Ancient Civilizations and Societal Structures

Patriarchy

Social system prioritizing male authority and lineage.

Patrilineal

Inheritance traced through the male line.

Matriarchy

Social system prioritizing female authority and lineage.

Barbarian Fringe

Peripheral regions inhabited by non-civilized tribes.

Taurus Mountains

Mountain range in southern Turkey, historical significance.

Hunter-Gatherers

Society relying on hunting and foraging for sustenance.

Kassites

Ancient people who ruled Babylon after the Old Babylonian period.

Hittites

Ancient Anatolian people known for their empire.

Hattusha

Capital city of the Hittite Empire, located in Turkey.

Two-wheeled chariots

Innovative vehicles used in warfare and transport.

Compound bow

Advanced bow design allowing greater power and range.

Iron

Metal used for tools and weapons, significant in history.

Law of Succession

Regulations governing inheritance of leadership roles.

Treaty of Peace and Alliance

Formal agreement between states for mutual cooperation.

Extradition

Legal process of surrendering an accused person.

Mutual Defense

Agreement for collective defense against aggressors.

Nonaggression

Pact to refrain from military conflict.

Ramesses II

Famous Egyptian pharaoh known for military campaigns.

Crete

Island in Greece, center of Minoan civilization.

Knossos

Major archaeological site of Minoan palace complex.

Maritime

Related to the sea, especially in trade.

Thalassocracy

Maritime-based political power and control.

Arthur Evans

Archaeologist who discovered the Minoan civilization.

Labyrinth

Complex maze associated with the Minotaur myth.

Specialization of Labor

Division of work into distinct tasks for efficiency.

Throne Room of Minos

Ceremonial space in the palace of Knossos.

CEO

Chief Executive Officer, top corporate leader.

Bureaucratic Monarchy

Government system combining monarchy with administrative bureaucracy.

Redistributive Economy

Economic system where resources are shared among people.

Manufacturing

Production of goods using labor and machines.

Defensive Works

Structures built for protection against invasions.

Linear A

Undeciphered script used by Minoan civilization.

Linear B

Deciphered script used for Mycenaean Greek.

Minoan Artwork

Artistic creations reflecting Minoan culture and aesthetics.

Fresco

Technique of mural painting on wet plaster.

Dolphin Room

Famous room in Knossos decorated with dolphins.

Blue Monkey

Minoan fresco depicting a blue monkey.

Art for Art's Sake

Philosophy valuing art for its own merit.

Aesthetic

Concerned with beauty and artistic expression.

Leisure Society

Community prioritizing leisure and cultural activities.

Bull-Jumping

Ritualistic sport involving leaping over bulls.

Matriarchal Religion

Religious practices centered around female deities.

The Snake Goddess

Minoan deity symbolizing fertility and protection.

Goddess of the Hunt

Deity associated with hunting and wilderness.

Hagia Triada Sarcophagus

Ancient burial artifact from Minoan Crete.

Bronze Age

Period characterized by the use of bronze tools.

Bronze, Copper, Tin

Metals used in creating bronze during the Bronze Age.

Thera

Volcanic island, site of significant ancient eruption.

Mycenae

Major center of Mycenaean civilization in Greece.

Mycenaean Civilization

Late Bronze Age civilization known for palatial states.

Heinrich Schliemann

Archaeologist known for discovering Troy and Mycenae.

Cyclopean Walls

Massive stone walls built by Mycenaeans.

Citadel

Fortified center of a city, often a palace.

Acropolis

High city, typically with temples and public buildings.

Megaron

Rectangular hall in Mycenaean palaces.

Wanax

Title for the king in Mycenaean society.

Monarchy

Form of government with a single ruler.

Shaft Graves

Burial sites with deep vertical shafts.

Ostentation

Excessive display of wealth or importance.

Tholoi Tombs

Beehive-shaped burial structures in Mycenaean culture.

Lion's Gate

Famous entrance to Mycenaean citadel.

Michael Ventris

Linguist who deciphered Linear B script.

Syllabaries

Writing systems using symbols for syllables.

Olive Oil

Valuable product in ancient Mediterranean economies.

Perfume

Fragrant liquid used for scent and rituals.

Mycenaean Artwork

Art reflecting the culture and values of Mycenae.

Dyaus

Sky god in Indo-European mythology.

Dendra Armor

Ancient bronze armor found in Dendra, Greece.

Mask of Agamemnon

Gold funeral mask attributed to Mycenaean royalty.

Syncretism

Blending of different religious beliefs and practices.

Chthonic Gods

Deities associated with the underworld.

Olympian Gods

Deities of the Greek pantheon residing on Olympus.

Medinet Habu

Temple complex of Ramesses III in Egypt.

Beder

Ancient city, often associated with trade.

Sea Peoples

Group of maritime raiders impacting ancient Mediterranean.

Pylos

Mycenaean city known for its archaeological significance.

Philistines

Ancient people known for conflict with Israel.

Hammurabi

Babylonian king known for his law code.

Hammurabi's Law Code

Earliest written legal code, emphasizing justice.

Malpractice

Improper or unethical conduct in professional practice.

Retributive Justice

Philosophy of punishment as a response to wrongdoing.

Talionic Law

Principle of equivalent retaliation in justice.

Apodistic Law

Absolute laws without exceptions or conditions.

Causistic Law

Conditional laws based on specific circumstances.

Stele

Stone slab inscribed with text or images.