History Midterm

Ancient Greece

A mountainous peninsula primarily surrounded by the Mediterranean, characterized by small independent communities due to rugged terrain.

Polis

The fundamental political unit in ancient Greece, consisting of a city and its surrounding countryside.

Acropolis

A fortified hilltop in ancient Greece where citizens gathered to discuss government.

Mycenaean

A civilization that settled on the Greek mainland around 2000 BCE, known for its warrior kings and involvement in the Trojan War.

Trojan War

A conflict involving the Mycenaeans fighting against the city of Troy, occurring around the 1200s.

Homer

An ancient Greek poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Democracy

A system of government in which the citizens participate directly in political decision-making.

Draco's Code

A set of harsh laws established by Draco in 621 BCE, which prescribed severe penalties for crimes.

Solon

An Athenian leader known for his political reforms in 594 BCE, including the outlawing of debt slavery.

Cleisthenes

An Athenian leader who introduced reforms that established a more inclusive political system.

Persian Wars

Conflicts between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire in the early 5th century BCE.

Phalanx

A military formation of foot soldiers armed with spears and shields, integral to Greek warfare.

Golden Age of Athens

A period from 477 to 431 BCE marked by significant achievements in art, philosophy, and democracy.

Peloponnesian War

A conflict between Athens and Sparta, beginning in 431 BCE, that led to the eventual defeat of Athens.

Socrates

A classical Greek philosopher known for his method of questioning to stimulate critical thinking.

Republic

A form of government in which elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the citizens.

Hellenistic Culture

The spread of Greek culture and influence following the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Algebra

A branch of mathematics that originated from Arabic scholars, involving the use of symbols to represent numbers.

Feudalism

A political and economic system prevalent in medieval Europe, where nobles granted land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service.

The Great Schism

The division between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church that occurred in 1054 CE.

Caliph

A title for the leader of the Islamic community, considered a successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Abbasid Dynasty

An Islamic dynasty that came to power after the Umayyad, known for its golden age of cultural and scientific achievements.

Pax Romana

A 200-year period of relative peace and stability throughout the Roman Empire, starting with the reign of Augustus.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, which emerged in the first century CE.

Martyr

A person who sacrifices their life for their beliefs, often used in the context of early Christians.

Nicene Creed

A statement of Christian faith formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

Roman Republic

A period of ancient Rome (509-27 BCE) characterized by a mixed constitution and the Senate having significant power.

Roman Architecture

The architecture of ancient Rome, known for its monumental structures, including the use of arches, concrete, and aqueducts.

Athens

A prominent city-state in ancient Greece known for its cultural achievements and the birthplace of democracy.

Origins of Islam

Islam originated in the 7th century CE in Mecca with the revelations to the Prophet Muhammad.

Sects of Islam

Different branches of Islam, primarily Sunni and Shia, that arose due to disagreements over leadership after Muhammad's death.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks and Lombards and Emperor of the Romans who united much of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages.

Manor System

A feudal system in medieval Europe where a Lord's estate (manor) served as the basic unit of agricultural organization.

Xerxes

A Persian king known for his invasion of Greece during the Persian Wars, particularly the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

Aristotle

A Greek philosopher and polymath whose works covered various subjects including ethics, politics, and metaphysics.

Greek Art

Art of ancient Greece, known for its emphasis on harmony, proportion, and the human form, as seen in sculptures and pottery.

Punic Wars

A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 to 146 BCE, resulting in the destruction of Carthage.

Jesus and His Teachings

The central figure of Christianity, whose teachings emphasized love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Sparta

A prominent city-state in ancient Greece known for its military-oriented society and dual kingship.

Beliefs of Islam

The core beliefs of Islam include the Five Pillars: faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage.

Treatment by Muslims

Historically, muslims have been known for their advancements in science and philosophy, and their governments often promoted religious tolerance.

Sacraments

Rituals in Christianity considered to be outward signs of inward grace, including baptism and communion.

Pericles

An influential statesman of Athens during its Golden Age known for his contributions to democracy and the arts.

Darius

A Persian king known for his administrative skill and the expansion of the Persian Empire.

Plato

A classical Greek philosopher known for his works on philosophy, especially the theory of forms and his dialogues featuring Socrates.

Importance of Point of View

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told, influencing how facts and events are interpreted. Recognizing different points of view helps in understanding biases and motivations behind narratives.

Detecting Bias

Bias is a tendency to favor one perspective over another. To detect bias, evaluate sources for language, emotional appeals, and whether they present multiple viewpoints.

Primary Sources

Primary sources are original, firsthand accounts or evidence from the time period being studied, such as letters, eyewitness accounts, and artifacts.

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources interpret or analyze primary sources and include textbooks, articles, and documentaries created after the event.

Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are fundamental acts of worship that include Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Pericles

An influential statesman of Athens known for his leadership during the Golden Age and his role in the development of Athenian democracy.

Alexander the Great

A king of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in history through his conquests, spreading Greek culture and influence across the known world.

Diocletian

A Roman emperor known for his reforms to stabilize the empire, including the division of the empire into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

Cultural Influence of Islam

Islam has significantly influenced art, science, philosophy, and law in various cultures, promoting advancements in mathematics, medicine, and architecture.