AWH: S1 Finals Study Guide

Ancient History

Vocab

Neolithic Revolution - time period when people started to gather food and keep animals instead of hunting. The Neolithic Revolution happened between 8000 B.C to 4000 B.C.

Mesopotamia - the area that is now eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and most of Iraq.

Fertile Crescent - curved area in the middle east known for rich soil and early farming. It hosted some of the first civilizations

Hebrews - descendents of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

Bablyonians - people from Babylon, the empire that came after the Akkadian Empire.

Sumerians - people from early city in southern mesopotamia; famous for creating cuneiform writing

Uruk - ancient city (one of the first) in the Near East, in modern day Iraq

Ziggurat - temple built like pyramid; were shrines to gods of city, were built in center of city

Prehistory - means “old stone”; period of time before written records, when humans first appeared and began using tools. 

Tigris - major river; supported Ancient Mesopotamia

Euhphrates - major river; supported Ancient Mesopotamia

Nile - longest river in the world, located in East Africa

Red Sea - sea that lies between Africa and Asia

Nomads - people who migrated around in search of new food, water, and shelter

Cuneiform -  one of the first writing systems, created by the Sumerians, using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets; valuable source of info for modern scholars. 

Hieroglyphs - system of writing; sacred on temples

Mummification - process of preserving dead body

Rosetta stone - was a stone that had the same text in three scripts, which were hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek.

Scribe - person who writes things; they recorded history

Embalmer - a person who preserves corpses from decay using spices

Artisan - skilled craftsman (made pottery, tools etc.)

Priest - person who performs religious duties; supervised rituals aimed at pleasing gods and goddesses

Moses - prophet who led Israel out of slavery, through the Red Sea. He also wrote most of the Torah.

Jacob - also known as Israel, grandson of Abraham, son of isaac, and influential in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

Joshua - successor of Moses, led Israelites into Promised Land. also one of 12 spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan.

Solomon - son of King David, built the first Temple in Jerusalem, the wisest king in history

Code of Hammurabi - Collection (code) of 282 laws that has survived for over 3,000 years, enduring even after Babylon’s downfall.

SAQ

What is a civilization and how does one form one? Your answer should list and explain at least 4 of the six characteristics of a civilization.

What is a civilization?

• A civilization is a complex culture in which many people share common elements, such as government, religion, social structure, and art. A civilization forms when characteristics such as cities, government, religion, social structure, writing, and art have happened.

How it forms:

• It develops when people settle in one place and begin farming, leading to population growth and social organization.

Characteristics

• Cities: Large, organized communities where people live and work together. For example, ancient Egypt had many cities.

• Organized Government: A system of rules and leaders to organize and manage society.

• Complex Religion: Shared beliefs and practices about gods or spiritual matters.

• Social classes: The organization of people into different levels or classes, like rulers, workers, and slaves. 

• Writing: A system to record information, like laws, stories, and trade. Egypt had an advanced writing system: hieroglyphics. 

• Art and architecture: Creative works and buildings that reflect a society's culture and values. Minoan frescoes are a good example of art.

How does geography influence the formation of civilizations?

• Provides resources (water, food, materials)

• Shapes trade routes

• Determines protection (mountains, rivers)

• Causes isolation or connection with others

• Affects agriculture and farming

• Influences climate and living conditions

Describe life in Ancient Mesopotamia.
Men and women got up, ate breakfast, and both males and females went to work. That work might have been building, digging, carpentry, weaving, writing, or various different things. Only boys attended school. Kings and queens lived in palaces, and the upper class lived in houses made of sun-baked brick. The lower classes lived in houses made of reeds, and slaves lived in the homes of their masters or nearby in reed houses. Slaves did things like cooking, cleaning, or manual labor, and eventually could buy their way to freedom.

Why is it beneficial to believe in the one true God, instead of worshiping over 2,000 false God’s (like in Egypt)?

Believing in the one true God brings clarity, purpose, and truth. Worshiping many false gods leads to confusion and uncertainty. Believing in one God brings unity and simplicity. Following different gods with different demands can create confusion. A deep relationship with one God can lead to spiritual fulfillment and peace. If you worship over 2,000 gods, it is difficult to form a deep and personal relationship with each one of them.

Ancient India

Vocab

Buddhism - philosophy founded by Siddhartha in 5th BC in Northern India. Aim is to escape suffering and achieve nirvana.

Hinduism - a collection of the religion, culture, and philosophy of ancient India. It is characterized by a belief in reincarnation. goal is to return to Brahman. numerous gods, dominant in India.

Four Noble Truths - Ordinary life is full of suffering, Suffered caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves, end suffering by ending desire, end desire by following the Middle/Eightfold Path

Brahman - supreme god who has multiple manifestations as a variety of deities. 

Asoka - Grandson of Candragupta Maurya, greatest ruler of India. Was ruthless until he turned to Buddhism

Caste System - social order where population divided into hierarchy members of each caste were segregated, castes lived in separate neighborhoods, castes were rigid, changing castes not allowed

Reincarnation - belief that soul can be reborn

SAQ

Describe how Hinduism shaped life in Ancient India

Teaches people to accept station in life, helping preserve the caste system, and encouraging good actions. Hinduism reinforced a strict social hierarchy called a caste system that made it nearly impossible for people to move outside of their social station. Hindus strive to achieve dharma, a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality. They respect all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal. Most don't eat beef or pork, and many are vegetarians. 

Explain the gender roles and family structure in Ancient India.

• The oldest man was the head of the house and had legal authority over everyone. Families of usually 3 generations lived under the same roof. Men received an education, while women’s main priority was to marry, bear, and raise children.

• Patriarchy : men held primary authority over the house

• Women : women managed households and raised children; limited public roles

• extended family lived together

• arranged marriages were common, often determining social status.

Ancient China

Vocab

Confucianism - Chinese philosophy that focuses on morality, family respect, and proper behavior in society.

Daoism - Chinese philosophy that teaches living in harmony with the natural flow of life.

Legalism - The belief that people by nature were evil and needed to be controlled. 

Oracle Bones - Bones that were written on then cracked in a fire. These could tell the future. Ancient bones from China used to tell the future hy reading cracks made by heat. 

Filial Piety - idea that older people, specifically parents and grandparents, should be respected and honoured.

Shang Dynasty- first official dynasty; 

an early Chinese dynasty that was famous for making bronze and developing writing.(Daoism, legalism)

Zhou Dynasty -  defeated Shang dynasty; brought political stability (confucianism)

SAQ

Explain the main characteristics of the Han dynasty.

• Development of the civil service and government structure

• Scientific advancements such as the invention of paper

• Many different inventions, including rubber and fishing reels

• Used water clocks and sundials to measure time

• Developed seismograph, and instrument used to measure earthquakes

How do the people, events and ideas that shaped Ancient China continue to influence the world today?

• Confucianism and Taoism influence our government and our ethics.

• Many inventions invented or used in Ancient China are still used today

• Some of these inventions include suspension bridges, paper, and rudders.

• The ideas of standard weights, single coinage, uniform writing, came from China

• The Great Wall still exists today, after being built in Ancient China.

Ancient Greece

Vocab

Athens - One of the largest and one of the first city states. It was named after Athena and the intellectual center of Greece.

Sparta - A militaristic city-state that conquered and enslaved its neighbors.

Battle of Thermopylae - battle in 480 BCE in central Greece at the mountain pass of Thermopylae. A small (300 men) Greek force held off a large (180,000) Persian for 3 days, until they were betrayed and surrounded.

Homer - an Athenian writer who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey, epic poems that were the among the earliest Greek writings

Alexander the Great - came to control the Persian Empire by 331 BC, extending Greek culture. He died of malaria.

Peloponnesian war - 

• Started because of a rivalry between Athens and Sparta

• Athenians stayed behind city walls and relied on navy

• Spartans surrounded Thens with stronger army

• Athens surrendered after 25 years, when its naval fleet was destroyed

• Result was the weakening of city-states and the end of classical Greece.

Athenian Democracy - introduced by Cleisthenes in 507 BC. It was used at a meeting place called the Assembly. All free male citizens have equal political rights, freedom of speech, and the opportunity to participate directly in the political arena.

Trade in Greece - Athens’ port Piraeus was very important to trade. Some items that were traded were: cereal, honey, pottery, olives/oil, and wine. Athens was a center of trade

Physical Geography of Greece - a mainly mountainous landscape, with the Pindus Mountains and Mount Olympus, surrounded by water on three sides by the Ionian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. This meant that the Greek city-states of Ancient Greece were separated by mountains and water. City states were isolated because of mountains, seas, and islands.

SAQ

How did physical geography affect the development of Greece?

Greece’s nearness to the sea allowed for easier trade and a source of food. This also allowed Greeks to become good sailors and shipbuilders. People settled in the flat areas along the coast and in river valleys. City states were isolated because of mountains, seas, and islands: contact between villages was difficult. Each city-state had a different government and way of life.

Describe the differences between Athens and Sparta. How did these political differences lead to conflict?

Athens had a democracy, and free men had opportunities to speak. Freedom and individuality was valued. Sparta, on the other hand, had a militaristic government, and enforced absolute individual subordination. Power and control was valued. Athens was a center of trade, while Sparta was closed off to outsiders. Athens was gaining power, and using its strong navy to dominate the Delian League. Sparta, as the leader of the Peloponnesian League, saw Athens as a threat.

Ancient Rome

Vocab

Pax Romana - Means “Roman Peace”, period of 

Gracchus brothers - Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, brothers who attempted to help small farmers with land reform, giving them public land. They were killed by senators, who feared loss of their land

Senate - most powerful governing body during Roman Republic, 300 members who were all patricians (members of landholding upper class), ruled for life, issued decrees, and interpreted the laws

Republic - a type of government that was not led by a monarch, in which certain citizens have the right to vote.

Empire - vast and influential ancient civilization that encompassed territories across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, known for its remarkable achievements in governance, architecture, military prowess, and cultural impact.

Imperator - A ruler who commands the armed forces (commander in chief)

First Triumvirate - Consisted of Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus. Crassus died early on, instigating civil war between Pompey and Caesar, which Caesar won.

Second Triumvirate - after the death of Caesar, Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus joined together. Lepidas was quickly exiled, then civil war erupted between Augustus Octavian and Mark Antony. Antony committed suicide in Egypt because he believed Cleoptatra had already done so, leaving Octavian the sole ruler of Rome.

Plebeian - main group of Roman citizens including farmers, merchants, and artisans. They were allowed to vote, but not be part of the Senate until 471 BC

Patrician - wealthy landowners who came from noble families

Germanic Kings - rulers of the Germanic tribes. Their kingship was characterised by a blend of religious, military, and judicial roles, played a crucial role in the governance and social structure of their tribes, blending leadership, religious duties, and judicial responsibilities.

Insulae - Small apartments where the Plebeians lived. Not the best and flammable.

Paterfamilias - head of the family, the dominant male

Urbanization - process by which small, agrarian communities evolved into larger, more complex societies centred around cities. This transformation involved the concentration of population, economic activities, and cultural practices in defined urban areas.

Gladiators -  professional fighters in ancient Rome who entertained audiences by engaging in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals

SAQ

Describe the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. 

Increasing inequality between wealthy landowners and small farmers, urban population of landless poor, use of slave labor. The government was controlled by the wealthy, and the poor had to way to improve their status. The Gracchus brothers tried to help the poor. The first triumvirate consisted of Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus. Caesar ended up dictator of Rome until his assassination. After the death of Caesar, Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus joined together. Eventually, Octavian was left the sole ruler of Rome.