World History Semester One Exam

prehistory

the period of time before writing was invented/began in 1800’s; scientists investigated Earth

historian

person who studies events in the past/rely on written evidence, study past to learn about people

artifact

an object made by a human being, such as a tool or a weapon/man made; studied by historians

anthropology

the study of the origins and development of people and their societies/mid 1800’s; specialized, organized, focus on human culture

culture

the beliefs, customs, practices, and behaviors of a particular nation or group of people/passed down; way of life of society; was being study

archaeology

the scientific study of ancient cultures through the examination of artifacts and other evidence/material remains; learn about beliefs of people; use technology

Mary Leakey

Born in London, England; traveled throughout Europe visiting numerous prehistoric sites; and is renowned for her discoveries in East Africa, particularly fossilized hominid remains that provided significant insights into human evolution./married to Louis Leakey; born in London; found bone in 1959

Olduvai Gorge

Located in eastern Africa, made up of numerous sedimentary layers of ash and lava deposited over millions of years. It has provided archaeologists with a geological yardstick for measuring the age of early stone tools and hominid bones excavated at the site./deep canyon in Tanzania; remains were discovered

technology

the skills and tools people use to meet their basic needs/stone tools; helped Leakeys; study/interpret

Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Period)

era of prehistory that lasted from two million B.C. to about 9000 B.C./developed new skills and technology; nomadic lifestyles; religious rituals

New Stone Age (Neolithic Revol

final area of prehistory which began about 9000 B.C.

Nomad

person who moves from place to place in search of food/ Paleolithic people; 20-30 people in a clan; learned to farm

Animism

belief that spirits and forces line within animals, objects, or dreams/end of stone age, carefully burying dead, beliefs of after life

Neolithic Revolution

period of time during the introduction of agriculture

Knossos

City in Ancient Crete. The principle center of the Minoan Civilization that dominated between 1600 and 1400 BC

Shrine

Altar, chapel, or sacred place dedicated to gods and goddesses

Frescoe

Colorful painting completed on wet pastel. Showed what was important in minoan culture

Trojan War

Military conflict around 1250 BC that was fought between Mycenae and Troy and was described in Homer's Iliad. Lasted 10 years - Troy won

Strait

a narrow water passage between larger bodies of water

Homer

Author of the Iliad and Odyssey. Though to have gone village to village telling the heroic deeds of warriors.

Polis

City-state in ancient Greece

Acropolis

Highest most fortified point within a city-state. Means "high city" and was dedicated to a god or goddess

Citizen

legal member of a country who all shared a sense of responsibility

Monarchy

Form of government in which a state is ruled by a monarch/king. Hereditary rulers.

Aristocracy

Form of government headed by a privileged minority/upper class. Nobles and military leaders that overthrew the monarchy.

Oligarchy

form of government in which a few people have the power. Power is often in the hands of wealthy elite and middle class.

Phalanx

A tactical formation of heavily armed foot soldiers in ancient greece

Sparta

A powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.

Athens

City state that evolved a form of democracy and became famous for its great cultural achievements

Democracy

A form of government ruled by the citizens

Tyrant

Ruler who gained his/her power by force

Legislature

Law making body. Debated all laws and decided which to approve and deny.

Alliance

Formed agreement between 2+ city states to cooperate and come to one another's defense. First formed by Athens called Delian league

Delian League

an alliance headed by Athens that says that all Greek city-states will come together and help fight the Persians

Pericles

Athenian statesman who led Athens during its golden age under a democratic government. Very wise and a skilled leader

Stipend

a fixed salary given to public affair officers

Direct Democracy

System of government in which citizens participate directly in day to day affairs of the government

Jury

A group of people with authority to make a decision in a legal case

Ostracism

Practice in Ancient Greece where people voted to banish or send away a public figure who threatened democracy

Solon

Early Greek leader who brought democratic reforms such as his formation of the Council of Four Hundred

Draco

Early law giver in Athens

Philosopher

Someone who seeks to understand and explain life (using math music logic and rhetoric)

Logic

rational thinking (reason and observation)

Rhetoric

The art of skillful speaking

Socrates

(469-394) Athenian stonemason and philosopher who sought truth through questioning. An outspoken critic who passed knowledge from town to town, but never wrote any books.

Plato

(437-347) A student of Socrates who was an Athenian thinker and writer. He set up an academy for learning and argued for a perfect society without democracy

Aristotle

384-322 BC Student of Plato who was a writer of knowledge.Saw good and bad and promoted learning. He was the tutor to Alexander

Parthenon

Chief temple in Greece dedicated to Athena; Displays Greek architecture with columns and a gently sloping roof

Tragedy

A play about human suffering and death (tragic ending)

Comedy

A play that mocked Greek culture and people

herodotus

Father of History Traveled the world collecting information. He also noted conflicting stories and potential biases

Aeschylus

Famous Greek theatre director known for tradgedy

Sophocles

Famous greek theatre director

Aristophanies

Greek theatre director famous for comedies

Thucydedes

2nd Historian General during war who recorded the events of the Peloponnesian War

General during war who recorded the events of the Peloponnesian War

Alexander the Great

King of Macedonia who conquered Greece, Egypt, and Persia from 356-324 BC. Son of Philip II

Philip II

Leader who restored peace in Macedonia by taking over much of the Persian Empire. He was known for being assasinated

Assasination

Murder of a public figure for political reasons

Assimilate

To absorb and adapt to another culture

Alexandria

Founded in 332 by Alexander the Great. Located in Egypt known for its size, lecture halls, lighthouse, markets, libraries, and zoo

Pythagoras

Greek philosopher and mathematician who proved the Pythagorean theorem

Heliocentric

describes the view that the sun is at the center of the solar system. Formed by Aristarchus, but was not accepted for 2000 more years

Archimedes

Famous mathematician and inventor from Italy. He built levers and pulleys and a mechanical water pump as well as weapon advancements

Hippocrates

Greek Physician regarded as father of medicine. He formed the Hypocritical oath which doctors still use today.

Euclid

an ancient Greek mathematician who is known as the father of geometry

Humanism

focused and emphasized humans as the "main object" of the world and that instead of Gods, humans were, in a way, at the center of the universe

Hellenism

human beings are the ultimate source of truth and authority in the universe

Etruscans

A people who inhabited early Italy. They lived mostly in Northern Rome and were ruled by a king

Republic

A system of government in which officials are chosen by the people - Res Publica

Patrician

A member of the land holding upper class. They had the power to hold political office

Plebian

A member of the class that included farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders.

Consul

An official class who supervises the government and commanded the army. Checks and balances

Dictator

Ruler who has complete authority in the government. In Rome, could only rule for 6 months

Tribune

An official elected by plebeians to protect their interests

Veto

To block or reject a government action

Legion

A basic unit of the Roman army that was made of 5,000 men

Imperialism

Domination by one country of political, economical, or cultural life of another region

Latifundia

Huge estates bought by newly wealthy romans that were used for farming

Tiberius Gracchus

Elected tribune in 133BC, Proposed law to take land back from Senators and give it to the landless, Very popular with the masses, Opponents organized a riot where he was killed

Gaius Gracchus

Roman politician who wanted to control the Price of grain, build public works

Julius Caesar

Roman general and dictator and political reformer. He was murdered by a group of senators who hoped to restore the normal running of the republic.

Augustus

First Emperor of Rome who ruled during a long lasting period of peace. Not a king but had absolute power. Known as "exalted one"