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91 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
ID term
What?
When?
Where?
Significance?
Vikings
When: 700AD-1400AD
What: Raided and pillaged villages throughout Europe for centuries. They traveled as far East as Constantinople, and also expanded Westward in Longboats, settling in North America. In Europe they would raid during the summer and then set up posts and rest for the winter.
About them: Europeans came to fear them, but respected their power (viewed as noble savages)
Where: Home is Scandanavia
700s- invasions into England
800s- invasions into rest of Europe
950: Discover Iceland ect.

Why we care: They were great explorers, and the first Europeans to reach north america.
Viking Burials
Who: The Vikings
Where: Scandanavia
What: Fallen Vikings would be sent out to see on burning longboats. Many others were burried on shore with their boats, creating burial mounds.
When: 700-1200AD
Why we care: Shows the importance of religious rituals in Viking Society. Also, archaeologists have been reconstruct ships from these burial sites.
Celtic Cross
When: 800AD
Who: The Celtic people
Where: Scotland
What: When the Vikings came to pillage Scottish Villages, they would take whatever looked valuable. Celtic crosses were a common target because they were often made of gold and studed with jewels. Thus, because of the Viking raids, Celtic crosses were made of changed to stone and wood, that the Vikings would leave behind when they pillaged.
Why we care: This shows a clash of cultures where one group had to adapt to the presence of another, and how many times practicality can influence religious institutions.
Longships
What: Longships were the boats used by the Vikings. They were extemely advanced for their times, as they were both strong and flexible (usually there needed to be a trade-off). This was made possible through the use of overlapping planks.
Who: The Vikings
When: 700 AD
Where: First created in Scananavia, but used to travel to England, then Iceland, then Greenland, then Canada.
Why we care: This Viking technology was what allowed them to travel to North America.
Round Tower
What: The round tower was a building design that first appeared in England in the late 700's. This tower allowed for a safe place to store valuables in case of a Viking raid. The entrance to the tower was elevated off the ground, so that Vikings could not enter.
Who: The English
When: 700's
Where: England
Why we care: It is an adaptation of one culture to another.
Polynesians
Who: The Polynesians were people of Southeast Asia that went on to inhabit the Islands of the south Pacific.
What: Using boats called Catamarans, they travelled from island to island and set up trade routes and networks between them. Eventually this system became known as the Kula Ring.
When and Where: To 1200 BC- Australia, New Zealand
800BC to 800AD- Middle Pacific Islands
1000AD – Easter Island and Hawaii
Why we care: It solves the mystery of who inhabited Easter Island. It shows that humans have been setting up networks for millenniums. Historians know it was the Polynesians who discovered these island because of similar starter crops, linguistic ties, and now DNA
Catamarans
What: The boats used by the Polynesian people. It is a type of sailboat with two connected hulls. This allowed the polynesians to travel over treaturous ocean water.
Where: The South Pacific Islands
When: 1200 BC (yes, BC)
Who: The Polynesians
Why we care: The design of the boat allowed for the expansion of the Polynesian people across the islands of the south Pacific
Ibn Battuta
When: 1304-1368 or 1369
Who: A Muslim traveler
What: Born in the cosmopolitan frontier city of Tangier, Ibn Battuta traveled almost the whole of the known Islamic world. His journeys began with his Hajj to Mecca, where he received his law certificate in religious practice and social order. He continued his travels for both scholarly and economic reasons, gaining power through trade.
Where: From Tangier to Damascus and Mecca (1324-1325); Persia and Iraq (1326-1327); the Arabian Sea (1328-1332); India, Ceylon, and the Maldive Islands (1333-1345); to Southeast Asia and China (1345-1346)
Why we care: Ibn Battuta’s writings showed us the connections that were being made across the world at that time. Despite local differences, a gradual fusion of cultures was evident, particularly in the trading towns. Globalization was becoming more prominent.
Easter Island
Who: The Polynesians reached Easter Island from a series of Islands in the South Pacific
Where: Middle of the Pacific Ocean
What: Monarcy was formed, island was divided up into different kingdoms. These kingdoms lived in harmony but competed with each other in building Moai (giant head statues) from ore in quarries in one corner of the island. Eventually, though, they ran out of lumber, and society collapsed.
When: 1000-1600AD (Complete deforestation at 1600)
Why we care: Resources are limited, and when they run out societies collapse.
Kula Ring
Who: The polynesians
Where: The islands of the south Pacific
When: 1000 AD
What: The Kula ring was a circle of trade routes set up among the islands of the south pacific. Only necklaces and armbands were traded. Necklaces were traded in a clockwise manner and armbands were traded in a counterclockwise circle. Because the items traded had little value, the trade had other purposes than accumulating wealth. It served the purpose of connecting islands with their neighbors and connecting the islands culturally.
Why we care: Shows a situation where there are both direct and indirect benefits of traded. Here the actual action of trading goods was not the focus, but the exchange of culture.
Moai
Who: Polynesians
Where: Easter Island, middle of the South Pacific
When: 1000-1600 (1300-1600 peak)
What: Moai were giant statues of heads created by the inhabitants of Easter Island. They were used in a sort of competition between the different kingdoms. Building a statue required the strength of many men, and also resources from all about the island, so building one was seen as a large accomplishment. Unfortunately, this competitions led the people of Easter island to use up all of their resources and led to the downfall of Easter Island.
Why we care: Shows what can happen if we use up all of our resources, and the importance of symbols of power.
Gavin Menzies Map 1421
Who: Gavin Menzies
Where: Britain
When: 2002
What: A book published in 2002 said that Chinese fleets sailing under Zheng He sailed across the Pacific to North America. He cites a fairly accurate map found in China of North America as proof. Unfortunately there are problems with it:
- Dual hemisphere map, but Chinese cartography does not use this at that time.
- The names are inaccurate
- Labeled North/South divisions that did not exist at the time
Why we care: It shows history can be interpreted in accurately, and we shouldn't believe everything we read. Also, it shows Gavin Menzies is an idiot.
Mythic View of History
(I doubt this will be an ID because it lacks a who, when, and where, but it might not be bad to know)

The idea that the same few mythical stories play themselves out over and over throughout human history.
Biblical View of History
(I doubt this will be an ID because it lacks a who, when, and where, but it might not be bad to know)

History progresses linearly towards some kind of greater end.
Whig History
(I doubt this will be an ID because it lacks a who, when, and where, but it might not be bad to know)

Government is an ever-improving institution that gradually allows citizens more rights while still maintaining order.
Mandate of Heaven
(I doubt this will be an ID because it lacks a who, when, and where, but it might not be bad to know)

Chinese belief in cyclical history that says that the following pattern is always replaying itself:

1. rise
2. golden age
3. decline
4.overthrow
Mercator Map
Who: Gerardus Mercator
When: 1569
Where: Europe
What: A map created that is the most commonly used today. It compromises size for shape, (hence, Greenland is huge). Its latitude and longitude lines made it the standard map for navigational purposes, and thus it is the most commonly used map today.
Why we care: In the map, Europe is top, center, and disproportionately huge.

Side-note: Here's a link to the first mercator map. Its funny how he just kind of gave up on North America, made it one giant blob, and stuck a key in the middle of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mercator_1569.png
Nag Hammadi Library
Who: Gnostics
When: Books written in 4th century AD, library found in 1945
Where: Northern Egypt, 3 miles from a christian monastery
What: A collection of books that contains the most significant collection of lost Christian writings to turn up in modern times. These were the Gnostic texts. They were found by a local peasant, named Mohammed Ali, who eventually sold the collection to a museum.
Why we care: The books found at the Nag Hammadi Library are a major find because they give us insight into the beliefs and texts of another early sect of Christianity.
Gnosticism
What: An early sect of Christianity that believed that Jesus is full God. Put focus on knowledge, saying knowledge is important for salvation.
Basically believe in the one from which all things come. Thoughts of God become entities. Sophia and the one have deformed baby, kicks it to a normal realm. This baby creates existence, are cosmic forces. They create men and banish them to the final realm, humanity is a cosmic mistakes. Through knowledge you can free the divine spark and ascend.
When: 0-300AD
Where: The Middle East and North Africa
Why we care: It shows that in the first centuries following Christ's death there was much debate over to what his teachings meant.
Marcionites
What: An early sect of Christianity. Marcion was the leader, 100AD. Made it so that all of the Old testament and Jewish Tradition were taken out. The laws were outdated. Preached to gentiles, so he was not not exclusively recruiting those who were Jewish. Saw that there were two Gods, didn’t share characteristics. Wrathful god of Jews and forgiveness of Jesus. Popular religion because it focused on the positive aspects of Jesus's salvation. Hurt by question of antiquity, no history. No ancient pedigree.
Where: The Middle East
When: First Centuries AD
Who: Led by Marcion
Why we care: Once again shows divisions in interpretations of Jesus's legacy. Also, shows the need for antiquity for a religion's success.
Ebionites
Who: A sect of Judaism
When: 0-300AD
Where: Middle East
What they believed: Jesus was a Jewish messiah, separating them from Jewish. Had to follow laws of Jewish society. Considered a sect of Judiasm. Jesus was a righteous man, there is salvation through his sacrifice. Seek to emulate Jesus’s righteousness and follow Jewish law.
Why: Once again shows divisions in interpretations of Jesus's legacy. Also, shows the need for antiquity for a religion's success.
Proto-Orthodox Christians
Who: Early orthodox Christians
Where: All over Eastern Europe and Middle East, hub of power came to be settled in Constantinople
When: First Centuries after Christ's death
What: Believed that Christ is both fully human and fully divine.

How they won out:
-Call others a heretic, call them wrong and deviant.
-Showed beliefs are based on apostolic texts and say others have forgeries.
-Formed a monopoly on christian literature.
-Became tied to political system.
-Established a religious institution, have a hierarchy.

Why we care: Shows that the Religion that became the fundamental view did so largely through political means.
Docitism
Who: An early sect of Christianity
Where: Middle East
When: First Centuries after Christ's death
What they believed: Docetism was an ancient belief hat very early came to be seen as heretical by orthodox christians because it denied the reality of Christ's suffering and death. Two forms of the beliefs were widely known. According to some docetists, Christ was so completely divine that he could not be human. As God he could not have a material body like the rest of us; as divine he could not actually suffer and die. This then, was the view that Jesus was not really a flesh-and- blood human.Other decetists believed that Jesus was human, but christ was a separate person, a divine being was a separate person who was godly. Thus Christ descended from heaven and entered into Jesus's body.
Why we care: Once again shows divisions in interpretations of Jesus's legacy. Also, shows the need for antiquity for a religion's success.
Council of Nicaea
Who: Called by Roman Emporer Constantine I
When: 325 AD
Where: The city of Nacaea in present day Turkey
What: This was the first so called Ecumenical Council of the church, that is, the first council at which bishops from around the world were broght together in order to establsih a consensus of major points of faith and practice. All of these bishops agreed with major theological positions hammered out by orthodoxy (which by this time had already won out).
Why we care: Semented orthodox christianity as major form of chirstianity and tied it to the state.
Zheng He
Who: A Chinese military leader who was chosen by emperor Yongle to lead chinese naval voyages; a Eunuch.
When: 1377-1433 AD
Where: China
What: He sailed as far as the Arabian Peninsula and Eastern Africa bringing back resources and expanding China's tributary system. Had with him over 200,000 soldiers (showing China's power).
Why we care:
Asoka
Who: ruler of the Mauryan empire; Chandragupta's empire
Where: almost the entirety of South Asia, including the Deccan plateau
What: Asoka waged a bloody campaign against Kalinga, a kingdom on east coast of the Indian peninsula. He issued the Kalinga Edict expressing regret for the damage caused. Asoka regularly issued decrees and edicts explaining moral regulations by which he governed- including his own Buddhist faith. The works of art produced during Asoka's reign showed elements of Greek, Persian, and Indian art- clear evidence of the globalization and cultural exchanges.
When: fuled from 268-231 BCE
Why we care: Asoka ruled at the height of the empire and spread edicts of peace, promoting moral regulations for all. Asoka is one of the few great rulers associated with peace instead of violence.
Mauryan Empire
What: India's most powerful and durable polity before the common era. India had been composed of small warring states until they were united under the ambitious Chandragupta Maurya against Alexander's armies. They forced Alexander's armies to retreat back past the Persian lands.
Where: from modern-day India as far west as modern Iran
When: 321-184 BCE
Why we care: The Mauryan Empire was the first large-scale empire in the history of South Asia, the first instance of a united South Asia to counter the empires of the West.
Kalinga Edict
What: After Asoka launched a bloody conquest to Kalinga, he issued an edict expressing his regret at the miseries caused by his campaign. He claimed to rule over his subjects according to dhamma, a general set of moral obligations for all. This was the first of many edicts.
Where: The Mauryan Empire, from modern-day India to modern-day Iran
When: Issued after Asoka's Kalinga conquest (which began in 261 BCE)
Why we care: The Kalinga edict emphasized morals that Asoka claimed applied to ALL people. It was published in many languages to be more accessible. Asoka was truly a universal leader who helped give Buddhism, his own religion, a more favorable, universal feel.
Bactria
What: Hellenistic kingdom
When: broke away from Seleucids around 200 BCE
Where: modern-day Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and part of Pakistan; when Mauryan power receded, took over Persian areas
Why we care: served as a bridge between South Asia and the Greek world of the Mediterranean. For example, they revived cities in India left by Alexander, but also founded several new Hellenistic cities. The diffusion of Indo-Greek culture had consequences which are still felt today, particularly through the influence of Greco-Buddhist art
Mahayana Buddhists
What: a new Buddhist school of theology that said Buddha was, indeed, a deity. It merged older Buddhist doctrines with Hellenism and cultural influences imported from the northern steppes. Also said that "bodhisattvas" (little demigods) were helping people reach Nirvana
When: 1 and 2 CE began
Where: Afro-Eurasia
Why we care: Mahayana (literally "Great Vehicle") Buddhism was seen as enabling to all individuals, offering a pleasant promise of an afterlife, more worldly and accommodating than traditional Buddhism.
Seleucids
What: Hellenistic successor to Alexander the Great's empire
When:312-63 BC
Where: near East, from the Aegean Sea to Afghanistan
Why we care: Geographic span created a melting pot of Greeks, Persians, Assyrians, Medes, Jews, etc.
Mamluks
What: military caste ruled Egypt; their strong forces kept the Mongol Tatars out of Egypt.
When: 1250-1517
Where: Egypt and Syria
Why we care: Ibn Battuta studied in Alexandria under Mamluk rule. Alexandria funneled trade between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. Ibn Battuta's time spent there is probably part of the reason he was so interested in India.
Sanskrit Buddhist texts
What: genre of Buddhist literature promoting the Mahayana image of Buddha and the bodhisattvas. It told a largely fictitious story of Buddha's life, which became well-known and loved.
When: about 100 CE
Where: Written in India and spread throughout the Afro-Eurasian world.
Why we care: The Sanskrit Buddhist texts gave Buddhist beliefs more uniformity across Asia, encouraging the spread of Buddhism.
Silk Road
What: The primary commercial network linking East Asia and the Mediterranean world, the Silk Road provided important paths for cultural and technological exchanges, connecting traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, and more.
When: flourished under the Romans and the Han from 200 BCE- 200 CE; under the Tang, Sumanats, and Byzantium empire from 700-900 CE; and under the Mongol Empire in the 1300's CE
Where: East Asia to the Mediterranean
Why we care: The Silk Road connected the East Asia and the Mediterranean, encouraging globalization and cultural integration.
Sufism
What: the inner, mystical dimension of Islam embraced by Ibn Battuta. Sufis believe that it is possible to draw closer to God and to more fully embrace the Divine Presence in this life. Similar to Buddhism, Sufis seek to restore their primordial state to please God.
Where: most prominent in Africa, South Asia, and the Ottoman world
When: Many followers believe it came straight from Muhammad; formalized and institutionalized at the end of the first century CE
Why we care: ...
Dome of the Rock
What: Major Islamic shrine and landmark, one of the holiest sites in Islam. According to Islamic tradition, the rock is the spot from where Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel.
Where: Jerusalem
When: erected between 685 and 691
Why we care: The Dome of the Rock is symbolic in both Islamic culture and Christian culture, showing the similarities and clash of two religions.
Bhagavad Gita
What: Important Sanskrit Hindu scripture, one of the most important religious classics in the world. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of India and a part of Hindu mythology. It is a conversation between Krishna (a god) and Arjuna (warrior and prince) about the justness of war. Along the way, Krishna explains Yogic and Vedantic philosophies.
When: written somewhere between the fifth and second centuries, BCE
Where: India
Why we care: The Bhagavad Gita was central to the development of many Indian philosophies. It also brought the "justness" of war into question and provided a possible view.
Soghdians
What: An ancient merchant civilization that dominated trade with India and China. Their language became the common language of the Silk Road, and they aided the movement of philosophies and religion (Manicheism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, etc.) into the east.
When: dominated Silk Road from 200's BCE- 1000 AD
Where: north of Bactria, in modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, a key position along the Silk Road
Why we care: Shows that "location, location, location" really is important. Think Diamond and geography.
Ming Dynasty
Where: China
When: 1368-1644
Who: Led by the Hans (which is the main Chinese ethnic group)
What: A dynesty of China that led during the time of Zheng He. Kicked out the Mongol lead Yuan Dynasty. Built up the Chinese military and navy.
Why we care: Shows the context for Yongle's travels.
Yongle
Who: The third emperor of Ming Dynasty in China
Where: China
When: 1402-1424
What: He became emperor after the Chinese Civil War, and usurped the throne from his nephew.
Why we care: The increasing of China's power may have come from his want to establish himself as ruler
Tributary System
Where; China
When: 1400s, time of Zheng He
What: Purpose to recognize Chinese Emperor as son of Heaven and leader of world. Other states are used tribute system to their own advantage, increased travel leads to increased trade of goods. Paying tribute also leads to protection. It ended up costing the Chinese a lot of money to maintain, it was highly ritualistic relationship with practical consequences.
Why we care: Stands in contrast to the European concept of colonization
Eunuch
What: A castrated man. In China, it was both a traditional punishment (until the Sui Dynasty) and a means of gaining employment in the Imperial service. At the end of the Ming Dynasty there were about 70,000 eunuchs employed by the emperor, with some served inside the Imperial palace. Certain eunuchs gained immense power that occasionally superseded that of prime ministers. Self-castration was commonplace.
Who: Zheng He was a Eunuch
Where: China
When: A long time
Why we care: Shows dedication to service emphasized in Chinese culture.
Arjuna
Who: A great soldier and a central character in the Mahabharata (and Bhagavad Gita)
What: He was distraught over the thought of killing elders and others he respects in war. He turns to Krishna for guidance.
Where: India
When: at the peak of the war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas; the Bhagavad Gita was written sometime between the fifth and second centuries BCE
Why we care: The relationship between Arjuna and Krishna is supposed to be representative of what is ideal for all mankind. It's an important piece of Hindu scripture, and it is considered one of the most important religious classics of the world.
Krishna
Who: a deity worshiped in Hinduism; a central character in the Bhagavad Gita
What: When Arjuna is conflicted about fighting those close to him in a war, Krishna offers guidance. Their dialogue, which became the Bhagavad Gita, expanded into discussions of the Yogic method and Vedantic philosophies. Because of this, the Bhagavad Gita has been described as a guide to Hinduism.
Where: India
When: at the peak of the war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas; the Bhagavad Gita was written sometime between the fifth and second centuries BCE
Why we care: The relationship between Arjuna and Krishna is supposed to be representative of what is ideal for all mankind. It's an important piece of Hindu scripture, and it is considered one of the most important religious classics of the world.
Muhammad
***
Who?
Islam's Mac Daddy. Had revelations from Archangel Gabriel in a cave. Persecuted at first but led revolution against Mecca to establish Islam's superiority.
When? 570-632
Where? Mecca and Medina

Why we care?
His failure to name a successor leads to major problems in terms of power succession in Islam. Also, Islam is a major world religion today.
Rashidun Caliphate
**
What?
First four caliphs after Muhammad's death, all elected by a council or put in power by predecessor. Abu Bakr, Umar Ilan al-Khatab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Ali Talib

When? 632-661
Where? Medina

Why we care?
--unstable succession of power after Muhammad
--expansion of Islam over Arab world (e.g. Iraq, Syria)
--used much military force to hold power
--prevented collapse of Islamic state thouh
Umayyad Caliphate/Dynasty
***
What? Second Caliphate that established a dynasty and really asserted Islamic power in the Arab world.
When? 661-750
Where? moved capital to Damascus

Why we care?
--Umayyads united religion and state under Abdul Marwan
--imperial expansion
--more bureaucratic state system replaces the previous tribal system
--standardized currency
--Dome of the Rock
Abbasid Caliphate/Dynasty
**
Who/What?
Third Caliphate of Arab world which rose to replace the Umayyads. Very cosmopolitan to get Shia support but split them off once power obtained. First Caliphate to start expanding West into Europe (particularly Spain).

When? 750
Where? moved capital to Baghdad in 762 (initially in Harran-->prolly unimportant)

Why we care?
--The Abbasid Dynasty created clear Islamic texts and catalyzed a scientific golden age in the Arab World
--Its adoption of Sunni Islam once in power widens the gap between Sunnis and Shias
--It was the reigning Caliphate during the Crusades at which time it was ruled by Toghril Begh, leader of the Seljuk Turks
Muawiyah
*
Who? second Umayyad Caliph who asserted the Umayyads' right to rule under dynastic principle
When? 661-680
Where? Damascus

Why we care? took the expanding Islamic world in a more diplomatic direction (e.g. peace with Christianity).
Black Death
What: Great epidemic of the Bubonic plague that wiped out a huge chunk of the population in East Asia, North Africa, and (with the most impact) in Europe.
When: 1339-1351
Where: Europe, East Asia, and North Africa
Why we care: The massive depopulation led to changed dynamics in social, economic, and religious areas of life. There was more wealth per capita; peasants had more political power; and the church lost its authority as an institution.
Daoism
What: Stressed the Dao ("path" or "way") of nature and the cosmos: the best way to live was to follow the natural order of things. Its main principle was "wuwei" (doing nothing), what mattered was spontaneity, noninterference, and acceptance of the world as it is rather than attempting to change it by entering politics and government.
When: originated with Tao te Ching (400-300 BCE), received imperial recognition in the 2nd century CE.
Where: Began in China
Why we care: Rulers forged close bonds with scholarly elites in Warring States China, distinguishing it from other Afro-Eurasian politics of this period. Daoism valued rulers who didn't interfere in the 'natural process of change.' Because of the close interaction between politicians and philosophers, Daoism and other Asian philosophies influenced the political thinking at the time.
Legalism (a.k.a. Statism)
What: a way of understanding how best o live an orderly life, came from writings of Xunzi. He believed that men and women were innately bad, and therefore required moral education and authoritarian control.
When: Xunzi wrote from 310-327
Where: China
Why we care: The inseparability of scholars and the state, evident in this era of Chinese history, led Han Fei, Han state minister, to apply these principles in governing. Later rulers would also look to this model. Legalism and the other Chinese philosophies of this age show the close relationship between religion and the government. The Qin dynasty adopted Legalism as the official government philosophy and suppressed all other philosophical schools.
Mohism
What: Philosophy that believed each man should feel obligated and responsible to all other people, not just to his own family and friends. Government should promote social order, material benefits for its people, and population growth.
When: writings of Mo Di (479-438 BCE)
Where: China
Why we care: Mohism inspired many pacifists. It competed with Confucianism and shaped the ideologies of some leaders in the Warring States period.
Confucianism
What: A moral framework stressing correct performance of ritual, responsibility and loyalty to family, and perfection of moral character to become a "superior man."
When: Confucius (551-479 BCE)
Where: developed in China, strongly influenced areas of modern China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam
Why we care: Confucius taught these concepts to all who were intelligent and willing to work, regardless of noble or humble backgrounds. This was a departure from past centuries, when only nobles were believed to be capable of ruling.
Abu Bakr
*
When? 632-634
Where? Medina
Who?
first caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. Father-in-law of Muhammad

Why we care?
--Only Rashidun caliph to not be killed or assassinated.
--related to Muhammad, other caliphs aren't
--named the next caliph
Umar Ibn al-Khatab
*
When? 633-6344
Where? Medina
Who?
Second caliph of Rashidun Caliphate
Why we care?
--He boosted the military and diplomatic power of the caliphate. Also expanded it more.
--Unlike Abu, he didn't name a successor and instead called forth ten people to name that successor (the council)
Uthman ibn Affan
<*
When? 656-661
Where? Medina
Who? third caliph of Rashidun Caliphate
Why we care?
we don't, really, but he was also assassinated.
Ali ibn Abi Talib
*
When? 661
Where? Medina
Who?
Final Rashidun caliph who only took power for a little while during a time of chaos
Why we care?
he was murdered during the civil war that occurred during that time. The Shia were his followers.
Hijra
**
When? 622
Where? from Mecca to Medina
What? emigration of Muhammad and his followers to the city of Medina to escape persecution by tribal leaders in Mecca
Why we care?
--makes 622 the first year of the Islamic calendar
--Muhammad gathers followers here to return to and retake Mecca by force. He forgives most of the leaders.
Buddhism
Who: Based on teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
What: philosophy with four noble truths (Life, from birth to death, is full of suffering; All sufferings are caused by desires; The only way to rise above suffering is to renounce desire; It is only through adherence to the Noble Eightfold Path that individuals can rid themselves of desire and the illusion of separate identity and reach nirvana)
When: developed from 563-483 BCE; still significant today
Where: from ancient India
Why we care: Buddhism is widely influential even today. Liberation from life's troubles made Buddhism appealing and helped it to spread and sustain.
Nirvana
What: important concept in Jainism and Buddhism; the state of being free from both suffering and the cycle of rebirth
Where: originated in India
When: As early as 9th century BCE (beginning of Jainism)
Why we care: The idea of nirvana made Buddhism and Jainism more appealing than some of the other competing philosophies. People were drawn in by the idea of liberation from life's sufferings.
Karma
What: Karma (literally "action") is a Sanskrit word that refers to consequences of acts. Karma existed in ancient Indian philosophy and became an important element of Buddhism. In Hinduism, there are different types of karma.
Where: India
When: Ancient times; prominent in Buddhism (Developed 563-483 BCE)
Why we care: People from all walks of life, including great leaders like Asoka, were affected by the ideas of karma. These philosophies directed the course of history through the leaders and the people they influenced.
Eightfold Path
What: The way to nirvana, as laid out by Siddhartha Gautama, the Noble Eightfold Path held eight independent principles under three categories:
- Wisdom (Right view, Right intention)
- Ethical Conduct (Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood)
- Mental Development (Right effort, Right mindfulness, Right concentration)
Where: developed in India
When: Siddhartha Gutama (563-483 BCE)
Why we care: Buddhism was (and is) highly influential. The eightfold path was (and is) widely respected and followed.
Khariji
*
When? 661-750; during the Umayyad Caliphate
Where? lands owned by Umayyads
Who?
killers of Ali
Why we care?
--They opposed the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate.
--thought political authority should be based on merit (piety, knowledge,etc.)
Shiat Alit ("Partisans")
**
When? 661 - present
Where? lands owned by Umayyads
Who? another opposition force to the Umayyads
What?
--Believed political authority should be based on familial ties to Muhammad.
--only descendants of Mohammad can contribute to the Hadith
Why we care?
--they helped the Abbasids get into power
--Rivalry with Sunnis leads to major split in the Islamic world
Sunni ("Traditionalists")
**
When? 661-present
Where? lands owned by Umayyads
Who? another opposition force to the Umayyads
What?
--Ichma: political authority from community consensus
--believe any contemporary of Mohammad should be included in the Hadith
--meritocratic like the Kharijites
Why we care?
--Now the largest denomination of Islam
--the Abbasid Caliphate adopted Sunnism
Hadith
*
When? 632 after Mohammad's death
What? oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Put into written form during 9th century

Why we care?
--Sunnis and Shiites have fundamental disagreements on it
--difficult to determine which parts of it were added for political/theological leverage and which are legitimate (leads to Science of the Hadith)
Abdul al-Malik ibn Marwan and descendants
**
When? he died in 685 but descendants in power till 705
Where? Damascus
Who? Caliph who consolidated power and introduced hierarchical system, created a standing Muslim army with non-Arabs (Persians), idea of Caliph as "Deputy of God," built Dome of Rock
Why we care?
His actions as caliph altered the structure of the Arab world as it had been up to that point, allowing for a standing army which he used to expand the Umayyad empire.
Five Pillars of Islam
**
When? originated after 800 AD
Where? universal Islam
What? Islamic principles taken from the Hadith. They include:
1. Accepting that there is one God whose prophet is Mohammad
2. Prayer
3. Fasting during Ramadan
4. Almsgiving
5. The Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
Why we care?
Signifies the evolution of Islam over time. They are a major part of Sunni Islam; Shia Islam follows 12 precepts which include these five, making this another point of disagreement between the two sects.
Seljuk Turks
*
When? 11th-14th centuries
Where? from Anatolia (Turkey) to Persia
Who/What? Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled parts of Central Asia and the Middle East.
Why we care?
Under the Seljuks, the Muslim world tried expanding West into Byzantine territory, catalyzing the Byzantines' call for help from West Christendom
Toghril Begh
*
When? 1055
Where? Anatolia, then Baghdad
Who? Man who united Turkish tribes to conquer much of the Arab world.
Why we care?
After establishing the Seljuk Sultanate, he took command of Abbasid armies and led them against Byzantine forces, an action which would spark the Crusades
Charlemagne
**
When? 742-814
Where? Christendom, aka Catholic Europe
Who? last king of a truly united Christendom. Crowned Holy Roman Emperor by pope. He divided up his empire between three grandsons.
Why we care?
Under his rule, Church and State were strongly tied together (Caesaropapism). After him, the Church would start reclaiming its own superiority while Europe entered a divided state.
Caesaropapism
**
When? during Charlemagne's kingship (
Where? Christendom
What? combining of Church and state in which the state's power is equal to or greater than that of the Church.
Why we care?
It was strongly present under Charlemagne's rule and serves as a stark contrast to the immense power the Church would soon have during the Crusades. Christendom Europe comes a long way between this and the Crusades.
Pope Gregory VII
*
When? 1020 - 1085
Where? Christendom Europe
Who? Pope who attacked lay investiture and sought to reestablish independent power of the Church. He excommunicated King Henry IV in this struggle.
Why we care?
He signifies the beginning of the end of peaceful relations between Church and state in his desire to increase Church power. Henry's excommunication leads him to naming his own pope as well. Ultimately, Gregory's actions contribute to the Great Schism.
Great Schism
**
When? 1054
Where? Byzantine Empire and Europe
What? Division of Christendom into the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church when both sides excommunicated each other.
Why we care?
Focal point in Christian history. Despite many attempts to reconcile the event and reunite with each other, the division remains. Crusades were possible as a result.
Alexius I Commenus
**
When? later 11th century
Where? Constantinople
Who? Pope/emperor of Byanztine Empire who called for the West's aid in fending off the Seljuk Turks during the Battle of Manzikurt (1071 AD)
Why we care?
"We're still all Christians." Alexius's call awakened a spirit of unity within the Western Church, leading to Urban II's call to Crusade
Pope Urban II
***
When? 1042-1099
Where? West Christendom
Who? Pope of Europe who issued the call to Crusade
Why we care?
His speech leads to the first Crusade. He appeals to Europeans' sense of unity (with the East as Christians), their economic situation ("this land...does not abount in wealth"), and Salvation (forgiveness of sins as reward for crusading)
The People's Crusade
**
When? 1096
Where? journey from Europe to Jerusalem
What? A premature crusade led by Peter the Hermit
Why we care?
Demonstrates the fervent zeal Crusaders possessed. They didn't even wait for the primary Crusading force and instead followed Peter because they were so anxious. They engaged in anti-Semitic acts by ravaging Jewish settlements though, showing that the Crusades weren't just anti-Islam but anti-Judaism to an extent.
Upanishads
What: Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of the Vedas. Took the form of dialogues between disciples and a sage.
When: Collected in the first half of the first millennium BCE
Where: India
Why we care: Out of the conversations came a set of didactic lessons that offered insights into the fundamentals of the social order. Social order and religious order were fully intertwined. The Vedic views of life and the universe were transmitted as principles of faith, bringing spiritual unity to the northern half of South Asia.
Caste System
What: Indian social stratification system.
- Brahmin "the head" (priests)
- Kshatriya "the arm" (warrior caste traditionally; controlled the land)
- Vaishaya "the legs" (agrarian commoners)
- Sudra "the feet" (workers and slaves from outside Vedic lineage)
- Dalits "Untouchables"/"the Oppressed" (outcasts)
Where: India
When: shortly after 1000 BCE
Why we care: These stratified societies bore little resemblance to the previous egalitarian Vedic societies. The Vedic culture linked the communities dispersed across the northern half of the region and gave the Vedic peoples a collective sense of destiny.
Vedas
What: Rhymes, hymns, and explanatory texts composed by Aryan priests.
Where: India
When: 1500-500 BCE
Why we care: Brahmans, priests of Vedic culture, incorporated the texts into ritual and society. The Vedas are considered the final authority of Hinduism.
Council of Cleremont
***
When? 1095
Where? guess
Who? Pope Urban II
What? Location of Urban II's great speech calling Europe to Crusade. Those present scattered across Europe repeating his words (not verbatim of course) to appeal to all Europeans' sense of duty.
Why we care?
As a result, Europe becomes unified in this goal of reclaiming the Holy Land and aiding the East. Urban II consolidates the Church's power over the states by calling them to unite with each other under a religious mission. Large shift of power from Charlemagne's time.
Battle of Manzikert
*
When? 1071
Where? Manzikert
Who? Seljuk Turks under Toghril Begh vs Byzantines
What? decisive battle which led to crippling defeat of the Byzantines, resulting in Alexius's call for help from Western Europe
Why we care?
Without this decisive battle, the Crusades may not have occurred when and as they did. Alexius's "we're all Christians" message brings a sense of unity to the divided Christian sects.
The First Crusade
***
When? 1096 - 1099
Who? Western Europeans
Where? To Jerusalem from Europe
What?
--mobilization of both knights and peasants in Europe to join forces --march to the aid of the Byzantine Empire and attempt to reclaim Jerusalem from the Turks.
--Crusader Adhemar de Montail wields Spear of Destiny to boost morale during siege of Jerusalem
Why we care?
--gives Europeans, who were quarreling prior to its undertaking, a reason to unite
--consolidates power of Catholic Church
--sparks tensions between Christianity and both Judaism and Islam
--establishes Crusader States around Jerusalem
--success of First Crusade leads to many more after it
Second Crusade
**
When? 1145-1149
Where? Crusader States
What? a Crusade called together by Bernard of Clairvaux. Failed to reclaim holy land.
Why we care?
Shows the ongoing power of the First Crusade. The Church knows it can mobilize the Europeans now, so it does so. The Crusade furthers the tensions between Christianity and Judaism as more slaughter of Jews occurs
Saladin
*
When? 1138 - 1193
Where? Crusader States
Who? Chivalrous leader of Ayyubid Dynasty who opposed the Third Crusade
What? founded Ayyubid Dynasty and wrested Crusader States back from Europeans
Why we care?
Demonstrates the instability of the Crusader States and the weak hold Europeans had on them. This leads to the Third Crusade.
Third Crusade (The King's Crusade)
**
When? 1189 - 1192
Where? from Europe to Jerusalem
Who? Important figures include Philip of France, Richard the Lionhearted of England, and Frederich Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire
What? Crusade to counter the increasing strength/expansion of Muslims under Saladin
Why we care?
Crusading becomes the standard response of Europe to any threatening actions by the Muslims.
The Fourth Crusade
***
When? 1202-1204
Where? Constantinople
What? The ultimate failure of a crusade. They made it to Constantinople and sacked the city completely, looting valuables and slaughtering innocents, etc.
Why we care?
Essentially ruined chances for official reunion of Eastern and Western Christianity. Signifies an all time low when Crusaders not only slaughter Jews and Muslims but also turn on fellow Christians as well out of greed.
Albigensian Crusade
*
When? 1209 - 1245
Where? Languedoc
What? Crusade intending to eliminate the Cathar heresy
Why we care? It had strong political undertones. The secular and spiritual join together once more.
Children's Crusade
*
When? 1212
What? A Crusading force consisting entirely of children sent to reclaim the Holy Land. Europeans thought God would guide the innocent youths to victory, keeping them under His protection.
Why we care?
Thousands of children were slaughtered or enslaved at the hands of the Muslims. Europeans' belief that the children could peacefully convert Muslims in Jerusalem to Christianity were mistaken.