McCoy INST & IDEAS WORLD CIV I - Exam 1 Potential IDS

Polis

Greek word for “city-state.” Greeks provided a “software update” to the older city-state idea by attaching the concept of citizenship. Citizenship became the basis of equality and participation in political and military life.

Cyrus II of Persia

Founder of the Persian Empire. Conquered most of the empire’s territory and is remembered for his tolerance, diplomacy, and the model of imperial rule he established.

Pastoral Nomads

People who herded domesticated animals and moved seasonally in search of pasture and water. They were important in spreading ideas, technologies, and goods across regions, but also known for raiding settled states.

Territorial State

A large political unit that extended authority over wide regions, beyond a single city. Different from city-states, territorial states integrated multiple cities and diverse peoples under one centralized authority.

Phalanx

Greek mass military formation of heavily armed infantry soldiers (hoplites) arranged in tight rows. Its significance lies in shifting warfare away from cavalry/chariots to infantry, linking military service to land ownership and the idea of citizenship in the polis.

Satrapies

Administrative provinces of the Persian Empire, each ruled by a satrap (governor). Allowed the Persian Empire to govern a vast and diverse territory effectively while maintaining loyalty to the king.

Lugal

Sumerian term meaning “big man” or king. Originally referred to a temporary military leader but evolved into a hereditary monarch, symbolizing the early development of kingship.

Thutmose III

Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty (often called the “Napoleon of Egypt”). Expanded Egypt’s empire to its greatest territorial extent through military campaigns.

Ma-at

Ancient Egyptian concept of truth, order, balance, and cosmic justice. Pharaohs were responsible for upholding ma’at to ensure harmony between the gods, people, and nature.

Cuneiform

One of the earliest systems of writing, developed in Mesopotamia (Sumer). Used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets. Allowed for record-keeping, literature, and administration, marking a turning point in human history.