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Lesson 3: Greece and Persia — Practice Questions

  1. 1. What was the main reason the Greek city-states had to rely on clever strategies and their knowledge of the land during the Persian Wars?

    • A. Their soldiers refused to fight in open fields.
    • B. The Persian army was much larger and had more soldiers.
    • C. They did not have enough ships for a naval battle.
    • D. The Persian leaders were known for being poor strategists.
  2. 2. In the narrow strait of Salamis, why were the smaller Greek ships more effective than the larger Persian vessels?

    • A. They were built from stronger wood.
    • B. They could turn and move more quickly.
    • C. They carried more soldiers than the Persian ships.
    • D. They were equipped with long-range catapults.
  3. 3. At the Battle of Marathon, what advantage did the Greek soldiers' heavy bronze armor and long spears provide over the Persian forces?

    • A. It allowed them to move faster than the Persians.
    • B. It gave them better protection and reach in close combat.
    • C. It was designed for fighting on ships.
    • D. It was lighter and easier to carry for long marches.
  4. 4. The Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis was largely due to the use of a narrow sea channel. What was the main disadvantage of this channel for the Persian fleet?

    • A. The water was too shallow for their large ships.
    • B. The Greeks had blocked the exit with chains.
    • C. Their large numbers became a weakness as ships could not move freely.
    • D. Their navigators were unfamiliar with the local tides in the channel.
  5. 5. Which statement best describes the successful Greek strategy at the Battle of Marathon?

    • A. They ambushed the Persians from a hidden mountain pass.
    • B. They pretended to retreat to lead the Persians into a trap.
    • C. They strengthened their flanks to encircle and overwhelm the Persians.
    • D. They used their navy to attack the Persians from the sea.
  6. 6. What was a major financial problem for the Persian Empire after the Persian Wars that caused its people to become upset?

    • A. The government raised taxes significantly to cover war costs.
    • B. Trade routes were permanently closed by the Greeks.
    • C. The empire ran out of gold to make coins.
    • D. Allied city-states refused to pay for protection.
  7. 7. Besides the cost of war, what other internal issue contributed to the weakening of the Persian government?

    • A. A series of natural disasters destroyed farmland.
    • B. Constant struggles and plots over who would be king.
    • C. The army refused to fight for the kings.
    • D. A new religion divided the population.
  8. 8. Which leader took advantage of Persia's weakened state to conquer its empire in the 300s B.C.E.?

    • A. Cyrus the Great
    • B. King Leonidas of Sparta
    • C. Alexander the Great
    • D. Themistocles of Athens
  9. 9. The combination of heavy taxation and fights for the throne within the Persian Empire directly led to which outcome?

    • A. A much weaker government and military.
    • B. An alliance with the Greek city-states.
    • C. A period of great economic prosperity.
    • D. The rapid expansion of its borders.
  10. 10. Which statement best summarizes why the Persian Empire eventually fell?

    • A. It was conquered by a surprise naval attack from Egypt.
    • B. A slave rebellion successfully overthrew the monarchy.
    • C. The empire became too large to manage its trade routes.
    • D. Internal weakness made it an easy target for invasion.