Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the relationship of Greek and Hebrew culture to Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations?
A)There is no significant connection.
B)The Greeks and Hebrews shared the rational approach to the study of nature that was pioneered by the Mesopotamians.
C)By rejecting and transforming elements of the older civilization, the Greek and Hebrew cultures helped to create "new points of departure for the human mind."
D)The Hebrews drew primarily from the Egyptians, while the Greeks drew mainly from the Mesopotamians.
E)There is no significant difference between the two.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement that best represents the relationship between Greek and Hebrew culture and Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations is that by rejecting and transforming elements of the older civilization, the Greek and Hebrew cultures helped to create "new points of departure for the human mind." Both Greek and Hebrew culture were deeply influenced by earlier civilizations, but they transformed these influences in distinctive ways that helped to shape the subsequent development of Western culture. The Greeks, for example, borrowed heavily from Mesopotamian science and philosophy, but they combined these elements with their own religious and aesthetic traditions to create a wholly new intellectual tradition. Similarly, the Hebrews drew on Egyptian religion and culture, but they transformed these influences to fit their own religious and ethical worldview.

Which of the Following Is the Most Accurate Statement About