World Civilizations and Religions Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the major civilizations, empires, and religions of the ancient world based on the lecture notes.

Bantus

A group originating from West Africa around $3000 \text{ BCE}$ that spread language, culture, technology, iron-working, and cattle-herding across the continent.

Subsistence Farming

Growing crops primarily for personal use rather than for sale.

Slash and Burn Farming

A farming technique involving the burning of crops which led to soil issues and caused slow migration.

Push Factors

Reasons for leaving a location, including environmental causes like climate change, economic reasons like slavery or low wages, and political reasons such as war or persecution.

Pull Factors

Reasons for moving to a location, including abundant land, better wages, better opportunities, better government, and religious freedom.

Olmecs

A civilization ($1200\text{-}400 \text{ BCE}$) known as the 'Rubber people' who created colossal heads and used ritual sacrifice to reinforce state power.

Jade and Obsidian

Materials traded by the Olmecs to create tools, monuments, and jewelry.

Judaism

A monotheistic religion based on the belief in Yahweh, the Ten Commandments, and the Torah, whose followers are direct descendants of Abraham.

Diaspora

The spread of Jewish people away from their original homeland.

Maurya Empire

An empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya that unified a large portion of India and established extensive road and maritime trade networks.

Emperor Ashoka

A Mauryan ruler who promoted religious pluralism and tolerance and spread Buddhism through India and China.

The Pillars of Ashoka

Monuments erected featuring the teachings of Buddha to help ensure the longevity of the religion.

Gupta Empire

Known as the 'Golden Age of India,' this period saw the invention of the concept of $0$, the decimal system, and the heliocentric theory.

Zhou Dynasty

The longest-lasting Chinese dynasty ($1046\text{-}256 \text{ BCE}$) which introduced the Mandate of Heaven.

Mandate of Heaven

A Chinese concept stating that an emperor's right to rule is granted by Heaven, used to justify the dynastic cycle.

Dynastic Cycle

A cycle in Chinese history describing the rise and fall of dynasties as they gain or lose the Mandate of Heaven.

Daoism/Taoism

A philosophy founded by Lao Tzu (Laozi) based on the 'The Way' (Dao/Tao), focusing on ancestor worship and rules to respect nature.

Qin Dynasty

The first empire to unify China under Emperor Qin Shi Huang, characterized by the use of Legalism and standardization of writing and currency.

Legalism

The governing philosophy of the Qin Dynasty that focused on strict laws and central control.

Terracotta Army

A massive collection of sculpted figures buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang for protection and as a show of respect.

Han Dynasty

The dynasty following the Qin that established the Silk Road and invented paper, the seismograph, and acupuncture.

Confucianism

A system founded by Confucius ($551\text{-}479 \text{ BCE}$) emphasizing moral order, filial piety, education, and the meritocracy.

Reincarnation

The Hindu process involving the soul being repeatedly reborn into new human or animal bodies.

Karma

The belief in Hinduism that a person's actions and thoughts directly determine their current and future lives.

Dharma

A code of living in Hinduism that emphasizes morality and good conduct.

Sanskrit

The ancient language used for Hindu religious writings, such as the Upanishads and the Vedas.

The Caste System

A rigid, hereditary social class system in Hinduism that lacks social mobility.

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama around $500 \text{ BCE}$ which teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to end suffering.

Nirvana

The state of enlightenment in Buddhism where one escapes the cycle of rebirth.

The Analects

A collection of teachings by Confucius that outlines relationships intended to bring peace and order to society.

The Golden Rule

A Confucian principle stating 'Never do unto others what you would not like them to do to you.'