World History Semester 1 FINAL

Greece

A mountainous peninsula surrounded by rocky islands that led to the rise of independent city-states

Polis

A Greek city-state made up of a fortified hilltop and surrounding farmland

Acropolis

A hilltop fortress used to defend the city, discuss affairs, and honor the gods

Aristocracy

A government ruled by the upper class

Ostracism

Temporary exile from a Greek city-state

Citizenship (Athens)

Status given to free men age 18 who swore an oath, completed military training, and defended the city and gods

Women of Athens

Had no political or legal rights, lived in seclusion, married young, and managed the household

Sparta

A Greek city-state focused on military strength and discipline

Spartan Training

Harsh military upbringing beginning at age 7 with little food, clothing, or comfort

Spartan Women

Strong, obedient women expected to raise warriors and manage the home

“Come back with your shield or on it”

Spartan saying emphasizing honor in battle

Greek gods

Twelve powerful gods believed to live on Mount Olympus

Zeus

King of the gods who controlled thunder, lightning, and earthquakes

Poseidon

God of the sea

Hades

God of the underworld

Olympics

Athletic competitions held every four years in honor of the gods

Epic poem

A long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds

Homer

Greek poet who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey

Tragedy

A serious Greek play dealing with suffering and moral choices

Comedy

A humorous Greek play that criticized society and politics

Philosophy

The study of knowledge, truth, and existence

Socrates

Greek philosopher who taught by questioning others

Plato

Student of Socrates who emphasized reason and wrote The Republic

Aristotle

Philosopher who believed the best government was led by a virtuous ruler

Euclid

Greek mathematician known as the father of geometry

Herodotus

Historian who wrote about the Persian Wars using research

Thucydides

Historian who wrote about the Peloponnesian War and avoided bias

Alexander the Great

Macedonian ruler who spread Greek culture across the empire

Hellenistic

The blending of Greek, Middle Eastern, Egyptian, and Asian cultures

Romulus and Remus

Legendary twin founders of Rome raised by a wolf

Aeneid

Epic poem by Virgil linking Rome to Troy

Republic

A government where citizens elect representatives

Patrician

Wealthy Roman landowning class

Plebian

Common Roman citizen

Dictator

A ruler given absolute power for six months during emergencies

Punic Wars

Three wars fought between Rome and Carthage

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps to attack Rome

Julius Caesar

Ambitious Roman leader whose actions ended the Republic

Augustus

Rome’s first emperor who restored order and stability

Bread and Circus

Policy of providing food and entertainment to prevent unrest

Circus Maximus

Large Roman stadium for chariot races

12 Tables

Rome’s first written laws ensuring fairness

Aqueducts

Engineering structures that carried fresh water to cities

Roman Roads

Vast network that improved trade and military movement

Inflation

Rising prices caused by devalued coinage

Middle Ages

Period from 500–1500 marked by feudalism and Church power

Secular

Non-religious

Fief

Land granted by a lord in exchange for loyalty

Tithe

One-tenth tax paid to the Church

Charlemagne

Frankish king who united Western Europe and promoted learning

Common Law

Legal system based on court decisions and tradition

Chivalry

Code of conduct for knights emphasizing bravery and loyalty

Crusade

Religious military expedition to reclaim holy lands

Joan of Arc

French hero who inspired troops during the Hundred Years’ War

Trial by Ordeal

Medieval test believed to reveal guilt or innocence

Three-Field System

Agricultural rotation that increased food supply

Guild

Association of craftsmen or merchants regulating trade

Apprentice

Young worker trained by a master craftsman

Journeyman

Skilled worker who earned wages

Master Craftsman

Guild member who owned a workshop

Urban Growth

Expansion of towns due to trade and craft specialization

Renaissance

Rebirth of Greek and Roman ideas in art and learning

Humanities

Subjects studying human culture such as history and literature

Florence

Center of Renaissance culture

Patron

Wealthy supporter of artists

Machiavelli

Author of The Prince who believed fear was better than love

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance artist and scientist who painted the Mona Lisa

Michelangelo

Artist who painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling

Printing Press

Invention that spread ideas quickly

Vernacular

Everyday spoken language

Reformation

Religious movement challenging the Catholic Church

Indulgence

Reduction of punishment for sins

Martin Luther

Monk who began the Reformation

95 Theses

Luther’s arguments against indulgences

Protestants

Christians who broke from the Catholic Church

Predestination

Belief that God already chose who will be saved

Theocracy

Government ruled by religious leaders

Utopia

Ideal society

Scientific Revolution

Period of scientific discovery based on observation

Scientific Method

Process using experiments and observation

Galileo Galilei

Scientist who supported heliocentrism, made astronomical observations that supported the theories of Copernicus

Isaac Newton

Scientist who discovered laws of gravity and motion

Natural Laws

Rules governing nature and society

John Locke

English Philosopher who proposed that a gov power comes from the consent of the citizens and that citizens have the right to rebel against unjust rulers

Montesquieu

French writer who propsed the ideas of seperation of powers and checks and balances

Voltaire

French Philopshe who promoted freedom of speech

Rousseau

Philosopher who believed in the will of the people

Social Contract

Agreement between people and government

Mary Wollstonecraft

Advocate for women’s rights and education

Salons

Gatherings for discussing Enlightenment ideas

Laissez-faire

Government should not interfere in the economy

Free Market

Economy guided by supply and demand

Estates General

Assembly representing the three estates of France

Marie Antoinette

Queen of France associated with extravagance

Tennis Court Oath

Pledge by the Third Estate to create a constitution

Storming of the Bastille

Symbolic start of the French Revolution

National Assembly

Revolutionary body formed by the Third Estate

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution when the government used mass executions and fear to control the country, led by Robespierre, resulting in about 20,000–40,000 deaths by guillotine

Plebiscite

Vote by the people on an issue

Napoleon Bonaparte

Military leader who ruled France