CH 5 Eurasian Cultural Traditions 500 B.C.E.–500 C.E.
NAME _______________________ DATE ________ PERIOD_____
Vocabulary
Ahura Mazda: In Zoroastrianism, the good god who rules the world. (pron. ah-HOOR-ah MAHZ-dah)
Angra Mainyu: In Zoroastrianism, the evil god, engaged in a cosmic struggle with Ahura Mazda. (pron.
AHN-grah MINE-you)
Aristotle: A Greek polymath philosopher (384–322 B.C.E.); student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the
Great.
atman: The human soul, which in classic Hindu belief seeks union with Brahman. (pron. AHT-mahn)
Ban Zhao: A major female Confucian author of Han dynasty China (45–116 C.E.) whose works give
insight into the implication of Confucian thinking for women. (pron. bahn joe)
Bhagavad Gita: A great Hindu epic text, part of the much larger Mahabharata, which affirms the
performance of caste duties as a path to religious liberation. (pron. BAH-gah-vahd GHEE-tah)
bhakti movement: An immensely popular development in Hinduism, advocating intense devotion toward a
particular deity. (pron. BAHK-tee)
Brahman: The “World Soul” or final reality in upanishadic Hindu belief. (pron. BRAH-mahn)
Brahmins: The priestly caste of India. (pron. BRAH-min)
Buddhism: The cultural/religious tradition first enunciated by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha).
Confucianism: The Chinese philosophy first enunciated by Confucius, advocating the moral example of
superiors as the key element of social order.
Confucius (Kong Fuzi): The founder of Confucianism (551–479 B.C.E.); an aristocrat of northern China
who proved to be the greatest influence on Chinese culture in its history. (pron. of Chinese form of
name: kuhng fuh-tzuh)
Constantine: Roman emperor (r. 306–337 C.E.) whose conversion to Christianity paved the way for the
triumph of Christianity in Europe.
Daodejing: The central text of Daoism; translated as The Way and Its Power. (pron. dow-day-jing)
Daoism: A Chinese philosophy/popular religion that advocates simplicity and understanding of the world
of nature, founded by the legendary figure Laozi. (pron. dow-ism)
filial piety: The honoring of one’s ancestors and parents, a key element of Confucianism.
Greek rationalism: A secularizing system of scientific and philosophic thought that developed in classical
Greece in the period 600 to 300 B.C.E.; it emphasized the power of education and human reason to
understand the world in nonreligious terms.
Hinduism: A word derived from outsiders to describe the vast diversity of indigenous Indian religious
traditions.
Hippocrates: A very influential Greek medical theorist (ca. 460–ca. 370 B.C.E.); regarded as the father of
medicine.
Isaiah: One of the most important prophets of Judaism, whose teachings show the transformation of the religion
in favor of compassion and social justice (eighth century B.C.E.).
Jesus of Nazareth: The prophet/god of Christianity (ca. 4 B.C.E.–ca. 30 C.E.).
Judaism: The monotheistic religion developed by the Hebrews, emphasizing a sole personal god (Yahweh)
with concerns for social justice.
karma: In Hinduism, the determining factor of the level at which the individual is reincarnated, based on
purity of action and fulfillment of duty in the prior existence.
Laozi: A legendary Chinese philosopher of the sixth century B.C.E.; regarded as the founder of Daoism.
(pron. low-tzuh)
Legalism: A Chinese philosophy distinguished by an adherence to clear laws with vigorous punishments.
Mahayana: “Great Vehicle,” the popular development of Buddhism in the early centuries of the Common
Era, which gives a much greater role to supernatural beings and proved to be more popular than
original (Theravada) Buddhism. (pron. mah-hah-YAH-nah)
moksha: In Hindu belief, liberation from separate existence and union with Brahman. (pron. mokeshuh)
nirvana: The end goal of Buddhism, in which individual identity is “extinguished” into a state of serenity
and great compassion. (pron. neer-VAH-nah)
Plato: A disciple of Socrates whose Dialogues convey the teachings of his master while going beyond them
to express Plato’s own philosophy; lived from 429 to 348 B.C.E.
Pythagoras: A major Greek philosopher (ca. 560–ca. 480 B.C.E.) who believed that an unchanging
mathematical order underlies the apparent chaos of the world. (pron. pith-AG-or-us)
Saint Paul: The first great popularizer of Christianity (10–65 C.E.).
Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha): The Indian prince turned ascetic (ca. 566–ca. 486 B.C.E.) who
founded Buddhism. (pron. sidd-ARTH-uh gow- TAHM-uh)
Socrates: The first great Greek philosopher to turn rationalism toward questions of human existence (469–
399 B.C.E.).
Thales of Miletus: A Greek natural philosopher (ca. 624–ca. 547 B.C.E.), noted for his application of
reason to astronomy and for his questioning of the fundamental nature of the universe. (usually pron.
THAY-lees)
Theodosius: Roman emperor (r. 379–395 C.E.) who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman
state, banning all polytheistic rituals.
Theravada: “The Teaching of the Elders,” the early form of Buddhism according to which the Buddha was
a wise teacher but not divine and which emphasizes practices rather than beliefs. (pron. THAIR-ahVAH-dah)
Upanishads: Indian mystical and philosophical works, written between 800 and 400 B.C.E. (pron. oohPAHN-ish-ahds)
Vedas: The earliest religious texts of India, a collection of ancient poems, hymns, and rituals that were
transmitted orally before being written down ca. 600 B.C.E. (pron.VAY-dahs)
Warring States period: Period in China from 403 to 221 B.C.E. that was typified by disorder and political
chaos.
yin and yang: Expression of the Chinese belief in the unity of opposites.
Zarathustra: A Persian prophet, traditionally dated to the sixth or seventh century B.C.E. (but perhaps
much older), who founded Zoroastrianism. (pron. zah-rah-THOOS-trah)
Zhuangzi: A Chinese philosopher (369–286 B.C.E.) who spelled out the teachings of Daoism. (pron.
jwang-tzuh)
Zoroastrianism: Persian monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zarathustra. (pron. zor-oh- ASTree-an-ism)
AS YOU READ COMPLETE THESE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS.
REMEMBER YOU ARE CHOOSING ALL CORRECT ANSWERS NOT JUST ONE!!
1. The period of the Zhou dynasty was especially important in the history of Chinese
civilization because it was the time of
a. the life of Confucius.
b. the introduction of Buddhism into China.
c. the imagined "golden age" of Chinese tradition.
d. the greatest geographical extent of Chinese control in East Asia.
2. The time when Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism emerged in Chinese civilization
was the
a. Warring States era in China.
b. Hundred Schools era in China.
c. Eastern Zhou dynasty in China.
d. Axial age of world civilization.
3. The Axial age in world civilization was the time of
a. Zoroaster in Persia.
b. Confucius in China.
c. Gautama in India.
d. Isaiah among the Hebrews.
4. The similarities of the ideas that appeared across the Eurasian landmass during the
Axial age
a. resulted from the opening of the "Silk Road" across Eurasia around 600 B.C.
b. included challenges to orthodox beliefs.
c. included the adoption of monotheism in all Eurasian civilizations.
d. suggest that the Eurasian civilizations had reached similar stages of social evolution at
about the same time.
5. The similarities of the ideas that appeared across the Eurasian landmass during the
Axial age
a. signify that new technologies of travel were invented around 600 B.C.
b. include a new emphasis on ethical thinking.
c. illustrate the ways in which civilizations began to influence one another.
d. illustrate the theme of "parallel development" in the history of culture.
6. In the Axial age ideas supporting atheism and questioning the existence of gods were
advocated by
a. Plato.
b. Confucius.
c. Buddha.
d. Laozi.
7. In the Axial age the ethical imperative for social justice and compassion in human
communities was advocated by
a. Plato.
b. Confucius.
c. Buddha.
d. Isaiah.
8. In the Axial age the ethical ideal of avoiding extremes of discipline or passion was
advocated by
a. Laozi.
b. Aristotle.
c. Buddha.
d. Zoroaster.
9. Confucius's (Kung Fuci) principal concerns were
a. morals.
b. metaphysics.
c. relationships.
d. politics.
10. According to Kung Fuci, superior persons
a. avoid public service.
b. are born superior.
c. have superior ancestors.
d. respect the wisdom of their elders.
11. Which, if any, of the following statements reflect what Confucius taught about ideals
for a good society?
a. The ideal family is the best model for good government.
b. Youth should seek new and more effective modes of action.
c. Political power should be exercised by scholarly men.
d. If rulers are virtuous their subjects will be obedient.
12. The system of "Confucianism" does not qualify as a "religion" because it
a. denies the existence of deity (god).
b. gives no information about deity.
c. provides no guidance about moral and immoral behavior.
d. teaches that human nature is essentially moral.
13. People often mistake Confucianism for a religion because it teaches
a. human existence following physical death.
b. hierarchical categories of divinities.
c. obedience to the emperor as the "son of heaven."
d. rituals of respect for deceased ancestors.
14. The system of "Confucianism" does not qualify as a "religion" because it
a. lacks interest in human existence following physical death.
b. does not connect human behavior with condition of existence following physical death.
c. expresses agnosticism that there is continuing existence following physical death.
d. affirms that there is no continued human existence after physical death.
15. The system of "Confucianism" does not qualify as a "religion" because it
a. expresses agnosticism about the existence of deity.
b. expresses agnosticism about human existence after death.
c. denies the existence of deity.
d. teaches that human nature is essentially evil.
16. According to Lao Zi, superior persons
a. avoid public service.
b. are born superior.
c. live in harmony with nature.
d. respect the wisdom of their elders.
17. Which, if any, of the following ideas were shared by Confucianism and Legalism?
a. Human beings are innately good.
b. Officials should be chosen for their abilities.
c. Public order requires strict enforcement of the laws.
d. Good government will provide for the well-being of the citizens.
18. Which, if any, of the following ideas were shared by Confucianism and Daoism?
a. Human beings are innately good.
b. Officials should be chosen for their abilities.
c. Public order does not require strict enforcement of the laws.
d. Good government will provide for the well-being of the citizens.
19. Which, if any, of the following ideas were taught by Legalism but rejected by both
Confucianism and Daoism?
a. Human beings are innately evil.
b. Good rulers must set a moral example.
c. Public order requires strict enforcement of the laws.
d. Good government will provide for the well-being of the citizens.
20. Which, if any, of the following can plausibly account for Buddhism's success in China
in the 300s-500s?
a. Persecution of Buddhists in China caused people to respect their religious devotion.
b. Buddhism was simple in its demand for absolute allegiance.
c. Buddhism's nontheism was compatible with Confucian views.
d. Buddhism seemed to non-Chinese rulers of kingdoms in China more congenial than
Confucianism.
21. In the 300s-500s Mahayana Buddhism appealed to Chinese people because
a. young people wanted to express their rebellion by adopting a foreign religion.
b. it offered salvation in paradise after death, in contrast to Daoism and Confucianism.
c. monasteries provided support for people with economic needs.
d. its atheism reenforced the pessimism engendered by the political chaos of the period of
"six dynastie.".
22. Chinese Buddhists adapted Buddhism to their culture by promoting
a. family values.
b. belief in boddhisatvas.
c. political loyalty.
d. rituals for dead ancestors.
23. Chinese Buddhism differed from Indian Buddhism in the
a. rigidity and uniformity of its doctrines.
b. insistence on an ascetic lifestyle.
c. prestige and wealth of its monasteries.
d. appeal to the upper classes.
24. In the history of Indian civilization, the period from 1500 to 500 B.C. is known as the
"Vedic Era" because
a. Vedas is another name for Aryans.
b. Vedas established the dynasty that ruled then.
c. Vedas are the chief source of information about that time.
d. Vedic means "dark" in the Indian language.
25. The dominant religion of the early Vedic era (i.e. up to about 1000 B.C.)
a. was much like Greek religion.
b. can be called "Brahmanism."
c. can be called "Hinduism."
d. was a carryover from the Indus civilization.
26. The predominant activities of early Vedic religious practice were
a. animal sacrifices.
b. pilgrimages to shrines.
c. dancing and singing.
d. meditation.
27. The gods of the early Vedic era included
a. Indra, god of war.
b. Shiva, lord of beasts.
c. Vishnu, the preserver.
d. Agni, god of fire.
28. In contrast to the religion of the early Vedic era, the religion of the late Vedic age
taught
a. polytheism.
b. asceticism.
c. faith in a personal god.
d. reincarnation.
29. The gods of the late Vedic era included
a. Indra, god of war.
b. Shiva, lord of beasts.
c. Vishnu, the preserver.
d. Agni, god of fire.
30. The predominant activities of late Vedic religious practice were
a. animal sacrifices.
b. pilgrimages to shrines.
c. private prayer.
d. meditation.
31. Which of these beliefs about people who behaved unethically are more characteristic
of the late Vedic age than of the early Vedic age?
a. When they die, they will return to life on earth at a lower status.
b. When they die, they will be condemned to a place of gloom.
c. When they die, their spirits will haunt areas around graveyards.
d. When they die, they will be judged by the god Varuna.
32. The man named Siddhartha Gautama
a. is better known as Buddha.
b. was born into one of the brahman clans
c. was the son and heir of an Indian prince
d. renounced his claims to rule.
33. Which, if any, of these ideas were among Vedic Hindu doctrines accepted by
Siddartha Buddha?
a. polytheism
b. reincarnation (samsara)
c. karma (deeds)
d. ahimsa (pacifism)
34. Siddartha Buddha taught that the way to avoid suffering was to end desire by
a. asceticism.
b. thinking pleasant thoughts.
c. detachment from all material things.
d. trusting God completely.
35. Which, if any, of these words correctly describe what Siddartha Buddha taught that
"nirvana" is?
a. a state of mind
b. a pleasant place
c. a feeling
d. a unity with the world soul
36. Which, if any, of these words correctly state what Siddartha Buddha taught that
"nirvana" is ?
a. enlightenment
b. immortality
c. annihilation
d. happiness
37. The founder of Jainism
a. was a brahman who became dissatisfied with Vedic religion.
b. was called Mahavira.
c. went nude for most of his life.
d. was stoned to death because he offended public morality.
38. Hinduism is a religion that originated
a. with Harrapan civilization in india.
b. from the earlier Vedic religion.
c. from the teachings of the prophet Shiva.
d. without an identifiable originator.
39. Hinduism is a religion that differs from other world-class religions in that it has no
a. identifiable founder.
b. established corpus of authoritative scriptures.
c. clergy.
d. sacred city.
40. In which of the following ways was Emperor Kanishka of the Kushan empire similar
to Mauryan Emperor Ashoka?
a. He patronized Buddhism.
b. He built statues of Buddha.
c. He encouraged Buddhist missionary activity.
d. Although a Buddhist convert, he tolerated other religions in his empire.
41. Mahayana Buddhism differs from Theravada Buddhism in that it
a. views Nirvana as a state of being.
b. makes salvation available to the common person.
c. remained closer to the teachings of the Buddha.
d. treats the Buddha as a divine being.
42. The Persian prophet Zoroaster predicted that at the end of time
a. good would triumph over evil.
b. Ahura Mazda would establish a kingdom of righteousness in the world.
c. all people would be judged according to their behavior.
d. people who had sided with good would be rewarded with paradise.
43. Zoroaster's teachings were similar to those of his Hebrew near-contemporaries,
Jeremiah and Ezekiel in their
a. monotheism.
b. threat of eternal punishment of sinners in hell.
c. advocacy of moral reform.
d. description of a personalized force of evil.
44. Zoroaster's teachings achieved influence in the Persian Empire because
a. Cyrus forced all conquered people to accept them.
b. they were embraced by Darius the Great.
c. charismatic missionaries spread them through persuasive oratory.
d. he was put to death as a martyr by the Babylonians.
45. Which, if any, of the following statements are true about Zoroastrianism?
a. Zoroastrianism sought many converts.
b. The magi formed a powerful religious establishment in the Persian empire .
c. Zoroastrianism seems to have influenced both Judaism and Christianity.
d. The largest community of Zoroastrians today live in India.
46. Zoroastrianism shares with Christianity belief about
a. monotheism.
b. eternal punishment of sinners in hell.
c. the division of humanity between children of light and children of darkness.
d. a personalized force of evil.
47. The principles of "ethical monotheism" developed by the Israelites contributed to
human civilization the ideas that the deity (god)
a. was a purely spiritual, not physical, being.
b. rewarded good people during their lifetime with prosperity.
c. turned the local king into a divine being who must be obeyed.
d. acted in human affairs to achieve his ultimate goals.
48. The "ethical monotheism" developed by the Hebrews contributed to human
civilization the ideas that the supreme deity (god) will
a. send evildoers to eternal punishment.
b. reward good people in the after life.
c. destroy humanity because of its evil behaviors.
d. in the end create international peace on earth.
49. The "ethical monotheism" developed by the Israelites advocated the ideas that the
supreme deity (god)
a. caused bad people to get sick and sometimes die.
b. wanted rulers to care for the poor and other helpless people like widows, and orphans.
c. protected from disaster people who pleased him by offering sacrifices of animals and
money.
d. chose the Hebrew nation as his favored group of people.
50. Which, if any, of the following notions that Plato taught did Aristotle agree with?
a. Democracy is a dangerous form of government.
b. Ultimate reality is pure transcendental idea.
c. Physical things are not permanent and therefore are less real than ideas.
d. To learn ultimate truth one must search within one's mind.
51. Which, if any, of the following notions did Aristotle teach?
a. Democracy is a dangerous form of government.
b. Virtuous behavior is a balance between extremes, which are evil.
c. Physical things are not permanent and therefore are less real than ideas.
d. To learn truth one must examine the details of the visible world.
52. Greek philosophers of the "classical age" taught that the human soul
a. perishes at the time of physical death.
b. is more important than the physical body.
c. yearns to be released from imprisonment in the physical body.
d. will be reunited with a physical body at the end of time.
53. Which, if any, of the following men produced works that can be recognized as
"history"?
a. Homer
b. Herodotus
c. Thucydides
d. Sophocles
54. The religious movement of Jesus followers that became the Christian church
established its origin
a. during the time of Julius Caesar.
b. as a variant of the Jewish sect of the Pharisees.
c. by some Jews' claim that their dead Jewish teacher came back to life.
d. because Jewish zealots believed that Jesus could overthrow Roman control of their
homeland.
55. Which of the following were among reasons that Jewish and Roman officials arrested
and executed Jesus?
a. He claimed he was equal to God.
b. He had connections with some extreme Jewish nationalists.
c. He encouraged his followers to disregard Jewish scriptures.
d. He was perceived as politically subversive.
56. Saint Paul of Tarsus elaborated the early Christian interpretation of Jesus of Nazareth
by assigning to him the titles of
a. Savior.
b. Lord.
c. Augustus.
d. Messiah.
57. In its early years the religious community that derived from Jesus improved the social
position of women by
a. declaring that women had discovered that Jesus came back to life after his execution.
b. using women as teachers about theological ideas
c. installing women in the church administrative office of bishop.
d. providing a legitimate basis for divorce.
58. Which of the following correctly describe the conditions for Christians in the Roman
empire up to the year A.D. 200?
a. It was technically illegal to be a Christian.
b. All persons discovered to be Christian were punished.
c. Christians usually practiced their religion without bad consequences.
d. The Christian organization was able to grow.
59. Christians were persecuted in the Roman empire before the fourth century because
a. they conspired to overthrow Roman rule in Jerusalem.
b. they insisted that titles of the Roman emperor should be applied to Jesus only.
c. people suspected them of cannibalism because of the Eucharist.
d. they insisted on an absolute belief in Jesus as the only god rather than a relativist
tolerance of many religious views.
Margin Review Questions
1. What different answers to the problem of disorder arose in classical China?
2. Why has Confucianism been defined as a “humanistic philosophy” rather than
a supernatural religion?
3. How did the Daoist outlook differ from that of Confucianism?
4. In what ways did the religious traditions of South Asia change over the
centuries?
5. In what ways did Buddhism reflect Hindu traditions, and in what ways did it
challenge them?
6. What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana expressions of
Buddhism?
7. What new emphases characterized Hinduism as it responded to the challenge
of Buddhism?
8. What aspects of Zoroastrianism and Judaism subsequently found a place in
Christianity and Islam?
9. What are the distinctive features of the Greek intellectual tradition?
10. How would you compare the lives and teachings of Jesus and the Buddha? In
what different ways did the two religions evolve after the deaths of their
founders?
11. What was distinctive about the Jewish religious tradition?
12. In what ways was Christianity transformed in the five centuries following the
death of Jesus?
Big Picture Questions
1. “Religions are fundamentally alike.” Does the material in this chapter support
or undermine this idea?
2. “Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political
authority and social elites.” How would you support both sides of this statement?
3. How would you define the appeal of the religious/cultural traditions discussed
in this chapter? To what groups were they attractive, and why?
Look over the companion website!!!!
Flashcards are always a good way to study!!!!
Be sure to look over your primary source document assignment as well.