Ancient Greece, Classical China, Ancient India, Rome

What did Greek science and math emphasize?

Use observation and reason to explain nature, advancing fields like astronomy, atomic theory, math, and medicine.

Who was Socrates and what was his approach?

A major figure in Greek philosophy who questioned everything and sought to understand human affairs.

Plato

Socrates's student who developed a systematic philosophy and the Theory of Forms, envisioning an ideal state in 'The Republic.'

Aristotle

Plato's student who focused on empirical observation and logic, influencing various fields of knowledge.

What characterized the cult of Dionysus?

Devotion to the wine god, initially wild, leading to the development of tragic drama exploring human morality and limits.

What was the focus of Hellenistic philosophers?

Epicureans sought peace through simple pleasures, skeptics avoided firm beliefs, and Stoics emphasized virtue and inner peace.

What is the 'Republic' in the context of Plato's philosophy?

Plato's vision of a perfectly just society ruled by philosophers.

What were popular mystery cults in ancient Greece?

Religions that promised eternal life to followers and spread across trade routes.

What was the role of trade in the Mediterranean basin?

Maritime trading became crucial, with Greece exporting olive oil and wine in exchange for raw materials.

What was the significance of the Olympic Games?

Held every four years, they were a major event for competition and celebration among Greek city-states.

What characterized the patriarchal society of ancient Greece?

Men held control over most aspects of life, while women had limited roles.

What was the nature of slavery in ancient Greece?

Common but slightly more forgiving, allowing some slaves to buy their freedom through good service.

What prompted Greek colonization?

Overpopulation in Greece led to the establishment of largely independent colonies for trade.

What were the Persian Wars?

Conflict caused by Athens aiding a Persian city in rebellion, leading to a series of battles against the Persian Empire.

Who was Philip of Macedon?

The king who built a powerful war machine and united Greece through alliances and military strength. Father of Alexander the Great.

What did Alexander the Great achieve?

He expanded the Macedonian Empire, avenging his father and leading conquests into Persia and beyond.

What was the Delian League?

An alliance formed by many Greek poleis after the Persian Wars to protect against future Persian attacks.

Peloponnesian War

A conflict between Athens and Sparta that started because Athens grew really powerful from Delian League alliance. Allies scared of power so they declared war. Resulted in Sparta's victory and the weakening of Athenian power.

What is Hellenism?

The spread and influence of Greek culture, language, and traditions beyond Greece, largely due to Alexander the Great.

Who is Herodotus and what is his significance?

Known as the 'Father of History,' he documented events like the Persian Wars.

What characterized the Minoan civilization?

An advanced society on Crete known for its palace complexes and decline due to potential natural disasters and invasions.

What was the Mycenaean society known for?

An early Greek civilization involved in conflicts such as the Trojan War and known for its writing systems. Very similar to the Minoans.

Polis

Independent city-states that developed under a lack of unifying empire, each with its own government and culture.

What reforms did Solon implement in Athens?

Solon was an Athenian leader (early 500s BC) who ended debt slavery and reformed laws, paving the way for democracy.

What was Pericles known for?

Pericles was a prominent Athenian leader (mid-400s BC) who expanded democracy, built the Parthenon, and led Athens during its Golden Age.

What are the three main types of classical columns?

Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian

Describe Doric columns.

Doric columns are characterized by their function over form, appearing dull and simple.

What distinguishes Ionic columns?

Ionic columns are known for their slender shape and decorative scrolls, often referred to as volutes.

What are Corinthian columns known for?

Corinthian columns are ultra-fancy, featuring elaborate capitals with acanthus leaves.

What is the significance of the Parthenon?

The Parthenon is a key example of classical architecture, showcasing Doric columns and symmetry.

Who was Zoroaster?

A religious reformer and prophet of Persia, estimated to have lived around 1,500 B.C.

What is the Avesta?

The holy scripture of Zoroastrianism.

Who is Ahura Mazda?

The primary deity in Zoroastrianism.

What civilization is associated with the island of Crete?

The Minoans.

What characterized the Mycenaean civilization?

A militaristic society centered in the city of Mycenae, known for its fortified structures and epic poetry of Homer.

What was the outcome of the Persian Wars?

The unification of the Greek city-states against Persia.

What were the main features of Spartan society?

Oligarchy with two kings, a focus on military training, and a society where women managed households.

What led to the end of the Golden Age in Athens?

The plague that killed two-thirds of the population during the Peloponnesian War.

Who was Alexander the Great?

The king of Macedonia who created a vast empire and spread Greek culture.

What is syncretism in the context of culture?

The fusion and blending of culture, religion, and ideas shaping and changing the original culture.

What are the three periods in Greek art?

Archaic (700-480 B.C.), Classical (480-338 B.C.), and Hellenistic (338-146 B.C.).

What is the Kouros?

An Archaic Greek statue representing a standing male youth.

What is the significance of the Socratic Method?

A form of cooperative argumentative dialogue that stimulates critical thinking through probing questions.

What contributions did Aristotle make to philosophy?

He emphasized empiricism and knowledge through observation, and he was a tutor to Alexander the Great.

What was the role of women in Athens?

Women could not own property, had no education, and had to be accompanied by a man outside the home.

What was the military formation used by Alexander the Great?

The Macedonian phalanx.

What did Greek art glorify?

The human form and the aspiration for perfection and beauty.

What was the impact of the Persian Empire's decline?

It led to the rise of Greek city-states and the eventual conflicts such as the Peloponnesian War.

What was the significance of the Battle of Marathon?

It was a decisive victory for the Greek city-states against the Persians.

What is the Iliad and Odyssey?

Epic poems attributed to Homer that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature.

Kore

Female counterpart of the Kouros statues. Statue of a young woman, clothed in draped garments, often holding an offering, used in temples and as votive figures.

Linear A

Undeciphered script used by Minoans.

Linear B

The script used by the Mycenaeans; an early form of Greek

Ptolemaic Empire

Richest of the Hellenistic empires.

Antigonid Empire

Smallest Hellenistic Empire, resisted by Greeks, booming trade, lots of colonists.

Alexandria

Ptolemaic capitol at mouth of Nile. Very rich, library of Alexandria, massive city, important.

Seleucid Empire

The Hellenistic empire in Syria, Persia, and Bactria after Alexander's death; founded by Seleucus. Lots of Hellenism-Greek influence everywhere thanks to many small cities founded by Alex the Great.

Greco-Persian Wars

Series of battles and conflicts between the Greek City-States and the Persian Empire. Greek survived, ending Persia's invasions.

Who is considered the first major philosophical thinker in Chinese history?

Confucius (Kong Fuzi), who lived from 551-479 B.C.

What was the primary focus of Confucianism?

To address the problem of political and social order through moral governance and the cultivation of virtuous officials.

What is the significance of the term 'Junzi' in Confucianism?

Junzi refers to Confucius's followers who embody his values and ideas.

What are the core values emphasized in Confucianism?

Ren (kindness), Li (appropriate behavior), and Xiao (filial piety).

Who was Mencius and what was his belief regarding human nature?

Mencius (372-289 B.C.) was a major disciple of Confucius who believed that humans are naturally good.

Who was Xunzi and what was his belief regarding human nature?

Xunzi (298-238 B.C.) argued that human nature is not inherently good and requires discipline and education to cultivate virtue.

What is the Dao in Daoism?

The Dao represents the way of nature or the cosmos and emphasizes living simply and in harmony with it.

Who is the founder of Daoism?

Laozi

Wuwei

Non-action/effortless action. Live life simple!

Legalism

Big emphasis on strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order and control in society.

Shang Yang

Key Legalist figure (what legalism's based off of) known for ruthless yet efficient governance strategies.

What was Han Feizi's role in Legalism?

Han Feizi further developed Legalist doctrine into a more systematic approach, emphasizing military and agricultural efficiency.

Significance of Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty centralized and standardized laws, currencies, and measurements, unifying China under Legalist principles.

Who was Qin Shihuangdi and what was his impact?

Qin Shihuangdi was the first emperor of China who ruled with Legalism and initiated significant infrastructure projects.

Burning of the Books

Qin Shihuangdi suppressed critics by destroying Confucian, Daoist, and other philosophical texts.

Early Han Dynasty Gov.

Under Liu Bang and later Wudi, combined centralized and decentralized governance, ultimately favoring centralization.

Achievements of Emperor Wudi

Emperor Wudi expanded the empire, established a strong bureaucracy, and promoted Confucian education.

Xiongnu

The Xiongnu were nomadic raiders who posed significant threats to Han China, prompting military responses from Emperor Wudi.

What role did filial piety play in Confucian society?

Filial piety emphasized respect for one's parents and ancestors, forming a cornerstone of social order in Confucianism.

Terra-cotta Army Significance

The Terra-cotta army was built to protect Qin Shihuangdi in the afterlife and symbolizes the power of the Qin Dynasty.

What was the impact of the Han Dynasty on Chinese culture?

The Han Dynasty reinforced Confucian values, expanded trade, and laid the foundations for future Chinese civilization.

Ban Zhao

Famous Chinese woman scholar who argued that women deserve education.

What industry rapidly grew during the Han Dynasty?

The iron industry, which allowed for stronger agricultural implements.

What was the impact of iron metallurgy on the economy during the Han Dynasty?

It contributed to economic prosperity and trade, as iron became widely available.

What significant textile production boomed during the Han Dynasty?

Silk production, known as sericulture.

What social issue arose due to the poor distribution of wealth during the Han Dynasty?

A rising wealth gap that led to social tensions and anger among the poor.

What was the Reign of Wang Mang?

Wang Mang was a regent who attempted to redistribute land with Socialist ideas but caused famine and confusion due to poor planning.

What major revolt occurred after Wang Mang's rule?

The Yellow Turban Uprising, which was a significant revolt due to unresolved wealth gap issues.

What technological advancement was discovered during the Han Dynasty?

The invention of paper, which many people began to use.

What were the consequences of the wealth gap at the end of the Han Dynasty?

Increased social tensions that eventually led to revolts and the collapse of the Han Dynasty.

What role did Confucianism play in Han education?

Confucianism emphasized respect for elders and family, influencing the establishment of professional schooling and universities.

What was the economic significance of the Silk Roads during the Han Dynasty?

They enabled massive trade, allowing China to sell their products like silk, iron, and paper to the rest of the world.

What was the primary agricultural advancement during the Han Dynasty?

The use of iron-tipped tools.

What were the main causes of the wealth gap in the Han Dynasty?

Majority of land owned by few individuals who forced the poor to work on their own massive properties.

What were the effects of the wealth gap in the Han Dynasty?

Revolts and unrest, with powerful landowners gaining significant wealth and influence.

What characterized the political structure during the Han Dynasty?

A bureaucracy and centralization that contributed to the dynasty's success.

What was the significance of the Yellow Turban Uprising?

It highlighted the unresolved social issues and weakened the Han government.

What was the main idea behind Wang Mang's socialist policies?

He aimed to redistribute land to address the wealth gap but failed due to lack of planning.

How did the Han Dynasty address the issue of social order?

The Han used Confucian principles as a moral framework and center for government but used legalistic laws to make sure punishments were carried out for offenders.

Why did the Han Dynasty collapse?

Factions within the government led to internal conflict and ultimately the dynasty's downfall.

Confuicianism

Philosophy founded by Confucius focused on order, morality, and duty. Goal: create a stable, harmonious society through proper behavior.

Daoism

Philosophy linked to Laozi focused on living in harmony with the Dao (“the Way,” the natural order of the universe). Simplicity, balance, inner peace, unity with the natural world.