Question 1

The rock-cut relief at Bishapur depicts:
A) the Sun-god Innana
B) the coronation of Shapur II
C) a dying lioness
D) triumph of Shapur I over Valerian

Accepted Answer

The rock-cut relief at Bishapur depicts the triumph of Shapur I over Valerian, the Roman Emperor, in AD 260. The relief shows Shapur I on horseback, holding a sword and grasping the hand of Valerian, who is shown kneeling before him. This famous victory led to the capture of many Roman soldiers and territories, and it marked the peak of the Sassanian Empire's power.

Question 2

Use of glazed brickwork is most characteristic of the city of __________.
A) Lascaux
B) Stonehenge
C) Babylon
D) Jericho

Accepted Answer

Glazed brickwork is most commonly associated with the ancient city of Babylon, which was located in present-day Iraq. The Babylonians were known for their intricate and colorful brickwork, which was often used to decorate the walls of their buildings. In particular, the Ishtar Gate, which was one of the eight gates of the ancient city of Babylon, is famous for its glazed brickwork.

Question 3

In ancient Mesopotamia the hierarchy of scale was a convention,which indicated:
A) order of importance
B) order of the gods
C) the first families
D) the power of money

Accepted Answer

The hierarchy of scale in ancient Mesopotamia was a convention used to indicate the order of importance or status of the figures depicted in art. This was a way of visually communicating the social hierarchy to the viewer. For example, kings and nobles would be depicted as larger than commoners or slaves, indicating their higher status.

Question 4

Bull-headed capitals would most likely be found in
A) Lascaux
B) Jericho
C) Persia
D) Israel

Accepted Answer

Bull-headed capitals are a type of architectural element commonly found in ancient Persian buildings. They consist of a column with a bull's head or horns protruding from the top. Lascaux and Jericho are both prehistoric sites that do not have examples of Persian architecture, while Israel had varying architectural styles throughout history, but the bull-headed capital is not as prevalent compared to Persia.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the Standard of Ur?
A) early example of an official account of the rulers of Sumer
B) early example of an official account of import goods
C) early example of mythological narrative
D) early example of historical narrative

Accepted Answer

The Standard of Ur is an early example of a historical narrative, depicting scenes from the life of the Sumerian king, Ur-Nammu. It includes both military and peaceful aspects of his rule, as well as scenes of tribute being brought to him.

Question 6

The Ziggurat at Ur can best be described as a:
A) Sumerian burial ground
B) fortified city-state
C) palace for Naram-Sin
D) Sumerian temple base

Accepted Answer

The Ziggurat at Ur is a Sumerian temple base. It was dedicated to the moon god Nanna and served as the center of religious life in the city-state of Ur. It was built in the early third millennium BCE and has survived for thousands of years as a testament to the ingenuity and skill of ancient builders.

Question 7

Alexander the Great razed Persepolis in 330 BCE.What prior event suggests that this was an act of revenge?
A) destruction of Assyrian city of Nimrud
B) birth of the Sasanian dynasty
C) Persian sack of the Athenian Acropolis
D) Persian sack of Sparta

Accepted Answer

The Persian sack of the Athenian Acropolis in 480 BCE was considered a major insult to Greek culture and history, and Alexander the Great may have seen the destruction of Persepolis as a way to avenge that earlier offense.

Question 8

Historical narrative relief can be found at the Assyrian palace of ___________ at Nimrud.
A) Gudea
B) Sargon IV
C) Marduk I
D) Ashurnasirpal II

Accepted Answer

The historical narrative relief can be found at the Assyrian palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud.

Question 9

What Anatolian people constructed two huge lions that adorn the gateway to the citadel of Boghazköy?
A) Elamites
B) Hittites
C) Susans
D) Kassites

Accepted Answer

The Hittites constructed the two huge lions that adorn the gateway to the citadel of Boghazköy.

Question 10

The Mesopotamian king who codified the law and prescribed penalties for infractions was _________.
A) Urnanshe
B) Innana
C) Naram-Sin
D) Hammurabi

Accepted Answer

The Mesopotamian king who codified the law and prescribed penalties for infractions was Hammurabi. The famous Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest and most complete sets of laws in existence, dating back to 1754 BCE.

Question 11

The White Temple,Uruk is oriented to the _________________________.
A) Orion constellation
B) Cardinal points of the compass
C) Persian Gulf
D) North

Accepted Answer

The White Temple, Uruk is oriented to the cardinal points of the compass, indicating that its architects had a meticulous understanding of astronomy and the movements of celestial bodies.

Question 12

The new concept of godlike sovereignty can be described by the representations of _________,the king who appeared as a god in Mesopotamian Akkadian art.
A) Urnanshe
B) Naram-Sin
C) Eannatum
D) Gilgamesh

Accepted Answer

The new concept of godlike sovereignty is said to be represented by Naram-Sin, a king who appeared as a god in Mesopotamian Akkadian art.

Question 13

A predominant theme or themes found in the narrative reliefs of the Assyrians was or were:
A) the sun disk, Aton
B) war and hunting
C) scenes of the afterlife
D) animal fables

Accepted Answer

The dominant theme in the narrative reliefs of the Assyrians was war and hunting. These reliefs depict their military conquests, triumphs, and hunting expeditions. The Assyrian kings were portrayed as fierce warriors, defeating their enemies with skilled military tactics and brutal force. The hunting scenes often featured exotic animals like lions and bulls, which were symbols of power and strength. The sun disk, Aton, was a common theme in the art of ancient Egypt, not Assyria. Scenes of the afterlife were also more common in other cultures, such as ancient Egyptian and Mesoamerican. Animal fables were not a significant theme in Assyrian narrative reliefs.

Question 14

The open-eyed stares of the votive statues of ancient Sumer are thought to represent:
A) portraits of specific people
B) eternal wakefulness and duty
C) vigilance against demons
D) the priestly class

Accepted Answer

The open-eyed stares of the votive statues of ancient Sumer are believed to symbolize eternal wakefulness and duty, representing the perpetual attentiveness to the gods.

Question 15

The Victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures)is an extraordinary monument because it provides information about warfare techniques and insight into the special nature of the ruler.Which statement provides the most valid justification for this assertion?
A) these descriptions are found in the Epic of Gilgamesh
B) excavated tablets with these descriptions are found in Nimrud
C) words and pictures are combined
D) the inclusion of vultures, which are special avatars of the ruler

Accepted Answer

The combination of words and pictures on the Victory Stele of Eannatum allows for a multi-faceted understanding of warfare techniques and the importance of the ruler. The images on the stele depict specific scenes of battle while the accompanying text provides further insight into the events. This combination makes the stele an extraordinary monument for its time. The inclusion of vultures on the stele also provides important symbolism, but it is not the most valid justification for the monument's significance. Option A is incorrect because the Epic of Gilgamesh is a literary work that predates the stele and is not directly related to it. Option B is incorrect because the excavated tablets at Nimrud contain related but separate material.

Question 16

Persian relief figure sculpture can be distinguished from earlier Mesopotamian styles by:
A) the bulging muscles
B) use of extremely large eyes
C) a preference for nudity
D) forms are more rounded

Accepted Answer

Persian relief figure sculpture is distinguished from earlier Mesopotamian styles by the more rounded forms. Mesopotamian sculptures were characterized by sharper angles, while Persian sculptures emphasized more naturalistic and flowing forms, with a focus on depicting motion and movement. The bulging muscles, use of large eyes, and preference for nudity were all features shared by both Mesopotamian and Persian sculpture traditions, and therefore are not distinguishing factors.

Question 17

What epic poem recounts the exploits of a legendary king of Uruk and slayer of the monster Huwawa?
A) Iliad and Odyssey
B) Epic of Gilgamesh
C) Epic of Nimrud
D) Tale of Homer

Accepted Answer

The epic poem that recounts the exploits of a legendary king of Uruk and slayer of the monster Huwawa is the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Iliad and Odyssey are epic poems from ancient Greek literature, the Epic of Nimrud is not a known epic poem, and the Tale of Homer is not a specific epic poem but rather a potential reference to the Iliad and Odyssey which were written by Homer.

Question 18

Ishtar Gate,with its relief decorations of a dragon,lion and bull,comes from the city of:
A) Lagash
B) Persepolis
C) Ur
D) Babylon

Accepted Answer

The Ishtar Gate, known for its distinctive blue glazed bricks and relief decorations of a dragon, lion, and bull, was located in the ancient city of Babylon in present-day Iraq.

Question 19

The stylistic conventions of rigidly frontal symmetry,abnormally large eyes,and tightly clasped hands are most characteristic of the early art of ________.
A) Jericho
B) Çatal Hüyük
C) Sumer
D) Babylon

Accepted Answer

These stylistic conventions are characteristic of Sumerian art, particularly seen in their votive statues, which often feature frontal symmetry, large eyes, and clasped hands.

Question 20

The statement,"measuring rods and coiled rope," which connotes the ruler's capacity to build social order and render judgments,is best depicted on the ________________________.
A) Stele of Hammurabi
B) Standard of Ur
C) Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
D) Victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures)

Accepted Answer

The Stele of Hammurabi features a depiction of Hammurabi receiving the laws from the god Shamash, with measuring rods and a coiled rope symbolizing the law and order he would bring to society.

Quiz 2: The Rise of Civilization

The rock-cut relief at Bishapur depicts:

Use of glazed brickwork is most characteristic of the city of __________.

In ancient Mesopotamia the hierarchy of scale was a convention,which indicated:

Bull-headed capitals would most likely be found in

Which of the following best describes the Standard of Ur?

The Ziggurat at Ur can best be described as a:

Alexander the Great razed Persepolis in 330 BCE.What prior event suggests that this was an act of revenge?

Historical narrative relief can be found at the Assyrian palace of ___________ at Nimrud.

What Anatolian people constructed two huge lions that adorn the gateway to the citadel of Boghazköy?

The Mesopotamian king who codified the law and prescribed penalties for infractions was _________.

The White Temple,Uruk is oriented to the _________________________.

The new concept of godlike sovereignty can be described by the representations of _________,the king who appeared as a god in Mesopotamian Akkadian art.

A predominant theme or themes found in the narrative reliefs of the Assyrians was or were:

The open-eyed stares of the votive statues of ancient Sumer are thought to represent:

The Victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures) is an extraordinary monument because it provides information about warfare techniques and insight into the special nature of the ruler.Which statement provides the most valid justification for this assertion?

Persian relief figure sculpture can be distinguished from earlier Mesopotamian styles by:

What epic poem recounts the exploits of a legendary king of Uruk and slayer of the monster Huwawa?

Ishtar Gate,with its relief decorations of a dragon,lion and bull,comes from the city of:

The stylistic conventions of rigidly frontal symmetry,abnormally large eyes,and tightly clasped hands are most characteristic of the early art of ________.

The statement,"measuring rods and coiled rope," which connotes the ruler's capacity to build social order and render judgments,is best depicted on the ________________________.