Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
80 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
hominids |
The Hominids - a creature belonging to the family Hominidae (genus: Homo, pan, Gorilla, Pongo) 14 million years ago most recent common ancestor
|
|
|
Hyksos
|
The Hyksos Interlude (1674 - 1550 BCE)
("foreign rulers") Semitic Horse riding nomads from SW Asia with bronze weapons and chariots. Captured Memphis and levied tribute. Rebels pushed them out and formed the New Kingdom. |
|
|
hunting and gathering society
|
Paleolithic. Stone tools (2 mil) to 12k years ago, cultivated crops. Longest period of human existence. Simple society. Archaeology, Contemporary hunters and gatherers. No private property. little societal distinction based on rank. Constant movement. Egalitarian. Small groups of 30-50. Population control through prolonged breastfeeding and infanticide.
cave paintings. |
|
|
Book of the Dead
|
intense concern with the afterlife, with immortality, and with justice and "right-living"
|
|
|
Homo sapiens
|
280k years ago anatomically modern humans. Used superior intelligence, tools, and language to exploit the natural world more efficiently than any other species the world had ever seen.
|
|
|
Menes
|
3100 BCE, Egypt unified under Menes (sometimes called Narmer), who founded the new capital Memphis near modern Cairo as a junction between Upper and Lower Egypt.
|
|
|
Paleolithic era
|
Paleolithic. Stone tools (2 mil) to 12k years ago, cultivated crops. Longest period of human existence. Simple society. Hunters and gatherers. No private property. Little societal distinction based on rank. Constant movement. Egalitarian. Small groups of 30-50.
|
|
|
Akhenaten
|
Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (1353 - 1335 BCE) changed his name to Akhenaten. Worshiped sun god Aten, monotheism. Built new capital Akhetaten.
|
|
|
animism
|
the attribution of a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena.
the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe. Paleolithic |
|
|
monotheism
|
the doctrine or belief that there is only one God. Judaism, Christianity, Aten
|
|
|
polytheism
|
the belief in or worship of more than one god.
|
|
|
Shang Dynasty
|
Shang Dynasty (1766-1122)
After Xia dynasty. Militarily and organizationally more advanced. Written records. Bronze(Tin copper) monopoly. Chariots. Agri surplus. 6 capitals. Not centralized. |
|
|
Neolithic Revolution (Agricultural Rev).
|
10,000 to 4,000 BCE (new stone age)-period of transition to agriculture. Gradual cultivation of plants and domestication of animals.
|
|
|
Zhou Dynasty
|
(1122—403 BCE)
Decentralized rule. Local power and authority entrusted to subordinates who governed with limited supervision from the central government. Taxes, tribute, and military services required. Arranged marriages with local notables. Lost monopoly. Rebellion. Nomad invasion. Qin. |
|
|
division of labor
|
Food surplus that allowed for the division and specialization of labor
|
|
|
dynastic cycle
|
both a way of periodizing Chinese history and of conceptualizing political change
|
|
|
social stratification/pyramid
|
...
|
|
|
veneration of ancestors
|
Veneration of ancestors - respect so ancestors would help them. Family basic unit of social life. Strong family very important. The head of the family is the male, he performed all ceremonies for ancestors. Originally matrilineal. Not long.
|
|
|
bureaucracy
|
a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
|
|
|
imperialism
|
a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
|
|
|
Hammurabi's Code
|
a well-preserved Babylonian law code of ancient Mesopotamia, dating back to about 1772 BC.
|
|
|
Harappans
|
(3000-1900 BCE) earliest urban society, Harappa. Indus. The writing used by Harappans is also currently undecipherable. Mother goddess. Mohenjo'daro No Royal authority. Citadels. Gird. Sewer. Measures. Ecological degradation. Cities slowly abandoned.
|
|
|
Babylon
|
Neo-Babylonian Empire (1762 - 1600 BCE). Hammurabi (r. 1762 - 1750)
Improvements and developments in government through an imperial bureaucracy, regular taxation, and a formal written law code Increased rationality and abstraction of domination. The Babylonian empire conquered by warlike Hittites from Anatolia (Turkey) in 1595. Hittites were the first to use iron weapons. |
|
|
Nubia
|
Nubia reached from 1st to 6th cataract below egypt on Nile. Egypt destroyed the Nubian kingdom Ta-Seti after the unification and conquered Lower Nubia (1st to 2nd cataract) for 500 years.
South Nubia established Kush in 2500 BCE, the capital was Kerma. |
|
|
Mesopotamia
|
"the land between rivers"
6,000 BCE - Semitic migration, settlements and beginnings of irrigation 4,000 BCE - Sumerian civilization has arisen reaching 100,000 inhabitants By 3,200 BCE - Some 12 cities (Ur, Eridu, Uruk, Lagash, Nippur, Kish, and others dominating Sumerian life for a millennium Empires: Sargon of Akkad, Neo-Babylonian, Assyrian |
|
|
Indo-European migrations
|
The Indo-Europeans, or their language and culture, spread from their "homeland" into western Europe, central Asia and India. Settled in India and China.
|
|
|
city-state
|
an independent or autonomous entity, not administered as a part of another local government, whose territory consists of a city and usually its surrounding territory
|
|
|
Aryans
|
were a herding people who spoke an Indo-European language and had little early agriculture. Instead, they were pastoral and herded animals. They used carts, wagons, and chariots and ate beef and dairy products. Settled around Indus River.
|
|
|
cuneiform
|
Mesopotamia developed written cultural traditions. Earliest known writing. Pictographs first used for recording economic transactions and tax data. By 2900 BCE more sophisticated cuneiform was used. Cuneiform required long practice and training. Became creative instead of utilitarian
|
|
|
Vedas
|
The Vedas are four collections of hymns honoring the gods of Aryans. Rig Veda - 1028 hymns. Veda means wisdom or knowledge. Expressed religious, heroic view of Aryan society. Praise of warfare and conquest of native "Dasas" (enemies)
Earliest Indian sacred writings—foundation of Hinduism (and Buddhism) |
|
|
patriarchy
|
a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.
|
|
|
varnas
|
Varna (color) referred to major social classes of the caste system. Brahmins (priests), Kshatryas (warriors and aristocrats), Vaishyas (cultivators, artisans, merchants), Shudras (peasants and serfs), Untouchables (called themselves Dailits (those who are pressed down))
|
|
|
Epic of Gilgamesh
|
(before 7th century BCE or 600s) is the oldest extant written literary work. Epic poem about a mythical conqueror, speculations about the gods and the meaning of existence.
|
|
|
Iron Age/iron implements
|
Bronze tools and weaponry by 4000 BCE had replaced copper. This impacted war and agriculture. 1000 BCE iron metallurgy from Hittites spread throughout region.
|
|
|
pharaoh
|
Egypt build a centralized state ruled by the pharaoh, who claimed to be a god living on earth in human form. Associated early pharaohs with Horus, the sky god, but later with Amon, a son god. Believed the sun and moon cycles, the harvest, and the flowing of the river were all tied into the pharaoh's daily rituals and his correct performance of them.The pharaohs power was greatest during the Archaic Period & the Old Kingdom (3100 - 2660 BCE)
|
|
|
Brahmins
|
Priests of India, rituals, intoxication
|
|
|
civilization
|
Food surplus that allows for division of labor, density in cities, 4 Characteristics: Emergence of a social pyramid based on substantial inequalities,
Complex political organizations, or states, as opposed to family or tribal ties, Monopoly of the use of legitimate violence within a relatively well defined territory. Justice, punishment, courts, armies, Ongoing movement of resources (taxes, tribute, information) toward the center for use by the elites and bureaucracy, Some way of ensuring conformity and obedience among large numbers of people whose labor is commanded. |
|
|
creation stories/myths
|
A creation myth is a symbolic narrative of how the world began and how people first came to inhabit it. A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
|
|
|
Old Kingdom—Egypt
|
The Archaic Period (3100-2660 BCE) and the Old Kingdom (2660-2160). Nature of Pharonic rule. Religion, ritual, and royal ideology. Pyramid building. Decline and collapse of Old Kingdom between 2160-2040 Economic growth and local interests asserted. The Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 BCE). Centralized kingdom restored, but Pharoanic power now less absolute, with more cooperation with localities. |
|
|
Mandate of Heaven
|
Zhou claimed that earthly events closely related to the affairs of heaven. This gave rise to the mandate of heaven, or right to govern. Kings began going by the title the Son of Heaven and claimed that harmony and chaos depended on the ruler's actions. |
|
|
New Kingdom—Egypt
|
(1550 - 1070 BCE) Pop 4 mil. |
|
|
oracle bones
|
Writing came into use during the Shang dynasty. Used by rulers, written events on bamboo or silk. All lost except for writing on oracle bones used to make fortunes |
|
|
Assyrian Empire |
(1300 - 612) continued bureaucracy and centralization of Babylonian empire, but again the size of the empire presented problems, with frequent local rebellions.
|
|
|
Xia Dynasty |
(c. 2000 BCE-1766 BCE)—First to organize society on large scale, establishing a precedent for hereditary monarchical rule in China. Large scale flood-control projects. Little information survives, as no written records, but seems that dynasty encouraged the founding of cities and bronze metallurgy since rulers needed administrative centers and weapons to maintain control. |
|
|
Bronze Age/bronze implements |
Bronze tools and weaponry by 4000 BCE had replaced copper. This impacted war and agriculture. 1000 BCE iron metallurgy from Hittites spread throughout region. |
|
|
Achaemenid Empire
|
(558-330 BCE) Origins of classical Persia trace back to late Mesopotamia. The Medes and the Persians migrated from central Asia to Persia and lived in loose subjection to Babylonian and Assyrian empires. Pastoral with limited agriculture. Organized by clans, leaders collected taxes and delivered tribute. Descendants of nomads, equestrians, archers, strong military. Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes |
|
|
Sargon
|
Sargon of Akkad's Empire - unification in (2300 - 2315). Technique of rule was physical presence and army/resource extraction. Problems with this caused the collapse of the empire. It was costly due to maintaining a standing army.
|
|
|
Cyrus the Great
|
(r. 558-530 BCE) launched Persian conquest. Contemporaries called him Cyrus the Shepherd, but leader and strategist. Ruled Persian tribes from mountain fortress at Pasargadae. Rebelled against Median overlords. Brought all of Iran under his rule. Conquered Lydia in Anatolia (Turkey). Conquered Central Asia and Bactria (Afghanistan). Seized Babylonia, whose vassals immediately recognized him. Killed while protecting NE border from nomads, tomb at Pasargadae |
|
|
Darius
|
(521-486) took NW India, Indian kingdom of Gandhara, captured Thrace, Macedon, and west coast of Black Sea. Great administrator, presided over 70 distinct ethnic groups. Began to centralize empire, built capital at Persepolis. Greco-Persian wars.
|
|
|
Xerxes
|
(r. 486-465) had difficult relationships, harshly repressed rebellions in Egypt and Mesopotamia gave him a reputation for cruelty and insensitivity to subjects
|
|
|
Satrapies
|
Government depended on balance between central and local administration. Divided realm into 23 satrapies, or districts. Governed by satraps (Persians). Almost all posts below the satrap were local indigenous officials. Discouraged rebellion of satrap by two methods. Checks on power by military and taxes. Official spies with military forces, audits
|
|
|
Greco-Persian Wars
|
"tyranny" The Ionian Revolt—499—and Athenian support—Darius vows revenge. Persian invasions, 492—Marathon. Xerxes I and his army—480—Thermopylae—the 300 Spartans. Naval battle of Salamis—479. Battle of Platea—478—Persians expelled by Spartan-led Greek force |
|
|
Alexander the Great
|
(334-323) Alexander of Macedon invaded Persia in 334 BCE with 48,000 troops, very outnumbered, had better tactics and arms. 331 - Shattered Achaemenids at Battle of Gaugamela. Destroyed empire, burned down Persepolis. Retained Achaemenid administrative structure. 323 - Died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II
|
|
|
Hellenistic
|
of or relating to greek history, culture, or art after alexander the great |
|
|
Seleucid Empire
|
(383 BCE -83 CE) After Alexander died, chief generals fought amongst themselves. Seleucus, commander of an elite guard corps, won in Persia and dominated the territories of the former Achaemenid empire and ruled them from 305 to 281 BCE. Retained Achaemenid policies, built new cities. As foreigners, the Seleucids faced opposition from Persians and satraps. Lost Northern India, semi nomadic Parthians took Iran. Remained small empire until 83 BCE when the Romans conquered them
|
|
|
Parthian Empire
|
established a powerful empire in Iran and extended to Mesopotamia. Steppe people. No centralized government, federation of leaders. Agriculture, Alfalfa in the winter made them stronger, they used this to create heavy cavalry. Wrested independence from Seleucids, Parthian satrap revolted 238. Mithridates I. Restorers of Persia. Capital at Ctesiphon. More authority in clan leaders (satraps). Powerful, but pressure from Roman empire, internal rebellion brought Parthians down 3rd century CE |
|
|
Sassanid Empire |
(224-651 CE) toppled Parthians. Recreated splendor of Achaemenid Empire. Capital also Ctesiphon. Shapur I (239-272 CE) stabilized western frontier and created buffer states between themselves and Romans. Standoff with Kushan empire in the east, Romans in the west. Continual conflicts weakened Sassanid empire. Ended 651 CE when Arab warriors killed Sassanid ruler, overran realm, and incorporated into Islamic empire. Legacy: Arab conquers adopted administration techniques |
|
|
Zoroastrianism
|
Zoroaster or Zarathustra—c. 1,500-1,200 BCE—sage and prophet. A single all powerful god (Ahura Mazda)—created world out of chaos and keeps this at bay. All good originates with him—he is not origin of evil. Beginning and end. Free will and good deeds. In the cosmic order, Ahura Mazda is confronted by Angra Mainya ("the hostile spirit" or "destructive principle") Theodicy—How to account for evil in the world? In this way, Zoroastrianism, despite its monotheistic emphasis, becomes actually a DUALISTIC religion. Eschatology—end of days scenario
Saoshyant—savior figure Cosmic battle between Good and Evil with good winning and banishing chaos forever—the end of history judgment, punishment and reward. Influence on Judaism and especially Christianity: 1) All powerful god 2) "The Devil" 3) Eschatology |
|
|
Manichaeism
|
Based on teachings of sage-prophet Mani (2nd century CE)—who blended early Christian, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist beliefs. Flourished between 2nd and 8th centuries CE. Religious Syncretism. Dualism— (as in Zoroastrianism)—good and evil---conflict between pure spirit and corrupted matter. Influence on Christianity—St Augustine and "original sin." Suppression of Manichaeism by Christian, Zoroastrian, and later Islamic authorities
|
|
|
Upanishads |
Upanishads (800-400 BCE) means "a sitting in front of" religious disciples gather before a sage for discussion. |
|
|
Monism |
a theory or doctrine that denies the existence of a distinction or duality in some sphere, such as that between matter and mind, or God and the world.
|
|
|
Dharma
|
Fulfilling one's niche, doctrine encompassing the four noble truths, the eightfold path, and nirvanna
|
|
|
Karma-Samsara |
...
|
|
|
Moksha (Nirvana in Buddhism) |
Moksha (salvation of the soul); escape cycle of incarnation and attainment of nirvana, a state of perfect spiritual |
|
|
Mahavira
|
Vardhamana Mahavira, the "great hero" who gained enlightenment by wandering, asceticism, the Jina |
|
|
Jainism
|
popularized by Mahavira. Jainist doctrine from the Upanishads, everything in this universe possesses a soul trapped in terrestrial bodies, suffering. Purification from selfish behavior gains karma and release to bliss. Ahimsa. Faith among small minority due to difficulty to observe |
|
|
Asceticism
|
severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. |
|
|
ahimsa
|
individuals underwent purification by observing ahisma, or nonviolence, no varnas or jati
|
|
|
the Buddha
|
Siddhartha Gautama born 563, raised in comfort, was entranced by first sight of misfortune, saw a monk and followed example, left wife, family, comforts to become a holy man, wandered. Sought enlightenment through intense meditation and extreme asceticism. Not satisfied, sat under Bo tree in Bodh Gaya until he understood the problem of suffering. Took 49 days, tempted by demons to break resolve, enlightened. Understood problem of suffering and the means to eliminate it. Became the Buddha "the enlightened one" and announced his doctrine 528 BCE at Deer Park of Sarnath near city of Banaras (Varanasi) to former companions of asceticism - sermon called Turning of the Wheel of the Law |
|
|
Middle Path |
Practice a moderate lifestyle, quiet contemplation, thoughtful reflection and disciplined self-control to reduce desires in order to escape cycle of incarnation and attainment of nirvana, a state of perfect spiritual independence. All these constitute dharma. |
|
|
Four Noble Truths
|
teaches that (1) all lives involve suffering, (2) that desire is the cause of suffering, (3) that elimination of desire brings an end to suffering, (4) and that the Noble Eightfold path brings elimination of desire. |
|
|
Eightfold Path
|
calls for individuals to lead a balanced life and reject devotion to luxury and regimens of extreme asceticism through (1) right belief, (2) right resolve, (3) right speech, (4) right behavior, (5) right occupation, (6) right effort, (7) right contemplation, (8) and right meditation. |
|
|
Theraveda Buddhism
|
Hinayana (the lesser vehicle) - insult for those who follow stricter doctrine, also known as Theravada Buddhism |
|
|
Mahayana Buddhism
|
Buddhism was still too rigorous for some, made Buddha divine to centralize devotion, Bodhisattva "an enlightened being" who has achieved spiritual perfection and reward of nirvana but delayed entry to help those still struggling, saint. Accepted gifts, like indulgences, to go to salvation, Called the greater vehicle because it can carry more to salvation
|
|
|
Hinduism
|
... |
|
|
jati
|
Subcastes and Jati (guilds). Jati determined by occupation, hereditary. Members of a Jati ate together and married with in. Specific forms of address between varnas and castes under threat of expulsion. Social mobility possible, often in groups, hard. Maintained social discipline, more loyal to Jati than state. Caste system abolished 1947, while illegal it is still prevalent |
|
|
Chandragupta Maurya
|
(340 BC - 298 BC) laid foundation for Mauryan Empire (322 - 185 BCE), the first state to bring centralized and unified government to most of the Indian subcontinent, conquered Magadha and Bactria, part of the Seleucid empire. Grandson, Ashoka. |
|
|
Ashoka
|
(268-232) First undertaking was to conquer Kalinga, a bloody campaign in 260 where 100k Kaligans died and 150k were driven from their home). Ashoka best known as a governor. Capital in fortified city of Pataliputra. Communicated policies by edicts on stone pillars. Buddhist, repented. Died 232, decline set in immediately. Financial, economic difficulties. Standing army drained resources.
|
|
|
paternalistic government
|
is behaviour, by a person, organization or state, which limits some person or group's liberty or autonomy for that person's or group's own good. Paternalism can also imply that the behaviour is against or regardless of the will of a person, or also that the behaviour expresses an attitude of superiority.
|
|
|
Gupta Empire
|
(320 to 550 CE) Guptas based state in Magadha for wealth of region. Foundation laid by Chandra Gupta. Forged alliances. Successors Samadra Gupta (335-375), Chandra Gupta II (375-415). Made Pataliputra the capital again and conquered. Smaller than Mauryan Empire. Left administration in the hands of allies in various regions. Sophisticated studies in Natural Sciences and mathematics. Decline due to invasion of White Huns. Collapsed due to financial/administration strain of repelling. |
