Duiker Chapter 4 Guided Reading Questions
Directions: To truly understand the information you will be reading this year, it is important for you to be actively
involved with the material. In the beginning of the year, to help you with this process, we will be providing you with
guiding questions to help you organize the textbook information. As you read the textbook, answer these guiding
questions in your own words and in complete sentences. While this may slow down the speed at which you read, this
method will help you to connect with the material and to retain the information. You are required to answer these
questions on Vision for credit, BUT you will ALSO want to bring in the typed copy of YOUR responses to these
questions on the date of the Socratic Seminar (Sept. 15/16). To answer the questions effectively by the due date, you
SHOULD read approximately 15 pages a day to complete this assignment (NOT 15 pages per class period, but 15
pages per CALENDAR day!).
1. Trace the development of civilization in and around ancient Greece. What did the Minoans contribute to Greek
civilization? What did the Mycenaeans contribute? What developments occurred in the so-called “dark ages” of
Greece? (For help in providing SOME answers to these questions, refer to the section on the characteristics of
civilizations in Chapter 1).
2. Describe how Homeric epic poems affected Greek social and philosophical values.
3. Identify and explain the reasons for the success and accomplishments of the Greek military system.
4. How did the political structure known as tyranny come about? Describe the governmental structures of Sparta and
Athens.
5. What factors allowed the Greeks to successfully defeat the Persians?
6. Greek culture has had a great influence on Western culture (perhaps world culture as well!). Choose one aspect of
Greek history (historical writing, drama, the arts, philosophy, or religion) and explain how this aspect of Greek
culture has influenced Western culture (and/or is still influencing or evident in Western culture today). Provide
evidence of your assertion.
7. Read the Opposing Viewpoints section titled “Women in Athens and Sparta.” Answer the questions at the end of
the passage: In what ways were the lifestyles of Athenian and Spartan women the same? In what ways were they
different? How did the Athenian and Spartan views of the world shape their conceptions of gender and gender
roles and why were those conceptions different?
8. Look at the map on page 114 (Map 4.2: The Conquests of Alexander the Great). What artifacts would you think
one would find in these conquered regions that would demonstrate that the culture of Greece was, indeed, spread
by Alexander and his armies? What other aspects of Greek civilization would you likely find evidence of in these
regions? Try to be extensive and specific in your answer.
9. Explain how the conquests of Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic culture helped to facilitate trade
between the eastern and western regions of Eurasia.
10. How did the role of women change in some areas of the Hellenistic world? What evidence can you provide that
supports this assertion?