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82 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Canaan
Abraham gets word from God to go to Canaan.
Abraham & Moses
Abraham: told to go to Canaan.

Moses: got 10 commandments at Sinai. Many speculate Moses believed having only one god may have provided a code/unity for these unrooted people.It gave them a mission to go back and take back Canaan.
Hebrews & Jews
identified by their monotheism. Their long suffering had special meaning since they were his chosen people. Hebrews were polytheistic for awhile but eventually firmly stayed monotheistic. They reinforced the idea that God’s laws applied to everyone, not just Hebrews. Jesus carries on this tradition & exhorts Jews to cement their religious beliefs. This all powerful god stood aside & let nature operate on its own principles. It’s important because it puts god outside of nature. As they are supposed to follow god, they also have free will. Again the consequences are far reaching because it suggests people can control their own destinies to a certain degree. Hebrews also finally influence literature & a linear view of history. There’s a problem, climax, & solution to teach a lesson.
First Kingdom of Israel
Once they leave Egypt, they go to Canaan. The Israelites unite under King Saul because of threat from Philistines. David was himself a Philistine. He was a mercenary who turned on his people to join Israelites. Under this kingdom of Israel it becomes a mini empire for awhile. 922 it splits into kingdoms. The northern kingdom is conquered by Syrians (10 lost tribes of Israel). Judea maintain a quasi independence but then 587 they are conquered by Babylonians.
ethical monotheism
only one god who reveals to humans a morality & system of ethics. this becomes basis of human behavior
Jewish prophets
Angry prophets chastise the Hebrews for not following the covenant to the letter. They exhort the Hebrews to return to the traditional religious behavior. They also spread the message of social justice. They reinforced the idea that God’s laws applied to everyone, not just Hebrews. These prophets also prophesized a crisis if the Hebrews did not follow the covenant. Prophets (Elijah, Amos, Jeremiah, Isaiah)
Kings Hezekiah and Josiah
Getting them closer to monotheistic tradition were the 2 Judean kings. Both kings attacked the belief in other gods. They helped canonize the bible
Jewish diaspora
Many Israelites moved around the middle east and have lost their political independence now.
Phoenicians
Phoenicians were a trading people on coast of modern day Lebanon. Most importantly they gave us an alphabet based on sounds not pictograms. For a long time historians in the west wrote them out of history.
Babylonian Captivity
refers to the Jews when they are exiled to Babylon, usually just the Jewish elites, happens in 6th century, it was the true cementing of monotheism, that monotheistic tradition isn’t established when Moses has 10 commandments, it takes awhile for the Jews to reach this religious belief
Homer
His poems (illiad and odessey) both shaped & reflected greek culture because in these stories we see human beings actively shaping their own destinies. They are tormented by gods but in the end they have free will. All human beings possess “arête” which means excellence. Those who have a lot of arête slip into hubris (excessive pride).
arete and hubris
All human beings possess “arête” which means excellence. Those who have a lot of arête slip into hubris (excessive pride).
polis
These city states called Poli or polis. They are the root for word politics. Its not just a city though, in order to be a polis you have to have a system of government. many had identities with their polis rather than nation.
helots
Slaves were known as helots. Helots though were different than chattle slaves of romans because they couldn’t be bought or sold since not considered property. They were bound to the land. Worked well for spartans. Several times however the Helots revolted. The creation of a slave society is the reason why Sparta became culturally barren.
hoplite
new form of citizen soldier – the hoplite. If you contributed to the defense of the city state then you had a right to contribute in politics.
Solon
Solon was an aristocrat that was given power to divert rebellion but turns against oligarchy to help the poor. He abolishes debt slavery. He wasn’t a democratic idealist but he realized that power of oligarchy (and lack of lower class participation) was the reason for the unrest. He wanted to give wealthy land owners who weren’t aristocrats more of a chance to participate in politics. Above all, Solon’s reforms undermine the concepts of hereditary rule. This is first step towards Athenian democracy. It doesn’t mean it works out though. More tyranny after him.
Cleisthenes
It’s not until reforms of Cleisthenes that Athenian democracy as we know it emerges. Cle was an aristocrat but he understood the political system was in danger if it didn’t change. He emerges as a leader. What does he do? He creates a new set of electoral districts for Athens. These new ones break up the tribal and clan networks which had been basis of oligarch’s power. These old machines were broken for new ones. Now loyalty to the city state was more important than to a tribe. These reforms opened new access to power. Creates a new assembly for all male citizens which becomes new governing authority. 20% of the population that was able to go, that became their primary identity
metics
Foreigners called metics could not participate even if they did play an important role in the economy.
hetairai
Hetairai (courtisans/companions). They are technically not paid but they would get gifts and other benefits. They had an education and could offer men intellectual & physical stimulation. A few hetairai carved out an independent existence for themselves.
Battle of Marathon
The Persian king Darius wanted to take revenge on the greeks. Darius sends a semi small army to Athens for what he hoped would be a quick win (landed at marathon). The athenians though march out their citizen army and defeat persians in one of the great battles (Battle of Marathon). They send a runner back about 26 miles away to Athens to say they won.
Battle of Salamis
300 spartan soldiers and 7,000 other greeks held off persians at Battle of Thermopylae which bought athenians time to flee to navy. Persians burn down Athens & northern Greece, but athenians escape to coast & take to the ships. Athenians defeated Persian navy at Battle of Salamis because the leader tricked the persians. Send a slave to say they were going to attack in Salamis & persians look for them all over & don’t get enough sleep. They finally find them in Straights of Salamis and Athenians pick them off. Persian army is cut off on the main land.
Delian League
confederation of greek city states called Delian League to prevent invasion from Persia. It was obviously the league would be dominated by Athens. They use delian league to advance own imperialistic ambitions. Members states couldn’t leave. Athens controlled treasury which they used to build monuments to Athenian culture (and for military). Athenians argued their hegemony was good for greek city states that were a part of it. Sparta forms its own league (defensive league against athenians) called Peloponnesian League. Other city states join to fight against Athens.
Pericles
The great Athenian orator & statesmen Pericles sums up his beliefs in the funeral oration Rec #1. In this oration, he articulates a concept of Athenian superiority. Pericles also puts Athens on path to war with Sparta.
Melos and the Melian Diologue
look at the recitation thing
Alcibiades
Athenian militarists led by young Alsebiates. Als wanted to conquer city of Syracuse. Syracusans were involved in their own war against sicilians and Athens wanted to intervene. Some athenians warmed against this adventure though (ex. Mesius). The primary enemy, he argued, was Sparta & Athens shouldn’t change focus of resources. Also believed even if Syracuse was conquered, it wouldn’t be ruled easily. Als ultimately wins the debate. The few who were opposed were afraid to be considered unpatriotic so they voted for the war. Als gets his war & leaves in 415 to sicily. They expect an easy mission, but the problem is that sicilians did not manage to beat syracusans. Sicilians also don’t want athen’s help. They had a plan to attack but had no plan for what to do afterwards, so defeat looms. Call goes out for reinforcements. Another 5,000 troops come & still couldn’t win. It was one of the most reckless military adventures. The source of Athenian military power was decimated & finally forced to retreat. The Sicilian campaign, the high point of Athenian imperialism/arrogance ends up as a debacle. The reputation of Athens was officially sealed now as a reckless hegemon that over estimates its power. Athens finally succumbs to its own hubris.
Nicias
Commander of Sicilian exploration who was against it. Part of the Sicilian debate with Alcebiates. They lose and it’s a great blow to Athenian power during Peloponnesian war.
Sicilian Campaign
The Sicilian campaign, the high point of Athenian imperialism/arrogance ends up as a debacle. The reputation of Athens was officially sealed now as a reckless hegemon that over estimates its power. Athens finally succumbs to its own hubris. Alcebiates & Nicias
Thales of Miletus
One of the first of these is Thales of Miletus. Thales believed water was the most basic element and all other things came from it. He was also concerned with morality. Some evidence he thought earth was a sphere. His thinking may seem basic, but he is the first example of a Greek trying to understand nature of the world without any mention of God. He did believe in gods. He simply didn’t think they were responsible for the day-to-day workings of the natural world.
Hippocrates
Hippocrates was the first medical doctor. He approaches human body without religion.
Sophists
Sophist is someone who knows how to speak well & argue well but there is no substance to his words (Socrates was accused of this). The sophists reject the notice that universal truths exist at all. They see truth as something always being reconstructed based on who is doing it. Ultimately, individuals are responsible for constructing truths. Truth is always changing and subjective. Things like what is right and what is wrong. Instead of seeking universal truths, sophists implied individuals could arrive at their own special truth specifically about morality and ethics. Socrates may not have been a sophists but his influence on their thinking is important.
Allegory of the Cave
The Allegory of the Cave that he writes about in his book the Republic. Imagine a cave of ignorant people who are all chained to a wall. Behind them are puppeteers and behind them is a fire, so the people only see the shadows of the puppets. They can’t see the real puppets, just the shadows and so considered the shadows the real thing. Plato again said only trained philosophers could realize this. Plato had a concept: if only a very elite group of trained philosophers can get into the world of truths, they should be the ones to run society.
The Republic
written by Plato. The Republic proposes a society run by philosophers. It would not be democratic but it would be just. His book was a critique of Greek society. The republic was the beginning of political science because it was a book about how government should work.
The “Thirty” (Tyrants)
Athens have been defeated by Sparta & put in a new oligarchy (30). There’s a further decline of democratic culture & civic identity. They continue to have city states & fight one another. Athenian politics bogged down by aristocrats & people become more alienated from politics.
Aristotle’s Synthesis
Aristotle agrees there is a realm of ideal forms but the only way to understand it is through analysis of the human world and experience. That and along with socrates’ theory to always question was the only way to live a life of truth. He was a rationalist but he did recognize that people didn’t always act rationally. You should not necessarily suppress irrational side. The goal is to achieve a balance between the two sides. Avoid extremes on both sides. Irrational passion is human nature. That is the essense of the good life for Aristotle. A society of people pursuing this allows for democracy.
Herodotus
Herodotus is the father of history. He compiles history and weaves them together with myth.
Thucydides
Thucydides criticizes Herodotus and is much more straightforward. He has a critical analytical approach to history. It is very pessimistic and cyclical. wrote history of the peloponnesian war
Demosthenes
One famous greek (Demosthenes) tried to warn his fellow Greeks in a series of speeches. This is why today we have the word philippic (a harsh speech against someone else). No one listened to him though and Greece was conquered by Phillip.
Alexander the Great
He was the embodiment of the spirit of the age of reason. He was individualism, human agency, arete, and tried to make Greek values universal values. Alex assumes conquest of amassing Persian Empire. He does this 2 years after becomes king. He defeats and pursues Persian Empire all the way into India. He has a lot of arete and a lot of hubris. He enters India even though troops don’t want to so they rebel against him. Alex got in over his head. Died of malaria or typhoid but his alcoholism made his condition worse. Ultimately he did give in to what his troops wanted since they weren’t doing too well against India. By conquering most of the east, he created a great diffusion of greek culture, but he also brings eastern Persian influences back to Greece. He plotted ideas of individual freedoms throughout world.
Hegel’s “Great Man” Theory of History
This theory developed by Frederick Hegel (greatest philosopher of history some argue) who says great individuals who recognize that the spirit of the age (zeitgeist) who embody it can then shape historical events.
Alexandria
The largest city & most famous is Alexandria. Had a 1 million population (HUGE based on ancient standards). Known for its library and lighthouse (one of eight wonders of the world). Ethnic & civic identities mattered much less than your place in society / economy in these empires.
Koine
One thing that unifies all these empires is language: lingua franca. It was a type of Greek called Koine. Important because it facilitates the creation of a common culture & means to communicate with trade etc.
cynicism
does not have anything to do with modern cynics. Cynics were radical individualists who rebelled against social norms of the times. They shunned material possessions and public affairs. They chose a life of poverty since materials didn’t bring true happiness. They are like extreme versions of Socrates. Most famous is Diogenes. He’s said to have lived in a tub because he didn’t want a house. He lived a life of reflection & contemplation.
Diogenes
most famous cynic. He’s said to have lived in a tub because he didn’t want a house. He lived a life of reflection & contemplation.
Epicureanism
Epicureans had different understanding for happiness. Epicurus founded it. He believes the path to happiness is to maximize pleasure & minimize pain. Those who focus on meaningless things they can’t control will increase anxiety. The individual should withdraw from public life rejecting divine explanations. It’s impossible to live a happy life without living wisely and justly. This is not hedonism though, it is one of reflection & avoiding things you can’t control like death (not saying drugs, sex, and rock n roll good).
stoicism
Most important philosophy is Stoicism because Romans really latch onto it. It has a lot in common with Christianity (helped pave way). Origins are associated with Zeno who was similar to Epicurus. You handle a situation that you can’t control. So if you experience a tragedy and you don’t get overly emotional & suck it up, that’s stoic. They realize they don’t have much control over world around them. Accept world as it is, use capacity for reason, and live in harmony with laws of the earth. It may work for a person living in a large impersonal empire which is why it’s popular in large Roman empire. It’s more complex than that too. Believe strongly in universal truths. Believe each person was instilled with capacity for rational thought & that is where dignity lies. All humans have a fundamental humanity & human worth. Some stoics owned slaves. Stoicism influential in roman empire. It helps create mindset that ultimately prepares ground for an embrace of Christianity because quality of human dignity meshes with Christianity’s ideas of human dignity and equality.
skepticism
Skepticism – promotes new form of relativism. There are no real solid truths. Truth is always illusive. Carneades was most important one. He argued all truths are nothing but theories. They had to be theories because facts were illusive. Skeptics believe there is no knowable truth. So you live a life of conformity. Don’t worry about achieving a noble truth that is always illusive.
Romulus and Remus
Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus. Both sons of Mars (god of war) but he left them to be raised by a she-wolf. They grow up & build a city. Romulus kills Remus and becomes King of Rome. When Romulus founded city, this village grows into a town and then a city with a monarchical form of govt. it expands quickly early on and combines with Sabine People who assimilate to Roman culture. Romulus needed more citizens & soldiers so they go to the Sabine people & rape all their women & the women broker a truce (a myth for how they came together).
Mithraism
Mithraism revolves around the demi-god Mithra who judged souls to see if the were worthy of afterworld life. He was a force of good against evil. The worship of his is similar to Christianity (many speculate that Christianity is drawn from Mithraism). For example, born Dec 25th. You consume his blood & body to worship. So when Christianity first appears, many thought it was another mystery cult. These outlets for spirituality allow for spread of Christianity and so do these philosophies of comfort such as stoicism.
Cincinnatus
Myth of Cincinnatus implicated these values: loyalty, patriotism. Rome is being besieged by Italy and Cincinnatus is begged to go fight on the battlefield, so he lays down his instruments and becomes dictator. Leads roman army to victory and as soon as he is done, he puts down sword and goes back to the farm. It’s a story told to reinforce loyalty to the state and lack of ambition to rule forever.
Struggle of the Orders
The key difference is that the oligarchy ultimately manages to maintain the balance of power even as it brings the masses into the political process. They manage to create a system that provides social stability & negotiation & a stake in the success of the republic but also manages to maintain real power for the elite. Plebeians forced patricians to let them have their own assembly.
patricians and plebeians
patricians were elites and plebeians common
The Twelve Tables
This is a public law code that created a somewhat more equal system of law that would continue to evolve over centuries. Result is that the plebeians now have greater access to law. These gives them some legal protections they didn’t have before.
ius gentium and ius naturale
The romans create concepts of law that help them govern the republic & empire. Based on 2 types of law (ius naturale – law that helps the republic, all people subject to same laws) “ius gentium” – law of the peoples. Helps determine the legal relation between roman states and non-roman states).
pater familias
Roman society & culture is rooted in the family, deeply patriarchal. Family life is source of roman male citizen’s source of honor & virtue. The relationships of the family are a model for laws of the legal system. The roman family ruled by pater familias – had complete legal authority (could determine life & death). Women were expected to subordinate selves. Roman women (especially elite ones) enjoyed more autonomy than Athenian women did. Also had greater respect from husbands. Writing show husbands writing odes to their wives. The roman family seems more loving. Over time, the roman family does decline. The pater familias loses some of his rights. Conservatives equated the relative decline of patriarchy with the general decline of roman culture and decadence.
pontifex maximus
. The pontifix maximus (leader of the priests) has a political role actually. He monopolizes the interpretation of law. The clergy acts as an arm of the state. Religion is a pillar of the state and pervades politics much more than it did in Athens.
The Punic Wars
rome comes into conflict with the Carthaginians. Rome enters into a battle for hegemony in the Mediterranean in the 3 Punic wars. Hannibal invades Italy during 2nd war and defeats Romans at battle of Cannae.
Hannibal
a Carthaginian military commander during Second Punic War. Led battle of Cannae.
Battle of Cannae
One of the great battles due to enveloping maneuver. Rome able to get back though because Italy didn’t help Hannibal like he thought. This battle becomes like a Pearl Harbor moment for the Romans. They unify and win the war. Defeated a much larger Roman army. surrounded the roman army
Carthaginian Peace
Carthaginian Peace – particularly harsh form of peace on a vanquished opponent. peace imposed by Carthage on Rome
Spartacus
former soldier turned slave/gladiator who led unsuccessful slave rebellion. He represents two types of violence: an uprising and a controlled & loved fighting (arena fighting).
latifundia
Great land estate. More people are leaving cities to go to rural areas (latifundia). their economies depended on slave labor.
Marius and Sulla
Marius was a General. He helped change the requirements for joining the army allowing peasants to join. He got political power and was like a dictator. Another General Sulla soon challenges Marius and they fight in a civil war. Sulla wins and establishes a military dictatorship in Rome where he tries to restore power of Senatorial oligarchy. Most importantly, from this point on, law in republican institutions had lost out to “strongest wins” ideology. Most respected Senators are muted.
The Rubicon
Caesar crosses Rubicon River despite Senate orders. Generals usually left their troops behind in Rubicon when returning. By crossing, he shows his contempt for the Senators, the laws, and institutions of the republic. He moves his army into Italy and defeats them. illegal to cross because considered border.
Octavian/Augustus
Caesar’s nephew & adopted son Octavian sides with Mark Antony and they fight a civil war against Brutus and Cassius. They win the war and proceed to kill all of their enemies (real & potential). Octavian and Antony don’t get along and they get into a fight. Antony gets into a relationship with Cleopatra. This makes Octavian mad because Antony was married to his sister at the time. Octavian wins this battle against Antony & Cleopatra. Octavian is last one left standing. He returns to Rome & he is most powerful figure. Senate gives him title Augustus which means “most revered one” but he likes the name princeps “first citizen”. This is important because it symbolizes the type of govt he wants to create. He wants absolute political power, but he wants to maintain appearance of a republic. He wants to be seen as the restorer of the republic. People didn’t buy it but they wanted peace and stability so they went with it. People will choose peace & stability over political rights.
princeps
"first citizen" This is important because it symbolizes the type of govt he wants to create. He wants absolute political power, but he wants to maintain appearance of a republic. He wants to be seen as the restorer of the republic. People didn’t buy it but they wanted peace and stability so they went with it. People will choose peace & stability over political rights.
The “Good” Emperors
Nerva (96-98) and the Adoptive System

Trajan and Hadrian: Emperors on the Frontiers

Antonius Pius: The Humanist

Marcus Aurelius (161-80): Philosopher King?
"Meditations"
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius isn’t really just a great roman emperor but also famous stoic philosopher (arguably greatest). His book Meditations which some believe is the finest example of stoic philosopher. He comes closest to using philosophy for good government. He realized limits and didn’t do too much. This stoicism helps solve problem of hubris.
aqueducts
Romans built aqueducts to get water to urban areas. It promotes urbanization.
Pax Romana
Despite ideal of pax romana (roman peace), often there was urban/rural unrest. ???
Commodus
After 180, the problem of succession came up again because marcus aurelius didn’t choose an adoptive son. He just went for his actual son Commodus who was another megalomaniac. His rule ended with his murder. He liked to play gladiator. He was murdered by a wrestler in his bathtube. With his death, the empire is thrown into chaos. There’s a long series of military rulers (leaders who take advantage of support from their armies). They killed each other off almost as fast as they came to power (about 50). Return to military politics like in late republic. Finally, one of these generals maintains power – Diocletian.
Battle of Adrianople
There’s a battle at Adrianople and cream of roman army destroyed. At this part, they lost the upper hand and penetration became often.
Clodius
There was a conflict between Clodius & Cicero. Clodius was a patrician who adopted into a plebeian family so he could be a tribune. He stole from rich and gave to the poor. But Clodius hated Cicero and used gladiators as well as his personal clients in order to attack Cicero’s workers. Cicero retaliated by hiring Milo to head up his own gang. Milo & Clodius were two very large gangs that walked around the city. Clodius & Milo did meet one day by chance and there was a show down. Milo killed Clodius killed on streets of Apian way. From these personal gangs there was a transition to personal armies.
“imperial overstretch”
Roman military was stretched too thin. Too many frontiers and obligations with not enough new recruits. Rome’s population was dying and there were fewer citizen soldiers so they draw more on conquered people to staff army. What’s wrong with that? Many armies use foreign troops. The problem is that concept of civic duty/loyalty/patriotism is eroded. Now service is just a job. Rome also faces a series of threats along its borders.
Bacchanalia
Roman senate outlawed worship of Bacchus. Bacchanalia had all sorts of social classes as prostitutes and Senate felt all the orgies and such were immoral. Worship of Bacchus came from Greece. This notion of Greek sexual freedom was not appropriate because it caused a lot of problems in the streets.
Collegium
Collegia are associations. The Collegium was a club in ancient rome & they were also usually workers or in a neighborhood association. These associations were not separate. They were responsible for order because there was NO POLICE FORCE in rome. These collegia have to take over to be law & order. Protection money & idea of a mafia within each neighborhood was a reality.
personal army
The trend began to be that rich patricians were co-op poor people to get them in their armies. Generals such as Sulla and Marius, Julius Caesar and Pompey. Caesar was a great proponent of personal armies. He used them to march on rome. Sulla and Marius also marched on rome.
Coliseum
They were permanent structures for centers of public life. The plebeian amphitheatre was largest arena & could even hold water for naval battles. The poor sat in nose bleed seats while good ones were for Senators and imperial family. There was a thumbs up/down from imperial box. the imperial family usually stood with large bread baskets to hand out during game.
Apollonius of Tyana
Followers tried to make jesus more acceptable for more people. There are few if any primary sources that say anything about jesus.
Pharisees
jewish sect. were more reform minded. Believed in after-life and more than just strict observance of rituals.
Essenes
Essenes are a separatist group that was anti-materialists. They were mystical, & prophesized an end of the world. Known as “apocalyptic”.
Zealots
Zealots were most radical & politically motivated. They hated roman presence on jewish promise land. They wanted to defend Jerusalem & were ready to use violence to do it.
Neo-Platonism
A new philosophy called neo-platonism grows. NP believed in a higher realm. Key difference is that in order to gain access to this realm, you needed to cultivate your spirituality. Reason alone wouldn’t get you there. You needed spiritual ecstasy. NP represents a movement away from reason. The masses didn’t embrace it much.