HIS 122
Spring 2013
Dr. Hutton
NVC
Weekly Assignment #5
Due: Thurs., 2/28
Read Tignor, Chaps. 5 and 6, pp. 173-187, 190-199, and 204-210 (2nd ed. pp. 195-212,
216-227 & 231-239), & answer these questions:
1. What is a caste? In Vedic society, what were the four original varnas or castes?
2. How did the caste system expand?
3. How were the economic opportunities of the new cities affect the Vedic religious and
social order?
4. What was the status of Brahmans in Vedic culture?
5. How did the Brahmans and Kshatriyas use the caste system to maintain the social
order in India?
6. Who was the Buddha? How did he attract followers? What did early Buddhists think
about him?
7. What were the most important beliefs of Buddhism? How did Buddhism challenge
the caste system?
8. Describe the diverse ecological environments of the Chavín culture. What kept them
united?
9. How did the Olmecs use cities, trade, ritual objects, games, and warfare to spread
their religious and cultural influence?
10. How did peoples around the Mediterranean Sea interact? What inventions did they
develop?
11. How was the Greek city-state different from monarchies and empires?
12. In what ways did the Greeks cooperate and compete with each other?
13. What economic technologies did the Mediterranean cities use to expand trade and
colonization?
14. How did they interact with the frontier tribal peoples they met?
15. What were the most important ideas of Greek philosophy?
16. What was Hellenistic culture & how did it spread? What areas were affected?
17. How did Alexander’s conquest lead to the growth of trade and exchange?
18. How was Alexander able to conquer such a large area? Why is it inaccurate to call
this area his “empire”?
19. Who were Alexander’s successors? What were the names of their kingdoms?