Classics Midterm

Civitas

Latin term meaning community, state, city, or citizenship; the root of the words "city" and "civilization."

Oppidum

Latin term used by the Romans to refer to a town, smaller than a city (civitas).

Vicus

Latin term used by the Romans to refer to a village, smaller than a town (oppidum).

Social Stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in a society based on factors like wealth, status, and power.

Neolithic

The later part of the Stone Age, characterized by the development of agriculture and settled communities.

The Fertile Crescent

A region in the Middle East known for its fertile land and early development of agriculture and civilization.

Primary Civilization

A civilization that arose independently and developed its own unique characteristics without significant direct influence from other complex societies (e.g., Mesopotamia).

Secondary Civilization

A civilization that developed through significant influence, copying, or adaptation of urban life and cultural practices from a primary civilization (e.g., Greece).

Hydraulic Civilization

A civilization in which large-scale irrigation systems are crucial for agriculture, often leading to centralized control and political power (e.g., Mesopotamia, Egypt).

In situ

Latin term meaning "in its original place" or "without being moved or displaced."

Ziggurat

A massive stepped tower in ancient Mesopotamia, typically associated with religious complexes.

Cylinder Seal

A small cylindrical object engraved with designs, used in ancient Mesopotamia and other Near Eastern civilizations to make an impression on clay tablets or other surfaces, often serving as a signature or mark of authority.

Proto-cuneiform

The earliest stage of cuneiform writing, characterized by pictographic and ideographic signs.

Hieroglyphs

A system of writing using picture symbols, characteristic of ancient Egypt.

Dynasty

A line of hereditary rulers of a country.

Intermediate Period (Egypt)

Periods in ancient Egyptian history between the major kingdoms, characterized by political instability, civil strife, or foreign invasion.

Pharaoh

The title used for the rulers of ancient Egypt.

Monotheistic

The belief in a single god.

Toponym

A place name.

Ethnonym

A name applied to a given ethnic group.

Shasu

An Egyptian term referring to nomadic groups in the Southern Levant, including the Shasu of YHW.

Habiru

A term found in ancient Near Eastern texts, possibly referring to various groups of wandering or landless people, often seen as raiders or outlaws. Its connection to the term "Hebrew" is debated.

Citadel

A fortress built to protect or dominate a city. In the context of the Indus Valley Civilization, the term's application to structures like the one in Mohenjo-Daro is debated.