Midterm History

Pre-History

The time before written records

Recorded History

The period in which events are written down and analyzed by historians

Oral History

Historical information passed down through spoken word such as interviews or storytelling

Historiography

The study of how history is written and the methods historians use

Artifacts

Human-made objects that give clues about a culture or time period

Primary Sources

Original materials from the time being studied such as diaries letters or official documents

Secondary Sources

Works that interpret or analyze primary sources such as biographies or scholarly articles

Tertiary Sources

Texts that summarize or compile information from primary and secondary sources such as encyclopedias

Revisionist History

Reexamining historical records and possibly updating interpretations based on new evidence or agendas

Historical Theory

An interpretation or answer to a historical question based on evidence and analysis

Perspective

A point of view shaped by personal background or context

Bias

A predisposition that can color how events or sources are interpreted

Agenda

Underlying goals or intentions that shape how history is presented

PRIMES

Categories for analyzing societies Political Religious Intellectual Military Economic Social

Archaeologists

Researchers who study past human life by excavating and analyzing artifacts and remains

Anthropologists

Researchers who study humans in cultural and biological contexts across time

Archivist

A professional who gathers manages and preserves historical documents and sources

Herodotus

Ancient historian called the Father of History who often included dramatic storytelling

Thucydides

Ancient historian who emphasized accuracy impartiality and evidence-based accounts

Myth

Stories not supported by verifiable events often explaining cosmic or natural phenomena

Legend

Stories with some historical basis but often exaggerated in detail

BC

Before Christ a way to number years counting backward from year 1

AD

Anno Domini means in the year of the Lord and numbers years starting from the traditional birth of Jesus

BCE

Before Common Era a non-religious equivalent of BC

CE

Common Era a non-religious equivalent of AD

Pre-History

The time before written records historians rely on archaeology for evidence

Recorded History

History documented in writing or inscriptions

Archaeologists

Experts who study artifacts structures and other material evidence of past societies

Archivist

Collects and organizes primary secondary and tertiary sources for research

Herodotus

Father of History who wrote accounts with some embellishments

Thucydides

Greek historian who insisted on factual evidence and balanced views of conflicts

Myth

Stories that explain the origins of the world or phenomena without verifiable timelines

Legend

Historical stories with possible factual roots that have been exaggerated over time

Judaism

Monotheistic religion founded by Abraham in Canaan around 2000 BCE

Torah

Judaisms holy text containing laws history and teachings

Abraham

Considered the founder of Judaism who showed loyalty to God

Messiah

A savior figure awaited by Jews

Synagogue

A Jewish place of worship

Christianity

Monotheistic religion founded in the 1st century CE based on the teachings of Jesus

Bible

The Christian holy text including the Old Testament and New Testament

New Testament

The portion of the Bible focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus and early church

Catholic

The original branch of Christianity led by the Pope

Protestant

Christian denominations formed during and after the Reformation rejecting papal authority

Islam

Monotheistic religion founded by Mohammed in the 7th century CE

Koran

The holy book of Islam believed to be the literal word of God

Allah

Arabic word for God in Islam

Mohammed

Prophet of Islam who received revelations from Allah

Five Pillars of Islam

The core practices of Islam including faith prayer almsgiving fasting and pilgrimage

Mosque

Place of worship for Muslims

Hinduism

Polytheistic religion originating around the Indus River Valley with no single founder

Reincarnation

The cycle of birth death and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism

Brahman

The ultimate universal force in Hindu belief

Karma

The concept that ones actions influence ones future circumstances

Three Main Gods of Hinduism

Brahma Vishnu Shiva

Vedas

The oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism

Buddhism

Religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama emphasizing the end of suffering through the Four Noble Truths

Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama who achieved enlightenment and taught the path to end suffering

Tripitaka

The Buddhist scriptures compiled by Buddhas followers

Four Noble Truths

Principles in Buddhism that identify suffering desire and the path to liberation

Eightfold Path

The practical guide in Buddhism leading to the end of desire and attainment of nirvana

Nirvana

The ultimate goal in Buddhism a state of enlightenment and release from suffering

Confucianism

Chinese philosophy founded by Confucius focused on social order and good governance

Confucius

Chinese philosopher who emphasized ethics filial piety and the five relationships

Five Relationships

Key Confucian idea father and son elder and younger brother husband and wife ruler and subject friend and friend

Analects

The collection of Confucius teachings written down by his students

Filial Piety

Respect and devotion to ones parents a central virtue in Confucianism

Charlemagne

Frankish king who unified much of Europe in the early Middle Ages

Feudalism

Medieval system of land exchange for military service and loyalty

Castle

A fortress for protection often central to medieval defense

Knight

Heavily armored horseman who served a lord following a code of chivalry

Vassal

A lesser lord who served a more powerful lord in exchange for land

Fief

Land granted by a lord to a vassal in return for service

Serf or Peasant

A farm worker tied to the land with limited freedom

Noble

Member of the aristocracy who usually owned land and held power

Clergy

Ordained religious individuals in the Christian Church such as priests monks nuns

Monasteries

Religious communities where monks or nuns lived offered social services and preserved knowledge

Catholic Church

Central religious institution in medieval Europe led by the Pope

Secular

Non-religious aspects of society or government

Excommunication

A punishment banning an individual from church rituals and community

Interdict

A church order banning an entire region from sacraments

Life on the Manor

Self-sufficient estate with fields mills a village and a manor house

Guilds

Organizations of merchants or artisans regulating trade and protecting members

Universities

Institutions of higher learning that developed in the Middle Ages to educate clergy and officials

Charter

A document granting rights to a town or group often from a local lord

Medieval Towns

Centers of trade and commerce that grew around trade fairs and charters

New Business Practices

Partnerships bills of exchange insurance introduced as commerce grew

Canon Law

Religious laws decreed by the Catholic Church

Common Law

Secular laws applying to all people as established by monarchs

Magna Carta

A document signed by King John limiting royal power and guaranteeing rights

The Black Death

A deadly plague that killed about one-third of Europes population in the mid 14th century

Pope

Head of the Catholic Church with great spiritual and political power

Cathedrals

Large medieval churches often built in the Gothic style with arches and stained glass

Chivalry

The code of conduct for knights emphasizing honor and courtly manners

Status Quo Feudal Pyramid

Hierarchical structure of medieval society monarch nobles knights peasants

Da Vinci

An Italian Renaissance polymath famous for the Mona Lisa and scientific inventions

Michelangelo

Renaissance sculptor and painter known for the David and Sistine Chapel ceiling

Machiavelli

Author of The Prince a political guide suggesting rulers use any means to maintain power

Shakespeare

English playwright who wrote comedies tragedies and histories and expanded the English language

Humanism

A Renaissance focus on human potential classical learning and worldly subjects

Perspective

Artistic technique that creates depth and three-dimensional effects on a flat surface