World Civ Essays

How many paragraphs in the India essay?

5 paragraphs

5 groups to cover in India essay

Harrapans, Aryans, Mauryans, Kushans, and Guptas

Who were the Harrapans?

an ancient indian civilization in the Indus river valley. The first in this area.

What were the achievements of the Harrapans?

Grid patterned streets, a written language we cannot read, they traded with the Akkadians under Sargon, they built the great baths at Mohenjo Daro.

What happened to the Harrapans?

The Harrapans disapeared around the late bronze age for unknown reasons. It could be irregular flooding, overuse of resources, or foreign invaders.

Who were the Aryans?

A group of Indo-European tribes that invaded India from the North. They conquered the Dravidians in the Indus river Valley. Established themselves as dominant power.

What did the Aryans create or bring with them?

They introduced Hinduism and the Vedas, the language Sanskrit, and the caste system.

Hinduism

A religion brought by the Aryans. Polytheistic, worships gods like Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, emphasizing concepts like karma and dharma.

Sanskrit

The ancient language of India, used in Hindu scriptures and classical Indian literature, originating from the Indo-European language family.

Vedas

Religious text in Hinduism with a collection of hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings that form the foundation of Hindu beliefs and practices.

Caste system

Ridid social class system that emphasized family and skin color. There was no fluidity or intermarriage between the classes. Hinduism stated that if you followed your dharma, or what you are supposed to do in life, you will move up a caste in the next life. 4 castes.

Brahmans

Clergy and priest caste, highest. Aryans are up in the higher castes.

Kshatriyas

Warrior and ruler caste, second highest.

Vaishayas

Merchant and landowner caste, third highest.

Shudras

Laborers and service caste, lowest. Aryans put those with darker skins and the dravidians here.

What happened to the Aryans?

Eventually, Alexander the Great came in and disrupted things.

Mauryan dynasty

First empire to unify a lot of India. Started by Chandragupta Maurya, who took over from the Greek rulers Alexander put on the throne.

Chandragupta Maurya

Founder of the Mauryan dynasty, he unified much of India following the departure of Alexander the Great. He was a patron of Jainism. He was pure Indian and not at all Greek. Eventually, he left the throne to become a monk and starved to death.

Jainism

Religion founded by Mahavira that emphasizes non-violence (Ahimsa) and a life of little pleasure.

Kautilya

An advisor under Chandragupta Maurya who wrote the Arthashastra, a test in the genre Mirrors for Princes. His teachings went against the prevailing moral values, advocating for realpolitik and the effective use of power.

Ashoka

Chandragupta Maurya’s grandson who came to power. He was a powerful ruler, but converted to Buddhism after he saw the carnage of war. He sent missionaries to spread the word of Buddhism and built rock edicts to promote moral and ethical governance throughout his empire. HE ALSO ESTABLISHED A HEGEMONIC RULE

What rule did Ashoka establish?

A hegemonic rule where he let people rule for him.

What happened to the Mauryan dynasty?

The Mauryan dynasty eventually declined due to weak leadership, internal conflict, and invasions by foreign powers, leading to its eventual dissolution. Ashoka had no clear heir

Who were the Kushans?

The Kushans were a group called the Guishang in China, a subsection of the Yueizi. They were driven out of China by the Xiongu. They invaded India and slowly took control.

Accomplishments of the Kushan dynasty

The Kushan dynasty is known for its role in facilitating trade along the Silk Road, cultural syncretism between Indian and Hellenistic influences, and the promotion of Buddhism, including the support of the Gandhara school of art. They established a capital near Kabul, they promoted sea trade and silk road trade, they used a variation of the Greek alphabet adapted to the Indian language, and they were the first to introduce a gold coinage system in India. THE KUSHANS WERE TRADERS

Kanishka

Ruler of the Kushan dynasty who introduced Mahayana Buddhism, the modern form of Buddhism. He fully adopted Indian culture and Buddhism, and sent missionaires to spread the religion across Central Asia and beyond.

What happened to the Kushans?

Not important

Gupta dynasty

The Gupta dynasty was a powerful Indian empire that thrived from the 4th to 6th centuries CE, known for advancements in arts, sciences, mathematics, and the establishment of a golden age in Indian history. They were the apex of India. They conquer less territory, but last longer.

Rulers of Gupta dynasty

Indian, not Indo-Greek.

Accomplishments of the Gupta dynasty

include significant achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and literature, as well as the flourishing of arts and architecture, leading to a cultural golden age in India. Military and Territorial conquests as well. Freedom of religion, but a return to Hinduism.

Chandragupta

Apex of the Gupta dynasty. They are the longest reigning. They use iron. He promoted Hinduism, but allowed a freedom of religion.

What happened to the Guptas?

The rulers after Chandragupta faced invasions by the Huns and internal strife, leading to the decline and eventual fragmentation of the Gupta Empire.

How many paragraphs in Greek essay?

4

What are the four paragraphs?

Government (Athens and Sparta), Economics, Religion, and culture.

What to cover in Government section?

Discuss the political structures, functions, and contrasting roles of Athens and Sparta, including democracy in Athens and oligarchy in Sparta. Write about road to democracy in Athens, and how Lycourgus established the Spartan system.

Road to democracy in Athens

 Originally, rich were the ones with political power but when iron weapons were introduced, more war began.  War was fought by the impoverished without question.  But with the introduction of the phalanx formation, more soldiers were needed and the lower class decided if they were going to be fighting for their city-state, they should get a say in government.  So Athens developed a democracy, in which citizens could serve on an assembly.

Lycourgus reforms

 In Sparta, Lycourgus created a constitution and an oligarchy to balance monarchy with absolute power and democracy, or the rule of the mob.  He established 2 kings with mostly ceremonial duties who came from 2 family lines that claimed to be descended from Hercules.  He established the Ephors, of the council of old men, with 5 old men.  He created the Gerousia, a council of 28 old retired men who also served with the two kings.

Athenian government

Governors or Arkhons were elected for one year terms and then invited to serve on the Areopagus, a council of arkhons that served like the supreme court.  The Boule was introduced as the legislative branch, and it was divided into 10 tribes.  The Boule was later expanded by Kleisthenes, or the father of democracy, to 500 members, 50 equal for each tribe.  He also made it that no matter how much land a person had, they could vote.

Draco

Athenian lawgiver known for his written legal code, which established severe punishments for crimes and laid the groundwork for later legal reforms. First to distinguish murder from manslaughter

Solon reforms

a system of laws and rights for all citizens, abolishing debt slavery, and establishing a more just and equitable political system in Athens. He introduced reforms that expanded participation in government, restructured the social classes, and aimed to alleviate economic disparities.

What was the difference between Atheinian Assembly and Spartan assembly?

Athenian assembly could vote on and propose policies, Spartan could only vote.

Ephor

A member of a governing body in ancient Sparta responsible for overseeing the education of youth, the conduct of citizens, and the enforcement of laws, serving as a check on the power of the kings.

Gerousia

the council of elders in Sparta responsible for proposing laws and guiding decision-making.

Arkhon

An official in ancient Athens who served as a leader and administrator, responsible for various public duties and overseeing the governance of the city-state.

Boule

The advisory council in ancient Athens, composed of representatives from different tribes, which prepared legislation and helped guide the political decision-making process.

Areopagus

a prestigious council in ancient Athens consisting of former archons, responsible for overseeing legal matters and maintaining moral standards in the city.

Who was Kleisthenes

Kleisthenes was an Athenian statesman known as the "Father of Athenian Democracy," who implemented political reforms that established a more democratic system of governance in Athens.

4 reforms of Kleisthenes

Increasing the Boule to 500 members, making citizenship regardless of wealth, introducing equality under the law and free speech, and 10 tribes representing all classes, ostracism.

What is needed for the economics portion of the essay?

Cimon and the Drachma, the Delian league, iron bars for Sparta, Hesiod’s opinions on trade, the Spartan rules about trade, the main economy of Athens and their ideas on wealth.

Cimon

A prominent Athenian statesman and general during the early 5th century BC, known for his leadership in the Persian Wars and strengthening Athenian power in the Delian League. Created the Drachma

Drachma

The standard currency of ancient Greece, used in trade and commerce, valued based on weight and often made of silver.

What was Athens main export?

Silver

What were the Athenian vs Spartan ideas on wealth?

Athens and Sparta had similar but contrasting ideas on wealth.   Athens believed that wealth was alright, as long as it was based on merit and used for good purposes, like to benefit the state.  They also believed that wealth should not be a point of discrimination and they firmly believed in the idea that government should not benefit one or the other.  Solon in particular wanted the classes to be more equalized, so he cancelled all debts.  However, this didn’t actually work very well as he neither benefitted the rich nor the poor.  In Sparta, they also believed a system of merit was better than one of class.  Lycourgus divided the land equally among his subjects, and also decreed that no one was to live in luxury and all people were to eat together rather than separately.  People couldn’t spend their money on fancy clothes or food, but would live in harmony.  However, they did have an oligarchy, so their government had some manner of elitism.

Spartan idea on trade

On the matter of trade, the Nation of Sparta greatly opposed it because they didn’t want anyone returning with any new ideas and questioning their system so they isolated themselves.

Hesiod opinions on Trade

1. One particular Athenian historian, Hesiod, shared his thoughts on trade, associating it with a man who has no other option.  He claimed that if a person must trade and sail, not to put all goods in one ship or to sail during the wrong season.

3rd paragraph

Greek religion

What to include in 3rd paragraph

Olympians, different temples, oracles, worship, Herodotus’s theogony, Minoan and Myceanaen art and religion, age of heroes, Odyssey and Iliad. Patron gods.

Who were the 12 Olympians?

Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Athena and Aphrodite.

Why did the different gods have different temples?

Different gods had unique temples to reflect their distinct identities, roles, and attributes within Greek religion, enabling specialized worship practices and rituals associated with each deity.

What were the roles of oracles?

Oracles in ancient Greece served as sacred sites where individuals sought divine guidance and prophecy. They played a crucial role in decision-making for personal, state, and military matters, often delivering cryptic messages interpreted by priestesses or priests.

Oracle of Delphi

The most famous oracle in ancient Greece, dedicated to the god Apollo, where priestesses delivered prophecies and guidance to seekers, influencing major decisions.

Religion for Minoans

The religious practices of the Minoans centered around a polytheistic belief system, worshipping various nature deities and using shrines and palatial centers for rituals, which often included nature symbolism and aspects of fertility. Snake goddesss

Age of Heroes

A period in Greek mythology characterized by legendary figures and heroic exploits, often involving demigods like Hercules and Achilles, set during the time of the Trojan War and the adventures of the Argonauts.

Theogony

A foundational work by Hesiod that explores the origins and genealogy of the Greek gods, describing the creation of the universe and the relationships between deities.

What to include in 4th paragraph

7 things that make the Greeks Greek, olympics, arete, dialects, literature, religion, alphabet, and hellene. Social classes. Role of women.

Athenian social classes

CItizens, residents, and slaves. Or Athenians.

Spartan social classes

Spartiates (citizens), Homoioi (residents), and helots (slaves)

Arete

a concept of excellence in Greek culture, embodying moral virtue and fulfillment of purpose.

Olympics

Ancient athletic competitions held every four years in Olympia, Greece, honoring Zeus.

3 main Greek dialects

Aolian, Ionic, and Doric

Greek alphabet

Basis for Latin which is ours

Literature

Hesiod, Homer.

Iliad

An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, chronicling the events of the Trojan War and the Greek hero Achilles' conflict.

odyssey

An ancient Greek epic poem also attributed to Homer, detailing the adventures of Odysseus as he returns home from the Trojan War.

Hellene

A member of the ancient Greek people, or someone who identifies with Greek culture and language.

role of women in Greece

Women in ancient Greece had limited rights and were primarily responsible for domestic duties, while their roles varied significantly across different city-states.

Solon’s regulations for women

Women’s mourning and clothes and travel was regulated, women were painted as objects for bearing children, rather than human beings.

Minoan art

Art from the ancient Minoan civilization, characterized by vivid colors and natural forms, often depicting marine life, religious rituals, and daily activities.

Mycenaien art

Art from the ancient Mycenaean civilization, noted for its intricate pottery, frescoes, and metalwork, often featuring warrior themes and depictions of everyday life.