Test two

Achaemenids

The ruling dynasty of the Persian Empire that created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.

Cyrus the Great

Founded the Achaemenid Persian Empire in the sixth century BCE; known for allowing conquered peoples to maintain customs and traditions.

Darius I

A Persian king who strengthened and organized the empire through improved roads, tax systems, and administration.

Persepolis

The ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire featuring impressive palaces and reliefs.

Satrapy System

Divided the Persian Empire into provinces called satrapies, each governed by a satrap.

Zoroastrianism

A Persian religion emphasizing the struggle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Ahriman).

Ahimsa

A principle in Jainism meaning nonviolence or avoiding harm to living beings.

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism, known as the Buddha, meaning 'Awakened One'.

Eightfold Path

The Buddhist path toward ending suffering and achieving enlightenment.

Theravada Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism emphasizing individual progress and the teachings of the Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes enlightenment for all beings and compassionate helpers.

Bodhisattvas

Beings who seek enlightenment but dedicate themselves to helping others achieve liberation.

Mauryan Empire

One of the first major empires to unify much of the Indian subcontinent, founded by Chandragupta Maurya.

Ashoka

A Mauryan emperor who embraced Buddhist principles and promoted nonviolence and public welfare.

Polis

A Greek city-state consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.

Phalanx

A military formation where soldiers fought closely together in rows.

Hoplites

Heavily armed Greek foot soldiers who fought in the phalanx.

Triremes

Fast Greek warships used for naval warfare and trade protection.

Athenian democracy

A system allowing male citizens to participate directly in government.

Helots

A largely unfree population in Sparta, forced to work the land for Spartan citizens.

Lycurgan Constitution

The traditional system of laws emphasizing military discipline and social stability in Sparta.

Greek-Persian Wars

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

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens to protect against Persian attacks.

Peloponnesian War

A major conflict fought mainly between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 BCE.

Socrates

An Athenian philosopher who challenged people to examine their beliefs through questioning.

Plato

A student of Socrates who founded the Academy in Athens and wrote philosophical dialogues.

Aristotle

A student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great, known for his systematic reasoning.

Hellenistic culture

Culture that developed after the conquests of Alexander the Great, blending Greek and local traditions.

Macedon

A kingdom north of the traditional Greek city-states, becoming a dominant power under Philip II.

Philip II

The king of Macedon known for strengthening the army and expanding power over Greece.

Alexander the Great

The king of Macedon who conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek culture.

Antigonids

Dynasty that ruled Macedon after Alexander the Great's death.

Ptolemaic Empire

A Hellenistic kingdom based in Egypt, founded by Ptolemy I.

Alexandria

A major center of trade and learning in the Hellenistic world, founded by Alexander.

Tiber River

Provided essential resources for agriculture, transportation, and trade for Rome.

Patricians

Members of Rome's traditional aristocratic families holding political power.

Plebeians

Common citizens in Rome, including farmers and artisans, who sought greater political rights.

Law of the Twelve Tables

Rome's first major written code of law, making legal rules public.

Punic Wars

Three major wars between Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 BCE.

Carthage

A powerful North African city that competed with Rome for control of trade.

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

Roman political reformers supporting land and social reforms for poorer citizens.

Julius Caesar

A Roman general and politician who became Rome's dominant leader.

Dictator Perpetuus

Title meaning 'dictator for life' received by Julius Caesar.

Augustus

Title adopted by Octavian, the first emperor of Rome.

Cult of the Emperor

Religious practices honoring the divine status of the Roman emperor.

Roman slavery

A major part of Roman society, involving enslaved individuals working in various sectors.

Spartacus Uprising

A major revolt led by an enslaved gladiator against Rome from 73 to 71 BCE.

Fall of Rome

Refers to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE.

Herod the Great

A Roman-supported king of Judea known for major building projects.

John the Baptist

A Jewish preacher who called for repentance and baptized followers.

Jesus of Nazareth

A Jewish teacher whose teachings formed the foundation of Christianity.

Radical egalitarianism

The belief in equal spiritual worth for all people in Christianity.

Resurrection

The belief that Jesus rose from the dead, central to Christian faith.

Jesus Movement

The early community of followers of Jesus, rooted in Judaism.

Gentiles

Non-Jewish individuals, significant in the spread of early Christianity.

Paul of Tarsus

An early Christian missionary who expanded Christianity beyond Jewish communities.

Importance of women in the Early Church

Women played key roles in early Christian communities, despite societal limitations.

Roman persecution of Christians

Persecution arose when Christians refused to worship Roman gods.

Constantine Conversion

Constantine's support led to the legalization and transformation of Christianity in the Roman Empire.