Prehistory, Time Periods, and First Civilizations, World History Chapters 5-8

Unification of Persians

The process led by Cyrus the Great and Darius to unite various Persian tribes and establish the Achaemenid Empire, which included achievements such as the Cyrus Cylinder, religious tolerance, satraps, and the promotion of Zoroastrianism

Minoan Civilization

Seafaring civilization known for its vibrant frescoes and the use of the undeciphered Linear A script.

Odyssey

Epic poem by Homer, recounting the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus after the Trojan War.

Acropolis

Prominent elevated area within a Greek city-state, often featuring temples and other important buildings.

Parthenon

Iconic temple located on the Athenian Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena.

Aristocracy

Form of government in which power is held by a privileged upper class, based on birthright or wealth.

Autocracy

Form of government in which unlimited power is held by a single individual, often a dictator or monarch.

Marathon

Battle during the Persian Wars, significant in modern-day terms due to the origin of the marathon race, which commemorates the run of a messenger from Marathon to Athens.

Thermopylae

Battle during the Persian Wars, known for the heroic defense led by King Leonidas I of Sparta against the Persian forces.

Leonidas

Spartan king who led the defense at the Battle of Thermopylae, sacrificing himself and his men to delay the Persian advance.

Delian League

Alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens, formed to counter the Persian threat, but later transformed into an Athenian empire.

Macedonian Empire

Empire that rose to power after the Peloponnesian War, led by King Philip II and later his son Alexander the Great, marking the end of the Greek city-state era.

Ethics

Branch of philosophy dealing with moral principles and the study of what is right and wrong.

Rhetoric

Art of effective speaking or writing, often associated with the Sophist philosophy and the ability to persuade or influence others.

Socrates' Influence on Alexander the Great

Examining the impact of Socrates' teachings on the famous conqueror Alexander the Great, who was his student.

Hippocrates

Greek physician known as the 'Father of Medicine', who made significant contributions to medical knowledge and ethics.

Heliocentric

Model of the solar system with the sun at the center, opposed to the geocentric model that placed the Earth at the center.

Aeneid

Epic poem by the Roman poet Virgil, telling the story of Aeneas and the founding of Rome, drawing inspiration from Greek mythology and the Homeric epics.

Hamilcar Barca

Carthaginian general during the First Punic War, known for his strategic abilities and his son Hannibal's later military achievements.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general known for his tactics during the Second Punic War, including the famous crossing of the Alps to attack Rome.

Scipio

Roman general who defeated Hannibal in the Battle of Zama, effectively ending the Second Punic War.

Roman Empire

Form of government in ancient Rome after the transition from the Roman Republic, characterized by the rule of emperors and the expansion of Roman territory.

Caesar

Roman general and statesman, played a key role in the fall of the Roman Republic, leading to the establishment of the Roman Empire.

Bread and Circus

Policy in ancient Rome of providing food and entertainment to the population, often used as a means of maintaining social order and political control.

Nero

Roman emperor known for his tyranny, extravagance, and persecution of Christians.

Neolithic Civilization

Advanced societies that emerged during the Neolithic Age, characterized by cities, government, religion, jobs, social classes, art, architecture, public works, and writing

Cuneiform

A system of writing used in ancient Mesopotamia, characterized by wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets

Roman Twelve Tables

A set of laws in ancient Rome that were inscribed on twelve bronze tablets, providing a foundation for Roman law and serving as a comparison to Hammurabi's Code and modern US law

Sumerians

An ancient civilization in Mesopotamia known for their advancements in writing, mathematics, and architecture

Assyrians

An ancient civilization in Mesopotamia known for their military prowess and efficient administration

Babylonians

An ancient civilization in Mesopotamia known for their contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and law

Phoenicians

An ancient civilization in the eastern Mediterranean known for their seafaring skills, trade networks, and alphabet

Macedonian Conquest

The series of military campaigns led by Alexander the Great, resulting in the conquest of a vast empire that stretched from Greece to Egypt and India

Linear B

Deciphered script used by the Mycenaeans, a civilization that succeeded the Minoans.

Mycenaeans

Civilization that emerged after the decline of the Minoans, explored by the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann.

Polis

Independent city-state in ancient Greece, each with its own government and laws.

Monarchy

Form of government in which a single ruler, usually a king or queen, holds absolute power.

Oligarchy

Form of government in which a small group of individuals, often from the aristocracy, rules the state.

Hoplites

Greek foot soldiers who fought in a tightly-packed formation called a phalanx, armed with spears and shields.

Phalanx

Military formation used by Greek hoplites, involving tightly-packed ranks of soldiers with overlapping shields and long spears.

Spartan Society

Society in the Peloponnesus region known for its strict military training, discipline, and gender roles.

Athenian Tyrant

A tyrant who ruled Athens during its transition from aristocracy to democracy, often implementing reforms and promoting the interests of the common people.

Greek Perception of Themselves

The way Greeks viewed themselves in comparison to others, often referring to non-Greeks as 'barbaroi' or barbarians due to cultural differences.

Persian Wars

Series of conflicts between Greece and Persia, caused by Persian aggression and the involvement of Greek city-states in Ionia.

Themistocles

Prominent Greek general who played a key role in the Persian Wars, particularly in the Battle of Salamis.

Salamis

Naval battle during the Persian Wars, where the Greek fleet defeated the larger Persian fleet, led by Xerxes I.

Athens' Golden Age

Period of cultural and intellectual achievements in Athens, characterized by advancements in philosophy, arts, literature, and architecture.

Peloponnesian League

Alliance of Greek city-states led by Sparta, formed in response to the growing power of Athens and the Delian League.

Greek Golden Age

Another term for Athens' Golden Age, often compared to Rome's Golden Age for its cultural and intellectual achievements.

Pericles' Funeral Oration

Speech delivered by the Athenian statesman Pericles, honoring the soldiers who died in the Peloponnesian War and praising Athenian democracy.

Peloponnesian War

War between Athens and Sparta, resulting in the defeat of Athens and a shift in power within Greece.

Greek Thinking and Logic

Understanding of Greek philosophical concepts and their interpretation of the actions of gods and the natural world.

Morals

Principles of right and wrong behavior, often influenced by cultural and philosophical beliefs.

Sophist Philosophy

Philosophical movement in ancient Greece that emphasized rhetoric, the relativity of truth, and the importance of persuasive communication.

Plato

Greek philosopher who wrote 'The Republic' and criticized democracy, advocating for a philosopher-king ruling society.

Aristotle

Greek philosopher and student of Plato, known for his contributions to logic, ethics, and the scientific method.

Socratic Method

Method of questioning used by Socrates to encourage critical thinking and self-examination, often leading to a deeper understanding of complex ideas.

Antigone

Greek play by Sophocles, centered around a conflict between divine law and human law, highlighting themes of morality and loyalty.

Herodotus

Greek historian known as the 'Father of History', who focused on research, interpretation, and the recording of historical events.

Thucydides

Greek historian known for his account of the Peloponnesian War, emphasizing the importance of bias and reliability in historical narratives.

Macedonia

Ancient kingdom located in northern Greece, led by King Philip II and later his son Alexander the Great, known for their military prowess and expansion.

Pythagoras

Greek mathematician known for the Pythagorean theorem and his contributions to mathematics and philosophy.

Greece and Italy

Comparison of the geographical differences between ancient Greece and Italy, including climate, topography, and cultural influences.

Aeneas

Legendary hero in Roman mythology, central character in Virgil's Aeneid, known for his journey from Troy to Italy and his role in the founding of Rome.

Patricians

Wealthy and privileged class in ancient Rome, often holding political and social power.

Dictator

In times of crisis, a temporary ruler with absolute power in ancient Rome, appointed to address emergencies and restore order.

Cincinnatus

Roman dictator known for his leadership and humility, who voluntarily relinquished power after resolving a crisis.

Tribunes

Elected officials in ancient Rome who represented the interests of the plebeians and had the power to veto decisions made by other officials.

Greco/Roman Political Society

Comparison of political society in ancient Greece and Rome with the political system of the United States, highlighting similarities and differences.

Punic Wars

Series of wars between Rome and Carthage, caused by territorial disputes and competition for dominance in the Mediterranean.

Fabian Strategy

Military strategy employed by the Roman general Fabius Maximus, involving avoiding direct confrontation with the enemy and instead focusing on attrition and delaying tactics.

Imperialism

Policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means of control.

Latifundias

Large agricultural estates in ancient Rome, often worked by enslaved individuals, contributing to the concentration of wealth and the decline of small farmers.

Provinces

Territories outside of Italy controlled by ancient Rome, governed by Roman officials and subject to Roman law.

Augustus

First Roman emperor, originally known as Octavian, who established the Roman Empire and ushered in a period of relative stability known as the Pax Romana.

Triumvirate

Political alliance of three individuals, such as the First and Second Triumvirates in ancient Rome, often formed to consolidate power and influence.

Julius Caesar's Assassination

Details of the assassination of Julius Caesar, a Roman dictator, and the conspirators involved in the plot.

Legacy

The lasting impact and significance of key figures and events in ancient Rome, including their influence on subsequent civilizations and cultures.

Caligula

Roman emperor known for his erratic behavior, cruelty, and megalomania.

Hadrian

Roman emperor known for his building projects, including Hadrian's Wall in Britain, and his efforts to consolidate and stabilize the empire.

Marcus Aurelius

Roman emperor and philosopher, known for his Stoic writings and his reign during the height of the Pax Romana.

Prehistory

The time period before written records were created

BCE

Abbreviation for 'Before Common Era', used to date events that occurred before the birth of Jesus

BC

Abbreviation for 'Before Christ', used to date events that occurred before the birth of Jesus

AD

Abbreviation for 'Anno Domini', used to date events that occurred after the birth of Jesus

CE

Abbreviation for 'Common Era', used to date events that occurred after the birth of Jesus

Archaeologists

Scientists who study human history through the analysis of artifacts

Artifacts

Objects that were made or modified by humans

Out of Africa Theory

The scientific theory that suggests modern humans originated in Africa and migrated to other parts of the world

Paleolithic Age

A period of human history characterized by the use of stone tools and a nomadic way of life

Nomadic lifestyle

A way of life characterized by constant movement in search of food and resources

Neolithic Age

A period of human history marked by the transition from hunting and gathering to settled farming

Agricultural Revolution

The shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled farming and the domestication of plants and animals

Social classes

Groups of people in a society who hold different levels of wealth, power, and status

Organized religions

Religious systems that involve structured beliefs, rituals, and practices

Settlement of Cities

The establishment of permanent human settlements in urban areas, often near rivers for agricultural benefits

Rivers

Natural water bodies that provided fertile soil and a water source for farming in ancient civilizations

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural elements, such as ideas, beliefs, customs, and technologies, between different societies

6 Goals of Government

The objectives outlined in the preamble to the US Constitution, including forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty

Monotheism

The belief in and worship of a single God