Honors World History Unit 1 Vocabulary

aryans

An indo-European people who, about 1500 B.C began to migrate into the indian subcontinent

Moksha

In Hinduism, a state of perfect understanding of all things and a release from the cycle of reincarnation.

Civillization

Highly organized society marked by P.E.R.S.I.A: political, economy, religion, social hierarchy, inventions, arts/architecture

Specialization

The development of skills inn a particular kind or work, such as trading or record keeping

artisan

person skilled in a craft

scribe

professional record keepers in early civilization

cuneiform

Sumerian system of writing using wedge-shaped markings.

Ziggurat

A tiered pyramid shaped structure that formed part of a Sumerian temple

Fertile Crescent

An arc of rich farmland in Southwest Asia between the Persian Golf and Mediterranean Sea

Covenant

Solemn pledge or agreement

City-State

An independent state consisting of a city and the surrounding land and villages

Dynasty

A line of rulers who belong to the same family

Cultural Diffusion

The exchange of goods, ideas, and customs among different cultures.

matriarchal/patriarchal

Relating to a social system in which the mother / father is head of the family

theocracy

Government headed by religious leaders or a leader regarded to as a false god.

Push-Pull factors

Factors that draw or chase people from a certain area.

Filial piety

Respect shown by children to their parents and elders

Surplus

An amount that is more than needed, excess

Mandate of Heaven

In ancient China, authority granted by heaven to deserving rulers

Caste

One of the four classes of people in the social system of the aryans who settled in India

reincarnation

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the process of which a soul is reborn.

Karma

In hinduism and buddhism, the totality of the good and bad deeds performed by a person which is believed to determine their fate

Animism

The belief that spirits are present in animals, plants, and non living objects.

Nirvana

In buddhism release from pain and suffering achieved after enlightenment

Torah

The first five books of the hebrew bible