Key Concepts & People GLOBAL HISTORY MIDTERM

Pericles

Leader of Athens during the Golden Age

Cultural diffusion

The blending of different cultures by spreading ideas, beliefs, food, language, etc.

Limited democracy

Not fully equal democracy; not every citizen had a part (controlled)

Direct Democracy

Citizens took action in government; rights beyond voting

City-State

A city in the country of Greece; “mini country”

Polis

City-State

Geopolitical boundaries (Hellenistic World)

The way different city states (Athens, Sparta, etc.) ran based on their geography; the way they adapted.

EX: Greece formed independent city states because of their isolation (islands, mountains)

Ethnocentrism

A bias opinion on ones ethnicity (biased and against other ethnicities)

Theocracy

Government ruled by a religious leader

Aristocracy

Government ruled by elites

Autocracy

Government run by one person with absolute power

Latifundia

Large farming estate

Pax Romana

Peace in Rome; GOLDEN AGE OF ROME. Time of peace and stability in Rome.

Silk Trade Route

Route between Chine & Macedonia; used not only to transport goods, but also to share beliefs, and ideals. CULTURAL DIFFUSION. Spread ways of life.

“Bread and Circuses”

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT; Free food and entertainment (gladiators) Promoted Rome’s culture and “greatness”.

“I LOVE ROME! I get free food and entertainment!”

Alexander the Great ****

A man who DESERVED the GREAT title; spread cultures through cultural diffusion through trade routes, food, language, culture. This founded the Hellenistic culture.

Monopoly

A single company that dominates the entire marketplace for that product/service.

Polytheistic

Belief in many Gods

Ptolemaic Kingdom, Seleucid Kingdom, Antigonid Kingdom

Empires got split into these 3 kingdoms after Alexander the Great dies.

Ptolemaic: Egypt

Seleucid Kingdom: Asia

Antigonid Kingdom: Macedonia

Collapse of the Roman Empire

Foreign Invasion (Germanic tribes push in)

Inflation, heavy taxes, poor economy

Over expansion (too large to maintain)

Hired Mercenaries (not loyal)

Weak rulers

Christianity - less emphasis on fighting

Terrace farming

Farming on top of a hill (GREEKS)

Senate vs. Consuls vs. Tribune

Senate: Landowning men, (patrician class, however plebeian served later) rich, suggested laws, and suggested politics to the Consul. Very powerful. Elected once and for life. 300 senators. Focused on money, alliances and war.

Consuls: 2 elected per year, two men SHARED power. Enforced laws, managed army, and passed them. Focused on military. Could veto each other

Tribunes: 10 people (plebeian class) started with little power, but gre to have more. Veto laws that were unfavorable for plebeians.

Check on the power of senate and consuls.