World Studies Final Exam

Buddhism

A religion that teaches ending suffering by following the Eightfold Path and reaching enlightenment.

Jainism

A religion built around non-violence toward all living things and strict self-discipline.

Hinduism

A religion with many gods, karma, dharma, and reincarnation; connected to the caste system.

Zoroastrianism

A Persian religion teaching a battle between good and evil.

Confucianism

A philosophy focused on respect, order, and proper behavior.

Daoism

A philosophy teaching people to live simply and follow nature's way.

Legalism

A Chinese philosophy that uses strict laws and punishments to keep order.

Judaism

The first major monotheistic religion; based on Abraham's covenant.

Islam

A monotheistic religion started by Muhammad; Qur'an is the holy book.

Greek Mythology

Polytheistic religion with gods like Zeus and Athena.

Roman Mythology

Polytheistic religion similar to Greece but with Roman names.

Christianity Religion

based on Jesus as the Messiah.

Sumerians

First civilization in Mesopotamia; invented writing and the wheel.

Babylonians

Empire known for Hammurabi's Code and rebuilding Babylon.

Hittites

Empire known for iron weapons and fighting Egypt.

Israelites

People practicing Judaism with kings David and Solomon.

Assyrian Empire

Warrior empire known for harsh military rule.

Persian Empire

Large empire known for tolerance, satraps, and the Royal Road.

Phoenicians

Sea traders who created the alphabet and founded Carthage.

Harappans

Indus River Valley civilization with planned cities.

Mauryan Dynasty

Indian empire started by Chandragupta; Ashoka ruled.

Shang Dynasty

First Chinese dynasty with written records.

Zhou Dynasty

Created the Mandate of Heaven; longest dynasty.

Qin Dynasty

Unified China using Legalism; built early Great Wall.

Han Dynasty

Golden Age of China with civil service exams and Silk Road.

Athenians

Greek city-state known for democracy and learning.

Spartans

Greek city-state known for strong military life.

Roman Republic

Government with elected leaders and the Senate.

Roman Empire

Empire after Augustus; expanded widely and adopted Christianity.

Umayyad Dynasty

First major Islamic dynasty; expanded into Spain.

Abbasid Dynasty

Islamic Golden Age of science and learning.

Sassanid Empire

Persian empire known for Zoroastrianism.

Rashidun

First four caliphs after Muhammad.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Persian Empire known for tolerance.

Abraham

Founder of Judaism; made covenant with God.

David

Second king of Israel; united the tribes.

Solomon

Built the Temple in Jerusalem.

Nebuchadnezzar

Neo-Babylonian king who rebuilt Babylon.

Chandragupta Maurya

Founder of the Mauryan Empire.

Ashoka

Mauryan ruler who converted to Buddhism.

Shi Huangdi

First emperor of China; unified China.

Emperor Wu

Han emperor who expanded the Silk Road.

Socrates

Greek philosopher who taught questioning.

Pericles

Leader of Athens during its Golden Age.

Alexander the Great

Conqueror who spread Greek culture.

Julius Caesar

Roman general who became dictator.

Diocletian

Roman emperor who split the empire.

Paul of Tarsus

Missionary who helped spread Christianity.

Augustus

First Roman emperor.

Muhammad

Founder of Islam.

Khadijah

Muhammad's wife and first convert.

A'isha

Wife of Muhammad; important political figure.

Imam Ali

Key figure in Sunni-Shi'a split.

Tigris River

River in Mesopotamia.

Euphrates River

River in Mesopotamia.

Nile River

River in Egypt.

Indus River

River in India/Pakistan.

Yellow River

River in China.

Yangtze River

Major river in China.

Mediterranean Sea

Sea between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Aegean Sea

Sea between Greece and Turkey.

Himalayas

Mountain range north of India.

Rome

City in Italy.

Jerusalem

Holy city in Israel.

Athens

City in Greece.

Sparta

City in Greece.

Mecca

Holy city in Islam.

Medina

City where Muhammad moved during the Hijra.

Arabian

Peninsula Region in Southwest Asia.

Anatolia

Region in modern Turkey.