1. When and where did Zoroastrianism begin to flourish?
Zoroastrianism began to flourish in what is modern day Iran during the Persian Empire, dated around the fourth or fifth century B.C.
2. How did Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin?
Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin after conquest by the Greeks, specifically, Alexander the Great. Thus, people began to move the culture and religion of Persia.
3. Briefly describe the religious experience Zarathustra had at about age thirty.
At age thirty, Zarathustra was taken by an angel to the Wise Lord, Ahura Mazda. Zarathustra saw Ahura Mazda and acknowledged him as the one God.
4. Name the sacred text of Zoroastrianism. What is the oldest material in this text and who wrote it?
The sacred text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta, its oldest material is the Gathas that were written by Zarathustra.
5. Summarize the characteristics and actions associated with Ahura Mazda.
Ahura Mazda is the creator and determinant of destiny and control of the universe. He is goodness who opposes evil.
6. What is ethical dualism?
Ethical dualism is belief in the conflict between good and evil forces.
7. What is the Lie and how does it relate to Ahura Mazda?
Lie is the evil force that combats with Ahura Mazda, the good force.
8. What must humans choose between in the Zoroastrian cosmic scheme?
The truth and the Lie, or the beneficent spirit and the hostile spirit.
9. Summarize Zarathustra's understanding of human destiny.
Zarathustra believes in a judgement after death leading either to torment or paradise based on the life lived. He also believes in bodily resurrection for all, the good will pass and the evil with burn (however this may have been an idea later added).
10. What are the general ethical demands of traditional Zoroastrian life?
Ethical demands are focused on agriculture, raising livestock and fields. Avoid evil and follow truth. Prayer is required five times a day with rituals like fire.
11. Who are the Parsis, and where do most of them live today?
The Parsis are those who practice Zoroastrians and most of them live in India today.
12. What are commonly regarded as having been the Bible of the ancient Greeks?
The epic poems the Illiad and the Odyssey by "Homer".
13. Explain the meaning of this sentence: The gods of the Olympian pantheon are anthropomorphic.
The Olympus gods were given human attributes and acted like humans both in the obvious actions and also physical features and characteristics.
14. What was Aeschylus's main contribution to the understanding of the gods of the Olympian pantheon? Give an example.
Aeschylus contributed to the more theological understandings of the gods. For instance, he wrote about Zeus's wisdom and affiliation with justice more so than focusing on the human aspects of the gods. This gave the gods more dignity.
15. What is an oracle? What is the most famous oracle of ancient Greece, and why was it consulted?
An oracle is a sanctuary favored by a particular god who communicated to those who visited it. The most famous was the oracle at Delphi, who was favored by Apollo. Apollo was consulted for his widsom on anything from private to public issues, such as military decisions.
16. Briefly identify the three basic aspects of the mystery religions.
People chose to join and were intitiated by some ritual.
A personal encounter with the deity was experienced.
Spiritual renewel was acquired and hope for a better afterlife.
17. What mystery religion honored Demeter and Persephone?
The Eleusinian Mysteries.
18. What is the god Dionysus associated with, and how is he often depicted in Greek art?
Dionysus is associated with fertility and the vine. He is depicted in Greek art with vines and grapes.
19. Name the goal of the ascetic practices of the Orphics.
For the soul to escape the body and realize the divine, Dionysian nature.
20. What is Plato's theory of knowledge?
Plato's theory of knowledge is that knowledge is recollection; the things we know in this life come from previous lifetimes.
21. What is Platonic dualism?
Reality consists of eternal and perfect Forms, or ideas, and that the material, bodily world is an imperfect reflection of the world of Forms.
22. Why did Jesus seem to have much in common with the ancient Asclepius?
Both were called Savior and had strong healing powers and relationships with followers.
23. What were the numina, and what sorts of things were they thought to inhabit?
The numina were supernatural powers inhabiting things such as Roman homes, towns, and the countryside.
24. Who was the most powerful Roman deity?
Jupiter, the sky god.
25. Identify the six planets of our solar system that are named after Roman deities.
Mars, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury
26. Why did the Roman state consider it essential to maintain official worship practices?
It kept peace of the gods and helped the welfare of the Roman state.
27. Which mystery religions were the main rivals of Christianity in the later Roman Empire?
Mithraism and the religion celebrating Isis.
28. Briefly summarize the Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris.
Isis and Osiris were husband and wife. Osiris was killed by his brother and Isis found him in pieces and put him back together; he became god of the underworld.
29. Briefly describe the sort of emperor worship encouraged by Augustus.
Worship of his genius/guardian spirit which was like worship of Rome because of the emperor's responsibility of the welfare of the state.
30. Why did Christians and Roman rulers clash over emperor worship?
They clashed because worshipers of the emperor could not be considered Christians. The Romans thought it was suspicious the Christians wouldn't worship the emperor and thus caused conflict.
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