Universal Religions 300-600 CE

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the 300–600 CE universal religions and related WHAP topics.

Universalizing religions

Religions that appeal to diverse populations across widespread regions, notably Christianity and Buddhism.

Silk Roads

Extensive trade network across Afro-Eurasia that spread goods, people, and ideas between East and West.

Constantine

Roman emperor who endorsed Christianity and helped its spread, including granting privileges to bishops.

Council of Nicaea

325 CE meeting that produced the Nicene Creed, affirming the Trinity and orthodoxy in Christianity.

Nicene Creed

Statement of Christian belief establishing the Trinity and the nature of Christ.

Trinity

Christian doctrine that God exists as three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Hagia Sophia

Grand church in Constantinople built under Justinian, symbolizing the fusion of church and empire.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire that survived Western collapse and preserved Roman law and Christian tradition.

Justinian Code

Comprehensive compilation of Roman law reformed by Emperor Justinian.

Dar al-Islam

The 'home of Islam'—the Islamic world where Muslims live under Islamic rule.

Muhammad

Prophet and founder of Islam, born circa 570 CE in Mecca.

Qur’an

Sacred text of Islam, believed to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Mecca

Sacred city in western Arabia; birthplace of Muhammad and site of pilgrimage.

Medina (Yathrib)

City Muhammad migrated to in 622 CE; later renamed Medina.

Hijra

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, starting the Muslim calendar.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core duties: declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Jihad

Struggle in service of God; can mean personal spiritual struggle or holy war.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Qur’an and Hadith guiding behavior and daily life.

Sunni

Major Islamic branch; mode of leadership that accepts the authority of qualified rulers.

Shi’a (Shiite)

Islamic branch that emphasizes rightful leadership through the Prophet’s family, esp. Ali.

Sufis

Muslim mystics seeking direct experience of God through meditation and rituals.

Umayyad Dynasty

Early Islamic caliphate based in Damascus; expanded across the Mediterranean to India.

Abbasid Dynasty

Islamic dynasty that moved the capital to Baghdad; era of cultural and scientific flourishing.

al-Khwarizmi

Muslim mathematician who helped develop algebra and introduced Hindu-Arabic numerals to the West.

Baghdad

Abbasid capital and centre of learning and culture.

Hinduism

Brahmanic religion in India with deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; concepts of dharma and karma.

Brahmanism

Early form of Hinduism focused on Brahmins and Vedic practices; precursor to Hinduism.

Brahma–Vishnu–Shiva (Trimurti)

Hindu trinity representing creation, preservation, and destruction.

Dharma

Moral law and social duty in Hinduism (and a key Buddhist concept of living rightly).

Sanskrit Cosmopolis

Culture-wide South Asian sphere unified by Sanskrit language and Brahmanic culture.

Code of Manu

Ancient Hindu legal text codifying social order, caste rules, and duties.

Mahabharata

Epic narrative addressing duty and righteousness; contains the Bhagavad Gita.

Ramayana

Epic tale of Prince Rama; important Hindu literary work.

Bhagavad Gita

Philosophical dialogue within the Mahabharata about dharma and devotion.

Gupta Dynasty

Indian dynasty during the classical era; promoted Hinduism and cultural flourishing.

Bantu migrations

Movement of Bantu-speaking peoples across sub-Saharan Africa; ironworking and agriculture facilitated spread.

Bantu cradle

Origin point of Bantu-speaking peoples in Africa from which migrations spread.

Sanskrit

Classical language of South Asia; language of religious and royal discourse; aided cultural dissemination.

Teotihuacán

Major Mesoamerican city-state; large pyramids and ritual centers; dominated the Valley of Mexico.

Maya writing

Mayan script, a sophisticated system of hieroglyphs used by Mayan scribes.

Maya mathematics and astronomy

Advanced Mayan mathematical and astronomical knowledge.

Tripiṭaka

Buddhist scriptures in three baskets; central collection of early Buddhist texts.

Nagarjuna

Buddhist scholar who helped develop Mahayana philosophy and Madhyamika thought.

Madhyamika (Middle Way)

Mahayana Buddhist school emphasizing emptiness and the middle path.

Nirvana

State of liberation and freedom from suffering in Buddhism.

Buddhism in China

Spread of Buddhist teachings to China via the Silk Roads and translation/missions (e.g., Nagarjuna).

Mahayana Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism that broadens the path to enlightenment and deifies aspects of Buddha.

Hinayana (Theravada)

Earlier form of Buddhism emphasizing original teachings and monastic discipline.

Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

Founder of Buddhism who attained enlightenment and taught the Four Noble Truths.

Four Noble Truths

Core Buddhist teaching on suffering, its causes, and the path to relief.

Eightfold Path

Eight practices guiding ethical and mental development toward enlightenment.

Maya cosmology

Mesoamerican belief systems and calendar traditions shaped by religion and politics.

First Crusade context

Religious wars prompted by fragmented Abbasid authority and European Christian desire to reclaim Jerusalem.