Question 1

Why do you think marriages of the elite were frequently endogamous, while peasants generally married outside their extended families or large kin groups?

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Question 2

How do property rights differ in agricultural states from those in forager and tribal societies?

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Question 3

Are marriage patterns and social ties in agricultural states independent of economic and political considerations? If so, why? If not, what are some of the economic and political implications of marriage patterns and other social ties?

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Question 4

The first codified laws originated in the Near Eastern civilization of Babylon. Based on standardized procedures for dealing with civil and criminal offenses, this Babylonian code of law is known as the:

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The Babylonian code of law is known as the Code of Hammurabi, named after the Babylonian king who introduced it. It consisted of 282 laws dealing with a wide range of subjects such as marriage, property rights, trade, and slavery. The Code of Hammurabi was a significant development in the history of law and is considered one of the earliest known examples of written law.

Question 5

Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism are considered religions because their spiritual messages apply to all of humanity rather than just their own cultural history and legacy.

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The word "universalistic" means that something is applicable to all people or cultures, as opposed to being specific to one group. Therefore, the statement is suggesting that the spiritual messages of these religions have a universal appeal, which is why they are considered religions.

Question 6

Slavery took on different forms depending upon the political economies and demographic features of the agricultural state society. For example, in some African societies, slavery corresponded to an "open system" in which slaves could be incorporated into domestic kin groups and even become upwardly mobile. In contrast, "closed systems" of slavery provided no opportunities for upward mobility or incorporation into kin groups. The open system of slavery occurred:

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The open system of slavery occurred where land was relatively abundant and less populated. This allowed for slaves to be incorporated into domestic kin groups and even become upwardly mobile. When land was scarce and population density high, as in some African societies, slavery corresponded to a closed system, with no opportunities for upward mobility or incorporation into kin groups.

Question 7

According to Morton Fried, codified laws reinforce a system of inequity by keeping peasants subordinate while allowing those in power to have access to scarce resources. Service provides a different perspective. What is Service's perspective?

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Question 8

Compare and contrast the nature of divorce in agricultural states, chiefdoms, tribes, and forager societies. Do you see any parallels, or is divorce simply a cultural facet that does not relate to the rest of society?

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Question 9

Social inequality is exemplified in the __________ of India. These social units are endogamous groupings into which a person is born and dies.

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The caste system in India is a social hierarchy in which individuals are born into specific castes and remain in that caste for life. This system dictates social status, occupational opportunities, and even marriage options. The caste system is considered a form of social inequality, as individuals are not given equal opportunities based on merit or achievement, but rather by birthright.

Question 10

State organized rituals that reinforced divine authority of the ruler are known as:

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State organized rituals that reinforced divine authority of the ruler are known as rites of legitimation. These rituals were designed to legitimize the ruler's authority by portraying them as having divine or supernatural powers. They often involved elaborate ceremonies, processions, and sacrifices, and were intended to impress the populace with the ruler's power and glory.

Question 11

State organized rituals were also referred to as:

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State organized rituals were often used as a means of legitimizing the authority of the ruling class or government, hence the term "rites of legitimation." The other options do not accurately describe state organized rituals. Universalistic religions refer to religions that aim to include all people, regardless of race or ethnicity. Ecclesiastical religions refer to religions that have a formal hierarchy and centralized authority. Religious traditions are a broad category and do not specifically refer to state organized rituals.

Question 12

What are some of the advantages of having an extended family organization in an agricultural state as opposed to an autonomous nuclear family?

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Question 13

Discuss the relationships among gender, subsistence, and status in agricultural states. How does the picture that emerges differ from the one for any of the following groups: (1) foragers, (2) tribes, or (3) chiefdoms?

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Question 14

How does the dowry differ from bridewealth? What are some of the functions of a dowry?

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Question 15

The transition from foraging to food production (domestication of plants and animals) was accompanied by a number of features. What changes or factors are associated with this transition?

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Question 16

What are the current theories concerning Aztec warfare? Discuss the unique position human sacrifice held in the Aztec religion.

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Question 17

Of the following, which is NOT a stated reason for the collapse of state-level societies?

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Question 18

Why is monogamy the primary form of marriage in agricultural states? Is polygyny allowed or practiced in any agricultural states? Are there any restrictions on who can enter into a polygynous union?

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Question 19

In many agricultural states, women were restricted to domestic activities while men were permitted to engage in public (outside) endeavors. Women were often not allowed to own property, engage in politics, or pursue educational goals. These restrictions were reflected in a number of cultural practices such as:

Accepted Answer

Purdah is a practice in which women are required to stay indoors and away from public view, while foot binding is a practice in which a woman's feet are tightly bound to prevent their growth. Both of these practices were common in agricultural societies where women were expected to stay home and care for the household, while men were free to engage in public activities. The other choices are not relevant to this topic.

Question 20

If you were an archaeologist excavating a site, how would you determine if the site was an agricultural state (civilization) or not? What evidence would you look for, and what criteria would you use?

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Quiz 11: Agricultural States