HIST 101 Identification

1. Romanization

   1. Romanization refers to the uniform spreading of Roman ideals, language, development, and economy across the Roman Empire between 27 BC and 337 AD. By unifying their empire culturally, the Romans were able to consolidate their power and promote a better integrated society, which led both to the long reign of the Romans and the proliferation of their culture over centuries.

2. Polis

The polis, which emerged around 800 BC (otherwise known as a city-state) is the method by which the Greeks answered the three main issues of antiquity. Consisting of an urban center and the surrounding land, it promoted citizenship over subjects and is the way that most of Greece organized their territories. Because of the isolated nature of the polis, the Greek city-states never truly unified, which would lead to conflicts like the Peloponnesian War and the eventual conquering of Greece by the Macedonian Empire.

1. hydraulic civilization

   1. A hydraulic civilization is a civilization which relies on the control of water through irrigation and drainage in order to survive and thrive. It has existed since the earliest Western civilzations around 4000 BC, and was incredibly important in growing crops. These civilizations would provide incredibly important early inventions, namely the wheel, which we still use to this day.

2. Imperator

   1. An imperator is a commander-in-chief, referring to a military dictatorship, and one of Augustus' titles beginning in 27 BC. This title granted absolute power over the military and, paired with his influence in the Senate and his patronage in Roman society, gave Augustus the means by which he could control the entirety of Rome. His reign marked the start of the Roman Empire and ended the Roman republic.

3. Caliph

   1. After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, his successors were named as Caliphs. Caliphs had both religiou and temporal/secular authority, and were the leaders of Islam. Schisms arose regarding the Caliphate between those who believed Muhammad had named a successor (Ali) and those who believed he had not. This schism spawned two different factions, the Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims, who have been in conflict ever since, extending into the modern day.

4. Alphabet

   1. The alphabet was created in 8th century BC by the Greeks, and marked a shift from syllabaries to something resembling our modern method of writing. This proved invaluable in keeping records, documenting history, and progressing art, and is of course something we use today, even on this very exam.

5. mare nostrum

   1. Mare nostrum, or the Mediterranean Sea, literally meaning middle of the world is the main body of water in which Western Civilization existed for the majority of its history. It was invaluable for every civilization for everything from transportation to trade and warfare.

6. Monotheism

   1. Monotheism is the practice of worshipping one all powerful god, in contrast to the polytheistic societies of antiquity. Emerging around the 10th century BC, these religions (specifically Christianity and Islam, would come to dominate the Western World starting in the 4th century AD, influencing everything from culture, art, and politics for the rest of known history.

7. Collection of Civil Law

   1. Collection of laws, decrees, case files compiled by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD. It fused the Roman taste for justice with a sense of imperial and Christian authority. This new code simplified many laws and helped to unite the Byzantine Empire and its territories.

8. jihad

   1. Meaning "struggle", jihad refers to the fight against enemies of Islam. After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, his successors took jihad as inspiration and

Events/Dates

1. Battle of Chaeronea

   1. A battle fought between the Greeks and Macedonians in 338 BC that resulted in Macedonian victory and marked the end of Greek independence.

2. 323 BC

   1. 323 BC is the year that Alexander the Great died. After his death, his wife and sole heir were killed and his Empire was divided amongst his generals, becoming the Hellenistic Kingdoms.

3. Hajira/hegira

   1. In 622, Muhammad traveled to Medina from Mecca. While in Medina, he amasses a significant following and returns to Mecca the following year, defeating the tribal chiefs. This would mark the start of Islam's expansion and global dominance.

4. Gothic War

   1. A war fought between 536-554 between the remains of the Eastern Roman Empire and barbarians. The Romans aimed to retake Italy, but the long duration of the war as well as the massive expenditures it entailed immensely disrupted the Empire. It would lead to what is essentially the end of Roman civilization.

5. 776 BC

   1. The date of the alleged founding of the Olympic games. Aimed to continue the tradition of arete and to be a religious fesitval, it would eventually be continued by modern civilization.

1. AD 395

   1. The death of the last Emperor of Rome as we knew it. During his reign, he split the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western halves, which would remain split for the rest of Rome's history, the Western Roman Empire would eventually fall, while the Eastern Empire would become the Byzantine Empire.

2. Persian Wars

   1. A series of wars fought between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire. Against all odds, the Greeks were able to defeat the Persians due to naval and tactical superiority. This ensured Greek freedom from the Persians, and cemented Athens' position of influence within Greece, which would ironically lead to the Peloponnesian War.

3. 431 BC

   1. The year the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta started. Wary of Athens' growing influence, the Spartans waged war with the Athenians for 27 years, eventually leading to Athens' defeat and the loss of their influence. The divide between city-states stemming from this war would lead to their eventual defeat against the Macedonians led by Philip I, marking the end of Greek independence.

4. Edict of Milan

   1. Passed by Constantine in 313 AD, the Edict of Milan was an agreement to treat Christians within Rome benevolently. The end of Christian persecution would mark the beginning of Christianity's growing influence within the Western World.

5. AD 312

   1. The year that Constantine was converted to Christianity, defeated Maxentius, and shattered the Tetrarchy, becoming Rome's sole ruler. Constantine's rule would see the Roman Empire becoming more monotheistic, and its capital becoming the city of Constantinople. Upon his death, he split the Empire once more amongst his three sons.

Places

1. Actium

   1. In 31 BC, Mark Antony engages Augustus' (then Octavian) forces during the Third Roman Civil War. Octavian defeats Mark Antony easily and causes him to flee and eventually commit suicide when Octavian catches up to him. Octavian's victory secured his influence on Rome and caused the second Roman revolution, during which he became the emperor of Rome, and begins the Roman Empire.

2. Adrianople

   1. The setting of the battle of Adrianople in 378 AD between the Romans and Goths. This battle marks the first time that the Romans are unable to push their enemies back and must let barbarians enter their territory. This defeat was the first of many which would eventually lead to the fall of the Western Empire.

3. Al-Andalus

1. Athens

The only Greek city-state to have a democratic system of government, and the leader of the Delian League following the Persian Wars. Defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War in 404 BC, effectively ending its influence and leaving Greeks divided to be conquered by Philip II of Macedon.

1. Babylon

   1. Founded in 1900 BC, Babylon was the capital of the Babylonian Empire until the 6th century BC. Its most prolific ruler, Hammurabi, created the Hammurabi code, which was the first legal code known to man.

2. Constantinople

   1. Founded by Constantine in 330 AD,  Constantinople became the new capital of the Roman Empire and later the Eastern Roman Empire. Eventually renamed Byzantium, it also became the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

3. Lydia

   1. An Empire started in the 7th Century BC, the Lydian Empire is credited with creating the first ever money of account. The Empire ended after a sack by the Persians.

4. Marathon

   1. The city-state in which the Greeks defeated the Persians during the Persian Wars in 490BC. Due to the Greek's victory, the Persians were driven back for a decade.

5. Mecca

   1. Mecca is where Muhammad is from, and where he decided to create a capital of the islamic civilization. All muslims are expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives.

6. Salamis

The site of the Battle of Salamis in 480BC. The Greeks (led by Athens) trapped Persians in the cove by the island of Salamis, surrounded them with their fleet of ships and defeated them. In conjunction with the Spartan-led victory in Plataea the following year, the Greeks secure their victory in the Persian War. This victory leads to Athens amassing influence and wealth due to the Delian League, which the Spartans take as a threat and thus start the Peloponnesian War.

People

1. Sulla

   1. The victor of the first Roman Civil War, Sulla names himself dictator of Rome in 82 BC, holding on to power for a year, increasing the power of the elites and setting a precedent for sole rule, which would soon be achieved by Caesar and Augustus.

2. Gregory I / the Great

   1. Pope from 590-604, Pope Gregory I started developing the church's secular/temporal power through large church shareholdings, trials and treaties, etc. His actions would directly lead to the church being incredibly influential throughout the next few centuries.

3. Pericles

   1. An Athenian Aristocrat who helped introduce democracy to Athens and a key leader during the Peloponnesian War who proposed a war of attrition within the walls of Athens. He dies in 429 BC due to plague. The loss of his experienced strategic mind would lead to inexperienced generals taking over the war effort, which would eventually end in Athen's defeat.

4. Constantine I / the Great

   1. Constantine was the Roman Emperor who converted to Christianity in 312 AD and shattered the Tetrarchy, becoming the sole ruler of Rome. He passes the edict of Milan, which ends religious persecution of Christians and thus leads to the spreading of Christianity.

5. Alexander III / the Great

   1. Son of Philip II, Alexander the Great was the King of Macedon who, through conquest, spread his empire all the way to India. His empire led to widespread cross cultural interaction and, upon his death, was divided amongst his generals, leading to the Hellenistic Kingdoms.

6. Augustus

   1. The first Roman Emperor, he reworks the Roman republic at the end of the first century BC. While, in appearance, the republic continued, he had absolute power in actuality. This marks the end of the Roman republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire

7. Hammurabi

   1. The ruler of the Babylonian empire who, around 1800 BC, creates the code of Hammurabi. This code, often referred to as 'an eye for an eye', is the first known legal code ever created.

8. Theodosius I

   1. Theodosius was the final emperor of the Roman Empire when it was one entity. Upon his death, he gives his sons each one half of the Roman Empire. Thus, the Roman Empire is no more, and is rather the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

9. Ali

   1. The son in law of Muhammad, Ali was considered Muhammad's expressly named successor by Shi'ite Muslims. The conflict between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims as to who is Muhammad's true successor has led to centuries of fighting and division in Islam.

10. Diocletian

    1. Diocletian becomes emperor after the 3rd century crisis and restores stability to the Roman Empire. He splits the Empire into four for easier ruling and introduced numerous reforms that stabilized the Roman military and economy.