Ancient Persian Empires Quiz

How many of the ancient Persian empires were founded by Persians? Select the letter next to the best answer.

• two

• three

• four

• five

Emperors of ancient Persia needed to establish (a)   to overcome the challenges of ruling over their subject states. Select the letter next to the best answer.

What is one reason there is limited access to written records about ancient Persia? Select the letter next to the best answer.

• Ancient Persia relied largely on oral history.

• Scholars have been unable to translate ancient Persian texts.

• Later conquerors of Persia worked to destroy most records.

• Written records have been lost mainly to natural disasters.

Which statement is true of modern understanding and knowledge of ancient Persia? Select the letter next to the best answer.

• It includes little on the Greco-Macedonian empires.

• It reflects only the work of Western scholars.

• It changes continually to reflect new findings.

• It comes from oral histories passed down over centuries.

Identify the order in which the five ancient Persian empires occurred. Select the letter next to the best answer.

• Achaemenid, Seleukid, Alexander the Great, Sasanian, Arsacid

• Alexander the Great, Seleukid, Achaemenid, Arsacid, Sasanian

• Arsacid, Sasanian, Alexander the Great, Seleukid, Achaemenid

• Achaemenid, Alexander the Great, Seleukid, Arsacid, Sasanian

The Persepolis Fortification and Treasure Tablets have been important in providing information about

• government during the Achaemenid Empire.

• ancient Iranic religion during the Seleukid Empire.

• Greek influence during the Arsacid Empire.

• business and trade during the Sasanian Empire.

Much of our knowledge of ancient Persia has come from the works of outsiders, mostly Greeks. Why might these works not be entirely reliable?

• The writers had little first-hand knowledge of ancient Persia.

• The writers aimed to entertain rather than educate.

• The writers recounted history only through poetry.

• The writers were biased against Persians.

Historians believe that the first ancient Persian empire began to emerge after

• The Medes failed to defeat Assyria.

• Teispes sacked the city of Susa.

• Cyrus the Great proclaimed himself king.

• The Elamite kingdom faded.

How did Cyrus the Great establish the Achaemenid Empire?

• by conquering kingdoms including Babylon and Egypt

• by revolting against the Assyrians and Babylonians

• by defeating the Greek city-states in the Peloponnesian Wars

• by receiving military support from Philip of Macedonia

Scholars disagree on the role of Darius I in the founding of the Achaemenid Empire, but he is considered the one who

• usurped the throne of Achaemenes.

• named it by claiming to be a descendant of Achaemenes.

• expanded it by conquering more territory than other leaders.

• founded ancient Persia.