world vocab 1

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that ruled from 960 to 1279 CE, known for its economic prosperity, technological advancements, and cultural flourishing.

Neo-Confucianism

a philosophical and ethical movement that emerged in China during the Song dynasty, synthesizing Confucian thought with elements of Buddhism and Daoism.

Filial Piety

the Confucian virtue of love, respect, and support for one's parents and ancestors

Civil Service Exam

the merit-based system of examinations used in Imperial China, particularly during the Han and Song dynasties, to select individuals for government positions

Sinification

the process by which Chinese culture, ideas, and political systems spread to and are adopted by neighboring regions, particularly in East and Southeast Asia

Champa Rice

a fast-ripening and drought-resistant strain of rice that originated in the Champa Kingdom (present-day Vietnam).

Tribute system

a hierarchical structure where subordinate states or groups pay tribute (goods, labor, or resources) to a dominant power, often a larger empire, in exchange for recognition of the dominant power's authority and protection.

Grand Canal

a vast, artificial waterway system in eastern and northern China, primarily used for transportation and irrigation, connecting the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.

Woodblock Printing

a relief printing technique where an image or text is carved into a wooden block, inked, and then pressed onto paper or fabric to create a print.

Foot Binding

a Chinese custom, primarily practiced from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) through the early 20th century, involving the painful binding of young girls' feet to make them smaller and more curved, considered a mark of beauty and status.

Emperor

a sovereign ruler of an empire, typically holding supreme power and authority over a large territory and its people. The title signifies a ruler with extensive dominion, often encompassing multiple territories or nations.

Dynastic Rule

a system where a country, empire, or state is governed by a succession of rulers from the same family, often for extended periods.

Mandate of Heaven

an ancient Chinese philosophical concept that granted a ruler the divine right to govern, believing that the heavens chose the ruler based on their virtue and ability to maintain order and prosperity.

Eunuch

a castrated male who served in various roles, often within royal courts or households. They were frequently employed as guards, servants, or advisors, particularly in contexts where their lack of reproductive capability was seen as a guarantee of loyalty and reduced threat to the ruler's family.

Ming Dynasty

1368 to 1644, was a significant Chinese dynasty that followed the Yuan Dynasty (Mongol rule). It's notable for being the last dynasty ruled by ethnic Han Chinese. saw a return to traditional Chinese governance, economic growth, and cultural achievements, as well as a brief period of maritime exploration.

Koryo

a Korean kingdom that existed from 918 to 1392 CE. It unified the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea and is known for its cultural achievements, including advancements in Buddhism, celadon ceramics, and the development of metal movable type printing.

Heian Period

794 to 1185 CE, is a crucial era in Japanese history, particularly noted for its cultural and artistic flourishing.

Fujiwara

a prominent Japanese aristocratic family that held significant influence over the imperial court, particularly during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE).

Shogun

the military dictator of Japan during the feudal period. held actual political and military power, essentially ruling the country.

Samurai

the warrior class of Japan who served as retainers to feudal lords. They were known for their military skill, discipline, and adherence to a strict code of conduct called bushido, emphasizing loyalty, honor, and bravery.

Five Pillars

the core practices and beliefs that form the foundation of Muslim life and faith. They are: Shahada (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Umma

the community of all Muslims bound together by their faith. It signifies a global community of believers transcending national, ethnic, and racial boundaries, united by their shared Islamic beliefs and practices.

Dhimmi

non-Muslims living under Islamic rule who are granted protection and certain rights in exchange for paying a special tax called the jizya.

Sunni

the largest branch of Islam, emphasizing the traditional teachings of Muhammad (Sunnah) and recognizing the first four caliphs as rightful successors.

Shia

the branch of Islam that believes Ali, the Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin, and his descendants are the rightful successors to Muhammad, not the first caliph, Abu Bakr, or the Umayyad dynasty.

Sharia Law

the body of Islamic law, derived from the Quran and the teachings and example of Prophet Muhammad. It encompasses a wide range of guidelines and principles governing various aspects of Muslim life, including religious practice, social interactions, and legal matters.

Jizya

a per capita tax levied on non-Muslim subjects, known as Dhimmis, within a state governed by Islamic law.

Qu'ran

the central religious text of Islam, believed to be the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Ulama

refers to a body of Muslim scholars recognized as authorities on Islamic law and religious doctrine. They played a crucial role in interpreting the Quran and Sunnah, resolving legal disputes, and shaping Islamic societies.

Seljuk Empire

a powerful medieval Turkic empire that controlled a vast area including parts of Central Asia, Persia, and Anatolia from the 11th to the 14th centuries.

Mamluk Empire

a powerful state in Egypt and Syria that existed from 1250 to 1517. It was ruled by a military caste of __, who were originally slave soldiers of Turkic and Circassian origin. The __ overthrew the Ayyubid dynasty, established their own rule, and notably defeated the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, halting their expansion into the region.

Umayyad Caliphate

the first Islamic empire to rule after the death of Muhammad, lasting from 661 to 750 CE. It was characterized by its rapid expansion, centered in Damascus, and the establishment of a centralized administration. While initially focused on Arab dominance, it eventually saw the integration of conquered populations and the spread of Islamic culture.

Abbasid Caliphate

a powerful Islamic empire that emerged in 750 CE after overthrowing the Umayyad Caliphate. It's known for its Golden Age, marked by advancements in science, math, literature, and culture, with Baghdad as its capital. The __ ruled for over three centuries, significantly impacting the development of Islamic civilization.

House of Wisdom

a major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age, located in Baghdad. It functioned as a library, academy, and translation center, where scholars translated and preserved ancient Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic.

Sufis

mystics within Islam who seek a personal, direct experience of God through spiritual practices and introspection. They emphasize inner purification and connection with the divine, often through practices like meditation, dhikr (remembrance of God), and spiritual guidance from a sheikh.

Battle of Talas

fought in 751 CE, was a clash between the Arab Abbasid Caliphate and the Chinese Tang Dynasty. This battle, taking place near the Talas River in Central Asia, is significant for halting the westward expansion of the Tang Dynasty and for the subsequent spread of Islamic influence in the region.

Battle of Tours

fought in 732 CE near Poitiers, France, was a significant military engagement where Frankish forces under Charles Martel defeated the Umayyad Caliphate's army, halting the Muslim advance into Europe.

Cordoba

a city in Andalusia, Spain, that was a major center of Islamic culture and power during the Umayyad Caliphate's rule over al-Andalus (Islamic Iberia). It was a hub of intellectual and artistic activity, boasting a large population and significant architectural achievements.

Viziers

a high-ranking political advisor or minister in various historical contexts, particularly in ancient Egypt and Islamic societies. In ancient Egypt, the vizier served as the Pharaoh's chief advisor and top administrator, often managing daily affairs and overseeing other officials.

Madrasa

an Islamic institution of higher learning, typically focused on religious studies, law, and other related subjects. These institutions played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural landscape of the Dar al-Islam (the world of Islam) from the medieval period onwards.

Ibn Battuta

Moroccan Muslim scholar and traveler, renowned for his extensive journeys and the detailed account of his travels, known as the Rihla. His travels, spanning nearly three decades, covered a vast geographical area including North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Europe, offering invaluable insights into the social, cultural, and political landscapes of the medieval world.

Hinduism

a diverse and ancient religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It's characterized by a wide array of beliefs and practices, including the concept of dharma (duty), karma (consequences of actions), and reincarnation, with the ultimate goal of moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).

Buddhism

a religion and philosophy that originated in India with Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. It emphasizes the cessation of suffering through practices like meditation and adherence to the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Caste System

a rigid social hierarchy, particularly evident in classical India, where individuals are born into a specific social group (caste or jati) that largely determines their social status, occupation, and access to resources throughout their lives.

Sati

the historical Hindu practice where a widow immolates herself on her husband's funeral pyre. It was traditionally viewed as a demonstration of a widow's devotion to her deceased husband and a way to join him in the afterlife.

Delhi Sultanate

a series of five short-lived Islamic kingdoms that ruled over a large part of the Indian subcontinent for 300 years, from the 13th to the 16th century. Represents the first Islamic government established in India, and for its interactions with invaders like the Mongols and the Mughals.

Khmer Empire

also known as the Angkor Empire, was a powerful Southeast Asian Hindu-Buddhist civilization that flourished from approximately 802 to 1431 CE. It's known for its vast territory, impressive architecture (including Angkor Wat), and sophisticated irrigation systems.

Bhakti Movement

a Hindu religious movement emphasizing the importance of personal devotion to a deity as a path to spiritual liberation. It flourished in medieval India, with a focus on emotional connection and personal experience with the divine, often through music, dance, and poetry.

Buddhist monasticism

the organized way of life centered around Buddhist monks and nuns who have renounced worldly pursuits to devote themselves to spiritual practice and the teachings of the Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism

a major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the path to Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings.

Theravada Buddhism

a major branch of Buddhism, often called the "Doctrine of the Elders," that emphasizes the original teachings and practices of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.

Angkor Wat

a massive temple complex built in the 12th century by the Khmer Empire. It initially served as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, reflecting the empire's dominant religion at the time.

Malacca

a powerful maritime state that flourished in the 15th and early 16th centuries in Southeast Asia. It was a key player in the Indian Ocean trade, controlling the Strait of __ and becoming a cosmopolitan trading hub.

Rajput

a large, multi-component cluster of Hindu warrior clans in northern India who rose to prominence during the medieval period. They are known for their martial traditions, claims to Kshatriya (warrior) status, and the establishment of numerous kingdoms and dynasties.

Sultan

a ruler of a Muslim country, often associated with the Ottoman Empire.

Purdah

the practice of secluding women from public view, often by using clothing, screens, or enclosed spaces.

Maya city-states

the Maya were organized into numerous independent city-states.

mexica

also known as the Aztecs, were a powerful Mesoamerican civilization that established a large empire in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. They are known for their sophisticated urban center, Tenochtitlan, located on an island in Lake Texcoco, and their practice of chinampa agriculture.

inca

a large and sophisticated civilization in the Andes Mountains of South America, characterized by its centralized state, extensive road system, and unique cultural practices.

andes mountains

a major mountain range in South America, particularly significant for the Inca civilization that developed within its diverse ecological zones.

mesa verde

significant archaeological site in the United States, renowned for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan (also known as Anasazi) cliff dwellings. These dwellings, built into the sides of cliffs and rock overhangs, provide a unique glimpse into the lives of the people who inhabited the area from approximately 600 to 1300 CE.

cahokia

a major Mississippian city located near present-day St. Louis, Missouri, that flourished from around 1050 to 1350 CE. It was the largest and most influential urban center north of Mexico before the arrival of Europeans.

cuzco

the name of the historical capital of the Inca Empire. It served as the empire's administrative, religious, and ceremonial center.

pachacuti

the ninth Inca ruler who transformed the small kingdom of Cusco into a vast empire. He is credited with initiating the Inca expansion, implementing significant administrative and military reforms, and modernizing the capital city of Cuzco

mita system

a system of labor tribute or public service that was utilized by both the Inca Empire and the Spanish colonial administration in the Americas

waru-waru

an ancient agricultural technique developed in the Andean region of South America, specifically by pre-Hispanic civilizations like the Inca. It involves constructing raised planting beds separated by shallow canals or ditches. These canals collect and redistribute rainwater, preventing erosion during floods and providing a water source during dry periods

machu picchu

a well-preserved 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, known for its sophisticated stonework and unique architecture. It is believed to have been built as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti and was later abandoned.

quipu

a record-keeping device developed by the Inca civilization using knotted and colored strings. It was a sophisticated system for storing and conveying information, particularly numerical data, and was crucial for the Inca Empire's administration.

aztecs

a Mesoamerican people who established a powerful empire in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. They were known for their sophisticated civilization, including advancements in art, architecture, and astronomy, as well as their complex social and political structures.

terrace farming

the agricultural technique of cutting flat platforms, or terraces, into hillsides or mountainsides to create arable land for farming.

lake texcoco

a large, shallow, and saline lake in the Valley of Mexico. It is most notable for being the location where the Mexica (Aztecs) established their capital city, Tenochtitlan, on an island in the lake.

yucatan peninsula

a peninsula in southeastern Mexico and northern Central America, historically significant as the heart of Maya civilization.

Tenochtitlan

the capital city of the Aztec Empire, established in 1325 on an island in Lake Texcoco. It was a large, sophisticated city with a complex social structure, impressive architecture, and advanced engineering, including causeways, aqueducts, and chinampas (floating gardens).

chinampas (ON QUIZ)

"floating gardens," were a sophisticated agricultural technique developed by the Aztecs in the Valley of Mexico. These artificial islands, built on shallow lake beds, allowed for intensive farming in a region with limited arable land.

Inti

the sun god, revered as a patron deity of the Inca Empire.

carpa nan (ON QUIZ)

the extensive road system built by the Inca civilization. This network of roads, stretching approximately 25,000 miles, was crucial for connecting various parts of the vast Inca Empire, facilitating communication, trade, and the movement of the Inca army and government officials.

ghana

refers to the ancient___ Empire, a powerful West African kingdom that flourished from the 3rd to the 12th centuries CE. It was known for its wealth in gold and its significant role in the trans-Saharan trade

mali

a West African empire that flourished from the 13th to the 17th century. It was renowned for its wealth, particularly in gold, and its significant influence on the region's culture and trade

sundiata

the founder of the Mali Empire, a powerful West African state that rose to prominence in the 13th century. He's renowned for uniting various Malinke kingdoms, leading them to victory against the Sosso kingdom, and establishing a centralized government.

Mansa Musa

emperor, of the Mali Empire, ruling from 1312 to 1337 CE. He is renowned for his immense wealth, his hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, and his patronage of Islamic scholarship and architecture.

berbers

an indigenous group of people inhabiting North Africa, with a history stretching back thousands of years. They are not a monolithic group, but rather a collection of diverse tribes and communities, united by shared cultural and linguistic heritage.

bantu migrations

a large-scale movement of Bantu-speaking peoples from their origin in West Africa across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, beginning around 3000 to 2000 BCE. This expansion, driven by factors like population growth and resource needs, introduced Bantu languages, farming practices, and ironworking technologies to new regions.

griots

a storyteller, historian, poet, musician, and praise singer, all rolled into one. oral historians, preserving and transmitting the history, genealogy, and cultural traditions of their communities through spoken word, music, and performance.

swahili

Coast in East Africa, a region where a distinct culture and language emerged from interactions between Bantu-speaking Africans and Arab traders.

Swahili city-states

Cities like Kilwa, Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Mogadishu were major trading ports and centers of Swahili culture.

matrilineal descent

a system where lineage or kinship is traced through the female line, meaning a person's family line is identified by their mother and her female ancestors.

malaria

a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily in tropical regions, and historically associated with poverty and outbreaks in Africa.

Hausa Kingdoms

a collection of independent city-states in West Africa, flourishing from around the 7th to the 19th centuries.

feudalism

a social and political system prevalent in medieval Europe where land ownership (fiefs) was exchanged for military service and loyalty. Kings granted land to nobles, who in turn owed them military support and other obligations. These nobles, in turn, granted land to knights and other vassals, who also owed them service and loyalty.

roman catholicism

the Christian faith and religious practices centered in Rome and led by the Pope. It's one of the three major branches of Christianity, alongside Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

the branch of Christianity that developed in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and historically separated from the Western (Roman Catholic) branch. It's characterized by its unique theological interpretations, liturgical practices, and historical relationship with the Byzantine state, where the emperor often played a significant role in church affairs.

byzantine empire

the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire, flourishing after the Western Roman Empire's collapse in the 5th century CE. It was centered in Constantinople and lasted until the Ottoman conquest in 1453

manorial system

a system of reciprocal obligations between landlords and peasants.

Peasants

a term for a person of low social status, typically an agricultural laborer or small farmer, who works the land, often under a feudal or manorial system.

knights

highly skilled, mounted warriors who served as soldiers and protectors for nobles and lords in medieval Europe, often in exchange for land or other privileges

Code of Chivalry

a moral system that defined expected behavior for medieval knights, emphasizing virtues like bravery, loyalty, honor, and piety.

guilds

associations of artisans or merchants who cooperate to protect their economic interests and ensure standards of quality and fair practices within their specific trade or craft.

vassals

a person who held land (a fief) under the feudal system in exchange for service and loyalty to a lord or monarch

serfdom

a system where agricultural laborers, known as serfs, were legally tied to the land they worked and obligated to provide labor and goods to a lord.

three field system

a medieval agricultural practice where arable land was divided into three sections. One section was planted with winter crops like wheat or rye, another with spring crops such as peas or beans, and the third was left fallow (unplanted) to replenish its nutrients.