Ancient Israel, Christianity, and Islam: Key Historical and Religious Concepts

Creation story in Genesis

Describes God creating the world, humans (Adam and Eve), and establishing the moral order; explains the origin of humanity, the natural world, and human sin.

Adam & Eve, Noah's Flood, Exodus story - genre(s)

Mythic/narrative stories, religious history, and foundational legends.

Central beliefs and themes of the ancient Hebrews

Monotheism (belief in one God), Covenant between God and Israel, Ethical conduct and justice, Chosen people concept, Promised land and obedience to God's law.

From the available evidence, what do we know about the historicity of the Exodus of Hebrews from Egypt?

Little archaeological evidence; likely based on collective memories of migration or smaller-scale events rather than a literal mass exodus.

Proto-Israelites probably descended from

Canaanite populations in the Levant.

What is the oldest archaeological evidence for Ancient Israel?

Iron Age settlements (c. 1200-1000 BCE), inscriptions like the Merneptah Stele (~1208 BCE).

Name the two kingdoms (north and south) of the ancient Israelites.

North: Israel; South: Judah.

Why was the Babylonian Exile such a crucial development for the Israelites? What did it do

Destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem (586 BCE), Forced reflection on identity and faith, Solidified the Hebrew Bible's texts and Jewish religious practices.

What was the Septuagint?

Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), completed c. 3rd-2nd century BCE.

Who was Judah Maccabee, and what is he known for doing?

Leader of the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire; known for rededicating the Temple (Hanukkah).

Identify the three key features of apocalypticism.

Dualism (good vs. evil),
Imminent divine intervention,
Revelation of hidden truths/end times.

Describe the outcome of the First and Second Roman-Jewish Wars.

First (66-73 CE): Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple (70 CE); Second (132-135 CE): Bar Kokhba revolt crushed; Jews expelled from Judea.

Describe first-century Galilee, socioeconomically.

Rural, poor, agrarian, under Roman taxation, with small towns and villages.

The theme of Jesus's message/preaching during his ministry was

Kingdom of God, repentance, ethical living, compassion.

What catalyst led to Jesus's death?

Conflict with Jewish authorities and Roman concern over unrest; crucifixion ordered by Pilate.

Shortly after Jesus's death, what two stories began to spread?

Resurrection appearances; Teachings of salvation and new covenant.

The "gospel" preached by the first Christians was:

Jesus is Messiah, risen from the dead, offers salvation and eternal life.

Describe the early Christians' apocalyptic worldview/timeline.

Expected imminent end of the world, final judgment, and establishment of God's kingdom.

Describe Christianity as a "new movement": socially and behaviorally.

Broke from Jewish Temple practices, Emphasized communal living, charity, moral purity, Inclusive of Gentiles.

Identify four apostles and what each was known for.

Peter: leadership, preached to Jews;
Paul: missionary to Gentiles, theology;
James: Jerusalem Church leader;
John: writings and theology.

Identify the three divisions of leaders in the early Church.

Bishops, presbyters (priests), deacons.

What ideas, figures, groups, and traditions characterized second-century Christianity?

Diverse beliefs, emerging orthodoxy

Figures: Church Fathers (Irenaeus, Tertullian)

Groups: Gnostics, Marcionites

Traditions: scripture collection, liturgy

Was Gnosticism similar to, or different than, the rest of Christianity?

Different than mainstream Christianity; emphasized secret knowledge, dualism, and spiritual salvation over bodily resurrection.

Similar to Christianity in using Jesus and salvation themes,

What was the Muratorian Canon?

Earliest known list of accepted Christian writings (late 2nd century).

When did the first universal persecution of Christians take place, and under whose rule

Under Emperor Decius, c. 250 CE.

Constantine's conversion story - his vision of a cross - was what kind of story?

Constantine's vision of the cross was a religious and apocalyptic conversion story symbolizing divine support for his rule and Christianity's triumph.

What did the Edict of Milan do for Christians

313 CE; legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Why were the bishops summoned to the Council of Nicaea in 325?

To resolve Arian controversy and unify Christian doctrine on the nature of Christ.

Constantine named the new capital city that he founded in the East

Constantinople (modern Istanbul).

Explain the impact of Christianity on "Western" history

Shaped law, ethics, and education; influenced art, architecture, and literature; provided social services; inspired political and imperial policies.

Describe the Fall of Rome.

Decline due to internal weakness, economic troubles, invasions by Germanic tribes; Western Empire fell in 476 CE.

Identify all "barbarian" tribes

Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks, Angles, Saxons, Huns, Lombards, Burgundians.

Odoacer's title when his men installed him as king:

King of Italy.

What other term refers to the Middle Ages?

Medieval period.

What recurring activities, societies, political and economic dynamics, etc. characterized Medieval Europe

Feudalism, manorial economy, warfare, church dominance, guilds, pilgrimages.

The importance of the sacking of Lindesfarne monastery and the Battle of Hastings

Lindisfarne monastery sacking (793 CE): start of Viking raids; Battle of Hastings (1066 CE): Norman conquest of England.

What were the developments in late Byzantine history (division and decline)

Division into Eastern/Western territories;

decline due to invasions, economic struggles, and loss of territories.

Compare and contrast the Tang and Song Dynasties: the features of each.

Tang: expansionist, cosmopolitan, strong military, poetry, Buddhism flourish;

Song: economically prosperous, technological innovation, commerce, bureaucracy, Neo-Confucianism.

Name the three empires of Mesoamerica during the Middle Ages/Postclassical period.

Olmec, Maya, Aztec.

Relate the incident where Muhammad and his followers fled ("flight") to Medina.

Hijra; marked start of Islamic calendar and establishment of Muslim community.

In order, name the four major caliphates of early Islam.

Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid.

What is jihad?

Struggle or striving in the way of God; can be personal/spiritual or defensive/military.

Identify the Five Pillars of Islam.

Shahada (faith),

Salah (prayer),

Zakat (almsgiving),

Sawm (fasting during Ramadan),

Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Explain four misconceptions about Islam.

Islam promotes violence;

All Muslims are Arabs;

Women have no rights;

Jihad is only war.

Know the "key terms" of Islam.

Qur'an, Hadith, Mosque, Ummah, Halal/Haram, Sunni/Shia, Caliphate, Sharia.

How did land and identity feature at the time of the Crusades?

Control of Jerusalem/holy sites; religious and political motivations intertwined.

What pope first called for crusades?

Pope Urban II, 1095.

Outcomes of Crusades

First: captured Jerusalem (1099), established Crusader states;

Third: failed to recapture Jerusalem; truce with Saladin;

Fourth: diverted to Constantinople, sacked city (1204), weakened Byzantium.