HWHIS MIDTERM Preliminary SG

Hominins:

Hominins are members of the evolutionary family Hominidae, which includes humans and our direct ancestors. They share common characteristics such as bipedalism and increased brain size.

Carbon-14:

Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon used in radiocarbon dating. It decays over time, allowing scientists to determine the age of organic materials up to around 50,000 years.

Homo Sapien:

Homo sapiens is the scientific classification for modern humans. Characterized by high intelligence, advanced tool usage, and complex social structures, Homo sapiens emerged around 300,000 years ago.

Paleolithic:

The Paleolithic era, or Old Stone Age, represents the earliest period of human prehistory, marked by the use of simple stone tools and the development of early hunting and gathering societies.

Neolithic:

The Neolithic era, or New Stone Age, follows the Paleolithic and is characterized by the advent of agriculture and the shift from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled farming communities.

Prehistory:

Prehistory refers to the time before written records. It encompasses the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and other ancient periods when humans developed without documented history.

Domestication:

Domestication is the process by which wild plants and animals are selectively bred and managed by humans for specific traits or purposes, such as agriculture or companionship.

Mesopotamia:

Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was home to some of the world's earliest civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

Cuneiform:

Cuneiform is one of the earliest known writing systems, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia. It used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Pharaoh:

Pharaohs were the rulers of ancient Egypt, believed to be divine and holding immense power. They played a crucial role in Egyptian society and religion.

Hieroglyphs:

Hieroglyphs are a system of pictorial writing used in ancient Egypt. They were inscribed on tombs, temples, and other structures.

Papyrus:

Papyrus was a plant used by ancient Egyptians to make a form of paper. It played a vital role in the development of written communication.

Hittites:

The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who created a powerful kingdom in the Hittite region, incorporating elements of Mesopotamian and Hittite-Hurrian cultures.

Monotheism:

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of only one God, a concept that contrasts with polytheism, where multiple deities are worshipped.

Gilgamesh:

Gilgamesh is the legendary Sumerian king and hero of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known works of literature.

Ziggurats:

Ziggurats were massive step-pyramid structures built in Mesopotamia, serving as temples and administrative centers.

Sargon:

Sargon was the founder of the Akkadian Empire and one of the first rulers known to form a multi-ethnic, centrally controlled empire.

Hammurabi’s Code:

Hammurabi, the Babylonian king, established one of the earliest and most well-preserved written legal codes, known as Hammurabi's Code.

Amon-Re:

Amon-Re was an ancient Egyptian deity, a combination of the gods Amon and Re, symbolizing both hidden and visible aspects of the sun.

Ramses II:

Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, was a prominent pharaoh of ancient Egypt known for his military exploits and monumental building projects.

Abraham:

Abraham is a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, considered the founding patriarch of the Israelites and Arabs.

Assyrians:

The Assyrians were an ancient Semitic-speaking people known for their powerful empire in the Near East.

The Torah:

The Torah is the central reference of the Judaic tradition, consisting of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Ashoka:

Ashoka was an ancient Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, known for his conversion to Buddhism and promotion of nonviolence.

Dharma:

Dharma refers to the moral and ethical duties and responsibilities in Hinduism that individuals must uphold based on their caste, age, gender, and occupation.

Monsoon:

Monsoons are seasonal winds in South Asia, crucial for agriculture due to their characteristic pattern of bringing heavy rainfall during the summer.

Rig Veda:

The Rig Veda is one of the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism, a collection of hymns and prayers dedicated to various deities.

Karma:

Karma is the concept in Hinduism and Buddhism that the sum of a person's actions in one life influences their fate in future lives.

Jainism:

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion emphasizing non-violence, truth, and ascetic practices. Followers are known as Jains.

Buddha:

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, was the founder of Buddhism, and his teachings focused on overcoming suffering and achieving enlightenment.

Nirvana:

Nirvana, in Buddhism, is the ultimate state of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Dhows:

Dhows are traditional sailing vessels used by Indian, Arab, and East African traders for centuries.

Brahmin:

Brahmins are the highest social class in the Indian caste system, traditionally associated with priesthood and scholarship.

Dalits:

Dalits, also known as untouchables, are the lowest caste in traditional Indian society, facing historical social discrimination.

Gurus:

Gurus are spiritual teachers in Hinduism, guiding their followers on matters of spirituality and philosophy.

Ramayana:

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic narrating the life and adventures of Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and his loyal companion Hanuman.

Mahabharata:

The Mahabharata is one of the longest epic poems in the world, containing the Bhagavad-Gita and the story of the Kurukshetra War.

Bhagavad-Gita:

The Bhagavad-Gita is a sacred text within the Mahabharata, a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna on the battlefield.

Chandragupta Maurya:

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Dynasty in ancient India, known for his unification of the subcontinent.

Oracle Bones:

Oracle bones were inscribed bones or shells used in ancient China for divination. Questions were written, heated until they cracked, and the resulting patterns were interpreted.

Mandate of Heaven:

The Mandate of Heaven was a belief in ancient China that the ruler's authority was granted by the gods, contingent on their just rule.

Confucianism:

Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing moral virtues, filial piety, and social harmony.

Daoism:

Daoism is a Chinese philosophy advocating simplicity, humility, and alignment with the Dao, the fundamental force that flows through all life.

Legalism:

Legalism is a Chinese philosophy emphasizing strict obedience to laws and the power of the state to enforce order.

Qin Dynasty:

The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, known for the unification of China under Qin Shi Huang.

Sun Tzu:

Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese military strategist and author of "The Art of War," a classic work on military strategy.

Confucius:

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher and teacher, central to Confucianism, who emphasized moral conduct and social harmony.

Filial Piety:

Filial piety is a Confucian virtue emphasizing respect and obedience to one's parents and ancestors.

Laozi:

Laozi was the legendary founder of Daoism, advocating simplicity and living in harmony with the Dao.

Wu (Wudi):

Wu or Wudi was a Chinese emperor of the Han Dynasty, known for his military expansion and promotion of Confucianism.

Cai Lun:

Cai Lun was an ancient Chinese eunuch credited with the invention of paper, a crucial development in communication technology.

Mesoamerica:

Mesoamerica is a historical and cultural region in the Americas, including present-day Mexico and parts of Central America.

Olmec:

The Olmec civilization was an ancient Mesoamerican culture known for its colossal stone heads and early complex societies.

Maya:

The Maya civilization was an ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for its advanced achievements in astronomy, mathematics, and writing.

Mississippi peoples:

The Mississippi peoples were Native American cultures that flourished along the Mississippi River, including the Cahokia civilization.

Maize:

Maize, also known as corn, is a staple crop in Mesoamerica and played a vital role in the development of agricultural societies.

Three sisters farming:

Three sisters farming is a traditional Native American agricultural system combining the cultivation of maize, beans, and squash.

Ulama:

Ulama is a Mesoamerican ball game with religious and cultural significance, played with a rubber ball.

Nazca:

The Nazca civilization, known for the Nazca Lines, was an ancient culture in southern Peru.

Chimu:

The Chimu civilization was an ancient Andean culture known for its skilled metalwork and large adobe cities.

Easter Island:

Easter Island is a remote island in the Pacific Ocean famous for its monumental statues called Moai.

Herodotus:

Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian, often referred to as the "Father of History," known for his work "Histories" chronicling the Greco-Persian Wars.

Zoroastrianism:

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Persian monotheistic religion founded by Zoroaster, emphasizing the eternal battle between Ahura Mazda and Ahriman.

Ahura Mazda:

Ahura Mazda is the supreme deity in Zoroastrianism, associated with truth, light, and goodness.

Cyrus:

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire in Persia, known for his military campaigns and policies of religious tolerance.

Phoenicians:

The Phoenicians were ancient seafaring people who inhabited the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean, known for their maritime trade and alphabet.

Hellenism:

Hellenism refers to the spread of Greek culture and influence throughout the ancient world, particularly after the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Barbarians:

In ancient Greece, the term "barbarians" referred to non-Greek people, often considered uncivilized by Greek standards.

Zarathushtra (Zoroaster):

Zarathushtra, also known as Zoroaster, was the founder of Zoroastrianism and a prophet in ancient Persia.

Ahriman:

Ahriman is the evil spirit in Zoroastrianism, representing chaos and disorder in opposition to Ahura Mazda.

Cyrus:

Cyrus the Great, mentioned earlier, was an influential Persian king known for his policies of religious tolerance.

Croesus:

Croesus was the last king of Lydia, known for his wealth and conquered by Cyrus the Great.

Minoan:

The Minoans were an ancient civilization on the island of Crete, known for advanced art and architecture.

Minos:

Minos was a legendary king of Crete, associated with the myth of the Minotaur.

Knossos:

Knossos was the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, featuring a palace complex.

Mycenaeans:

The Mycenaeans were an ancient Greek civilization, known for their warrior culture and involvement in the Trojan War.

Helen:

Helen was a central figure in Greek mythology, whose beauty was the cause of the Trojan War.

Paris:

Paris was a prince of Troy in Greek mythology, known for his role in the Trojan War.

Homer:

Homer, traditionally considered a blind poet, is credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, two foundational works in Greek literature.

The Iliad:

The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, narrating the events of the Trojan War.

The Odyssey:

The Odyssey is another epic poem attributed to Homer, detailing the adventures of Odysseus on his journey home.

Polis:

The polis was the Greek city-state, a central institution in ancient Greek society.

Zeus:

Zeus was the king of the gods in Greek mythology, ruling from Mount Olympus.

Athena:

Athena was the goddess of wisdom and warfare in Greek mythology, considered one of the Twelve Olympians.

Helots:

Helots were a class of enslaved people in ancient Sparta, providing agricultural labor.

Hoplite:

Hoplites were heavily armed foot soldiers in ancient Greece, typically citizens who served in the phalanx formation.

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle:

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were ancient Greek philosophers, foundational figures in Western philosophy.

Philip II:

Philip II was the king of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great.

Alexander III (Alexander the Great):

Alexander the Great was a king of Macedonia, known for creating one of the largest empires in ancient history.

Euclid:

Euclid was an ancient Greek mathematician, often referred to as the "Father of Geometry."

Eratosthenes:

Eratosthenes was an ancient Greek mathematician and geographer, known for accurately calculating the Earth's circumference.

Roman Republic:

The era of ancient Roman civilization beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom.

Roman Senate:

A political institution in ancient Rome.

Carthage:

An ancient city-state on the coast of North Africa, a rival of Rome.

Punic Wars:

A series of conflicts between Rome and Carthage.

Julius Caesar:

A Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events leading to the demise of the Roman Republic.

Roman Principate:

The early phase of the Roman Empire.

Augustus:

The first Roman emperor.

Etruscans:

An ancient civilization in Italy that predates the Roman Republic.

Patricians:

The wealthy, aristocratic class in ancient Rome.