Western civilization midterm

Geographic characteristics of Greece

Mountainous terrain, rocky soil, and surrounding seas that led to isolated city-states, seafaring trade, and colonization

Polis

A Greek city-state that functioned as an independent political unit with its own government and laws

Arete

Greek concept of excellence and virtue, especially fulfilling one’s potential

Athens

City-state focused on democracy, education, philosophy, arts, and trade

Sparta

Militaristic city-state focused on discipline, strength, and military training

Persian Wars

Conflicts between Greek city-states and Persia caused by Persian expansion and Greek resistance

Battle of Marathon

Greek victory over Persia that boosted Greek confidence

Battle of Thermopylae

Spartan-led defense against Persia that delayed Persian advance

Battle of Salamis

Naval battle where Athens defeated Persia, turning the war

Result of Persian Wars

Greek victory leading to increased unity and Athenian power

Golden Age of Athens

Period of cultural and political prosperity under Pericles

Pericles

Athenian leader who expanded democracy and promoted arts and architecture

Peloponnesian War

Long war between Athens and Sparta that weakened Greece

Delian League

Alliance led by Athens originally formed for defense against Persia

Herodotus

Known as the “Father of History,” wrote about the Persian Wars

Thucydides

Historian who wrote a factual account of the Peloponnesian War

Socrates

Philosopher who taught through questioning and emphasized ethics

Plato

Student of Socrates who wrote philosophical dialogues and believed in ideal forms

Aristotle

Philosopher who emphasized logic, science, and observation

Philip II

King of Macedonia who unified Greece

Alexander the Great

Conquered vast territories spreading Greek culture

Hellenistic culture

Blend of Greek, Persian, Egyptian, and Indian cultures

Achievements of Hellenistic culture

Advances in science, math, art, and philosophy

Rome’s location

Central location in the Mediterranean allowed trade and expansion

Etruscans

Influenced Roman religion, architecture, and government

Latins

Early settlers of Rome who spoke Latin

Lucretia

Her death inspired the overthrow of the Roman monarchy

Gravitas

Roman value emphasizing seriousness, duty, and responsibility

Plebeians

Common people of Rome

Republic

Government with elected officials and representative institutions

Struggle of the Orders

Conflict between plebeians and patricians for political rights

Twelve Tables

First written Roman laws ensuring legal fairness

Roman Republic structure

Consuls, Senate, and Assemblies with checks and balances

Roman citizenship

Used to unite conquered peoples by granting rights

Roman Confederation

System allowing local self-rule under Roman authority

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who invaded Italy during the Punic Wars

Scipio

Roman general who defeated Hannibal

Punic Wars results

Rome became dominant power in the Mediterranean

Latifundia

Large farming estates that displaced small farmers

Weakening of Republic

Economic inequality and military loyalty issues

Gracchi Brothers

Reformers who tried to help poor Romans

Marius

Reformed Roman army allowing landless soldiers

Sulla

Military dictator who weakened the Republic

Crassus

Wealthy member of the First Triumvirate

Pompey

Military leader and rival of Caesar

Julius Caesar

General who ended the Republic and was assassinated

First Triumvirate

Alliance of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus

Second Triumvirate

Alliance of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus

Cleopatra

Queen of Egypt allied with Antony

Octavian/Augustus

First Roman emperor

Pax Romana

Period of peace and stability in Rome

Good Emperors

Five rulers who governed Rome effectively

Nero

Emperor known for tyranny and persecution

Virgil

Poet who wrote the Aeneid

Livy

Historian who glorified Rome’s past

Roman Law

Basis for modern legal systems

Aqueducts

Transported water to cities

Bread and circuses

Government policy to control the population

Judaism

Monotheistic religion originating in the Middle East

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus’ teachings emphasizing love and morality

Paul

Spread Christianity to the Roman world

Edict of Milan

Legalized Christianity

Diocletian

Emperor who divided the empire

Fall of Western Rome

Caused by invasions, economic decline, and political instability

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire centered in Constantinople lasting over 1,000 years

Patriarchs

Church leaders in Byzantine Christianity

Justinian

Emperor who expanded territory and reformed law

Justinian’s Code

Organized Roman laws

Early Middle Ages culture

Germanic traditions, Christianity, and Roman influences

Ordeals

Trials used to determine guilt

Missionaries

Spread Christianity

Pope Gregory I

Strengthened papal power

Franks

Germanic tribe that built a strong kingdom

Clovis

First Christian king of the Franks

Charles Martel

Stopped Muslim expansion at Tours

Charlemagne

United Western Europe and promoted learning

Carolingian Renaissance

Revival of learning under Charlemagne

Rule of St. Benedict

Guidelines for monastic life

Viking impact

Trade, raids, and settlement

Lord

Landowner in feudalism

Vassal

Person who served a lord

Feudalism

System based on land and loyalty

Manors

Self-sufficient estates

Free peasants

Paid rent

Serfs

Bound to the land

Women in Middle Ages

Gained more economic roles

Chivalry

Code of conduct for knights

Three-field system

Increased food production

Rise of towns

Caused by trade and agriculture

Guilds

Protected craftsmen and merchants

Bourgeois

Middle-class town dwellers

Universities

Centers of higher learning

Cathedrals

Religious and economic centers

Excommunication

Exclusion from church

Lay investiture

Conflict over appointing bishops

Pope Urban II

Called the Crusades

Crusades

Religious wars to reclaim Holy Land

Effects of Crusades

Increased trade and cultural exchange

William of Normandy

Conquered England in 1066

Bayeux Tapestry

Depicts Norman conquest