100 i PERIOD 2 Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies
- D—The camel saddle was especially important
to trans-Saharan trade during the classical era.
Africa traded with Rome (C) and was connected
to Indian Ocean trade (A). Christianity entered
Axum and Ethiopia during this period (B). Bud-
dhism did not reach Africa (E). - C—Neither Han China nor the Roman Empire
was attacked by powerful neighboring states.
Both were invaded by tribal peoples from out-
side their borders. The remaining four choices
were common to both empires in their period of
decline. - D—In order to tap into the wealth of the eastern
empire, Constantine established a new capital at
Constantinople, the former Byzantium. During
Rome’s decline the latifundia became larger,
not smaller (A). Persecutions of Christians were
followed by acceptance of the religion, then by
official status under Theodosius (B). Romans
continued to rely on slavery (C). The empire
lost size during the declining years, but not as a
result of a deliberate effort to reduce its territory
(E). - C—The Byzantine Empire was a cultural center.
Justinian’s efforts were only partially successful
in temporarily restoring some of the boundaries
of Rome (A). The Parthians and Sassanids acted
as trade facilitators (B). The eastern empire
experienced some pressure from invaders, but
not nearly to the extent that the western portion
did (D). The eastern empire was a hub of trade
routes that offered cultural exchange with peo-
ples to the east (E).
5. A—After the fall of the Gupta dynasty, India
was fragmented (C) into local principalities.
Indian culture, however, remained intact (B),
and Hinduism remained the dominant religion
of India (E). Like Rome, Gupta India experi-
enced pressure from invaders (D).
6. D—The Roman roads connected to the routes
of the Silk Roads. Nomadic tribes often assisted
travelers and traders along the Silk Roads, pro-
viding horses, camels, and supplies (A). The Silk
Roads also embraced the sea lanes of the Indian
Ocean (B) and went through Mesopotamia (C).
Although North Africa traded with the Roman
Empire, its routes were not included among the
Silk Roads (E).
7. B—Mariners used the monsoon winds to facili-
tate travel in the Indian Ocean. Africa was con-
nected to Indian Ocean trade (A). Trade in the
Indian Ocean continued after the fall of classical
empires, especially after the entry of Islam into
the region (C). The waters of the Indian Ocean
facilitated long-distance trade from China to
Africa (E) and connected with land routes from
China to Rome (D).
8. C—Daoism enjoyed a resurgence of prosperity
as Han China declined, whereas Confucianism
declined in popularity. Although Chinese tradi-
tions suffered initially, they rebounded after the
fall of the Han (A). Invaders eventually assimi-
lated into the Chinese culture (B). Chinese dynas-
tic rule would continue into the early twentieth
century (D). Buddhism gained popularity in
China after the fall of the Han (E).
❯ Answers and Explanations