Ancient Greece and Rome Test Review
Test Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
*If you require extra time or an alternate space, this must be arranged in advance. Speak with Mr. Elias by
Friday, December 12.
Those using extra time will begin writing at the start of lunch and continue into period 3
Test Breakdown:
Part A: Multiple Choice
Part B: Historical Significance: use 4 Rs in analysis
Part C: primary document analysis: questions about specific physical artifacts that we have
examined throughout the unit
Part D: Paragraph responses- select 2 of 5 questions
Major “Historical Thinking Concepts” to review:
1- historical significance- 4 Rs- what makes someone/thing significant?
2- historical perspective- values, beliefs, world views and how they are reflected in various
artifacts or affect various aspects of life ie. government, art, building projects, humanity, war, etc.
3- major causes of the rise and fall of each civilization, consequences of
developments/innovations
4- continuity of change- how did Greece influence Rome, major developments that can be seen
as turning points in human history
Content to Review:
Greece
Origins: Who were the Minoans and in what ways did they lay the foundation for Classical Greek
culture? Who were the Mycaneans and in what ways did they lay the foundation for Classical
Greek culture? Who was Agamemnon and Achilles and why are they significant?What happened
during the Trojan War and why was it significant to the Greeks?
Homer: Who was he and what two famous pieces of literature did he write? Why is he and his
literature significant? Both to the Greeks and today?
Values and Beliefs: Who did the Greeks define as “barbarians”? What does the word mean?
What were the main Greek values? Describe the religion of “Hellenism”.
The Persian Empire: Describe key features of the Persian Empire, what were relations with Greek
city-states like prior to the Persian Wars?
The Persian Wars: Why were the Persian Wars a defining moment or “turning point” for the
Greeks? What happened at the Battle of Thermopylae? Why is it significant? What happened at
the Battle of Salamis? Why is it significant?
Classical Greece: What were some key differences between the city-states of Athens and
Sparta? Define “humanism”, in what ways did it shape various aspects of Classical Greek culture
including art, religion and sport?
Greatest Legacies: Identify and explain what you believe to be Classical Greece’s five greatest
legacies.
Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Period: How did Alexander's rise to power? What is he
best known for? Why was he given the title “Great” by his successors? Does he deserve this title?
What is “Hellenism”? What are some of the key achievements and developments during this
period?
Decline: What factors contributed to the decline of ancient Greece?
Rome
Origins: What were Rome’s mythical origins? What is the significance of Palatine Hill? In what
ways did the Greeks influence the Romans?
The Republic: How and why was the Republic established? What are some of its defining
features? Ie. class system, function and organization of government? What is “civic virtue”?
The Military and Expansion: What happened during the Punic Wars? Why were they significant to
the Romans? Describe Rome's foreign policy and expansion? Did they use just the army to
expand their influence? How was “citizenship” significant to the expansion of the empire?
Describe the life and duties of a Roman soldier? What benefits did they recieve? What is the
difference between a Legionnaire and an Auxiliary soldier? What were the Marian reforms and
why were their immediate and long term consequences?
Julius Caesar: Who was he and why is he a controversial figure? What is his connection to both
the army and the end of the Republic?
The Emperors: How did Augustus become Rome’s first emperor? What were some of his major
accomplishments? How did he use his likeness (statues) as a propaganda tool? Who are two
emperors that left Rome better off after their reign? Who are two emperors that left Rome worse
off after their reign? Why did the empire split in two? Why did the empire’s capital move from
Rome to Constantinople?
Greatest Legacies: Identify and explain what you believe to be Rome’s five greatest legacies.
Why is the development and rise of Christianity significant to Rome? What were gladiators and
how did they fit into Roman life?
Decline and Fall: What factors contributed to the decline and eventual fall of the Western
Empire? What happened in the Eastern Empire after the fall of the West?