pre ap world religions

Zoroastrianism Founding

Founded in ancient Persia, possibly 15th century BCE, with records from 6th-7th century BCE. Originated in modern-day Iran, shaping early monotheistic ideas.

Zoroastrianism Deity

Ahura Mazda represents good, purity, and order, opposed by Angra Mainyu, symbolizing evil. This duality influenced post-1200 monotheistic religions.

Zoroastrianism Founder

Zoroaster (Zarathustra), a sage, spread teachings orally via hymns and stories. His influence shaped Persian religious culture.

Zoroastrianism Texts

The Avesta, including Gathas, contains hymns and teachings for oral transmission. It guided pre-1200 Persian religious practices.

Zoroastrianism Beliefs

Duality of good (asha) vs. evil (druj) with free choice, symbolized by Faravahar. Emphasizes good thoughts, words, actions, impacting later ethics.

Zoroastrianism Expansion

By 600 CE, spread across Central Asia, from Mediterranean to Pakistan. Influenced post-1200 religious thought in the region.

Zoroastrianism Role

Persian rulers used Ahura Mazda to claim divine authority. Priests held high social status, reinforcing hierarchies.

Zoroastrianism Influence

Duality and monotheism shaped Judaism, Christianity, and Islam post-1200. Good vs. evil concepts persisted in religious ethics.

Legalism Founding

Originated in China during the Qin Dynasty (221-208 BCE). Aimed to unify and control through strict governance.

Legalism Deity

No deities; focused on secular laws and rules. Not a religion but a governing philosophy.

Legalism Founder

Credited to Emperor Qin Shihuangdi, who adopted it to centralize power. No single founder, but his rule popularized it.

Legalism Texts

No official sacred text; laws and rules served as guiding principles. These were enforced strictly in Qin governance.

Legalism Beliefs

Emphasized rewards for good behavior and harsh punishments for bad. Farmers and soldiers were valued, merchants and scholars less so.

Legalism Expansion

Remained concentrated in China by 600 CE, later overshadowed by Confucianism. Its practices influenced Chinese governance.

Legalism Role

Used to assert political authority via strict laws and punishments. Social hierarchy favored soldiers and farmers over merchants.

Confucianism Founding

Popularized by Confucius (552-479 BCE) in China, rooted in Shang Dynasty (1776-1050 BCE). A philosophy shaping social order.

Confucianism Deity

No deities; based on ethical principles and human relationships. Focused on harmony, not supernatural.

Confucianism Founder

Confucius, a philosopher, established core teachings. His ideas dominated post-1200 East Asian governance.

Confucianism Texts

Five Classics, including Analects and Book of Rites, teach ideal behavior and rituals. Guided post-1200 bureaucracies.

Confucianism Beliefs

Emphasizes ren (kindness), Yin-Yang balance, and hierarchical relationships (e.g., father/son, ruler/subject). Mandate of Heaven justifies rule.

Confucianism Expansion

By 1200 CE, dominant in China, influencing Southeast Asia. Shaped post-1200 cultural and political systems.

Confucianism Role

Supported ruler legitimacy via Mandate of Heaven and respect for authority. Reinforced hierarchies with elders and men dominant.

Confucianism Hierarchy

Created rigid hierarchy favoring educated men and elders. Women and less-educated had less power.

Confucianism Legitimacy

Provided government legitimacy if rulers were moral, per Mandate of Heaven. Ensured stable governance post-1200.

Confucianism Patriarchy

Enforced male dominance in relationships (e.g., husband/wife). Women were expected to be obedient, reinforcing social norms.

Neoconfucianism

Modern Confucianism blending Daoism and Buddhism. Popular post-1200 in East Asian philosophy.

Civil Service Exam

Selected officials based on Confucian knowledge. Strengthened post-1200 Chinese bureaucracy.

Daoism Founding

Emerged in China, 6th century BCE, as a philosophical tradition. Emphasized natural harmony over governance.

Daoism Deity

Includes deities like The Three Pure Ones, but less structured. Focuses on philosophical principles over worship.

Daoism Founder

Laozi, a key writer, and Zhuang Zhou promoted Daoist ideals. Their teachings shaped post-1200 thought.

Daoism Texts

Daode jing by Laozi and Zhuangzi outline principles of harmony. Influenced East Asian philosophy post-1200.

Daoism Beliefs

Promotes simple, individualistic living, rejecting social hierarchies. Seeks balance via Dao and Yin-Yang, ensuring long life.

Daoism Expansion

By 1200 CE, spread to Korea and Japan via monasteries. Influenced East Asian culture and art.

Daoism Role

Opposed political authority and hierarchies, favored by Zhou and Han Dynasties. Promoted equality, contrasting Confucianism.

Hinduism Founding

Originated in Indus River Valley, possibly 3000 BCE or earlier. Shaped South Asian culture pre-1200.

Hinduism Deity

Monistic with Brahma; deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha represent aspects. Worship diversified post-1200 practices.

Hinduism Founder

No single founder; evolved from ancient traditions. Influenced post-1200 South Asian religious identity.

Hinduism Texts

Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita guide beliefs. Central to post-1200 Hindu practices.

Hinduism Beliefs

Aims for Moksha (soul’s reunion with Brahman) via dharma and caste progression. Practices include meditation and festivals.

Hinduism Expansion

By 1200 CE, spread across Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia (e.g., Angkor Wat). Influenced regional culture.

Hinduism Role

Caste system gave higher castes political power, reinforcing rigid hierarchies. Kings and scholars claimed divine authority.

Caste System

Hindu hierarchy based on heredity, giving higher castes more rights. Lower castes faced discrimination post-1200.

Buddhism Founding

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama in 5th-6th century BCE, Indian subcontinent. Spread widely post-1200.

Buddhism Deity

No deities; focuses on enlightenment, with Buddha and Bodhisattvas revered. Statues aid worship in temples.

Buddhism Founder

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), born 500-600 BCE in Nepal, achieved enlightenment. His teachings shaped Asian religions.

Buddhism Texts

Tripitaka, with three baskets of teachings, guides Buddhist practices. Influential in post-1200 monasteries.

Buddhism Beliefs

Seeks Nirvana to escape suffering via Four Noble Truths and Eight-Fold Path. Meditation and ceremonies are key practices.

Buddhism Expansion

By 1200 CE, spread across East and Southeast Asia via Silk Road. Influenced art and governance.

Buddhism Role

Monastic communities modeled Buddhist lifestyle, aiding education. Less political, focused on spiritual equality.

Mahayana Buddhism

Treats Buddha as a deity, emphasizes devotion for Nirvana. Dominant in East Asia post-1200.

Theravada Buddhism

Views Buddha as a teacher, focuses on philosophical principles. Prevalent in South Asia post-1200.

Buddhism vs Christianity

Both are universalizing, spread by missionaries, emphasize compassion. Shared focus on ethical relationships.

Judaism Founding

Originated in 1st-2nd millennium BCE, present-day Israel. Foundation for later monotheistic religions.

Judaism Deity

Yahweh, sole deity in monotheistic faith. Influenced post-1200 religious thought.

Judaism Founder

Abraham, Jacob, and Israel were early leaders. Abraham is considered the patriarch.

Judaism Texts

Torah, with five scriptures, guides beliefs and practices. Central to Jewish identity post-1200.

Judaism Beliefs

Monotheistic worship of Yahweh, practiced in synagogues with rituals like Shabbat. Includes dietary laws (Kashrut).

Judaism Expansion

By 1200 CE, spread to Middle East, North Africa, and Southern Europe. Concentrated around Jerusalem.

Judaism Role

Kings claimed divine authority, religious leaders held power. Reinforced social hierarchies in Jewish communities.

Judaism vs Christianity

Both monotheistic, share Old Testament, and key figures. Emphasize divine teachings.

Christianity Founding

Founded in 1st century CE, Israel/Palestine, by Jesus Christ. Spread widely post-1200.

Christianity Deity

Single God in Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Central to post-1200 European faith.

Christianity Founder

Jesus Christ, born Jewish, considered son of God. His teachings shaped Christianity.

Christianity Texts

Bible, split into Old and New Testaments, guides beliefs. Influential in post-1200 governance.

Christianity Beliefs

Worships one God, practiced in churches with rituals like baptism, Christmas. Has Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox denominations.

Christianity Expansion

By 1200 CE, spread across Mediterranean, Middle East, Northern Europe. Dominant in medieval Europe.

Christianity Role

Justified Roman emperors’ divine rule, reinforced hierarchies. Catholic Church held social and economic power.

Catholic Church Role

Unified state and religion in medieval Europe, justified actions. Held significant political and social influence.

Islam Founding

Founded in 610 CE, Mecca, Arabian Peninsula, by Muhammad. Rapidly spread post-1200.

Islam Deity

Allah, sole deity in monotheistic faith, similar to Judaism and Christianity. Central to Islamic governance.

Islam Founder

Muhammad, last prophet, conveyed God’s teachings. His role shaped post-1200 Islamic empires.

Islam Texts

Quran, primary text, guides beliefs and practices. Influential in Islamic law and culture.

Islam Beliefs

Follows Five Pillars (faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage). Emphasizes submission to Allah.

Islam Expansion

By 1200 CE, spread to Middle East, North Africa, Spain, South Asia. Used trade routes and conquest.

Islam Role

Sharia law supported theocratic governance, caliphs held power. Religious leaders reinforced social hierarchies.