Flashcards for Exam Review

Flashcards for HIS 101 Units 1 & 2

What defines Western Civilization?

Cultural, political, and intellectual traditions, not just geography.

Name the six major themes of civilization.

Cities, culture, communication, administration, division of labor, and social/class divisions.

What is a key characteristic of empires?

Tendency to expand and dominate others.

What does the Venus of Willendorf possibly symbolize?

Fertility or goddess worship.

What was the significance of the Neolithic Revolution?

Transformation to settled agricultural life, leading to food surplus and social stratification.

What does Mesopotamia mean?

Land between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates).

What is a ziggurat?

A stepped pyramid temple.

What is the Epic of Gilgamesh about?

Themes of mortality, heroism, and human limitation.

Who was Sargon of Akkad?

Creator of the first empire.

What is the Code of Hammurabi?

282 laws covering justice, class distinctions, and gender roles.

What geographic feature unified Ancient Egypt?

The Nile River.

Who unified Upper and Lower Egypt?

Menes/Narmer.

What is a pharaoh?

Divine ruler with a bureaucratic administration.

What was the Rosetta Stone used for?

Key to translation of hieroglyphics.

Proto-Civilization

Early societies that show signs of cultural development but lack writing systems.

Venus of Willendorf

A small Paleolithic figurine symbolizing fertility or goddess worship (c. 28,000 BCE).

Caves at Lascaux

Prehistoric cave paintings in France; suggest symbolic and artistic expression (c. 15,000 BCE).

Neolithic Revolution

The shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement (c. 11,000 BCE).

Çatalhüyük

One of the earliest known urban settlements in modern-day Turkey (c. 6700 BCE to 5650 BCE).

Jericho

Ancient city with some of the earliest known defensive walls; located in modern-day Israel (8000 BCE).

Mesopotamia

The first civilization, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Atrahasis

An ancient Mesopotamian flood myth that parallels other regional flood stories.

Uruk

One of the earliest major cities of Sumer in Mesopotamia (after 4300 BCE).

Cuneiform

Early writing system developed in Mesopotamia using wedge-shaped marks on clay.

Lugal

A term meaning “big man” or king in Sumerian city-states.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

An ancient Mesopotamian poem exploring heroism, mortality, and friendship.

Ziggurat

A stepped pyramid temple used in Mesopotamian religious practices.

Sargon of Akkad

Founder of the Akkadian Empire; unified various city-states (~2300 BCE).

Hammurabi

Babylonian king known for his legal code (reigned c. 1792–1750 BCE).

Code of Hammurabi

One of the earliest recorded law codes, detailing class and gender-based punishments.

Ancient Egypt

Civilization along the Nile River known for pharaohs, pyramids, and a centralized government.

Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt

The northern and southern regions of ancient Egypt that were unified under Menes.

Menes

The first pharaoh who united Lower and Upper Egypt (~3100 BCE).

Pharaoh

The divine ruler of Egypt, central to religion and governance.

Hieroglyphs

Ancient Egyptian pictographic writing system used in religious and monumental texts.

Mastaba

A flat-roofed tomb with sloping sides that predated pyramids.

The pyramids of Giza

Massive tombs built during Egypt’s Old Kingdom (c. 2575–c. 2465 BCE).

Great Pyramid of Khufu

The largest pyramid at Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu.

Osiris

Egyptian god of the afterlife, death, and resurrection.

Ka

The spiritual essence or life-force in Egyptian belief, crucial for the afterlife.

What defines a people or a civilization?

Geographic location, cultural traditions, political organization, religious beliefs, social systems, and technological development.

What civilization is remembered for its enduring impact on monotheism?

Hebrews

What are some results of the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age?

Upheaval, migration, innovation, and the emergence of new regional powers.

Where did the Indo-Europeans originate?

Steppes of Central Asia

Give examples of modern languages that share Indo-European roots.

Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Germanic, Slavic, and Celtic.

Name some examples of trade that spread via the eastern Mediterranean.

Metals, textiles, dyes, and wine.

Where was the Hittite kingdom based?

Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).

Compared to Hammurabi's code, how did Hittite laws differ?

Detailed and humanitarian, less reliant on retributive justice.

What was the main cause of the Bronze Age collapse?

Systemic stress: drought, famine, natural disasters, and large-scale invasions.

What followed after the Bronze Age collapse?

a power vacuum that allowed smaller, more mobile societies like the Hebrews and Phoenicians to emerge.

What was the collective term given to the disparate groups invading the Eastern Mediterranean?

Sea Peoples

Give some potential causes to the downfall of the Minoans.

volcanic eruption (Santorini), tsunami, or Mycenaean invasion.

What writing system did the Mycenaeans use?

Linear B script.

Which group invented the alphabet?

Phoenicians

Name two achievements of the Phoenicians.

The alphabet and the founding of Carthage.

What is one way the Philistines are remembered?

opponents of the Hebrews in biblical narratives (e.g., the story of David and Goliath).

Who is the traditional patriarch of the Hebrews?

Abraham

Who led the Hebrews out of Egypt?

Moses

What is the core belief of the Hebrews?

Yahweh is the one true god who made a covenant with His people—Hebrews must obey His laws to receive His protection.

Who built the First Temple in Jerusalem?

Solomon

What happened to the Temple after the fall of Judah?

Temple Destroyed

Who allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the temple?

Cyrus of Persia

What is the Hebrew Bible called?

The Old Testament.

What followed after Israel fell to the Neo-Assyrians?

Kingdom Split

What were some tactics of the Neo-Assyrians?

Militarized empire that ruled with brutality and organization, used mass deportation, and fear and propaganda.

Who built the Library of Ashurbanipal?

Ashurbanipal

Who founded the Persian Empire?

Cyrus the Great

What are satrapies?

administrative provinces governed by satraps.

Who founded Zoroastrianism?

Zoroaster

What is the name of the Good god?

Ahura Mazda

Who were the Indo-Europeans and why are they historically significant?

Indo-Europeans were nomadic peoples from Central Asia whose migrations around 2000 BCE influenced language, religion, and social structures across Europe, the Middle East, and India.

How did increased trade in the Eastern Mediterranean impact civilizations?

Trade facilitated cultural diffusion, increased wealth, and helped spread writing systems, technologies, and religious ideas across the Mediterranean world.

What were the major causes of the Bronze Age Collapse?

The collapse was likely due to a combination of invasions, natural disasters, climate change, famines, and the breakdown of political institutions.

Who were the Sea Peoples and what was their impact?

Likely a coalition of displaced or migrating peoples, they attacked and destabilized major Bronze Age powers around 1200 BCE, contributing to widespread societal collapse.

What distinguished the Minoans from other early civilizations?

The Minoans, based on Crete, were peaceful, sea-oriented, and focused on art and religion. Their lack of fortifications and elaborate palaces suggest a stable and prosperous society.

How did the Mycenaeans build on Minoan culture?

Mycenaeans adopted Minoan art, religion, and trade routes but were more militaristic. They built fortified palaces and dominated mainland Greece before collapsing around 1100 BCE.

Why is the Phoenician alphabet important?

It was the first phonetic writing system, using symbols for sounds. This simplified literacy and became the basis for Greek, Latin, and modern alphabets.

Who were the Philistines and how are they remembered?

Possibly part of the Sea Peoples, the Philistines settled in Canaan and built five city-states. They are remembered largely through Hebrew texts as the enemies of Israel.

How did monotheism shape Hebrew identity?

Belief in one god, Yahweh, created a strong religious identity tied to a moral code (Torah) and covenant. It distinguished them from surrounding polytheistic cultures.

What was the Covenant with Yahweh?

A sacred agreement where the Hebrews pledged loyalty and obedience to God in exchange for protection and guidance. It formed the basis of Hebrew religious law.

What were the key achievements of King David and Solomon?

David unified the tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital. Solomon built the First Temple, expanded trade, and centralized political power.

What was the Babylonian Captivity and how did it affect Jewish culture?

After Babylon conquered Judah in 587 BCE, many Hebrews were exiled. The event strengthened their religious identity and led to greater emphasis on written scripture.

How did the Neo-Assyrians maintain their empire?

Through military intimidation, mass deportations, psychological warfare, and sophisticated administration centered in cities like Nineveh.

Why do the Hebrews have a more lasting legacy than the Neo-Assyrians?

The Hebrews influenced global religion and ethics through monotheism and scripture. The Assyrians, though powerful, were remembered for brutality and left little cultural legacy.

Who was Sargon II and what were his contributions?

Neo-Assyrian ruler who expanded the empire and conquered Israel. He emphasized divine kingship and used propaganda to justify military campaigns.

Why was Nineveh significant?

It was the Neo-Assyrian capital, known for its architecture, aqueducts, and Ashurbanipal’s library. It symbolized the height of Assyrian power.

How did Cyrus the Great differ from earlier conquerors?

He was tolerant, allowed cultural and religious freedom, and integrated diverse peoples peacefully. He allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.

What were satrapies and why were they important?

Satrapies were administrative provinces in the Persian Empire, governed by satraps. They allowed efficient control over vast territory while preserving local traditions.

What are the core beliefs of Zoroastrianism?

A dualistic religion teaching a cosmic struggle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu), emphasizing moral choice, judgment, and an afterlife.

How did Persian rule contrast with Neo-Assyrian rule?

The Persians ruled with tolerance and inclusion, promoting infrastructure and peace. The Neo-Assyrians ruled through conquest, fear, and forced migration.