1. Ch. 4 Discussion Questions
AP World History

2. Questions 1. Compare Greek & Roman political structures.
2. Evaluate the significance of the Hellenistic period in Asian and African History.
3. Compare the main political, social and economic features of the Roman Empire and Han China.
4. Assess how and why the Indians developed long-lasting polytheistic religions but the Greeks did not.
5. Compare the scientific achievements and approaches of classical India, China, and the Mediterranean

3. 1. Compare Greek & Roman political structures.
Greek politics were usually localized
Greece was first to have a form of democracy
Rome was a republic
Both had aristocratic control, but different variations

4. 2. Evaluate the significance of the Hellenistic period in Asian and African History.
Greek culture continued long after its decline of the civilization
Alexander brought Greek culture into contact with Africa and Asia
Alexander’s death resulted in three major regional dynasties in Africa & Asia
Greece’s significance was in the area of trade and scientific discovery

5. 3. Compare the main political, social and economic features of the Roman Empire and Han China.
Both had a sense of inferiority of the rest of the world
Both traded throughout the empire
Both were aware of each other
Both allowed local autonomy while paying homage to the empire
Both were agricultural based civilizations
Rome was better known for its military conquests; China for its bureaucracy and civil service tests
Both granted more rights to women than others, but Roman women had more than China

6. 4. Assess how and why the Indians developed long-lasting polytheistic religions but the Greeks did not.
The Greek & Roman religions were based upon a complex set of gods and goddesses (that looked like and acted human)
Separate models of morals and ethics developed to teach the importance of moderation and balance in human behavior in Greece and Rome (Aristotle, Cicero, etc.)
Hinduism has no single founder and thus has been more flexible to accommodating different beliefs.
Hinduism goes hand-in-hand with another Indian institution - the caste system,

7. 5. Compare the scientific achievements and approaches of classical India, China, and the Mediterranean
All three had a strong sense of discovery
China/India – medicine
China – tried to learn nature’s methods
Mediterranean/India – mathematics & astronomy
Mediterranean – more philosophical approach, but many theories were proven wrong