Western Civ Exam 2 - Matching Review

Berbers

Indigenous ethnic groups of North Africa, primarily living west of the Nile Valley whose history includes notable interactions with Arab and European cultures. They played significant roles in trade and the spread of Islam.

Mansa Musa

The 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire, famous for his immense wealth and his pilgrimage to Mecca

Kush

An ancient kingdom in Nubia, located in the Nile Valley south of Egypt

Axum

A powerful kingdom in ancient Ethiopia that became a major center of trade and was early to adopt Christianity

Nok culture

An early Iron Age civilization located in modern-day Nigeria, known for its distinct terracotta sculptures.

Swahili

A Bantu language and culture of East Africa that emerged from trade interactions between Africans and Arabs

Great Zimbabwe

A massive stone city that served as the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the late Iron Age.

Tang Dynasty

A powerful Chinese dynasty (618–907) known for its golden age of culture, trade, and expansion.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960–1279) characterized by significant technological innovation and economic growth.

Ming Dynasty

The ruling dynasty of China (1368–1644) that followed the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty.

Khanates

The four regional Mongol kingdoms that emerged after the death of Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan

The founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history.

Khubilai Khan

The grandson of Genghis Khan who founded the Yuan Dynasty in China and hosted Marco Polo.

Zheng He

A Chinese mariner and diplomat who led massive naval expeditions during the early Ming Dynasty

Julius Caesar

A brilliant Roman general and member of the First Triumvirate who conquered Gaul. He famously crossed the Rubicon, defeated his rival Pompey, and was appointed dictator for life before being assassinated by senators on the Ides of March in 44 B.C.

Cincinnatus

A Roman citizen-farmer who was appointed dictator during a crisis. He achieved victory quickly and then immediately resigned his power to return to his farm, embodying the Roman virtues of patriotism and humility

Perpetua

A 21-year-old married woman and mother from Carthage who was martyred in 203 A.D. for her Christian faith. She is historically significant for leaving the first known writing by a Christian woman, detailing her imprisonment

Lucretia

A virtuous Roman woman whose assault by the son of an Etruscan king sparked a revolt led by Brutus. This event led to the overthrow of the Etruscan monarchy and the founding of the Roman Republic around 500 B.C.

Theodosius I

The last emperor to rule over a united Roman Empire. He issued the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 A.D., making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Nero

An infamous emperor (r. 54–68 A.D.) who began the first state-sanctioned persecution of Christians, using them as a scapegoat for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 A.D.

Pompey

A Roman general who conquered Palestine in 63 B.C.. He was a member of the First Triumvirate but later became Julius Caesar’s rival in a civil war; he was eventually assassinated in Egypt

Octavian (Augustus)

The grand-nephew and heir of Julius Caesar who became the first Roman Emperor after defeating Marc Antony. His reign marked the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Pax Romana

Marc Antony

A lieutenant of Julius Caesar and member of the Second Triumvirate who ruled the eastern half of the Roman world. He famously allied with Cleopatra of Egypt but was defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium

Augustine

The Bishop of Hippo and an influential Christian thinker who wrote The City of God. He argued that Christianity was not to blame for the sack of Rome and that the "City of God" is an eternal kingdom separate from earthly empires

Hannibal

A brilliant Carthaginian general of the Second Punic War who famously led an army, including elephants, over the Alps to invade Italy. He annihilated a Roman army at the Battle of Cannae but was eventually defeated at the Battle of Zama

Cicero

Rome’s most famous orator and statesman who was deeply devoted to the Republic. He was executed by the Second Triumvirate in 43 B.C. during their consolidation of power

Cato the Elder:

A Roman senator and historian who was so determined to see Rome's rival destroyed that he ended every speech with the phrase, "Carthage must be destroyed"

Edict of Milan

A landmark edict issued by Constantine in 313 A.D. that provided freedom of peaceful worship to all, specifically ending the persecution of Christians and restoring their property

Hortensian Law

A law passed in 287 B.C. that made all laws passed by the plebeian assembly binding on the entire Roman state, including the patricians

Pax Romana

Meaning "the peace of Rome," this was a roughly 200-year period of stability, prosperity, and expansion that began under Augustus. During this time, Roman culture and Greco-Roman civilization spread throughout Europe

12 Tablets (Twelve Tables)

The first codification of Roman law, published around 450 B.C. on bronze tablets. They were posted in the forum to ensure all citizens knew their legal rights and responsibilities