How can learning about art you understand the people who made it many years ago.

Helps you understand the culture.

Explanation: Learning about art can help you learn the culture of that time period and how the people used to live, feel etc it can help you understand more about the person(S)

i'm not sure i completely understand your question, but i will do my best.

i think the answer you are looking for is sequence. (see below)

a repeated melodic fragment would be best defined as repetition, while repeated chords (different or the same) could be a chord progression. however, you then mentioned the chord and melodic fragment beginning on higher or lower pitches, in that case, the answer could be best defined as a sequence. the definition of a sequence is as follows: "the restatement of a motif or longer melodic (or harmonic) passage at a higher or lower pitch in the same voice."

let me know if this !