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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
Chapter Summary. The classical civilizations that sprang up on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea from
about 800 B.C.E. until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 C.E. rivaled their counterparts in India and China in
richness and impact. Centered first in the peninsula of Greece, then in Rome, the new Mediterranean culture did
not merely constitute a westward push of civilization from its earlier bases in the Middle East and along the
Nile. They also represent the formation of new institutions and values that would reverberate in the later history
of the Middle East and Europe alike. For most Americans, classical Mediterranean culture constitutes “our own”
classical past. We can clearly recognize the connections and our own debt without adhering to the notion that
the Mediterranean world somehow dominated the classical period. Greco-Roman history is one of the three
major classical civilizations, more dynamic than its Chinese and Indian counterparts in some respects but
noticeably less successful in others. Classical Mediterranean civilization is complicated by the fact that it passed
through two centers during its centuries of vigor. Roman interests were not identical to those of Greece,
although the Romans carefully preserved most Greek achievements. For several centuries, the Persian Empire
far surpassed Greece in significance, certainly in the Middle East but also in the eastern Mediterranean more
generally. The Empire established significant traditions still visible in present day Iran and generated one of the
significant religions in world history, in Zoroastrianism.
INTRODUCTION
1. One of the more famous events at modern Olympic Games is the marathon, a run of 26 miles.
Why is a marathon 26 miles?
2. Why did Persia invade Greece?
3. How does the expression “brains over brawn” apply to the final Greek victory over Persia at
sea?
4. Who was Alexander the Great’s teacher?
5. What impact did Alexander the Great have on Greek culture?
6. Identify the period when Greek culture spread and blended with other cultures (syncretism)
the most.
7. Where did the Mediterranean culture begin and where did its center later move to?
8. Identify the specific architectural similarities between the buildings below.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.
The White House, Washington D.C.
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
The Pantheon, Rome
The Parthenon, Athens, Greece
9. Why do those similarities exist?
10. Use the double bubble map below to diagram similarities and differences between Greece and
Rome during the classical period.
Rome
Greece
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
THE PERSIAN TRADITION
11. What Middle Eastern civilization inherited many of Mesopotamia’s achievements? Who was
its founder?
12. What were 3 key characteristics of Persian political institutions?
13. What was Zoroastrianism? What present day religion(s) does Zoroastrianism resemble in
some aspects? Identify the similarities.
14. What famous pseudo-Greek (i.e. “sort of” Greek) conquered the Persians?
15. What modern day country exists at the heart of the old Persian Empire? (HINT: It sounds like
“Aryan” for a good reason.)
PATTERNS OF GREEK AND ROMAN HISTORY
GREECE
16. What do the Greeks and Aryans have in common?
17. IMPORTANT: What sort of political units did the Greeks have? What led the Greeks to have
this type of political unit rather than a unified empire?
18. In what area of the Mediterranean did the Greeks focus their trade and colonization efforts?
19. What two Greek city-states were at the heart of the Peloponnesian Wars and what did those
wars lead to?
20. Examine the architecture of the famous Treasury of Petra in the picture below. What elements
does it share with the buildings above? How do you think this building came to have those
characteristics? (HINT: map on p. 86)
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
ROME
21. What new Mediterranean power conquered and absorbed Greek culture?
22. What did the Romans do in 509 BCE that would inspire American colonists and thinkers in
the late 1700’s? What was established at this time?
23. Who was Rome’s opponent during the Punic Wars?
24. What role did Julius Caesar play in bringing about the end of the republic?
25. When Augustus seized power this began a new period in Roman history as Rome is now
referred to as the what?
26. How many years did this new political structure last? (Use your timeline on p. 82)
27. Compare the 1st half of this new Roman political structure’s history to the 2 nd half. In general,
what is the key difference between them?
28. What was the final catastrophe that marked the end Rome? How is this similar to the end of
Han China and Gupta India?
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
29. Besides that final reason for the fall of Rome, what were some other factors in its decline?
30. What new religion was adopted in Rome in 313 CE?
GREEK AND ROMAN POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
31. Describe the common political obligations and customs of citizens in Greece and Rome.
32. How were Greece and Rome’s political forms similar to India’s?
THINKING HISTORICALLY: THE CLASSICAL MEDITERRANEAN IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE
33. Fill in the chart below using just the first two paragraphs on page 89 in this section. Describe
the common political, economic, and social characteristics shared by Greece & Rome, India,
and China.
Point of Comparison
Greece
&
India China
Rome
Political –
 
Economic –
 
Social-
 
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
India
Social
hierarchy
Greece &
Rome
China
34. Record social hierarchy differences between the 3 classical civilizations. Focus on content in
paragraphs 3 (“Within this common …”), 4, 5, & 6. Address the following 3 areas: who was at
the top & bottom of each social class, mobility, and what held each system together. You may
write outside the triangles if needed.
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
ROME
35. Roman citizens would gather to vote in assemblies but they would not vote on laws. What
were they voting on?
36. What was the most powerful lawmaking body in the Roman Republic?
37. The United States has a President who serves as the executive (enforcing) authority. What did
Rome have?
38. Rome had an unusual practice of handing total power to one individual during emergencies
so quick and decisive decisions could be made for the good of the country. What was this
person called? What meaning does that same term have in today’s political world?
39. What happened to the Senate when the Roman Republic transformed into the Roman
Empire? Where did its power go?
40. Describe Rome’s attitude to toward various religions. (NOTE: if you are a Christian and
familiar with the Roman Empire’s treatment of early Christians please keep in mind that was
the EXCEPTION rather than the rule. Don’t let your biases lead you astray.)
41. The Chinese, starting with the Han, created an elaborate bureaucracy as a form of political
control and to manage government affairs. The Romans did not. What did the Romans
emphasize instead? (HINT: it’s another legacy of Rome to the West.)
42. What was the primary reason behind Rome’s decision to build roads and harbors, types of
public works?
43. How did Rome attempt to prevent disorder, especially among the lower classes?
44. If Rome was generally tolerant of other religions, why were Christians singled out for
persecution?
RELIGION AND CULTURE
45. How did Rome and Greece differ from India and China in the area of religion? (keep in mind
that for something to be significant it needs to spread and influence other areas)
46. What allowed Christianity to spread within the Roman Empire?
47. What was lacking from the Greco-Roman religion that lower class people desired?
48. During what sort of times or events did people turn to religion more often than other times?
(NOTE: this is human nature and explains why so many criminals become Christians or
Muslims while in prison and especially when they are about to be executed.)
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
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49. Read the quote below about the ruler of the Greek gods, Zeus (Jupiter to Romans), and then
explain why the Greeks and Romans had to invent separate ethical systems for people on which
to model their behavior whereas Hindus, Confucianists, Daoists, Buddhists, Jews, and
Christians did not.
Zeus did indeed bring order out of Chaos, but one of his failings was that he did not look
kindly upon the people, those creatures that populated the lands over which he reigned.
Many were not beautiful, and Zeus had contempt for anyone who was not beautiful. And of
course they were not immortal, as the Olympian gods were, and they complained about the
lack of good food and the everlasting cold nights. Zeus ignored their complaints, while he
and the other gods feasted endlessly on steaming hot game from the surrounding forests,
and had great crackling fires in every room of their palaces where they lived in the cold
winter.
“Greek Creation Myths” by Daphne Elliott
http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/greek_creation_myths.html
50. “Don’t believe everything you hear.” What famous Greek does this expression best personify?
Why?
51. Your text states that “the Greeks were not outstanding empirical scientists.” Look up the word
empirical and explain what the Greeks were not doing (usually) that students who study the
scientific method are taught to do in school today.
52. In what academic areas did Greeks produce important achievements?
53. What theory of Ptolemy’s was wrong but dominated Western teachings until the Renaissance?
54. In what area did Romans excel in particular?
.
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Chapter 4 Reading Guide: Classical Civilization in the
Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
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