn. 8000 B.c.E.-600 c.E. KeY Coruceprs w ffi w ffi Civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia with their own distinctive culture and political and social structures' City-states and empires in the Middle East sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road and sea routes through -ujo. trade routes, such as the Mediterranean sea and Indian ocean, along which both products and culture traveled. The geographic, political, and economic characteristics of the Middle East gave rise to the first empires' Judaism and Christianity originated in the Middle East and had an impact on political events and social structure' KeYTrnvs ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi ChristianitY city-state cuneiform Hellenism/HellenisticAge Judaism Mesopotamia K , monotheism ffi Neo-Assyrian EmPire w Persian EmPire w polytheism w Zoroastrianism Early Mesopotamian civilization is covered in the fourth and fifth editions of ine Eafih and Its Peoples, Chapters 1 and 3' The Persian Q? {J4 0201 i cengage Leaming. All posted to Rights Resened. May not be scmned, copied or duplicated, or a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part' The Middle East: Ca. 8000 B.c.E.-600 c.E. * Empire is covered in detail in chapter 4. The Roman presence in the region and the rise of Christianity can be found in Chapter 5. MesoporRvn The first domestication of plants and animals occurred in the Middle East around 8000 e.c.s. in the Fertile crescent, which encompasses the area from the Persian Gulf through Iraq to the area around the border between Syria and Turkey. Jericho, located in present-day palestine, was settled around 8000 n.C.E. It and the ruins of eatal Hiiyiik (20005000 g.c.r.), located in present-day Turkey, provide archaeologists with evidence of early settled communities: mud-brick structures, pottery, metalworking, long-distance tade, religion, and an agriculture-based economy that allowed for division of labor. By 5000 B.c.E. the Agricultural Revolution had reached Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. The geography of the region allowed such development but offered many challenges. The rivers were important sources of irrigation and offered a means of transportation; however, their unpredictable flood pattern made farming difflcult, and it occasionally isolated the fields, people, and tornms. Techniques to maximize land use were incorporated beginning around 4000 e.c.s., first with the use of oxdra'orn plows and then with the construction of imigation canals to supply water to fields. Additionally, fields were left fallow every other year so that the soil retained nutrients. Beginning around 3100 e,c.p., Mesopotamia gave rise to the first complex civilizations and empires, which over time would compete with one another and influence lands beyond the Middle East. The region also saw considerable cultural synthesis as customs, religion, and langmage were adopted and adapted over time. Success in agriculture led to the emergence of the city-state-an urban center and the agrricultural territory it controlled. Within a citystate many worked in the flelds while others were craftspeople, religious leaders, or political leaders. Farmers produced food for the city, and city dwellers provided markets, as well as protection for farmers when conflict arose with neighboring city-states. Mesopotamian city-states were centered on two main focal points: the temple and the palace of the king. Religion in Mesopotamia, organized by the state, was a very public affair. Large temples constructed to gods of the elements reflected the geographic challenges of the region and the importance of agriculture. Temples were centrally located and tended by priests, who were important members of society. The importance of religion and the ownership of land-land being a source of wealth-put priests in a prominent political and economic role. The importance of priests, however, was surpassed by that of the king. Viewed as the gods' representative on earth, he controlled the army, provided protection, built lnfrastructure, and maintained justice. A good example of strong political leadership is the Babylonian king Hammurabi, who ruled in the eighteenth century B.c.E. Through military campaigns he expanded Babylonian rule and implemented his famous Law Code over the region. Inscribed on a stone pillar, the Law Code established criteria for judicial decisions and clear, often severe punishment for criminals. 0201 I Cengage Leaming. All Rights Reserued. May not be scamed, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 83 84 * ChaPter 2 The rise of city-states supported long-distance trade by which regions exchangednatural resources native to their land. (The absence ofinoney for most of its history meant that Mesopotamia had a barter eco.romy.) The emergence of city-states also cemented social divisions within sbciety. Righti and privileges differed according to wealth and profession. Hammurabi's Babylonia, with its three main classes, serves as a good example of the divisions within such a society. The highest class"was the free landornming class consisting of royalty, high-ranking officials, warriors, priests, and some merchants. As trade flourished, merchants became more prominent meimbers of society, and by the second millennium B.C.E. guilds-profi:ssional organizationsLme.geo. In the middle were farmers, who made up the agricultural worklorce and were often attached to an bstate o'*med privately or by the king or temple. The bottom of the social ladder was occupied by slaves, i"tro *oit ed mostly in a domestic capacity' Slaves were often prisorrers of war or people who couid not repay debts. Though a did not play a large roie in i."r".r." in society, stiveJ in Mesopotamia modern era. or classical in the unlike slaves ih" gender lines. Women's status ""o.ro*y, along fell also Social distinctions the hunter-gatherer from transition the in changed dramatically As families grew communities. settled ffest]le to the agriculture-based demand for increased an and supply food in size because bf a stable which left children, raising and bearing was Iabor, women's main role That said, political influence. or a skill of little time for the acquisition In sociew. to society from varied political rights women,s legal and and dowry, their control property, own Mesopotamia, *om6n could L.rgug" in trade. Some women did work outside the home but in spJcihc industries at the lower rungs of society. As the city-state emerged in Mesopotamia, women's status deteriorated further with the rise of the middle class. Marriage and divorce laws favored the husband, and marriage was often used as a way to create ties between families and bolster their economic standing. women were often nothing more than economic objects' Always pay attention to the social and gender structures of a partlcuiai society. This is excellent information to include *ir"r, making comparisons across time and place' writing developed in the Middle East prior to 3300 e-c.E. and likely evolved #o* u iftrt"* for documenting property. The system of recording strokes ind wedges on a damp clay tablet, which hardened as it dr[d, cuneiform reCorded first the Sumerian language and uu"trt"uttv other languages in the region. In spite of the expansion of people cuneiform during ttre second millennium B.c.E., the number of who could read and write remained small' In addition to writing, Mesopotamians developed other important techniques and technologies that helped advance their civilizations. Beasts of burden such as cattle and donkeys were. employed as important sources of power and transportation before the domestication of the camel in 1200 B.C.E. Horses, in use by 2000 B'C'E', @201 1 cengage Leaming. All posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part' Rights Reserued. May not be scmned, copied or duplicated, or The Middle East: Ca. 8000 e.c.r.-600 c.r. * provided another important mode of transportation. Like archers, horsemen and charioteers revolutionized military strategy. Bronze tools and weapons were made from imported ores, and the effective use of clay in making bricks and pottery was instrumental in constructing housing. Mesopotamians also developed the base-60 system in mathematics and studied astronomy. Advances by city-states within Mesopotamia often spread through the Middle East. In the second millennium B.c.E., interaction with other regions increased, resulting in a cosmopoJitah period. Diplomatic and economic interaction benefited the elite of the societies involved. The peasants, who continued to constitute the majority of the people, may also have seen some improvements in their lifestyles. By 1500 B.c.E., Mesopotamia was essentially divided into two political and cultural zones. In the south, Babylonia continued in its position of dominance, gained under Hammurabi's leadership two hundred years earlier. In the north, Assyria, which for centuries had imported ore and textiles, appeared ready to conquer land and expand its economic interests. In contrast to the smaller cibr-states of the previous millennia, Babylonia and Assyria increased their interaction with Eg,pt and the Hittites in Anatolia, who provided copper, silver, and iron to much of the Middle East. The coexistence of these large states, however, did not last long. Around 1200 e.c.n. many of the economic and political centers in the region declined as a result of conflict in Anatolia and the subsequent economic collapse of their intertwined economies. For the next three hundred years Mesopotamia experienced a period of isolation and poverty. The Assyrians rose again to establish what many historians consider the first empire, the Neo-Assyrian Empire (911-672 e.c.s.), by conquering and governing diverse peoples inhabiting far-off lands. The Assyrian homeland in northern Mesopotamia, with a more temperate climate and grreater rainfull than areas to the south, enabled farmers to support a gnowing population and expansion. Additionally, experience in defending themselves from invaders to the north served many farmers well when they became foot soldiers for the empire. The Assyrians succeeded because they had professional soldiers armed with iron weapons and aided by a cavalry and the machinerSr and techniques for besieging tornzns. Their expansion, because it followed trade routes, provided immediate economic rewards, and as neighboring kingdoms were conquered, a tribute system was put in place. The Assyrians treated the peoples they conquered harshly. Policies were designed to benefit the imperial center, and the use of terror and forced deportation effectively kept the conquered people in line and discouraged thoughts of rebellion. To administer the empire, regional officials who had sworn their obedience to the king oversaw payment of tribute, enforced laws, built infrastructure, and supplied the army in their region. Though this system proved effective at maintaining order and funneling the wealth of the region to the king, the Neo-Assyrian Errlpire extended economic prosperity to much of the region and expanded long-distance trade. Assyrian rule lasted until 612 B.c.E., when the empire eroded from the hatred of its @2011 Cengage Leaming. All fughts Reserued. May not be scamed, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 85 86 1. Chapter 2 conquered peoples and its own increasingly diverse-and less population. loyal- lsnnrl On the east coast of the Mediterranean, in about 2000 n.c.E., the Israelites were gathering into setiled communities and transforming the nature of religion. The Israelites were a relatively small population inhabiting a small region poor in natural resources but strategically located at the crossroails of important trade routes. However, their contributions to history were large The story of the Israelites, as documented in the Hebrew Bible, begins with Abraham, who is considered the father of three monotheistic religions-Judaism, christianity, and Islam. Abraham believed that there is only one god, Yahweh, who in a covenant with the Israelites agrreed to make them his chosen people and promised them the land of Israel. In exchange, the Israelites would worship only Yahweh as specified by the Ten Commandments. These beliefs in many ways isolated Jews from others, but they also instilled a strong sense of communiW and identitY. The Israelites reached their political and economic peak in the tenth century e.c.B. under King Solomon' To solidiflu the position of the Israelites and their religion relative to others in the Middle East, solomon constructed the First Temple. while the temple helped Iegitir.nize Judaism, it also heightened the importance of priests. With the expansion of the city of Jerusalem and the increased economic opportunities of this time, society became more stratified. Others joined the temple priests in setting themselves apart from the relatively homogeneous group that had made the initial transition to a settled community. Gaps between rich and poor emerged, and institutions like marriage took on an economic as well as social significance. women were respected for the vital role they had played in the early history of Israel, but now they lacked the property and marriage rights of men. women could not inherit property or initiate divorce, and while some lVpmen worked outside the home, most assumed duties in the home and in agriculture when the Neo-Assyrian Empire conquered the region around Israel in727B.c.E., much of the kingdom was destroyed and its people deported tO the east. This destruction and deportation were repeated in 587 e.C.B. when the Neo-Babylonian Empire attacked Jerusalem. Despite these upheavals, Judaism survived the dispersal of Jews from theii homeland, knoum as the Diaspora. The strength of Jewish rituals, rules, and beliefs sustained community and identity' Be able to describe the basic features and origins of major religions, and note how they shape society through their rules and expectations Tor men and women 0201 I Cengage Leaming. All Rights Reserued. May not be scamed, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part The Middle East. Ca. 8000 e.c.r.-600 c.r. * 'THr Prnsnru Evnng The Neo-Assyrian Empire was followed by the rise of the Persian Empire. Bound by Ianguage and culture, various groups that made their homeland in modern-day Iran joined to form the largest empire the world had yet seen. One group, the Medes, took the lead in challenging the Assyrian Empire and precipitating its collapse. Beginning about 550 n.c.p., the Persians, led by Cyrus, put together an empire of staggering size, stretching from Greece to India and from the Caucasus Mountains to North Africa. To administer such an expansive territory, Darius I created a unique organizational structure. He divided the empire into twenty provinces, each controlled by a satrap, or governor. Typically related to the royal family, satraps oversaw their territory and, most importantly, collected taxes and tribute to send to the king. Though roads were well maintained and patrolled, information traveled slowly, so satraps farther from the capital enjoyed some autonomy. Darius is also remembered as a lawgiver, and building on the decentralized nature of the provincial system, he allowed people within the empire to live according to their ornm traditions and rules. Darius and his followers also practiced Zoroastrianism. A unique religion that may have influenced Judaism, Zoroastrianism preached the belief in one supreme god, introduced the notions of Heaven and Hell, reward and punishment, and the Messiah-a savior sent by God. After ongoing conflict with the Greeks in the fifth and fourth centuries B.c.E., the' Persian Empire eventually succumbed to the armies of Alexander the Great in 330 e.c.E. The Greek Empire then controlled virtually the same territory as the Persians had and, after the death of Alexander, for the next three hundred years the region experienced the influence of Greek culture known as the Hellenistic , Age. The Hellenistic Age ended with the rise of the Roman Empire. Though centered more on the Mediterranean, Roman rule did extend through Anatolia, and by 6 c.E. had reached present-day Israel and Palestine. Occupying the eastern Mediterranean region, the Roman Empire sat at the end of the SiIk Road, which brought goods from as far away as China. The polytheistic and pagan nature of Roman religion did not blend well with the tenets of Judaism, and in this tense environment Jesus and Christianity emerged. That Judaism and Christianity emerged in the same geographic area and that Jesus was a Jew help explain many 'of the similarities between these two religions. Both are monotheistic; further, both believe in the same god. The Five Books of Moses that constitute the Hebrew Torah are the flrst five books of the Bible. The Ten Commandments apply to both religions. Christians, however, believe Jesus was the Messiah, and their Bible also contains the New Testamen! which teils of the life and teachings of Jesus. After Jesus' crucifidon, Paul and other followers spread Christianity in spite of Roman opposition. In the face of hostility, many of the early converts were women, slaves, or the urban poor-groups oppressed by Roman rule. The transition from settled communities to vast empires that took place in the Middle East also occurred in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the @201 I Cengage Leaming. All Rights Reserued. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or ip part 87 88 * Chapter 2 Americas. All can be easily compared-in many respects the process was much the same, no matter the region. As these civilizations and empires emerged, they were bound together by the trade and interaction that traversed the Middle East. Multiple-Choice Questions 1. Which of the following was the lafgest geogrraphic challenge for the people settling in Mesopotamia? (A) the unpredictable nature of the Tigrris and Euphrates Rivers (B) the absence of useful building materials (C) the grreat distance from regional and long-distance trade routes (D) poor soil for agriculture (E) the absence of large animals that could be domesticated and employed in agriculture 2. AII of the following were characteristic of city-states in Mesopotamia EXCEPT (A) clear social divisions (B) provision of food for the city by farmers (C) provision of markets and protection for farmers by citydwellers (D) a diminished role of religion (E) specialized labor 3. Which of the following best describes women's roles in city-states in Mesopotamia? (A) The opportunity arose for women to occupy positions of political power. (B) They gained more freedom and choice in marriage. (C) Women no longer worked outside of the home. (D) Women could own property and engage in trade. (E) Fewer children were needed" so women had more time to work and acquire skills. . 4. 0201 All of the following are true of slavery in Mesopotamia EXCEPT (A) slaves occupied the lowest class of society (B) slaves were primarily employed in domestic service (C) slaves in Mesopotamia played a more important role in society than those-in Greece and Rome (D) most slaves were prisoners of war (E) slaves faced harsher punishment under law codes because of their position in societY 1 Cengage Leaming. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. The Middle East: Ca. 8000 B.c.E.-600 5. Which of the following best describes how the Assyrians treated the people they conquered? (A) The king ruled directly over the people of the empire so as to maintain tight control. (B) Freedom and autonomy were granted to conquered people in an effort to win their allegiance. (C) Mass deportation and terror were use.d to keep people in line. (D) Wealth was channeled from the cepter to the outlying areas by the paternalistic ruler. (E) In an effort to control subjects, all long-distance trade was halted. 6. The Israelites were unique in the region because of their (A) location along the Mediterranean Sea and large involvement in c.E. * trade (B) continued existence as nomadic herdsmen while others formed settled communities (C) wealth of natural resources (D) abiliff to mount a successful resistance to the Neo-Assyrian Empire (E) belief in monotheism and a covenant with god 7. To control the vast Persian Empire, Darius I (A) used terror and mass deportation to prevent uprisings (B) (C) (D) (E) @201 instituted a limited democracy divided the empire into provinces run by governors imposed Persian traditions and customs on all subjects controlled all aspects of life from his capital city B. Which of the following is an example of Hellenism? (A) Alexander the Great's military strategy for'expansion (B) the presence of Greek architecture in the Middle East (C) the limited democracy of Athens (D) the presence of pyramids in Eg,pt and ziggurats in Mesopotamia (E) the extensive roads of the Persian and Roman Empires 9. Which of the following is true of the Assyriary Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires? (A) They all conquered major cities and trade routes of the region. (B) They all originated in areas rich with natural resources. (C) Each empire bordered the Mediterranean Sea. (D) They all instituted a centralized administration. (E) Each overlapped with the early river valley civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egrypt. I Cengage Leaming. All Rights Reserued. May not be scmned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 89 90 * Chapter 2 10. All of the following are true of Judaism and Christianity EXCEPT (A) Jews received better treatment than Christians while under liil3,l#:"" -l"ru, as rhe Messiah while Jews stitl await the Messiah (C) both religions originated in present-day Israel and Palestine (D) ttre Hebrew Torah is also part of the Christian Bible (E) both Judbism and Christianity pre monotheistic ,u, significant because (A) they developed the city-state model of governing (B) they created an alphabetic system of writing 11. The Phoenicians were (C) they were the flrst empire in the region (D) they"dominated overland trade routes that crossed the region (E) they were the foundation of the Roman Empire 12.The Persian Empire imposed a tribute system in order to (A) share its wealth with neighboring regions (B) promote conversion to Zoroastrianism (C) fund all of the vast expenses of the empire (D) hoard wealth and highlight its power over its neighbors (E) oppress women and the poor within the empire influential because (A) it promoted the rights of women and the idea that marriage 73. Zoroastrianism was was a partnership (B) key ideas such as monotheism and the Messiah were later adopted by Judaism and Christianity it empowered the poor to rise up against the king and caused chaos within the emPire (D) it provided a rigid social structure in which one's life was (C) dictated by gender, age, and occupation (E) it enabled the Persians to fend off the growing power of the Greeks 14. O20l l Which of the following statements best describes the condition of women in ancient Greece? (A) Women enjoyed freedom of movement and speech. (B) Women were equal participants in Greek democracy (C) Women were confined to the home and had few rights. (D) The condition of women varied depending on the community. (E) Women could own slaves and inherit property but had litle say in marriage. Cengage Leaming. All Rights Reserued. May not be scmed, copied or duplicated, or posted io a publicly accessible website, in whole or in pad. The Middle East: Ca. 8000 a.c.r.-600 15. c.r. * Which of the following is true of the empires of Alexander the Great and Darius I? (A) The leaders of both relied on loyal local officials, who could exercise some level of autonomy. (B) Both empires valued Greek culture and helped spread it from the Mediterranean to South Asia. (C) Both were democratic empires that gave a voice to all free, land-ornming males. (D) Both empires benefited from long-dirtu.n." Lrade with Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. (E) Neither empire had an answer for the superior tactics and technologry of the Romans, who eventually conquered their lands. Free-Response Questions 1,. 2. Analyze the political changes in the Middle East from the time of the Agricultural Revolution to 600 c.n. Cornpare and contrast the basic features of TWO of the following religious systems prior to 600 c.e. polytheism Judaism Christianity Mumpr-E-Csorcr Quesrorrrs 1. ANSWERT A. The flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was unpredictable, and the rivers sometimes changed course, which isolated to'vrms and fields (The Earth and Its Peoples,4tr ed., p. 30/5th ed., p. 16). 2. ANSWER: D. The two centers of power that anchored the city-state were the palace and the temple, the ldtter of which was centrally located in the town (The Earth and Its Peoples,4'h ed., p. 36/5th ed., p. 1B). 3. ANSWERT D. Men monopolized political life, but women could own property, control their dowry, and engage in trade (The Earth and Its Peoples,4ih ed., p. 39/5th ed., p. 20). 4. ANSWER: C. Slaves in Mesopotamia played a lesser economic role than their counterparts in classical Greece and Rome (The Eatth and Its Peoples,4tb ed' p. 38/5th ed., p. 19). 5. AruSWen: C. To prevent rebellion and break the spirit of the conquered people, the Assyrians employed terror tactics and forcibly 02011 Cengage Leming. All Rights Reserued. May not be scamed, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 91 92 * Chapter 2 uprooted entire communities (The Earth and lts Peoples, 4th ed., pp. 707-702/5fr ed., p. B2). 6. ANSWER: E. According to the Hebrew Bible, God made a covenant with Israelites that made them his chosen people (The Earth and Its Peop)es,4th ed., pp. 104-105/Srh ed, p. B5). Darius divided the empire into twenty provinces, each of which was run by a governor (satrap) who was often related to the royal family (The Earth ayd Its Peoples) 4'n :d., p. 130/5ft ed., p. 111). B. ANSWER: B. After the conquests by Alexander the Great, the lands that came under Greek rule were influenced greatly by its culture [The Earth and lts Peoples 4n ed.., p. 157/5tr ed., p. 130). 7. ANSWER: C. four major empires of this region were located along key trade routes and beneflted from this location (The Earth and Its Pe6ples, maps of empires, 4th ed., pp. 100, 128, 752, 764/5rh ed., pp. 81, 9. ANswER: A. The 708,734,744). 10. AruswrR: A. As monotheistic religions, both Judaism and Christianity did not fit well with the Romans, who worshipped many gods and also idolized the emperor (The Earth and Its Peoples,4th ed., p. 773/5rh ed., p. 153). with about two dozen s}rmbols, each representing a sound. The Greeks would add to this system by including vowels (The Earth and Its Peop)es,4tr ed., p. 11. ANswER: B. The Phoenicians developed an alphabet 712/5t'ed., p. 91). 12. ANswER: D. The Persian Empire, like many others, imposed a tribute system so as to collect wealth ftom those it controlled. While some of these resources were used to pay for the empire's expenses, the king kept much of it. The system also reminded those in the region where power rested (The Earth and.Its Peoples,4th ed', p' 130/5th ed., p. 111). 13. AN5WER: B. Though relatively small today, Zoroastrianism was one of the great religions of the ancient world" and its ideas were a major influence on Judaism and subsequently Christianity (The Earth and lts Peoples,4th ed., p. 732/5n ed., p. L16). 14. ANSWER: D. Gender roles varied across the Greek city-states. In sparta, for example, women were expected to raise strong children, exercise, and be seen in public. In Athens' however, women were confined to the home and their rights suppressed (The Earth and Its Peop)es,ltn ud., p. L47/Stb ed., p. 1'27)". 15. ANSWER: A. Alexander the Great maintained the Persian model for ruling over a large territory, but he replaced Persian officials with his supporters (The Earth and Its Peoples,4th ed., p. 151/5th ed., p. 130). @201 1 Cengage Leaming. All Rights Resewed. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. The Middle East: Ca. 8000 e.c.r.-600 c.r .i. 93 Fnee-RespoNsE Quesrorrrs 1. A good response will begin with the emergence of settled communities after the Agricultural Revolution and then move to the emergence of civilization in Mesopotamia. Though many civilizations dotted the region, generalizations about government can be made and then supported by using the specific details about the political structure and actions of Sumeria or Babylonia. The next key aspect of political change is the rise of empires; the political structure of the empires was much more extensive than the political structure of the ciff'states; empires expanded beyond their homeland, conquered other people, and needed a bureaucracy to rule over diverse people in distant lands. A good response would include analysis of the brutal rule of the Assyrians and the decentralized nature of the Persian Empire. 2. When comparing belief systems, it is important to frame the basis of the comparison. For example, belief systems could be compared according to the nature of god or gods, important texts, laws that govern behavior, or their impact on social and gender structures. In this case, choosing Judaism and Christianity would allow for analysis of similarities that stem from the fact that Christianity grew out of Judaism, as well as the differences that exist. Selecting polylheism and one of the others would allow for clear distinctions in the nature of god(s), wfro practiced each religion, and when they originated. The importance of religion in people's lives and the way religion influences behavior are similarities that could be explored. @201 I Cengage Leaming. All Rights Resened. May not be scamed, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.