Question

according to our course materials, steppe societies like the xiongnu posed a unique challenge to settled empires because:

• they lacked any military capability
• their mobile lifestyle made them hard to conquer or control
• they practiced pacifism and refused conflict
• they refused to participate in silk road exchange

question 6
according to our course materials, the mandate of heaven as used by the zhou dynasty justified rule based on what idea?

• hereditary divine lineage
• military conquest and power
• moral virtue and the ability to govern well
• birthright determined by the stars

question 7
according to our course materials, the vedic texts were initially transmitted in what way?

• orally by brahmin priests in sanskrit
• through temple inscriptions
• via silk-bound scrolls traded through central asia
• written by scribes in pali on palm leaves

Explanation:

Analyze the challenge of steppe societies

Steppe societies like the Xiongnu had a highly mobile, nomadic lifestyle. This mobility made them extremely difficult for centralized, settled agrarian empires to conquer, control, or permanently subjugate.

Analyze the Zhou Mandate of Heaven

The Mandate of Heaven (Tianming) was a political and religious doctrine used to justify the rule of the King of China. It asserted that heaven bestowed the right to rule on a just leader (the "Son of Heaven"). If a ruler became corrupt or tyrannical, heaven would withdraw the mandate, meaning rule was justified by moral virtue and the ability to govern well.

Analyze the transmission of Vedic texts

The Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed in Vedic Sanskrit. They were preserved and transmitted orally with extreme phonetic accuracy by Brahmin priests across generations before being written down.

Answer:

Question 5

• They lacked any military capability
• Their mobile lifestyle made them hard to conquer or control (Correct answer)
• They practiced pacifism and refused conflict
• They refused to participate in Silk Road exchange

Question 6

• Hereditary divine lineage
• Military conquest and power
• Moral virtue and the ability to govern well (Correct answer)
• Birthright determined by the stars

Question 7

• Orally by Brahmin priests in Sanskrit (Correct answer)
• Through temple inscriptions
• Via silk-bound scrolls traded through Central Asia
• Written by scribes in Pali on palm leaves