HIST 101 Identification

Romanization

The spread of Roman ideals, language, development, and economy across the Roman Empire between 27 BC and 337 AD.

Polis

A Greek city-state that emerged around 800 BC, consisting of an urban center and surrounding land, promoting citizenship.

Hydraulic civilization

A civilization reliant on the control of water through irrigation and drainage for survival and agriculture.

Imperator

A title meaning commander-in-chief, granting absolute military power, used by Augustus starting in 27 BC.

Caliph

Successors to Muhammad with both religious and secular authority, leaders of Islam after Muhammad's death in 632 AD.

Alphabet

A writing system created by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, marking a shift from syllabaries to a modern style of writing.

Mare nostrum

Latin for 'our sea', referring to the Mediterranean Sea, crucial for trade and transportation in Western Civilization.

Monotheism

The worship of one all-powerful god, contrasting with polytheism, emerging around the 10th century BC.

Collection of Civil Law

Compilation of laws and decrees by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, unifying the Byzantine Empire's legal framework.

Jihad

Meaning 'struggle', refers to the fight against the enemies of Islam following Muhammad's passing.

Battle of Chaeronea

A battle in 338 BC resulting in Macedonian victory and the end of Greek independence.

AD 395

The year marking the death of the last emperor of a unified Rome and the split into Eastern and Western Empires.

Persian Wars

A series of conflicts in which Greek city-states defeated the Persian Empire, ensuring Greek independence.

Hajira/hegira

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD, marking the start of Islamic expansion.

Edict of Milan

A 313 AD agreement by Constantine to treat Christians benevolently, ending their persecution.

Actium

The site of a decisive battle in 31 BC which solidified Octavian's control over Rome and marked the start of the Roman Empire.

Adrianople

The site of a significant 378 AD battle where Romans faced a defeat against the Goths.

Athens

The only Greek city-state with a democratic system, leading the Delian League but ultimately defeated in the Peloponnesian War.

Babylon

Capital of the Babylonian Empire founded in 1900 BC, known for Hammurabi's legal code.

Constantinople

Founded by Constantine in 330 AD, it became the new capital of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire.

Lydia

An empire that began in the 7th century BC, credited with creating the first money of account.

Marathon

The site of a notable Greek victory over the Persians in 490 BC during the Persian Wars.

Mecca

The birthplace of Muhammad and a religious capital for Islam, where Muslims are expected to pilgrimage.

Salamis

The site of a crucial battle in 480 BC where Greeks defeated the Persians, impacting their influence in Greek history.

Sulla

Victor of the first Roman Civil War who increased the power of the elites as dictator of Rome in 82 BC.

Gregory I / the Great

Pope from 590-604 who enhanced the church's temporal power through various means.

Pericles

Athenian leader who helped develop democracy and died in 429 BC during the Peloponnesian War.

Constantine I / the Great

Roman Emperor who converted to Christianity in 312 AD and established Constantinople.

Alexander III / the Great

King of Macedon known for expanding his empire to India and promoting cultural interaction.

Augustus

The first Roman Emperor who established his absolute power at the end of the Roman Republic.

Hammurabi

The Babylonian ruler known for creating the first legal code around 1800 BC.

Theodosius I

Final emperor of the unified Roman Empire, who split it into Eastern and Western halves upon his death in 395 AD.

Ali

Muhammad's son-in-law, considered by Shi'ite Muslims as his named successor.

Diocletian

Emperor who restored stability to the Roman Empire in the 3rd century and split it into four regions.

Gothic War

A war fought between 536-554 between the remains of the Eastern Roman Empire and barbarians. The Romans aimed to retake Italy, but the long duration of the war as well as the massive expenditures it entailed immensely disrupted the Empire. It would lead to what is essentially the end of Roman civilization.

776 BC

The date of the alleged founding of the Olympic games. Aimed to continue the tradition of arete and to be a religious fesitval, it would eventually be continued by modern civilization.

431 BC

The year the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta started. Wary of Athens' growing influence, the Spartans waged war with the Athenians for 27 years, eventually leading to Athens' defeat and the loss of their influence. The divide between city-states stemming from this war would lead to their eventual defeat against the Macedonians led by Philip II, marking the end of Greek independence.

AD 312

The year that Constantine was converted to Christianity, defeated Maxentius, and shattered the Tetrarchy, becoming Rome's sole ruler. Constantine's rule would see the Roman Empire becoming more monotheistic, and its capital becoming the city of Constantinople. Upon his death, he split the Empire once more amongst his three sons.

323 BC

The year that Alexander the Great died. After his death, his wife and sole heir were killed and his Empire was divided amongst his generals, becoming the Hellenistic Kingdoms.