Foundations Classical Era: 600 BCE – 600 CE

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Foundations Classical Era notes.

Zoroastrianism

Monotheistic religion in the Persian Empire promoting morality and the struggle between good and evil.

Persian Empire

Empire in Southwest Asia during the Classical era, founded by Cyrus the Great; included the Achaemenids, Parthians, and Sassanids, spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Royal Road

Highway rebuilt by Darius the Great to enable rapid communication across the empire.

Alexander the Great

Conquered the Persian Empire and expanded Macedonian borders to India, blending Greek and Persian cultures.

Satraps

Governors of Persian provinces, often relatives of the king, who protected the province and sent tribute to the center.

Hellenism

Culture blending Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian ideas spread by Alexander’s empire.

Aristotle

Greek philosopher who argued knowledge comes from observing the natural world; mentor to Alexander.

Athens

Leading Greek city-state known for arts, sciences, philosophy, democracy, and architecture.

Sparta

Greek city-state ruled by aristocracy; military focus; slaves used for agriculture; arts discouraged.

Socrates

Athenian philosopher who emphasized ethics and human behavior; developed the Socratic method.

Empiricism

Theory that all knowledge originates in experience and observation.

Cultural Syncretism

Blending of foreign beliefs with indigenous beliefs to form a new culture or religion.

Phoenicia

Maritime city-states known for shipbuilding and the invention of the first alphabet.

Caravanserai

Roadside inn on trade routes with a courtyard for caravans, enabling rest and exchange.

Roman Republic

Period (507–31 BCE) when Rome was governed by the Senate and elected representatives.

Punic Wars

Three wars between Rome and Carthage; Rome eventually dominated the Mediterranean.

Plebeians

Ordinary Roman citizens.

Patricians

Wealthy, landowning class in Roman society.

Julius Caesar

Roman general who conquered Gaul, overthrew the Republic, and was assassinated in 44 BCE.

Roman Empire

Empire established by Augustus (Octavian) in 27 BCE, spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia at its height.

Pax Romana

Roman Peace; two centuries of stability facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion emerging in the Middle East in the 1st century CE, centered on Jesus as the Son of God.

Maurya Empire

Classical Indian empire that unified South Asia under Chandragupta Maurya.

Gupta Empire

Indian empire noted for a Golden Age of education, health, trade, and numbers.

Hinduism

Ancient Indian religion/philosophy featuring reincarnation and a supreme being taking many forms.

Brahmin

Highest varna; priests in the Hindu caste system.

Rig Veda

The oldest Vedic scripture; foundational principles for early Indian thought.

Upanishads

Philosophical Hindu texts explaining the divine and the nature of the universe.

Brahma

Hindu creator god.

Caste System

Rigid Indian social hierarchy with four varnas, reinforced by government and religion.

Samsara

Endless cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth.

Karma

Moral law of cause and effect guiding rebirth.

Dharma

Duties and obligations of each caste in Hindu belief.

Jati

Hindu subcaste or social group.

Sati

Ritual where a widow sacrifices herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.

Laws of Manu

Code of laws relating to caste and Hindu beliefs, systematizing traditions.

Ashoka

Maurya emperor who promoted Buddhism and built infrastructure; his death contributed to decline.

Reincarnation

Belief that the soul is reborn in a new form after death.

Buddhism

Religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama; enlightenment through overcoming desires.

Four Noble Truths

Core Buddhist beliefs: life is suffering, desire causes it, ending desire ends suffering, Eightfold Path leads to this end.

Eightfold Path

Buddhist path of right views, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

Siddhartha Gautama

The Buddha; prince who achieved enlightenment and founded Buddhism.

Nirvana

Release from suffering and the cycle of rebirth after enlightenment.

Daoism

Chinese philosophy founded by Laozi emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao.

Qin Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that ended the Warring States, reunified China, centralized rule, short-lived (14 years) with Legalist policies.

Confucianism

Ethics and social philosophy stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, filial piety, and social harmony.

Analects

Collected teachings of Confucius compiled by his disciples.

Filial Piety

Respect for parents and authority in Chinese culture.

Shi Huangdi

First Chinese emperor of the Qin; unified China, built roads, began the Great Wall; promoted Legalism.

Han Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that followed Qin; expanded borders, centralized government, civil service exams, Silk Road growth.

Civil Service Exam

Exams Chinese officials had to pass; based on Confucian teachings; established during the Han.

Indian Ocean Trade Network

Largest pre-modern sea trading system linking East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia; facilitated Islam’s spread.

Silk Road

Interconnected caravan routes linking China to the Mediterranean for luxury goods and cultural exchange.

Moche

Pre-Inca civilization in modern-day Peru around 600 CE; economy based on trade and agriculture.

Mayan

Civilization in Southern Mexico and the Yucatán with independent city-states, polytheistic religion, and a calendar.

Oligarchy

Governance by a small group of elites.

Theocracy

Government believed to be guided by divine power and run by religious leaders.

Democracy

System where supreme power lies in a body of citizens who elect representatives.

Aristocracy

Governing class of nobles; often hereditary.