7th grade Spring Final Study Guide
Ancient Rome
1. The Apennines mountain range runs all the way down the boot of Italy from north to
south. It is much less rugged than the mountain ranges of Greece. Why is this
geographical feature important in terms of the rise of the Roman Civilization?
Less isolated, easy to cross, able to grow crops
2. Why was the region of Carthage so desirable to Rome?
Trade routes
Many settlements along the coast
3. What change resulted from posting of the Twelve Tables?
Patricians had less power than before….plebeians had more rights.
4. Why the Romans were influenced by Greeks and Etruscans?
Because they were geographically located near Rome
5. What was the final change that made plebeians equal citizens?
Twelve Tables – right to write down laws
6. Rome was located about 15 miles up the Tiber River. Why was this location
advantageous?
-protection
-7 hills
-transportation
-trade
-water and food source
-travel
6. Why did some in Rome want to totally destroy Carthage during the 3rd Punic War?
Feared Carthage would regain power and dominate the Mediterranean Sea
region again
7. Why was the road system important in ancient Rome?
Connected many cities and allowed for travel and trade
8. The Twelve Tables was the foundation of Roman law, detailing all the laws regarding
wills, courts, and property.
9. Using the chart above, which conclusion can be drawn about the working middle class?
Majority of people with the least amount of power
10. How does the role of women today compare to Athenian women?
American women won right to vote. Athenian women did not.
11. A Roman judge said, “Whatever pleases the emperor is law.” What might a Roman
teenager say?
“Whatever pleases my father is law.”
Read this list:
 People paid high taxes
 Many people were poor
 Trade declined
12. The items on the list are examples of what type of problems that led to the end of the
Roman Empire?
Economic
13. What is an influence that the Roman Republic had on us today?
Government
14. How did the use of concrete affect the architecture of ancient Rome?
Sturdier, long lasting
15. One of Justinian’s greatest achievements was the Hagia Sophia, a huge church. The
Hagia Sophia, which was important to the Byzantine Empire, had a type of artwork
throughout the church which depicted figures of saints. What kind of artwork was
this?
Mosaics
16. Constantinople was a prosperous city based on several different factors dealing with its
location. What factors best described the New Empire?
Peninsula between two major trade routes
17. How was Justinian’s wife, Theodora, able to influence the Byzantine Empire?
-proactive in women’s rights, advised Justianian in several aspects
18. Why was the Justinian Code important to the Byzantine Empire and later on in other
countries throughout Europe?
Simplified laws to make them easier to understand for all
Middle Ages/Feudalism
19. What was the nickname given to the Middle Ages?
Dark Ages
20. The period known as “The Middle Ages” in Western Europe was characterized by:
Manor system and land ownership
21. The art, music, and philosophy of the medieval period in Europe generally dealt with:
Religious themes
22. Many workers died during the plague. How did their deaths affect those who
remained?
They were able to demand better pay and more rights.
23. What were the Holy Wars called?
Crusades
24. These actions are examples of what process?

Outlawing the selling of church positions

Prohibiting kings from appointing priests

Excommunicating Holy Roman emperor Henry IV
Strengthening the power of the church
25. A historian found a document that included the passage below, knowing only that it was
from the 1200s.
In the first place we have granted to God, and by this our present charter
confirmed for us and our heirs forever, that the English church shall be
free….No sheriff or bailiff of ours, or other person, shall take the horses or carts
of any freeman for transport duty, against the will of the said freemen.
What conclusion could the historian draw based on this passage?
At this time, freemen had very few rights.
26. What do these medieval items have in common? Military technology
Stone Wall
Moat
Knight’s Armor
27.
Medieval paintings often told the story of Christ’s life. What does this suggest
about people at that time?
Most could not read
28. Poor living conditions, crowded homes, spread of diseases, lack of medical treatment
and medical knowledge during Medieval Europe led one to believe which of the
following?
The lifespan of an individual was not long.
29. In the feudal system, an individual’s social status was generally determined by birth.
30. What were two indirect results of the Crusades?
-trade and commerce increased
-feudal system weakened
31. How was Joan of Arc, who was accused of being a witch, punished?
Burned at the stake
32. Who would have been most likely to make the following statement? pilgrim
I am traveling to Jerusalem to show God how sorry I am for having sinned.
I hope we have a safe journey.
33. Both the plague and the Hundred Years’ War had what effect?
Shift in power from feudal lards to common people and monarchs
34. The Crusades have been called “history’s most successful failure.” How would you best
explain this expression?
Did not achieve original goals but brought desirable changes to Europe
35. What was the name of the document that King John was forced to sign limiting the
power of the King?
36. “All things were under its domain….Its powers were such that no one could hope to
escape its scrutiny.”
37. If you were a customer who bought shoes from a cobbler, how might a guild help you?
38. In Europe, a long term effect of the Crusades was:
39. The term feudalism means __________.