AWH: S1 Finals Study Guide

Neolithic Revolution

The transition from hunting and Gathering to settlements and early civilization

Mesopotamia

An area that is now eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and most of Iraq.

Fertile Crescent

Curved area in the Middle East known for rich soil and early farming, hosting some of the first civilizations.

Hebrews

Descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in ancient history.

Babylonians

People from Babylon, the empire that came after the Akkadian Empire.

Sumerians

People from an early city in southern Mesopotamia, famous for creating cuneiform writing.

Uruk

Ancient city, one of the first, located in the Near East, in modern-day Iraq.

Ziggurat

Temple built like a pyramid, serving as shrines to gods of the city, built in the center of the city.

Prehistory

Means 'old stone'; period before written records, when humans first appeared and began using tools.

Tigris

Major river that supported Ancient Mesopotamia.

Euphrates

Major river that supported Ancient Mesopotamia.

Nile

The longest river in the world, located in East Africa.

Red Sea

Sea that lies between Africa and Asia.

Nomads

People who migrated around in search of new food, water, and shelter.

Cuneiform

One of the first writing systems, created by the Sumerians, using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Hieroglyphs

A system of writing; sacred on temples, primarily used in ancient Egypt.

Mummification

Process of preserving a dead body.

Rosetta Stone

Stone that contained the same text in three scripts: hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek.

Scribe

A person who writes things and records history.

Embalmer

A person who preserves corpses from decay using spices.

Artisan

Skilled craftsman who made pottery, tools, etc.

Priest

A person who performs religious duties and supervises rituals aimed at pleasing gods and goddesses.

Moses

Prophet who led Israel out of slavery and wrote most of the Torah.

Jacob

Also known as Israel, grandson of Abraham, and an influential figure in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Joshua

Successor of Moses who led Israelites into the Promised Land. One of the 12 spies who explored Canaan

Solomon

Son of King David, known for building the first Temple in Jerusalem and being the wisest king in history.

Code of Hammurabi

crime, punishment. Collection of 282 laws that has survived for over 3,000 years.

Buddhism

Philosophy founded by Siddhartha in the 5th BC in Northern India; aims to escape suffering and achieve nirvana.

Hinduism

A collection of the religion, culture, and philosophy of ancient India characterized by a belief in reincarnation.

Four Noble Truths

Ordinary life is full of suffering, suffering caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves, end suffering by ending desire, end desire by following the Eightfold Path

Brahman

The supreme god in Hindu belief with multiple manifestations as various deities.

Asoka

Grandson of Candragupta Maurya, renowned as the greatest ruler of India.

Caste System

social order where population divided into hierarchy, members of each caste were segregated, castes lived in separate neighborhoods, castes were rigid, changing castes not allowed

Reincarnation

The belief that a soul can be reborn into a new body.

Confucianism

Chinese philosophy focusing on morality, family respect, and proper behavior in society.

Daoism

Chinese philosophy teaching living in harmony with the natural flow of life.

Legalism

Belief that humans are naturally evil and require strict control.

Oracle Bones

Ancient bones from China that were written on then cracked in a fire. These could tell the future by reading cracks made by heat

Filial Piety

The idea that older family members, especially parents and grandparents, should be respected and honored.

Shang Dynasty

The first official dynasty in ancient China, known for bronze work and early writing development.

Zhou Dynasty

Dynasty that succeeded the Shang, known for bringing political stability.

Athenian Democracy

introduced by Cleisthenes in 507 BC. It was used at a meeting place called the Assembly. All free male citizens have equal political rights, freedom of speech, and the opportunity to participate directly in the political arena.

Battle of Thermopylae

battle in 480 BCE in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae. A small (300 men) Greek force held off a large (180,000) Persian for 3 days, until they were betrayed and surrounded.

Peloponnesian War

• Started because of a rivalry between Athens and Sparta

• Athenians stayed behind city walls and relied on navy

• Spartans surrounded Athens with stronger army

• Athens surrendered after 25 years, when its naval fleet was destroyed

• Result was the weakening of city-states and the end of classical Greece.

Trade in Greece

The exchange of goods such as cereal, honey, pottery, olives/oil, and wine via the port of Piraeus.

Physical Geography of Greece

a mainly mountainous landscape, with the Pindus Mountains and Mount Olympus, surrounded by water on three sides by the Ionian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. This meant that the Greek city-states of Ancient Greece were separated by mountains and water. City states were isolated because of mountains, seas, and islands.

How does geography influence the formation of civilizations?

Geography can provide resources such as food, water, and other materials. It also shapes trade routes. It can also determine protection, such as mountains and rivers. Geography also causes isolation or connection with others. Geography can also influence agriculture and farming, and influences climate and living conditions.

Describe life in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Men and women got up, ate breakfast, and both males and females went to work. That work might have been building, digging, carpentry, weaving, writing, or various different things. Only boys attended school. Kings and queens lived in palaces, and the upper class lived in houses made of sun-baked brick. The lower classes lived in houses made of reeds, and slaves lived in the homes of their masters or nearby in reed houses. Slaves did things like cooking, cleaning, or manual labor, and eventually could buy their way to freedom.

Describe how Hinduism shaped life in Ancient India

Hinduism encourages good actions, and teaches people to accept their station in life, helping preserve the caste system. Hinduism reinforced a strict social hierarchy called a caste system (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra, and the untouchables) that made it nearly impossible for people to move outside of their social station. Hindus strive to achieve dharma, a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality. They respect all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal. Most don't eat beef or pork, and many are vegetarians.

Explain the gender roles and family structure in Ancient India.

Families of around 3 generations lived under the same roof. The oldest male was the head of the house, holding legal authority over everyone. Men received an education, while women’s main priority was to marry, bear, and raise children. Women managed households, and had limited public roles. Arranged marriages were common, and often determined social status.

Explain the main characteristics of the Han dynasty.

Some of the main characteristics of the Han dynasty include the development of the civil service and government structure. Another characteristic might be scientific advancements such as the invention of paper. Some other inventions include rubber and fishing reels. During the Han dynasty, the ancient Chinese used water clocks and sundials to measure time. They developed a seismograph, an instrument to measure earthquakes.

How do the people, events and ideas that shaped Ancient China continue to influence the world today?

Confucianism and Taoism are two ideas that still influence our government and ethics today. Many inventions invented or used in Ancient China are still used today. Some of these inventions include suspension bridges, paper, and rudders. The ideas of standard weights, single coinage, and uniform writing came from ancient China. The Great Wall also still exists today, after being built in Ancient China.

How did physical geography affect the development of Greece?

Greece’s nearness to the sea allowed for easier trade and a source of food. This also allowed Greeks to become good sailors and shipbuilders. People settled in the flat areas along the coast and in river valleys. City states were isolated because of mountains, seas, and islands: contact between villages was difficult. Each city-state had a different government and way of life.

Pax Romana

Means 'Roman Peace', a period of stability and prosperity in the Roman Empire.

Gracchus Brothers

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, brothers who attempted land reform in favor of small farmers and were killed by senators.

Senate

Most powerful governing body during the Roman Republic, consisting of 300 patricians who ruled for life.

Republic

A type of government not led by a monarch, where certain citizens have the right to vote.

Roman Empire

A vast civilization encompassing territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, known for their significant achievements.

Imperator

A ruler who commands the armed forces, also known as the commander in chief.

First Triumvirate

Consisted of Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus; its conflict led to civil war after Crassus died.

Second Triumvirate

Formed after the death of Caesar; consisted of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus, leading to civil war and Octavian becoming the sole ruler.

Plebeian

The main group of Roman citizens, including farmers and merchants; had the right to vote but not to be part of the Senate until 471 BC.

Patrician

Wealthy landowners who came from noble families in ancient Rome.

Germanic Kings

Rulers of the Germanic tribes, characterized by a blend of religious, military, and judicial roles.

Insulae

Small apartments where plebeians lived, often flammable and of poor quality.

Paterfamilias

The dominant male and head of the family in ancient Roman society.

Urbanization

The process by which small, agrarian communities evolved into larger, more complex societies centered around cities.

Gladiators

Professional fighters in ancient Rome who entertained audiences through combat.

Describe the differences between Athens and Sparta. How did these political differences lead to conflict?

Athens had a democracy, and free men had opportunities to speak. Freedom and individuality was valued. Sparta, on the other hand, had a militaristic government, and enforced absolute individual subordination. Power and control was valued. Athens was a center of trade, while Sparta was closed off to outsiders. Athens was gaining power, and using its strong navy to dominate the Delian League. Sparta, as the leader of the Peloponnesian League, saw Athens as a threat.

Athens

One of the largest and one of the first city states. It was named after Athena and the intellectual center of Greece.

Sparta

A militaristic city-state that conquered and enslaved its neighbors

Describe what life was like for Christians in the Roman Empire and how this changed over time. 

In the early days of the Roman Empire, Christians were often marginalized and faced sporadic persecution due to their perceived threat to Roman religious practices and social order. They practiced their faith in secret, meeting in homes or catacombs to avoid detection. This changed dramatically in the 4th century when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting religious tolerance and allowing Christians to worship openly.

Describe the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. 

Rome went from a Republic, where the Senate had the majority of the power, to an Empire ruled by an Emperor. Key events included Julius Caesar gaining power, being assassinated, and civil wars following his death. Octaivian (later Augustus) joined with Mark Antony and Lepidus as the second Triumvirate. Octavian defeated his rivals and became the first Emperor in 27 BCE. This change shifted power from the Senate  to a single ruler, altering Rome's governance.