AP WORLD HISTORY
DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION #1
The question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical
documents. Write and essay that:
 Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the
documents
 Uses all of the documents
 Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many ways as possible
 Takes into account both the sources of the documents and the author’s point of
view
QUESTION
Using the documents:
Compare and contrast the contributions of ancient Athens and ancient Sparta to the
culture of modern Western society.
Document 1
Source: Aristotle, 384 BCE -322 BCE
Since human reason is the most godlike part of human nature, a life guided by human
reason is superior to any other…For man, this is the life of reason, since the faculty of
reason is the distinguishing characteristic of human beings.
Document 2
Source: Hippocrates, creator of the Hippocratic Oath, 460 BCE-377 BCE
I will follow that (treatment) which, according to my ability and judgment, I will
consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is (harmful). I will
give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such (advice)…
Document 3
The Parthenon, 5th Century BCE
Document 4
Figure of a running girl Greek, about 520-500 BC (possibly made in or near Sparta, Greece)
Document 5
Source: Myron of Priene, 3rd century BCE, describing the Helots (slaves) of Sparta.
The Helots may have been 80% of the population of Sparta
They assign to the Helots every shameful task leading to disgrace. For they ordained
that each one of them must wear a dogskin cap and wrap himself in skins and receive
a stipulated number of beatings every year regardless of any wrongdoing, so that they
would never forget they were slaves. Moreover, if any exceeded the vigour proper to a
slave's condition, they made death the penalty; and they allotted a punishment to those
controlling them if they failed to rebuke those who were growing fat.
Document 6
Source: Pericles’ Funeral Oration, given to the Athenians around 430 BCE
Our plan of government favors the many instead of the few: that is why it is called
democracy…As for social standing, advancement is open to everyone, according to
ability. While every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve the public, we reward
our most distinguished citizens by asking them to make political decisions. Nor do we
discriminate against the poor. A man may serve his country no matter how low his
position on the social scale.
Name ____________________________
Hour ___
Date _____________________
Sparta and Athens DBQ Essay
Self Evaluation
BASIC CORE COMPETENCE
1.
Has Acceptable Thesis (underline it)
Does the thesis include Sparta, Athens, and Western society?
yes or no
Does the thesis make a statement that can be proved?
yes or no
___
1 point (give it a score)
2.
Understands the basic meaning of all documents (may misinterpret one)
*see the back of this sheet
___
1 points (give it a score)
3.
Supports thesis with appropriate evidence from all documents
Is there a quote from each of the documents (6 of them-circle the quotes)
Is one quote missing? Write the number down at the end of the essay
___
2 points (all documents quoted)
___
1 points (missing one quote)
4.
Analyzes point of view in at least three documents
Point of view:
A position from which something is observed
 Is there an explanation of the source of three of the documents? (write point of view next to it
with an arrow pointing at it)
___
1 point (give it a score)
5.
Analyzes documents by grouping them in at least three ways
A grouping is putting the documents together in the same paragraph. Are there three?
___
1 point (give it a score)
6.
Identifies and explains the need for one type of additional document or source.
___
1 point (give it a score)
7 total points ____
Document 1
Talks about what it means to be a human being
Document 2
Talks about medicine
Document 3
Religion temple in Athens
Document 4
Independence of Spartan women
Document 5
Brutal treatment of slaves in Sparta
Document 6
Benefits of democracy