Unit 0 — Classical Era & Second-Wave Empires

Cyrus the Great

The Persian Achaemenid Empire was started by this ruler and grew from the Indus River Valley to the Balkans, controlling about 50% of the world's population at its peak.

Satrapies

These were like provinces in the Persian Achaemenid Empire, each led by a satrap, which helped manage the vast empire.

Zoroastrianism

The main religion of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, which believed in one wise creator, Ahura Mazda, and influenced later Abrahamic religions.

Philip II

He was a Macedonian king who strengthened the army with sarissas and phalanx formations, gaining control over Greece after the Battle of Chaeronea.

Alexander the Great

Taught by Aristotle, he conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire and spread Greek culture, reaching as far as the Indus River.

Hellenistic Era

This era began after Alexander's death, marked by the division of his empire into new kingdoms and a significant blending of Greek, Western Asian, and Northeast African cultures.

Punic Wars

A series of major wars between the Roman Republic and Carthage, after which Rome became the dominant power in the Mediterranean.

Plebeians

The common people of the Roman Republic, who struggled for political and social rights against the Patricians.

Legions

The military formation used by the Roman army, composed of citizen soldiers often rewarded with land for their service.

Augustus

The adopted son of Julius Caesar who, along with Caesar, ended the Roman Republic and became the first Roman Emperor in 27 Years Before Common Era.

Constantine

This Roman Emperor issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, making Christianity legal and tolerated throughout the empire.

Dharma

The Hindu concept referring to one's duty or how one should act to maintain universal order.

Samsara

The cycle of rebirth in Hinduism, influenced by one's actions (karma) in previous lives.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama)

The founder of Buddhism, who taught that life is suffering and the way to end suffering is to reach Nirvana.

Ashoka

The Mauryan emperor who, after the Kalinga War, converted to Buddhism and promoted non-violence and helpful public works.

Gupta Empire

This Indian empire is known as the "Golden Age of India," for its advancements in mathematics (decimal system, concept of 0), science, and arts.

Legalism

A Chinese philosophy that emphasized strict laws, strong administration, and a realistic approach to power to make the ruler and government powerful.

Confucianism

A Chinese philosophy founded by Confucius, stressing education, proper behavior (Li), and five key relationships for societal harmony, adopted by the Han Dynasty for civil-service exams.

Qin Shi Huang

The first emperor who united all of China, ruling with strict Legalist ideas and initiating massive projects like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army.

Han Dynasty

This Chinese dynasty expanded the Silk Road trade, invented papermaking and the rudder, and used civil-service exams based on Confucianism.

Second-Temple Judaism

This period of Jewish history began after the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, during which Hebrew holy writings were finalized and synagogues became important.

Edict of Thessalonica

The Roman decree in 380 CE that officially made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.