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6th and 7th Grade History Review
Early Humans Review
Please define the following key terms in your notebook:
1. Adapt-To change your way of life in a new environment.
2. Archaeology- The study of past life by examining fossils and artifacts.
3. Culture- A way of life which includes customs, music, dance and art.
4. Migration- A permanent move of people from one area to another.
5. Modify- To change the environment to meet your own needs.
6. Nomad- A person who moves with the seasons.
7. Prehistory- The time period before the development of writing.
Thoroughly explain the following key concepts:
1. How does the invention and use of tools explain the development of technology?
Tools evolved from crudely shaped pieces of stone to precise instruments. Tool making
demonstrates the idea of taking an existing object and making it more useful.
2. Why did early humans wander in bands?
Early humans wandered in bands following migrating herds of animals during seasonal
changes to their environment.
3. How did early humans adapt to their environment?
Early humans adapted to their environment by living in caves for shelter, gathering berries and
nuts for food, and wearing clothing for warmth.
4. How did early humans modify their environment?
Humans modified their environment by cutting down trees to build shelters, domesticating of
plants and animals, and burning forests to create farmland.
5. Why did early humans migrate throughout the world and what path did they follow?
Human migration began in Africa, followed by Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and then
South America. Humans migrated due to changes in climate, and food supply.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
6. What did archaeologists learn by studying Paleolithic Art?
Archaeologists learned that early humans eventually became hunters, they had enough spare
time to create cave art, they had religious or spiritual beliefs, and the decorated their homes or
caves.
Ancient China Study Guide
Key Terms:
-Anarchy- A State of disorder and confusion.
-Filial piety- Devotion to parents and family.
-Yin and Yang- The balance of two forces at work in the universe. Yang represented man,
day, and activity. Yin represented women, night, and calmness.
-Era of Warring States- Confusion and disorder ruled during this era in Chinese history over
power and control. China was very difficult to rule due to its size, and geographical boundaries
such as deserts, mountains, and rivers, and oceans.
-Mandate of Heaven- The belief that heaven was supreme force in nature that gave dynasties
the right to rule.
-Describe traditional Chinese family relationships- Older men had the most power and
rights in an Ancient Chinese family. The main goal of marriage in China was to strengthen
wealth and social status of the family. It was also common for extended family (large group of
family living together) which included grandparents, and aunts and uncles to live together. In
addition, many families had several generations of family members living under the same roof.
Ancestor worship or honoring the spirits of the dead was an important practice in Ancient
Chinese families. It was thought that honoring the family’s deceased relatives, would bring
good fortune to the family, and the spirits of deceased relatives would watch over the family.
-The Silk Road- Established during the Han dynasty. A trade route extended from Asia to
Europe. Goods such as Silk and Jade were exported and brought great wealth to the Han
Dynasty, as well as an exchange of ideas, and philosophies with the west. Along with the
expansive trade route, were control posts to help make travel safer from thieves.
-Han Dynasty achievements- Inventions include: paper, porcelain, the seismograph,
compasses, star maps, and the wheelbarrow.
Key People:
-Emperor Qin- Conquered all rival kingdoms in battle to unify China, established uniform
standards in commerce, standardized a single written language, ordered the construction of
the Great Wall to defend China from nomads on China’s Northern boarders & ordered a
massive tomb complex that included over 6,000 Terra Cotta soldiers to guard him in the
afterlife..
-Zhang Qian His long journey during the Han Dynasty lead to the establishment of the Silk
Road.
Philosophies: -Legalism Legalists believed that people were evil by nature and respond to
rewards and punishments.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
-Confucianism- The philosophy of leading by example, emphasis on living a good moral life.
Women had very limited role of importance and influence according to Confucian teachings.
-Daoism- Emphasizes living a simple and natural life. People were believed inherently good by
nature.
-Pure Land Buddhism- Buddhism was brought to China from Indian missionaries. Buddhism
spread through China mainly because it gave people a hope for an afterlife. Some Chinese
rulers felt Buddhism was not a true faith, because it did not originate in China.
Dynasties: In chronological order
-Shang Dynasty- first settled in the North China Plain, and was responsible for the first written
records in China. Shang artists also created and worked with bronze.
-Zhou Dynasty- Preceded the Qin Dynasty in China. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any
other in Chinese history. During the Zhou, the use of iron was introduced to China. After the
Zhou dynasty fell, the Era of warring states took place.
-Qin Dynasty- Credited for the construction of the Great wall to defend China against invaders
from the north. Emperor Qin ruled by Legalist philosophy. Emperor Qin is also remembered for
his life sized terra cotta soldier army constructed as part of his tomb complex.
-Han Dynasty Established the Silk Road trading routes, instituting civil service exams,
expanding the Chinese empire, and lowered taxes, and ended censorship.
Questions:
How did the geography of China influence it’s interaction with other cultures?
China’s isolation due to its size and natural boundaries which included deserts, mountains,
rivers, and oceans cut China off from the rest of Asia. The construction of the Great Wall
symbolized China’s isolation. It was not until The Han Dynasty that China began exporting and
importing goods, and exchanging ideas with India, and Europe along the famed Silk Road.
Byzantine Empire Review
1. Patriarch- Bishops/religious leaders of the church.
2. Missionary- someone sent to another country to spread their religious beliefs.
3. Icon- A religious picture or image.
4. Catholic- Universal, concerned with all people.
5. Moat- A ditch filled with liquid that surrounds a fortress or castle to serve as protection
from invaders.
6. Constantine- Roman emperor credited with making Christianity the official religion of the
Roman Empire, and spreading the faith by sending missionaries to foreign lands.
Constantine also moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople, located in
modern day Istanbul, Turkey.
7. Justinian- Remembered for the establishment of his law codes, and his ambition of
expanding the Roman Empire back to its former glory. He accomplished this through the
often mistreatment of his own people.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
8. Theodora- Justinian’s wife who had supported her husbands ambitions at any cost. She
is credited for providing women, and peasants with more rights.
9. Prince Vladimir of Kiev- Sent representative to Constantinople who were so impressed
with the Hagia Sophia, the interest in Christianity was spread to Russia, and nearby Slavic
lands.
10. Hagia Sophia- One of the most impressive structures ever built. Originally it was build
as a Christian cathedral by the order of Justinian over 1500 years ago. Architecturally, it’s
known for its massive dome over 185 feet above the floor of the cathedral. The Hagia
Sophia was the most important building in Constantinople, and served to influence many
foreign traders and scholars who were amazed with its scale and beauty. When the Turks
took over Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque and currently serves
as a museum.
11. Justinian’s Code- Justinian ordered a group of lawyers to simplify the very complicated
existing Roman law system. This law code is the foundation for several modern legal
systems
12. The Great Schism- The division of the Christian church into the Roman Catholic, and
Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054. Events leading up to the Christian church split include
the controversy over icon use, rituals being said in Latin vs. Greek, and whether priests
should be able to marry.
13. In what way did missionaries influence Russia & nearby Slavic lands? Eastern
Orthodox missionaries helped spread the beliefs and teachings of Christianity. As a result
of the missionaries work, many Eastern Europeans practice Eastern Orthodox Christianity
to this day. The Cyrillic alphabet gave the Slavs their first written language. Forms of this
alphabet are still used to write Russian, Serbian, and other Slavic languages today.
14. List the architectural & cultural successes of the Byzantine Empire. By far, the
construction of the Hagia Sophia by order of Emperor Justinian in the years 532-537 is the
best example of Byzantine architecture. The main feature of the cathedral is its massive
dome rising up 185 feet above the floor. Byzantine art was flat, formal, and religious in
nature. Icons and mosaics were the most typical art forms. Culturally, libraries in Byzantine
cities copied and preserved manuscripts from Greece and Rome. Many epics, poems, and
philosophy would have been lost if not for Byzantine libraries.
15. What were some of the benefits of having Constantinople as the capital of the Roman
Empire?
Constantinople was closer to the crossroads of trade routes between east and west. Being
situated on a peninsula, it was easier to defend than Rome was. Constantine’s armies
could also travel more swiftly from Constantinople to its eastern frontiers.
Christianity and Roman Achievements Review
1. Martyr- A person who severely suffers or dies for their beliefs.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
2. Disciple- A Christian follower.
3. Epistle- A letter to early churches written by a Christian apostle.
4. Apostle- A follower of Jesus who went out to spread his message.
5. Conversion- A heartfelt change in one’s opinions or beliefs.
6. New Testament- Early Christian writings that include the life and teachings of Jesus.
7. Trinity- The idea of three persons in one God. (The father, the son, and the Holy Spirit.)
8. Paul- Formally named Saul, persecuted early Christians, until visited by Jesus in a vision,
and told to spread his message. Paul is one of the authors of the New Testament and a
disciple of Jesus who traveled through the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus often
suffering persecution for his beliefs.
9. Virgil- A well loved poet who wrote odes.
10. Constantine- The emperor credited for building “New Rome” Constantinople on the site of
an old Greek city now known as Istanbul in present day Turkey. Constantine also ended
Christian persecution by declaring Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
11. Aqueduct- A structure for carrying water across land.
12. Inflation- A rise in the cost goods or the cost of living.
13. Concrete- Building material invented by the Romans which made the creation of many
splendid Government building possible due to it’s lightweight and strength.
14. Pantheon- A domed temple built to honor the Roman Gods, was later transformed into a
Catholic Church.
15. Augustus- The grand nephew of Julius Caesar, originally named Octavian was an emperor
who encouraged and funded writers and artists in their work. This lead to great works of
Roman art and literature. The Pax Romana or Roman time of peace occurred during his reign.
16. Latin-The language of the Romans, in which modern romance languages are based on.
English is based on both Greek and Latin origins.
17. Denarius- Roman currency mostly made of copper coins.
18. Describe the foundation, beliefs and spread of Christianity- The foundation of Christianity is
based on Judaism and the life and teachings of Jesus. Jesus’ teachings focused on equality,
peace, and ways of attaining happiness, and everlasting life in heaven. Jesus’ disciples spread
6th and 7th Grade History Review
his teachings and beliefs throughout Europe and Asia after his crucifixion and resurrection
from the dead.
19. Who were included under Roman citizenship? Men from Rome and some men from
conquered lands.
20. List important Roman inventions- Concrete, Advanced roads and road networks, our
calendar, and days of the week, and roman numerals.
21. Describe features of Roman architecture- Rounded arches, square buildings with flat roofs,
and homes that often contained sewage systems.
22. Describe characteristics of Roman art- Paintings, mosaics, and sculpture of people
depicted them as they actually were, instead of in an ideal state (Greek Art).
23. Describe the features of Roman government- Roman government was originally ruled by
Etruscan kings, followed by a Roman republic where citizen had the right to vote and elect
officials. Lastly, Rome was ruled by emperors.
24. What factors lead to the fall of the Roman Empire? Barbarian invasions, decline in moral
values, environmental and public health problems, excessive military spending to defend the
empire, inferior technology, inflation, political corruption, rise in Christianity, unemploy
Egypt Review
Afterlife- The central belief that life did not end at death. Egyptians believed that in the afterlife,
people would enjoy all of the things they had loved in life.
Embalming- The process of removing the organs and drying out the body in preparation for the
afterlife.
Upper & Lower Egypt- Egypt was divided into two lands, upper & lower. Upper Egypt was
actually located in the south, and Lower Egypt was located in the north due to the origination of
the Nile River south of Egypt. Lower Egypt was considered to be the black land due to its
fertile soil along the banks of the rivers delta that emptied into the Mediterranean Sea. Upper
Egypt was considered to be the red land, signifying it to be desert land.
Hieroglyphics- Egyptian writing often expressed in symbols that was understood by the
discovery of the Rosetta stone.
Papyrus- Was the first paper, which was made of the reeds of the papyrus plant.
Pharaoh- An Egyptian ruler. Egyptian Pharaoh’s were believed to be living gods. To become
Pharaoh it was customary that your father or close relative was pharaoh before you.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
The name became a sign of respect. Most Pharaoh’s were men, but women occasionally
earned Pharaoh or ruler status.
Describe the contributions of the following important people in Egyptian & Nubian History:
Hatshepsut-Queen who became Pharaoh. Her rule was supposed to be temporary, but last
twenty years. She placed more importance on peace and prosperity than on expanding
Egypt’s borders.
Akhenaten- Changed his name from Amenhotep IV to Akhenaten. He changed Egyptian
religious beliefs from polytheism to monotheism under his rule. All Egyptians were ordered to
worship one god, Aten. He was also the only Pharaoh to believe in monotheism or the belief in
one god. Akhenaten also moved the capital of Egypt from Thebes to Amarna.
Khufu- The Pharaoh of Egypt’s old kingdom. Most well known for the ordering of the
construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza as a funerary monument to himself. Unfortunately,
Khufu is remembered for being a cruel and ruthless ruler.
Ramses II- Lived into his 90’s, is said to have had over 100 wives, and close to 200 children.
Famous for the temple built for himself and his favorite wife Nefari at Abu Simbel. Temple was
built to ward off enemies from Kush.
1. The yearly flooding of the Nile deposited rich soil on the banks of the Nile, which was
great for farming. The best farm land in Egypt was along the Nile delta. It was a marshy
area near the Mediterranean Sea that was always had moist and rich soil.
2. The Pharaoh and his family were at the top of the social pyramid, followed by high
priests, military leaders. The next level included specialized workers, farmers, then
slaves that were usually captured in war or serving a punishment due to a crime or debt.
3. Egyptian art consisted mainly as a series straight lines. Gods were often depicted with
the body of a human and the head of an animal. Profiles, with one elongated visible eye
showing. The elongated eye symbolized the eye as being a window into the soul.
4. Kush had a very convenient location. They were located just south of Egypt, and just
north of the rest of central Africa, therefore Kush controlled the trade routes. Egypt in
turn imposed its military will, and Kush was made to pay tribute to Egypt bringing gold,
Ivory and other valuables to Egypt. After the rule of Ramses II, Egypt’s government
collapsed. Rival leaders were so busy fighting one another that they forgot about
maintaining Egypt’s control over Kush. This was a costly oversight, which lead to Kush
conquering Egypt. Rulers from Kush ruled Egypt for almost a century, and might have
remained in power longer if they had been content to govern only Egypt. Instead, Kush
tried to expand their power, going to war with the Assyrians. The error in judgment led
to the Nubian’s downfall. Assyrian troops invaded Egypt in 663 B.C. After suffering
many losses in battle, the Nubians retreated from Egypt to Kush.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
5. Egypt is located in North Eastern Africa. The climate of Egypt is hot and dry most of the
year, with the exception of seasonal flooding of the Nile River in the spring. The flooding
is due to seasonal snow melt overflowing the river at its origin some 3,500 miles to the
south.
6. Egyptians believed in an afterlife, where they could enjoy all of the things they enjoyed
in this life. But they had to prepare. Egyptians believed you could only enter into the
afterlife, if you had lived a good moral life, and by having their bodies preserved after
death. Therefore, Egyptians went to great lengths to mummify or preserve the body for
its journey into the afterlife.
7. Egyptians believed that a person had two spirits. One was Ka or life force. The other
was Ba, or the soul. For a person to live forever, the Ka and Ba had to be united with
the body after death. The person’s heart was weighed against the feather of truth. Only
a person that was light hearted, meaning living a good moral life could pass into the
afterlife.
8. The evolution of funerary monuments in Egypt began with people being buried in the
sand. Often, wind, wild animals or grave robbers disturbed the bodies. Next, Mastabas
were built to protect and honor the death. Unfortunately, the tombs were still robbed and
disturbed. This lead to the build of the first pyramid, the step pyramid. The step pyramid
was a series of mastabas stacked on top of one another, each step being smaller that
the previous step, like a layer cake. Once again, the tombs were still disturbed and
robbed. This lead to the first attempt of the building of a true pyramid. Unfortunately, the
pyramid was constructed on top of sand, and the weight of the blocks combined with the
shifting sands lead to the side of the pyramid to cave in on themselves, which lead to
the pyramid appearing to be bent. Next, Egyptians learned from previous mistakes, and
build the true pyramid on top of a Limestone quarry. Although its construction was an
engineering marvel, the elaborate tomb located in the center of the great pyramid was
still robbed. Pyramid building took many years, and thousands of workers, and still
proved not to be secure. This lead to the construction of tombs being build into the cliff
walls in the Valley of the Kings & Queens. The tombs took less time construct, but
nevertheless were still robbed.
Study Guide for the Ancient Hebrews and Judaism
Define the following terms:
Covenant- A binding agreement between God and his people.
Diaspora- Community of Jews living away from their ancient homeland.
Ethical- Behavior based on right and wrong.
Exile- Separation from ones homeland.
Monotheism- The belief in one God.
Prophet- A messenger sent from God.
Rabbi-A Jewish religious teacher.
Scriptures- Sacred writings.
Ten Commandments- Laws for the Jewish people to live by that Moses received from God at
Mount Sinai.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
Identify the following people:
Abraham- A Patriarch and first leader of the Jewish people.
Moses- Lead the Jewish people out of Slavery in Egypt.
Naomi- Mother in law to Ruth.
Ruth- The female role model used as an example for humility and respect to her mother-in-law.
David- The Israelite King who is thought to be the author of many Psalms still used today, also
known for defeating Goliath.
Solomon- Hebrew king and son of King David was known for his great wisdom.
Yohanan ben Zaccai- Created a center for Religious scholars preserving Jewish teachings.
Nebuchadnezzar- Babylonian ruler responsible for conquering Judah.
Cyrus the Great- Allowed the Jews to travel home to Jerusalem from Babylon and built the
second temple.
Answer the following questions:
1. A famine occurred in Canaan, and Jacob’s family moved to Egypt where they
continued to grow. According to Exodus, as Jacob’s descendants became more
numerous, the Pharaoh of Egypt became mistrustful of them. Exodus describes how the
Pharaoh enslaved and mistreated the Israelites.
2. The Jewish people believe that the land of modern Israel was promised to them by God,
therefore called the “Promised land.”
3. The sources of the central beliefs of Judaism are from the Torah, which also includes
the Ten Commandments. These beliefs and writings have also greatly influenced the
religions of Christianity and Islam.
4. After the death of King Solomon, the kingdom became divided. Through this division,
the kingdom became weak, and vulnerable to invasion, which inevitably occurred.
The building of synagogues (place of worship) and the writings and teachings of the Torah
(which contains the laws and history of the Jewish people) taught by Rabbi’s allowed the
Jewish faith to survive.
High & Late Middle Ages Review
1. Clergy- People who devote their lives to serve as church officials.
2. Common law- A body of law that is developed from custom and judges’ decisions.
3. Secular- Non- religious.
4. Crusade- A Christian religious war aimed to regain what was believed to be their holy
land. In 1096, Pope Urban II began to call for a crusade to defend Constantinople & liberate
Jerusalem from the Turks. By 1099, the first crusade had captured Jerusalem and protected
Constantinople. Europeans mounted three more crusades, but none were as successful as the
first. During the 4th Crusade in 1204, crusaders ignored orders, and looted the wealthy city of
Constantinople killing Christians as well as Muslims. The Byzantines never forgave Latin
Christians. However, the Crusades had lasting effects by opening Europeans eyes to the rest
of the world. Peasants who had never been father from home than the next village suddenly
saw new lands, people, and ways of life. The crusades also encouraged trade with the East.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
Crusaders returned home with silk, spices, and other exotic goods. Demands for these
products at home caused European traders to expand their trade routes to Asia. The crusades
may have prompted Europeans to explore other parts of the world, but also brought the plague
to Europe by way of trade routes from Central Asia.
5. Heresy- A belief that is rejected by church officials.
6. Three-field farming- A productive planting system featuring spring & summer crops, which
enabled farmers to harvest from 2/3 of their land apposed to only ½ of their land under crop
rotation. This system also allowed farmers to plant spring & summer crops, which helped
prevent famine if one harvest failed or was destroyed.
7. Crop rotation- Changing the use of fields over time.
8. Famine- Severe shortage of food.
9. Mendicant- A priest who lives by begging.
10. Cathedral- A major church headed by a bishop. Cathedrals controlled the towns and often
housed religious relics which drew pilgrims from distant lands, which helped increase the local
economy. The increased wealth brought to the church also lead to the creation of the first
Universities in Europe & increased the church’s power.
11. The Norman conquest- William the Conqueror invaded southern England during the Battle
of Hastings, where Normans (Vikings form Northern France) invaded, looted and burned parts
of England. His army fought their way across England, and on Christmas Day 1066, William
was crowned King of England. King
William introduced the feudal system.
12. Saladin- Muslim leader during the 3rd Crusade who was known for fairness and
compassion.
13. King John- He was known for raising taxes to support his failed military campaigns, and his
constant abuse of power. English barons banded together & forced King John to sign the
Magna Carta, which not only limited his power, but also that of future monarchs. This set the
framework for the birth of Parliament, and the Bill of Rights.
14. Magna Carta- In 1219, England’s leaders had enough of King John’s high taxes and
military failures. Rebellious barons forced the king to approve a document that promised all
people certain rights. This document was called the Magna Carta, Latin for “Great Charter.”
The Magna Carta is most noted for recognizing the right of trial by jury in court cases.
15. Reconquesta- Christians from northern Spain united, they bound together and aimed to
persecute or cast out all Jewish & Muslim people from Spain. The loss of these two religious
groups did great harm to Spain’s economy & culture.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
16. Inquisition- The punishing, torture, and killing of people that spoke out against church
policy or who were non-Christian.
17. Pope Gregory IX- Created the inquisition, which punished, tortured and killed people that
spoke out against the church and its beliefs.
18. Age of Faith- Time period during the Middle Ages when times when beautiful churches &
Cathedrals were built all over Europe.
19. St. Francis of Assisi- Left a life of wealth to become a mendicant. A famous St. Francis
quote is, “Lord, give me the strength to accept the things I can not change, the courage to
change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
20. The Plague or Black Death- Widespread disease that swept across Europe. The plague
originated in Mongolia and spread to Europe through trade routes. The disease was carried by
fleas on rats. The plague killed 1/3 of all people in Europe, and up to ½ the population in some
parts of Europe. People began to question their faith, place in the religious community, and
looked to blame & persecute others for the cause of the Plague.
21. Guilds- Groups of artisans that focus on one type of product to produce. Guilds provided a
higher standard for quality workmanship, and also set a price for all the goods their members
sold.
22. Impact of trade between Europe & Asia- After silk, spices, and jewelry were brought back
to Europe from Asia after the Crusades, many European sought out these exotic goods. Trade
routes were set up which made trade possible with Europe & Asia. Trade also encouraged the
exchange of ideas and philosophy. Banking was also created as a way for traders to avoid
carrying al of their gold coins with them in fear of robbery.
Once again, one major downfall of this trade was the introduction of the Black Plague by was
of Mongolia. Fleas and Rats carrying the the disease were carried along with traders goods.
Once the goods reached their European location, The Bubonic plague spread like wild fire.
Mesopotamia Study Guide:
Mesopotamia: the land between the rivers
Reliable Water Source:
 Built canals, dams, reservoirs, and levees, to control the water from the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers and to supply water to their crops.
 Irrigation System was complex and required constant maintenance.
Stable Food Supply:
 Developed agriculture; grew enough to have a SURPLUS, which led to TRADE.
 Invented the plow – sped planting and turning of the soil.
6th and 7th Grade History Review


Invented the wheel – aided in transporting goods to market,
Ate, wheat, barley, fish, cattle, waterfowl, sheep, goats.
Social Structure:
 Kings, priests at the top; nobles, and scribes next; then craftsmen, merchants, farmers;
followed by commoners and then slaves.
 Social structure was quite rigid; very difficult to move up.
Specialized Jobs and Technology:
 Metal workers, farmers, doctors, ditch maintenance, potters, house builders, fishermen,
priests, scribes, kings, soldier, merchants, weavers.
 Plow, arch, wheel, carts, cuneiform.
System of Government:
 Monarchy, kings.
 Taxes levied, used to build walls around city-states, build and maintain the Ziggurat and
the irrigation system. Also used to pay for soldiers to fight when needed.
 Scribes used cuneiform to keep track of taxes, crops, and trade.
 People believed that the gods chose the king.
Highly Developed Culture:
A.) Religion:
 Polytheistic – worshipped many gods.
 Built ziggurats in the center of every city-state for worship. Believed that the gods
slept there. Built stairs so the gods could come down to earth, and so that the
priests could bring the gods gifts.
 People believed that their gods needed to be worshiped and pleased.
B.) Music:
 Used as entertainment and to please the gods.
 Pipa, lyre, pipes, drums.
C.) Art:
 Statues, figurines, pottery, cloth, painting
 Used for decoration, religious purposes, to transmit stories and myth.
D.) Architecture:
 Developed the arch, built ziggurats, mud-brick homes, had two-story buildings,
built walls around their cities (to protect them from attack by other city-states)
E.) Laws:
 Code of Hammurabi – a set of written laws, the first set of written laws.
 Told the punishments for the crime, social classes treated differently.
F.) Writing System:
 Developed cuneiform. Used a stylus to write.
 Used to keep track of goods traded, taxes collected.
Cultural borrowing: the transfer of ideas and/or customs from one culture to another.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
Barbarian: persons without civilization.
Power: In the social pyramid, power increases as you move to the top of the pyramid. i.e. the
king has more power than a noble, who has more power than a craftsman/farmer/merchant,
who has more power than a commoner. . .
Social Structure and Population: There are more people in the lower classes than in the
middle, and there are more in the middle than at the top.
Development of Civilization in Mesopotamia: People were living in the Zagros Mtns. Their
population grew to the point where they did not have enough farm land to feed everyone. They
decided to move to the Tigris and Euphrates river valley. There they found fertile soil and a
reliable water source to grow food. To control the water supply the people built levees, dams,
and irrigation canals. Over time, the irrigation canals would fill with silt and stop flowing. The
system needed constant maintenance. If some villages didn’t clean their canals, the flow of
water would stop for villages down stream. This led to conflict. The development of city-states
was a result of this conflict and the loyalty that people felt towards the villagers they lived
with/near. The development of agricultural techniques and tools such as the plow and ox cart
led to a surplus of food and it also allowed many people to pursue different types of jobs such
as scribes, potters, home builders, etc. As life grew more complex, leaders came forward and
a system of government was developed to handle the challenges of living with a large number
of people, maintaining complex farming and irrigation systems, controlling trade, developing
laws, and enforcing rules. Conflict between city-states led to the building of protective walls.
Writing developed so that the governors could keep track of goods traded, taxes collected, and
how the income was spent on projects.
Gilgamesh the King: Myth. Passed on orally until writing developed and it was finally written
down. Gilgamesh was said to be half man and half god. This shows that the people felt that
their king was more powerful than the regular people.
Roman Republic Review
1. In what ways did the Etruscans influence the Romans? The Etruscans influenced the
Roman’s sports (gladiator combat & chariot racing), type of government, the use of the barrel
arch, and moving water with canals.
2. In what ways did the Greeks influence the Romans?
The Greeks mainly influenced the Romans through Mythology, architecture, and the building of
monuments.
3. Describe the geography of Rome.
Rome is a city built on seven hills which was on a broad, flat plane known as Latium.
Rome also had a tremendous amount of farmland unlike Greece.
4. Who were Romulus and Remus?
6th and 7th Grade History Review
According to legend, Romulus and Remus are said to be the mythological founders of Rome.
The two brothers were said to be rescued by a she-wolf who nurtured and cared for both boys
as infants. Romulus and Remus both watched for an omen to decide where to build their city.
They later struggled to see where Rome would be built, and a battle ensued in which Romulus
is said to have killed his brother Remus, and became the first king of Rome.
5. Explain the influence of Julius Caesar’s role in Rome’s transition from a republic to an
empire? Julius Caesar was very successful Roman General, but is better known for seizing
governmental control, and declaring himself dictator. Most poor Roman’s supported Julius
Caesar, as he was fair to the lower classes; however the Senate feared his power, and plotted
to assassinate him, which sent Rome into a period of turmoil.
6. What contributed to the success of Roman expansion? Roman expansion succeeded by
making allies, and sharing wealth with conquered people. In addition, the Roman’s even
granted citizenship to some conquered people.
7. Where did Rome’s early expansion begin and who did it conquer?
Rome’s early expansion began by taking over the Italian Peninsula, and conquering the
Etruscans, and the Greeks.
8. Describe the first form of Government in Rome. Rome was first ruled by Etruscan Kings.
9. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of being a soldier in the Roman army?
The advantages of becoming a soldier in the Roman army were being paid for your service,
especially important for farmers who could only farm during certain seasons, possible military
power, and increase in social status. The disadvantage of becoming a Roman soldier, was the
risk of death or dismemberment, soldiers were viewed as numbers rather than people, many
soldiers who went off to battle lost their farms while being away at battle.
10. What was the basis of the Roman economy? Farming was the basis of the Roman
economy.
11. Why did Roman cities flourish in becoming centers of business and trade? Roman cities
became centers of business and trade by having a network of paved roads which allowed
goods to move freely.
12. What were the Twelve Tables/Tablets? Who were they significant to? The Twelve Tablets
established the first written laws in Rome. The established laws were especially significant to
Plebeians who were often at the mercy of wealthy, powerful Patricians.
13. Who were the Patricians? The Patricians were wealthy landowners, the original senators,
and most Patricians supported the expansion of Rome. For Patricians, expansion brought
those in power more wealth, and land owners slaves from conquered lands. The Patricians
controlled the power, and wealth until the Plebeians revolted.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
14. Who were the Plebeians? The Plebeians were farmers, merchants, and soldiers. Overall,
they did not support the expansion of Rome because they were the ones who had to leave
their families and fight, and the Patricians often were the ones benefiting from the conquests of
new land and resources. The Plebeians left Rome and it’s military because they wanted more
political power. The Plebeians eventually earned equality over a 200 year period of struggle.
15. What are Fasces Sticks, and what do they symbolize? Fasces Sticks were a symbol of
government power the Romans took from the Etruscans. Fasces Sticks symbolized the
leader’s ability and power to destroy and rebuild their civilization.
Study Guide for India
1. Explain the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism.
Buddhism is a religion based on the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha was
a prince who gave up a life wealth to find the answers to his questions about human suffering.
Buddhists follow the teachings of Siddhartha by studying and practicing the 4 noble truths and
the eightfold path. Buddhists believe that greed is the cause of all pain & suffering, and the
way to enlightenment is through the elimination of greed.
Hindus believe in a supreme god Brahman. If a Hindu wants to be born into a higher social
level in the next life they must follow their dharma and earn good karma. The caste system is
now abolished in modern India. All Hindu gods are part of one supreme god Brahman.
2. Explain the importance of the Ganges and Indus river systems.
The Ganges and Indus rivers bring fresh water for drinking, bathing, irrigation of crops, silt
deposits for good soil, and provide a natural boundary. They are fed from the snow melt of the
Himalayan mountain range.
3. Identify the following terms:
Dharma- Living a moral life. Doing what is right, and your duty.
Atman- The human soul.
Karma- The sum of all good and bad actions that determines what physical form a person will
be reborn into.
Caste System- The belief that all people are born into different social levels based on their
dharma and karma of their previous life. There is no movement between castes during ones
life. The way to move up in the caste is to have good dharma and karma in your current life.
The caste system is now abolished in India.
Four Noble Truths-Teach that human greed is the cause of suffering, and release from that
greed will in turn end suffering.
Subcontinent- A large landmass that is somewhat separated, and smaller than the surrounding
continent. Example: India & the continent of Asia.
6th and 7th Grade History Review
Monsoons- Seasonal (occur on a regular pattern) wind pattern that brings heavy rains to parts
of India.
Reincarnation- The rebirth to a new form.
4. Identify the following important people and Hindu Gods who play an important role in Indian
History:
Siddhartha Gautama- The Buddhist religion is based on the life of this man. (See Buddhism)
Asoka- The Mauryan ruler who helped spread the Buddhist faith throughout India and Asia.
Asoka went through a great transformation from a ruthless dictator, to a ruler who was fair and
just.
Brahman- The one supreme Hindu God and universal spirit.
5. Explain and locate the geographic features of the Indian subcontinent. (I.S.N. Page 2-3)