Foundations (Pre-600) Flashcards

Patriarchy

A form of social organization in which males dominate females

Social Hierarchy

the division of society by rank or class

Aryan Migrations

Indo-European people from Central Asia who migrated to the Indus River Valley. They played a key role in the foundation of Hinduism

Bantu Migration

A linguistic group within Africa who moves from West Africa to Central, South, and East Africa. They played a key role in spreading ironworking, language, and farming and pastoral techniques.

Mandate of Heaven

The belief that heavens/gods blessed the rule of the dynasty in power

Hinduism

A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms

Caste System

A set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's occupation and economic potential, but also his or her position in society. It is deeply connected to Hinduism and Indian culture.

Reincarnation

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the process by which a soul is reborn continuously until it achieves perfect understanding. The belief that someone lives multiple lives.

Brahmins

Hindu priests, at the top of the caste system

Judaism

A religion with a belief in one god. It originated with Abraham and the Hebrew people. Yahweh was responsible for the world and everything within it. They preserved their early history in the Old Testament.

Buddhism

Belief system that started in India in the 500s BC. Happiness can be achieved through removal of one's desires. Believers seek enlightenment and the overcoming of suffering.

Siddhartha Gautama "Buddha"

Means "Enlightened One." He is said to have renounced his worldly possessions and taught of a way to overcome suffering. He is the founder of Buddhism.

Confucianism

A philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It shows the way to ensure a stable government and an orderly society in the present world and stresses a moral code of conduct.

Scholar-Gentry (Confucian)

Leaders in Confucianism who studied key Confucian texts and reinforced key principles. They also were the landowning class in China. Owning large estates worked by peasants.

Filial Piety

In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors.

Daoism

A religion in China which emphasizes the removal from society and to become one with nature.

Christianity

A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior.

Jesus

Founder of Christianity

Caesar Augustus

He established his rule after the death of Julius Caesar and he is considered the first Roman Emperor.

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire.

Twelve Tables

Rome's first code of laws; adopted in 450 B.C.

Constantine

Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)

Great Wall of China

A huge wall that is over 6000 miles, which was built to keep the Mongolians in the north out of China.

Qin Shihuangdi

Founder of the short-lived Qin dynasty. He is remembered for his ruthless conquests of rival states and standardization.

Legalism

A Chinese philosophy that was devoted to strengthen and expand the state through increased agricultural work and military service.

Civil Service Exam

In Imperial China starting in the Han dynasty, it was an exam based on Confucian teachings that was used to select people for various government service jobs in the nationwide administrative bureaucracy.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Ban Zhao

A Chinese woman writer and court official (45-116 C.E.) whose work provides valuable insight on the position of women in classical China.

Silk Roads

A system of ancient caravan routes connecting East Asia and Europe, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods.

Stirrups/Saddles

Enabled traders and warriors to be able to travel long distances.

Indian Ocean Sea Lanes

lanes throughout the Indian Ocean connecting East Africa, southern Arabia, the Persian Gulf, India, Southeast Asia, and southern China

Monsoon Winds

seasonal wind in India, the winter monsoon brings hot, dry weather and the summer monsoon brings rain. The

Lateen Sails/Dhow Ships

Naval inventions that helped improve maritime trade

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Trade routes connecting West Africa, North Africa (and the Mediterranean Sea), and East Africa.

Royal Road

A road for the government use built by the ancient Persian ruler Darius which helped unite the empire, facilitating trade and communication

Satraps

governors of provinces in the Persian Empire

Persian Empire

A major empire in the Middle East from Egypt to India; flourished from around 550 to 330 B.C.E. It's heartland is in modern day Iran.

Persepolis

Capital of Persian Empire

Roman Empire

Empire that lasted from 500 BCE - 476 CE. Initially governed as a republic and eventually governed as an empire.

Rome

Capital of the Roman Empire

Constantinople

Key trade city along the Silk Road in the Roman Empire. Eventually becomes the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)

Qin Empire

A dynasty that replaced the Zhou dynasty in the 3rd century (476 to 221 BCE). The emperor used Legalism to unite his country. During this time, canals and irrigation systems were built and the Great Wall of China was expanded.

Han Empire

Classical empire in China. Embraced Confucianism, the Mandate of Heaven, and created the Civil Service Exam.

Chang'an

Key trade city along the Silk Road in China. Later capital of the Tang Dynasty in China.

Xiongnu

A confederation of nomadic peoples living beyond the northwest frontier of ancient China. Their raids contributed to the fall of the Han Dynasty.

Cyrus the Great

king of Persia and founder of the Persian empire (circa 600-529 BC)

Darius the Great

king of Persia who expanded the empire and invaded Greece.

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting - Rome transitioned to this style of government after they were an empire. It involved Consuls, the Senate, and Tribunes and the creation of the Twelve Tables