Broad Questions - Classical Unit

What might be the benefits and drawbacks of a large empire?

What problems might hamper the management of a large empire?

Describe how geography influenced Aegean civilizations?  (Greeks/Romans)

   - Geographic setting

Democracy: Compare/Contrast the United States to Athenian democracy.

What values does U.S. democracy reflect?

How are our values reflected in U.S.-type democracy?

What are the components of a prosperous civilization?

Communication: The Iliad &The Odyssey, epic poems, were written by Homer, a blind Greek poet.  He based his poems on stories that had been passed on by earlier generations.  How were they passed on? What things have we read/discussed that have been passed on this way?

How did history and science change what we believe is true about The Iliad and The Odyssey?  (Schliemann, archeologist dug, found evidence of 9 cities on same spot, one suggested Troy -  showed poems had some basis in fact.)

How did invasions in the Aegean area change each civilization?

Why do people invade and conquer others?

What is a “dark age” in history characterized by?  What kinds of things do or do not take place during a dark age?  What are some dark ages in history?

Chronical the governments of early Greek city states through democracy.

Is a tyrant always bad? (Not in Greek civ.)

How does slavery undermine a civilization/society?

Is a small/privileged ruling class a bad thing?

Is a large underprivileged class a bad thing?

Ostracism – good or bad?

What are the consequences of ostracism?

What constitutes physical mistreatment or abuse?  (Refer to pg. 81 Guided Practice selection on Sparta.)

What are the qualities of a good citizen – now and then?