Chapter 4: First Age of Empires (1570 BC - 200 BC)

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the Key Figures, Terms, and Concepts across Chapter 4 First Age of Empires.

Hyksos

Nomadic invaders who ruled Egypt from 1640 to 1570 BC and introduced chariots to Egyptian warfare.

New Kingdom

The period from 1570 to 1075 BC during which Egypt built an empire by bringing several peoples or states under one ruler.

Hatshepsut

Egyptian ruler who began her reign in 1472 BC and expanded Egypt's prosperity by encouraging trade instead of war, including leading a major trade expedition to Punt (Somalia).

Thutmose III

Empire-building pharaoh who took power after Hatshepsut and led armies to conquer Syria, Palestine, and Nubia.

Ramses II

New Kingdom pharaoh (1290–1224 BC) and prolific builder who constructed monumental statues and temples and signed a peace treaty with the Hittites.

Kush

An ancient Nubian kingdom south of Egypt that traded with Egypt, adopted Egyptian culture, and eventually conquered Egypt.

Piankhi

Kushite king who overthrew the Libyan pharaoh around 751–671 BC, united the Nile River valley, and founded the 25th dynasty of Egypt.

Meroë

City to which the Kushite royal family moved after being driven south by Assyrians, becoming a trade center rich in iron supplies and rainfall.

Nineveh

The capital city of the Assyrian Empire, known for its military power and large library built by Ashurbanipal.

Nebuchadnezzar II

Chaldean king (605–562 BC) who restored Babylon into a monumental city, deported the Jews, and built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Cyrus II

Founder of the Persian Empire who conquered Babylon in 539 BC and was known for his tolerance and allowing exiled Jews to return and rebuild their temple in 538 BCE.

Darius I

Persian king who seized power in 522 BC with the Ten Thousand Immortals and expanded the empire from the Nile to the Indus River across 3,000 miles.

Satrap

A governor who ruled a local province within the ancient Persian Empire under the authority of the king.

Royal Road

A 1,677-mile road in the Persian Empire with stations every 14 miles that enabled royal messengers to travel the distance in 7 days.

Zoroastrianism

Persian religion founded/reformed by Zoroaster around 570 BC, teaching a strict moral code and a struggle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Ahriman).

Filial Piety

The Confucian concept of respect shown by children for their parents and elders.

Bureaucracy

A trained civil service system introduced in ancient China through Confucian influence on governance and education.

Daoism

An ethical system founded by Laozi in the 500s BC teaching that a universal force called the Dao guides all things and that understanding nature brings harmony.

Legalism

A political philosophy associated with Shi Huangdi and Hanfeizi that viewed humans as evil by nature and maintained order using strict laws and harsh punishments.

Yin and Yang

Two opposing forces in Chinese philosophy representing life's balance: Yin (cool, dark, female, submissive) and Yang (warm, light, male, aggressive).

Shi Huangdi

Qin emperor who unified China in 221 BC through central government control, Legalism, standardized laws and currency, and the construction of the Great Wall.