Untitled Flashcards Set

Minoans

Civilization that thrived on the island of Crete, known for being prosperous, seafaring, and peaceful.

Mycenaeans

Civilization that conquered the Minoans, known for their militant and aggressive nature, located on the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Heinrich Schliemann

Archeologist who discovered the city of Troy and its ruins based on Homer's epics.

Homer

Considered either a blind poet or a collection of poets, credited with writing the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Polis

Independent city-states of Ancient Greece.

Acropolis

The highest point in a city, often the site of temples dedicated to gods.

Democracy

System of government invented by the Greeks, meaning ‘power to the people’.

Olympics

Ancient athletic competitions held every four years starting in 776 BCE.

Persian Wars

Conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire.

Battle of Marathon

A significant battle in 490 BCE where 10,000 Greeks defeated 90,000 Persians.

Socratic Method

A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking, originated by Socrates.

Plato's Theory of Forms

Philosophical concept suggesting that non-material abstract (forms) represent the most accurate reality.

Aristotle's Empirical Method

Philosophy that emphasizes knowledge through sensory experience.

Feudalism

The social and economic system that arose after the fall of Rome, characterized by a hierarchical structure of land ownership.

Monasticism

A religious system involving monks who live in communities and follow strict rules of conduct.

Gregorian Chant

A form of plainchant used in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.

The Crusades

Military campaigns in the Middle Ages by Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims.

Gothic Architecture

Style of architecture characterized by pointed arches, flying buttresses, and large stained glass windows.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic that struck Europe in the 14th century, killing millions.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core beliefs and practices of Islam: confession of faith, prayer, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, considered the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad.

Thermopylae

Famous battle where 300 Spartans held off a much larger Persian army.

Idealism (in Greek Art)

An artistic approach that depicts subjects in their most perfect form.

Heroic Code

Ethical principle in Ancient Greece that emphasized bravery and glory in battle.

Naturalist Philosophers

Early thinkers who applied reason to understand the natural world.

Jihad

In Islam, a struggle or effort in the way of God; can refer to internal struggle or defense of the faith.

Abrahamic Religions

Religions that trace their origins to the patriarch Abraham, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.