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?
1. People were able to grow crops in these mountainous regions.
2. People were able to cross the mountains more easily to populate various areas of Italy.
3. Various communities were less isolated from one another.
2. Why was the region of Carthage so desirable to Rome?
It contained many settlements along the coast which made it a major transporter of goods.
3. What change resulted from posting of the Twelve Tables?
Patricians had less power than before.
4. Why the Romans were influenced by Greeks and Etruscans?
Rome was geographically near Greece and Etruria.
5. What was the final change that made plebeians equal citizens?
The right to pass laws for all Romans
6. Rome was located about 15 miles up the Tiber River. Why was this location advantageous?
1. It protected the city from pirate raids.
2. It gave Rome a reliable water source.
3. It offered transportation to the rest of the Mediterranean world.
6. Why did some in Rome want to totally destroy Carthage during the 3rd Punic War?
Romans feared Carthage would regain power and dominate the Mediterranean again.
7. Why was the road system important in ancient Rome?
Connected many of the cities of the Roman Empire and allowed for better travel and trade
8. The __________________________ was the foundation of Roman law, detailing all the laws regarding
wills, courts, and property.
Twelve Tables
9. Using the chart above, which conclusion can be drawn about the working middle class?
They were the majority of people with the least amount of power
10. How does the role of women today compare to Athenian women?
American women won the right to vote and serve in office in 1920; Athenian women did not achieve either of
these rights
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?
This substance made the buildings sturdier and many still stand today.
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?
It was a peninsula that sat between two major trade routes.
17. How was Justinian’s wife, Theodora, able to influence the Byzantine Empire?
Proactive in women’s rights, advised Justinian on government officials, consulted with Justinian in rebellions
18. Why was the Justinian Code important to the Byzantine Empire and later on in other
countries throughout Europe?
Simplified laws to make them understandable 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:
the importance of 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/increasing 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 freeman.
What conclusion could the historian draw based on this passage?
At the time the document was written, free men had very few rights
26. What do these medieval items have in common?
Stone Wall
Moat
Knight’s Armor
Examples of military technology
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 life span of people was not as long as it is today.
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 and the feudal system was weakened.
31. How was Joan of Arc, who was accused of being a witch, punished? She was burned at the stake.
32. Who would have been most likely to make the following statement?
I am traveling to Jerusalem to show God how sorry I am for having sinned.
I hope we have a safe journey.
A pilgrim
33. Both the plague and the Hundred Years’ War had what effect?
They led to a shift in power from feudal lords to common people and monarchs.
34. The Crusades have been called “history’s most successful failure.” How would you best explain this
expression?
The Crusades did not achieve their original goals, but they brought many 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?
Magna Carta
36. “All things were under its domain….Its powers were such that no one could hope to escape its
scrutiny.”
church
37. If you were a customer who bought shoes from a cobbler, how might a guild help you?
By making sure cobblers made good shoes
38. In Europe, a long term effect of the Crusades was:
an increased demand for goods from the East.
39. The term feudalism means __________.
a political and social order that was highly centralized.