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paleolithic

(Old Stone Age) a long period of human development before the development of agriculture. Humans lived in small hunter-gatherer groups and migrated with food sources.

pastoral

societies were characterized by the domestication of animals but they usually did not settle down and farm or build towns - nomadic, facilitated trade and spread technology, religions, and ideas

metallurgy

the science of working with metals

agrarian

relating to land; relating to the management or farming of land

egalitarian

believing in the social and economic equality of all people - existing before setting societies in hunter-gatherer groups

patriarchy

a form of social organization in which the father is the supreme authority in the family, clan, or tribe and descent is reckoned in the male line, with the children belonging to the father's clan or tribe.

Neolithic Revolution

(10,000 - 8,000 BCE) The development of agriculture and the domestication of animals as a food source. This led to the development of permanent settlements and the start of civilization.

specialization

The concentration of the productive efforts of individuals and firms on a limited number of activities; increases efficiency

Mesopotamia

(land between the rivers) The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; birthplace of the Sumerian and Babylonian Civilizations. Participated in state expansion and empire building

Ancient Egypt

An ancient civilization centered around the Nile River; unified by Menes around 3000 B.C.; divided into the old, middle, and new kingdoms; main gods included Osiris, Isis, Re, and Horus; believed in Divine Kingship; participated in state expansion and empire building

Hammurabi's Code

credited as the first written law code; written by a Babylonian king and established the basis for law codes

Zoroastrianism

One of the first monotheistic religions, particularly one with a wide following. It was central to the political and religious culture of ancient Persia.

Judaism

A religion with a belief in one god. It originated with Abraham and the Hebrew people. Yahweh was responsible for the world and everything within it. They preserved their early history in the Old Testament.

Vedic religion

The ancient religion of the Aryan peoples who entered northwestern India from Persia c. 2000-1200 B.C.E. It was the precursor of Hinduism, and its beliefs and practices are contained in the Vedas

diaspora

any group migration or flight from a country or region; dispersion. Particularly used in relation to Jews scattered by Romans in 70 CE or to Africans spread to new places during the Atlantic Slave Trade.

Hinduism

A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation, karma, the caste system, and a supreme being who takes many forms

Buddhism

A religion with origins in India in which Buddha's teachings that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire and suffering ceases when desire ceases. Enlightenment obtained through right conduct, wisdom, and meditation releases one from desire, suffering, and rebirth (reincarnation).

Ashoka Maurya

Maurya empire of India (320-185 BC); greatest emperor of India; conversion to Buddhism and spread Buddhism throughout India by building shrines and pillars for Buddhists

Confucianism

A philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It shows the way to ensure a stable government and an orderly society in the present world and stresses a moral code of conduct.

five relationships

Confucian philosophy about social order where everyone has a place and respect is paid to elders, parents, and the government. The relationships are, ruler to ruled, father to son, older brother to younger brother, husband to wife, friend to friend.

filial piety

In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors.

Mandate of Heaven

A political theory developed during the Zhou Dynasty of ancient China in which those in power were believed to have the right to rule from divine authority.

Christianity

An Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Drew on Judaism and initially rejected Roman and Hellenistic influences. Spread through the efforts of missionaries and merchants. Eventually gained support by the time of Emperor Constantine.

Greco-Roman philosophy

emphasized logic, empirical observation, and the nature of political power and hierarchy

monasticism

Living in a religious community apart from secular society and adhering to a rule stipulating chastity, obedience, and poverty. (Primary Centers of Learning in Medieval Europe) - occurred in Christian and Buddhist communities

shamanism

tribal religion; involves community acceptance of a shaman, religious leader, healer, and worker of magic who can intercede with the spirit world

animism

Belief that objects, such as plants and stones, or natural events, like thunderstorms and earthquakes, have a discrete spirit and conscious life.

ancestor veneration

Worship and respect for ancestors (occurred in African, Mediterranean, East Asia, and Andean societies during the classical time period)

Han Dynasty

(202 BCE-220 CE) This dynasty continued the centralization of the Qin Dynasty, but focused on Confucianism and education instead of Legalism.

Mauryan Empire

The first state to unify most of the Indian subcontinent. It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 324 B.C.E. and survived until 184 B.C.E. From its capital at Pataliputra in the Ganges Valley it grew wealthy from taxes.

Hellenistic Empire

(The spread of Greek culture) of or relating to Greek history, language, and culture from the death of Alexander the Great to the defeat of Cleopatra and Mark Antony by Octavian in 31 BC. During this period Greek culture flourished, spreading through the Mediterranean and into the Near East and Asia and centering on Alexandria in Egypt and Pergamum in Turkey

Maya

1500 B.C. to 900 A.D. This is the most advanced civilization of the time in the Western Hemisphere. Famous for its awe-inspiring temples, pyramids and cities. A complex social and political order.

Greek city-states

Polis, farmer-warriors; culturally unified (Homer, language) but politically diverse (kingship and democracy), unified by a language, polytheistic religion, and culture - otherwise very distinct

centralized government

A government in which power is concentrated in a central authority to which local governments are subject (ex: China, Rome, Byzantines, etc)

qanat system

a traditional system of gravity-fed irrigation that uses gently sloping tunnels to capture groundwater and direct it to low-lying fields

stirrup

device for securing a horseman's feet, enabling him to wield weapons more effectively.

lateen sail

triangular sail that made it possible to sail against the wind; used in the Indian Ocean trade

dhow ship

emerged in middle east; sturdy enough to carry a lateen sail to cross open water; vessel of commerce and used in the Indian Ocean

caste

(n.) any of the social or subclasses of traditional Hindu society, such as the Brahman or Sudra castes; a social class distinct from others and characterized by hereditary rank, profession or wealth; (n.) a social position conferred on someone based on a system of castes

Silk Road

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) and linking China with the Roman Empire. Other info: facilitated by pastoral groups, trade of luxury goods, use of camel caravans

caravanserai

Fortified inns that were built along trade routes in Central and Western Asia in the twelfth century to provide food, lodging, and protection for merchants traveling with camels, donkeys, and horses.

Trans-Saharan trade

route across the sahara desert. Major trade route that traded for gold and salt, created caravan routes, economic benefit for controlling dessert, camels played a huge role in the trading

Indian Ocean trade

Connected to Europe, Africa, and China. Worlds richest maritime trading network and an area of rapid Muslim expansion. Spices, slaves, silk, ivory, gold, and many other items crossed through the Indian Ocean, and the spread of Islam owed much to the trade network.

Gupta

Powerful Indian state based in the Ganges Valley. It controlled most of the Indian subcontinent through a combination of military force and its prestige as a center of sophisticated culture. Often associated with a Golden Age of classical India.

Legalism

Chinese philosophy developed by Hanfeizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws; embraced by the Qin Dynasty

Daoism

Chinese religion that believes the world is always changing and is devoid of absolute morality or meaning. They accept the world as they find it, avoid futile struggles, and deviate as little as possible from "the Tao/Dao" also known as "the way" or "path" of nature; emphasized living in harmony with nature; ying and yang

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials (example of bureaucratic empires= Persia/Han China/Rome)

Indus River Valley

The Indus River Valley Civilization, 3300-1300 BCE, also known as the Harappan Civilization, extended from modern-day northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India.

Yellow River Valley

Chinese refer to the Yellow river as "the Mother River" and "the Cradle of Chinese Civilization". That is because the Yellow River was the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilizations in the Xia (2100-1600 BC) and Shang (1600-1046 BC) eras - the most prosperous region in early Chinese history.

Ziggurat

Massive pyramidal stepped tower made of mudbricks. It is associated with religious complexes in ancient Mesopotamian city-states. They were at the heart of the theocratic political system. They are a great example of monumental architecture.

Cuneiform

Worlds earliest form of writing developed by the Sumerians using a wedge shaped stylus and clay tablets.

Hieroglyphics

An ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds. One of the world's earliest written scripts.

Oracle Bones

The earliest known Chinese writing is found on these from ritual activity of the Shang period.

Olmec

The first Mesoamerican civilization. Between ca. 1200 and 400 B.C.E., created a vibrant civilization that included intensive agriculture, wide-ranging trade, ceremonial centers, and monumental construction.

Achaemenid Empire

The name of an ancient Persian Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) which was composed of many smaller kingdoms. The realm was divided into twenty-three satrapies whose administration and taxation was managed by subordinate local rulers.

Cyrus the Great

King of Persia and founder of the Persian empire (circa 600-529 BC)

Darius the Great

King of Persia who expanded the empire to its height and invaded Greece but was defeated at the Battle of Marathon (550-486 BC). Also constructed magnificent imperial capital at Persepolis.

Satrap System

Persian kings appointed local leaders from conquered populations. This allowed efficient expansion of the empire because it absorbed existing leaders into the royal bureaucracy. This was a smart move because it allowed states to have certain groups of autonomy.

Persian Royal Road

Major road of the Persian empire; it stretched from Lydia to Susa and allowed for the king to travel and communicate quickly with his empire.

Shang Dynasty

One of the first Chinese dynasties, ruled from 1700 to 1122 B.C.E. Famous for use of ornate bronzes & Oracle Bones, the first Chinese characters & writing system

Zhou Dynasty

A decentralized Chinese dynasty in China because of the massive size, and whose emperor was the first to claim to be a link between heaven and earth (Mandate of Heaven).

Qin Dynasty

(221-207 BCE) The first centralized dynasty of China that used Legalism as its base of belief.

Imperial Examination System

A merit based examination to select local talent for state service. The system recruited public officials from every part of China. Any adult male could take the exam regardless of wealth or social standing. It became a standardized system in the 6th century CE.

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180. Ushered in by the reign of Octavian

Byzantine Empire

Eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived the fall of the Western half in 476 CE. Capital at Constantinople.

Aryans

Nomads from Europe and Asia who migrated to India and finally settled regional kingdoms; Vedas from this time suggest the beginning of caste system & foundations of beliefs that would evolve into Hinduism

Upanishads

A major book in Hinduism that is often in the form of dialogues that explored the Vedas and the religious issues that they raised. The Upanishads have less to do with formal rituals and focus instead on reflections about life's meaning and how man is related to the universe. Although the influence of the Vedas would remain strong in South Asia, the Upanishads added ideas about reincarnation, karma, and the imperishable atman that resides in every living thing.

Dharma

In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties

Karma

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation

Samsara

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth

Torah

A Hebrew word meaning "law," referring to the first five books of the Old Testament.

Siddhartha Gautama

Founder of Buddhism

Nirvana (Buddhism)

ultimate reality/goal, the end of suffering

Eightfold Path

In Buddhism, the basic rules of behavior and belief leading to an end of suffering

Mahayana Buddhism

Also known as popular Buddhism, is allows people more ways to reach enlightenment and boddhisatvas can help you reach enlightenment.

Theravada Buddhism

"Way of the Elders" branch of Buddhism followed in Sri Lanka and much of Southeast Asia. Theravada remains close to the original principles set forth by the Buddha; it downplays the importance of gods and emphasizes austerity and the individual's search for enlightenment.

Paul of Tarsus

A Jew from Asia Minor that played the most influential role in the spread of Christianity.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

founder and prophet of Islam

Quran

the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina

Umma

The community of all Muslims. A major innovation against the background of seventh-century Arabia, where traditionally kinship rather than faith had determined membership in a community.

Ulama

Muslim religious scholars. From the ninth century onward, the primary interpreters of Islamic law and the social core of Muslim urban societies.

Sufism

An Islamic mystical tradition that desired a personal union with God--divine love through intuition rather than through rational deduction and study of the shari'a. Followed an ascetic routine (denial of physical desire to gain a spiritual goal), dedicating themselves to fasting, prayer, meditation on the Qur'an, and the avoidance of sin.

Sharia

Body of Islamic law that includes interpretation of the Quran and applies Islamic principles to everyday life

Social hierarchy

The division of society by rank or class.

Disseminate

To scatter or spread widely

Collapse of classical empires

spread of disease, over-expansion, corrupt governments, invasions by nomadic/pastoral groups, over-taxation of peasants, food shortages