Untitled Flashcards Set

Paleolithic

The Old Stone Age (before 10,000 BCE) characterized by hunter-gatherers, the use of stone tools, and nomadic lifestyles.

Neolithic

The New Stone Age (10,000–3,000 BCE) marked by the development of farming, domestication of animals, and permanent settlements.

The Nile River

The lifeline of Ancient Egypt, providing fertile land, transportation, and was central to Egyptian civilization.

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Rivers in Mesopotamia supporting early civilizations like the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

Roman Republic

The government in Rome (509–27 BCE) where elected officials ruled, influencing modern democracy.

Roman Empire

The period of expanded power in Rome (27 BCE–476 CE) under emperors, which ultimately fell due to invasions and internal decay.

Emperor Constantine

The first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, who legalized it with the Edict of Milan in 313 CE.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire (330–1453 CE) that preserved Roman laws and Greek culture, with Constantinople as its capital.

Achaemenid Empire

The first Persian Empire (550–330 BCE) ruled by Cyrus the Great, known for its tolerance and infrastructure.

Zoroastrianism

A Persian monotheistic religion emphasizing the struggle between good and evil, influencing several later religions.

Mohammed

The founder of Islam (570–632 CE), who received divine revelations recorded in the Quran.

Quran

The holy book of Islam, believed to contain the word of God as revealed to Mohammed.

Feudalism/Manorialism

A political and economic system where land was controlled by lords, knights protected it, and peasants farmed.

Crusades

Religious wars (1096–1291 CE) between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land, promoting trade and cultural exchange.

Silk Road

A trade network connecting China, the Middle East, and Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods and culture.

Algebra

A branch of mathematics developed by Persian scholar Al-Khwarizmi during the Islamic Golden Age.

Arabic Numerals

A number system (0–9) developed in India and spread by Arab mathematicians, replacing Roman numerals in Europe.

Yellow and Yangtze Rivers

Major rivers in China that supported early Chinese civilizations and agriculture.

Emperor Shi Huangdi

The first emperor of China (259–210 BCE) who unified China under the Qin Dynasty and built the Great Wall.

Qin Dynasty

A short-lived but influential dynasty (221–206 BCE) that established centralized rule and Legalism.

Confucianism

A philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius emphasizing respect, social harmony, and education.

Daoism

A Chinese philosophy focusing on living in harmony with nature and the Dao (the Way).

Legalism

A strict governmental philosophy in China focusing on harsh laws and central authority, used by the Qin Dynasty.

Grand Canal

A massive waterway in China connecting the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, improving trade and transport.

Yuan Dynasty

A Mongol-led dynasty in China (1271–1368 CE) founded by Kublai Khan, which promoted trade along the Silk Road.

Plague (Black Death)

A deadly disease (1347–1351 CE) that killed millions in Europe and Asia, contributing to the decline of feudalism.

Mandate of Heaven

The Chinese belief that a ruler's authority comes from the divine, justifying the rise and fall of dynasties.

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama that teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Christianity

A religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, which spread throughout the Roman Empire and dominated Europe.

Islam

A religion founded by Mohammed, where followers (Muslims) adhere to the Five Pillars and the Quran.

East Asian Political Development

Covers the political, religious, cultural, and philosophical developments in China, Korea, and Japan.

European Political Development

Explores the political, religious, cultural, and philosophical development in Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe.

Southwest Asian Political Development

Includes the political, religious, cultural, and philosophical developments in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Islam.

Paleolithic to Neolithic Transition

Focuses on the evolution of human societies from hunter-gatherers to agricultural civilizations.

Slavery in Ancient Eras

Explores the systems of forced labor in ancient China, Rome, and the Middle East.

Assigned Articles

Readings that provide deeper insights into historical themes and events.