Quiz #2

Quiz # 2

1. During the Classical Era. How was human population distributed around the world?
What would cause one continent to have a much greater population then another?

During the classic era, Eurasia contained around 80 percent of the world population. This
means that around 167 million people lived in Eurasia around 600 C.E. The next closest
continent, in terms of population, was Africa. During the same time within the Classical
Era, Africa contained 24 million people or 12 percent of the world population. This
uneven balance of population was due to in part to the Agricultural Revolution, when
rich agricultural environments thrived and out of these environments grew civilizations.
Also the absence of resources played a role in the lack of development for Africa and the
Americas.

2. Give an example of a civilization that was in Africa during the Classical Era and list a
couple of characteristics about it.

The Nubian civilization was a monarchal governed society, from 300 B.C.E to 100 C.E,
in the Nile Valley near Egypt. The Nubian both fought and traded with Egypt and at the
same time maintained their own culture and civilization characteristics. When Egypt
became under the rule of a foreign rule, Nubian civilization was focused at the city of
Meroe, it was a flourishing city from 300 B.C.E to 100 C.E. Meroe and other cities had
many areas of expertise from, merchants, weavers, potters, masons. They had a very
good iron manufacturing system, where they made tools and weapons. Its demise was
came around 340 CE when a neighboring civilization.

3. What was the role of caste to give structure in India’s civilization?

The caste system was a way to create social status and structure within the society. Your
social status was determined at birth and moving out of your class was nearly impossible.
This system created major inequalities but also gave an identity and a purpose to
everyone. The idea behind the caste system was the better you do your duties within
your social class the more likely you will advance to the next social level in your next
life. Marriage between classes was very difficult and interaction between classes was
also frowned on.

4. Discuss the similarities and differences of Jesus and Buddha. Consider their upbringings
and teachings.

It is amazing to see how similar and different Jesus and Buddha really were. Jesus was
born 500 years after Buddha in a small village to peasants, while Buddha was born into
a wealthy family. In both of their teachings, they focused on love and compassion and
not wealth, power, or status. Buddha taught “loving kindness” while Jesus taught “love
thy neighbor” Buddha believed in ethical living and mindfulness to end suffering while
Jesus believed in more of Jewish tradition and in miracles. A major difference though
is the amount of time they spent teaching, Jesus was only in the public for three years
before being executed for his beliefs, while Buddha died of nature causes after 40 years
of public service.