0001 Ancient Civilizations (SMR 1.1) Flashcards
(254 cards)
1
Q
What methods of inquiry help us know about pre-history? (3)
A
- Archaeological excavations, as well as paleontological research
- Burial habits, stone tools, pottery and clothes
- Human tools & artifacts
2
Q
What do archaeological excavations and paleontological research provide us with?
A
information on human life and environment in the Mesolithic period
3
Q
What is among the most important evidence used by archaeologists for both recognizing the extent and spread of settlements and their level?
A
Stone tools and pottery
4
Q
____ and _____ give us clues to how a culture has evolved
A
Human culture and religion
5
Q
What do the Dolman Burial sites in Israel teach us?
A
that the Dolman did not just dump dead on side of road but their culture had a reverence for the dead and afterlife
6
Q
What do the Altamira, Spain cave paintings depict?
A
things like bison that gives idea of how much artists revered that life force
7
Q
Why is ecology important when it comes to studying early human life?
A
Much of the history of man has been a quest for finding and establishing secure sources of food and nourishment. The relationship between nature and man is thus most important to understanding the progress of history
8
Q
What time period is considered “The Stone Age”?
A
2.5 mil to 3500 BCE
9
Q
What are the three periods of the Stone Age?
A
- Paleolithic (Old Stone Age): 2.5 mill to 200,000 BCE
- Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age): 200,000 to 10,000 BCE
- Neolithic: 10,000 - 3500 BCE
10
Q
What type of ecology exists in the Paleolithic era?
A
None, because there are not humans in this time period, only homo-sapiens
11
Q
What type of ecology is present in the Mesolithic time period?
A
Humans appear and nature and man are co-existing but nature has upper hand, man is struggling
12
Q
What type of ecology is present in the Neolithic time period?
A
Introduction of agriculture, man has figured out ways to manipulate nature, introduction of animal husbandry
13
Q
What period comes after the Stone Age?
A
The Bronze Age (3500-1500 BCE)
14
Q
What occurred in the Bronze Age?
A
men find ways to manipulate metals, particularly bronze, to create tools, first civilizations emerge as humans become more technologically advanced
15
Q
What was the earliest style of society to exist in pre-history?
A
Pre-historic hunter gatherer society
16
Q
Who were pre-historic hunter gatherers?
A
Bands of scavenging humans who hunted medium sized animals, collected roots and wild fruits, and used dead carcasses for survival
17
Q
Pre-historic hunter gatherers are most associated with what time period?
A
Mesolithic, where nature had control over man
18
Q
What were some of the characteristics of the pre-historic hunter-gatherer society? (4)
A
- Lived in forests for easy access to food & shelter
- Periodically moved to other places after exhausting the available food resources, nomadic society that moved with season and animals
- Did not build houses and lived in the open air or in caves (Hence the “Cave Man”)
- Developed stone tools
19
Q
Most groups in pre-historic society where made up of what?
A
Family & Tribe, Various male or female dominated tribes and families existed in different regions. No exact pattern until the Neolithic Revolution
20
Q
What is considered a family in pre-historic society?
A
closely related members of a nuclear and extended family who shared basic tasks and duties
21
Q
What is considered tribe in pre-historic society?
A
close kin-group, consisting of several families, often sharing an ultimate ancestor, who lived, moved and worked together
22
Q
What was potentially the earliest forms of religion and why do we believe this?
A
- Belief in protective spirits
- Ancestor worship
Evidence for this is in Burials and artifacts
(i.e. grave goods, burial positions, location and arrangement of graveyard)
23
Q
What did burial positions show?
A
Burial positions (fetus position, side position, etc.), showed that people had some sense of anatomy for how they entered and exited the world
24
Q
What was the earliest indication of a sanctuary / temple?
A
Location and arrangement of the grave yard
25
What were the two primary examples of prehistoric art?
1. Painting (mostly cave paintings in Europe due to terrain)
| 2. Sculpture (widespread throughout East Asia to Africa and Americas)
26
What did early cave paintings show?
Early cave paintings, mostly found in Europe, showed natural subjects like animals, hunt scenes and humans
27
What do cave paintings show us about art, society, social class and religion in early pre-historic times?
Art: understanding of beauty and creativity
Society: family and groups participating in hunts
Social class: artists were probably a separate and/or religious class who had time to paint
Religion: evidence of animal worship
28
What did early pre-historic sculptures feature?
Clay based, sometimes painted, with mostly zoomorphic or anthropomorphic subjects (taking animal parts and morphing with human parts, shows reverence of animals in early religion)
29
What might early sculptures communicate to us?
The sculptures with zoomorphic or anthropomorphic subjects show reverence of animals in early religion, some figurines might have been interpreted as gods / goddesses
30
What occurred in the Neolithic Revolution (Agricultural Revolution) ca. 10,000 BCE?
Humans begin to understand the growing seasons and water sources.
Development of animal domestication, cultivation, and specialization in food production and basic division of labor
(cultivation: women; animal husbandry: men)
31
What might have indicated the presence of a manner of religion in the Neolithic age?
Sophisticated stone tools, appearance of pottery and clay figurines
32
Where did the Neolithic Revolution take place?
Human settlement in the Near East, spreading to Europe. Different Chinese and Meso-American Neolithic ages
33
What agricultural technology takes place in early civilization? (4)
1. Seed adoption
2. Irrigation
3. Animal domestication
4. Animal husbandry
34
What is seed adoption and what is an example?
humans understood the difference between high yield and low yield seeds: deliberate selection of seeds used to cultivate: einkorn wheat is the first example
35
What role did irrigation play in early civilization?
various forms of irrigation (canals, aqueducts, weirs, dams) were slowly developed to allow farmers to use natural water sources such as rivers and rain water (most early human settlements were built by water sources)
36
What role did animal domestication play in early civilization?
Animals were domesticated both for their products (meat, wool, dairy) and for their value as pack animals (donkeys and horses mostly)
37
What role did animal husbandry play in early civilizations?
Settled societies participated in transhumance (season movement of animals)
I.e. the best mate producing cows would mate with the strongest bulls to improve dairy production
Nomadic societies followed their animals, mostly cattle, to where there was ample grazing grounds (goats, sheep)
38
What led to the first formal concept of trade?
Nomadic societies were much more likely to produce animal products so when they wanted or need agricultural products, they would then trade with settled societies who would want meat, dairy or fur,
39
What two farming methods were used in early civilizations?
Hand plowing and irrigation
40
Where was hand plowing the most common and why?
Hand plowing was the most common in the Near East: soft soil, limited animal labor
41
What was the most important matter in the maintenance of agricultural society?
Irrigation
42
How did early farming techniques impact Egypt?
“Gift of the Nile” - regular, pre-cultivation season flowing of the river resulted in well irrigated land, fertile top soil led to political stability and social stability for thousands of years, allowing them to last unbroken to frequent invasions
43
How did early farming techniques impact Mesopotamia (Iran & Iraq)?
irregular, destructive flows; more sophisticated dam system needed to be developed, destruction could be attributed to bad leadership in years of invasion, leads to overturning of political control and social instability as politics is reconstructed
44
How did early farming techniques impact Indus Valley (India & Pakistan)?
irregular flow also required a complicated canal and weir system
45
How did early farming techniques impact China?
Yellow River (Huang He) carried extremely fertile soil (loess) but flooded periodically, requiring system of dams and dike to hold back the flooding
46
The Fertile Crescent has the ______ sea on one side, the ______ desert on the other and the ______ mountains on the other side.
Mediterranean, Arabian, Taurus & Zagros
47
In initial settlement's people lived in _______. What were the characteristics of these?
Villages, Villages were made up of units of farmers who often had a semi nomadic existence and took part in farming and animal husbandry
48
Were early societies settled or nomadic?
Early societies not necessarily fully settled: season nomadism (transhumance -- grazing of animals)
49
How did societies change once they learned how to produce agriculture?
Once societies learned how to produce agriculture and do farm work for steady food supply, less hands were needed and the division of labor and introduction of social classes start to form with things like artisans/ craftsman to create vessels for surplus food and priestly class for religious matters, and military class for protection
50
What is an example of a village society that later turned to a city?
An example of a village society that later turned to a city is the city of Ur: as agriculture improved, the artisan / craftsman became their own class, priestly class gets involved in redistributing food to those not involved in agriculture, military class becomes more centered on protecting groups of people, as influence grows, a temple is built making the priestly class more central to society and more protection is necessary so a wall is built
51
What characteristics did early cities and city states have?
- "Glorified villages" farming units
- A temple
- Walled encolsures for security
- Priests as authorities in distribution of agricultural goods
- Overpopulations
- Religious military elite
- Built along rivers
52
What was the purpose of a temple in early city-states?
center for distribution of agricultural products: contribution and sacrifice to the cultic god is then redistributed to the agriculturally non-productive segments
53
What was the purpose of walled enclosures in early city-states?
Walled enclosure provided security for the rural population: cities function as fortresses
54
What was the role of priests in early city states?
Priests become authorities in distribution of agricultural goods, as well as assigning people to perform tasks
55
Why did early city-states experience overpopulation?
Due to successful agriculture, creates limited resources
Competition over resources → violence, military conflict
Thus: increasing importance of cities as defensive structures
56
Who were considered the elite in early city states?
Religious-military elite
57
What was the most important factor to the continuation of city states?
Irrigation from river systems
58
What early city state were seafarers who navigated the mediterranean at night by following the stars?
Phoenicians
59
What group was the first to create canals, irrigations and dikes?
The Sumerians were the first to create canals, irrigation and dikes. Sumer is located in the middle of the Tigris and Euphrates therefore it needed to build these for survival.
60
What group was known for developing the decimal system, solar calendar, and contributing to geometry and astronomy?
The Egyptians
61
Pre-history is called pre-history because it is the period of human history before _____ was developed.
writing
62
Lower paleolithic societies used _______ tools.
crude
63
What is known of upper paleolithic pre-history?
Humans began to develop wider variety of tools, wear clothes, organize in groups with social structures, practiced art and lived in caves
64
What is known of the neolithic period of pre-history?
More complex social structures, family and ideas of religion and govt are present, humans domesticate animals and produce crops, build houses, start fire with friction tools and knit, spin and weave
65
What are the two methods of anthropology?
Cross cultural research and comparative research
66
What are the four major division of anthropology?
Biological
Cultural
Linguistic
Archaeology
67
Because of archaeological findings, it is believed that humans or near humans have existed for how long?
600,000 years
These humans eventually developed into co-magnon man to homosapiens or modern man
68
When and what is the iron age?
Beginning in 1,200 to 1,000 BCE, metal tools replace stone tools as humans develop knowledge of smelting
69
Civilizations are defined as having what four characteristics?
1. Use of metal to make weapons and tools
2. Written language
3. Defined territorial state
4. Calendar
70
What were the four earliest civilizations?
1. Nile River Valley in Egypt
2. Mesopotamia
3. The Indus Valley
4. Hwang Ho in China
71
The earliest civilizations developed in the _______ valley in ________, now part of ____, and in Egypt's __________.
Tigris-Euphrates
Mesopotamia
Iraq
Nile Valley
These civilizations arose between 5,000 and 3,000 BCE and are known as the fertile crescent
72
Why are early civilizations sometimes called Fluvial Civilizations?
Because they were founded near rivers
73
What did rivers and waters offer early groupings? (3)
1. Water for drinking, cultivating crops, and caring for domesticated animals
2. A gathering place for wild animals to be hunted
3. Rich soil deposits as a result of regular flooding
74
Who popularized the term "Fertile Crescent"?
James Breasted, an archaeologist from University of Chicago
75
How does the location of settlements influence politics? (2)
1. the fact that societies settle down and become agriculturally based means there needs to be a ruling class to distribute and lead
2. the geography of each society plays a role in how stable the political system is in each society
76
What was the essential role of early cities?
The essential role of the city was to serve as a distribution center for the surplus products of the countryside (marketplace)
77
What are hinterlands?
agricultural fields right outside of the city
These were also ruled by the priest-kings of the city
78
What were the earliest occurrences of city states?
in Sumer and Elam and probably Harappa in the Indus Valley. It could have also existed early in Egypt but it wasn't documented
79
What did temples in early city states function as?
Temples functioned as both the religious and the administrative center
80
Priests displayed a marriage between _________ and _____.
Religion and law
81
What did religion look like in early city states?
Each city had an individual god, while recognizing gods of other cities (henotheism)
Following a city god was like following the laws of a country, while recognizing the laws of other countries
82
What was the difference between early priest kings and later priest kings in city states?
Early priest-kings were not hereditary but elected, over time it would become a hereditary role
83
How were the priests viewed in early city states?
Priests were representatives of the god, thus representatives of “the law”
Priests interpreted and administered the laws of the city based on the wishes of the god
They would work closely with military
84
What can be inferred based on the Great Ziggurat of Ur?
function of place of worship and defense mechanism, also a storage place for goods that were redistributed by priests. Took a lot of man power and man hours that shows great success of city state
85
What is the oldest civilization?
Mesopotamia
86
Where was Mesopotamia located?
Part of Fertile Crescent, located between Tigris and Euphrates River
87
What people groups were part of Mesopotamia?
Sumerians in the South (3000)
Babylonians in the North
Assyrians in the North (1160)
88
What were the social classes in Mesopotamia?
City-states ruled by powerful kings who shared power with temple priests
Other social classes included warriors and judges, free/independent commoners, dependent commoners (no property) and slaves
89
What was agriculture like in Mesopotamia?
Settled agriculture and constant, stable food supply
Parts of population freed to pursue governing, writing, reading, building, buying, and selling
90
What are Ziggurats?
Ziggurats: large, sloping step-pyramid temples, found in Mesopotamia
91
Who invented Cuneiform and what was it?
Sumerians in Mesopotamia
first written language, spread across Middle East, most extensive writing system in Mesopotamia
92
What is Babylon known for?
1792 - 1750 BCE: Babylonian emperor Hammurabi created Hammurabi’s Code
93
What is Hammurabi's Code?
a code of laws based on retribution, social standing, government’s responsibility to its citizens
Babylon had a centralized government with a bureaucracy that consolidated the “divinely chosen” king’s power
94
What group had access to iron and iron ore and were considered the first "empire"?
1160-629 BCE: Assyrians
95
What were characteristics of the Assyrian people?
- Terrorized and intimidated conquered nations; used exile to dissipate revolt attempts (i.e. Hebrews)
- Iron smelters in the bronze age
- Assyrians would eventually take over Babylon
96
What civilization was around for nearly 3,000 years?
Egypt
97
What is Egyptian Civilization known for?
Hieroglyphic writing
Pyramids of Giza
Pharoahs
Nile River
98
What were the Pyramids of Giza and why were they constructed?
2500 BCE: Pyramids of Giza constructed over the course of decades, built monuments to honor kings and shows they have enough resources to take population away from food production to build
Enduring architectural works and tombs for pharoahs in the afterlife to glorify their kings
99
What kept the Egyptian Civilization around for so long?
Nile River is the lifeblood of Egyptian civilizations
Flooded regularly, providing regular irrigation
Natural geographic barriers that protected it from invaders: Sahara desert, cataracts (mountains, rivers and rapid), Mediterranean Sea and red sea
100
What was the social structure of the Egyptian Civilization?
Pharaoh at top (treated like God), followed by priests, commoners and slaves
Women generally did not assume higher political positions
101
In Egypt, women generally didn't assume higher political positions. Who is an exception of this?
Queen Hatshepset: few exceptions of women taking rule, a very good ruler, when she died, her son made it a point to exacerbate her name from temples and defaced her statues
102
What brought an end to the Old Kingdom in Egypt and what occurred because of this?
2100 BCE: Drought and famine bring an end to the Old Kingdom, Egypt split into upper and lower parts again
103
What led to a unified Egypt in 1900?
1900 BCE: Agricultural surplus leads to unified Egypt, New Kingdom pharaohs begin trading with other cultures of the Mediterranean
104
What was the age of Great Pharoahs?
1500 BCE: Age of great pharoahs begin, Egypt at its most powerful, expand their borders south to Kush and parts of Mesopotamia
105
What started the slow decline of the Egyptian Civilization?
1200 BCE: Death of Ramses the Great (the same guy who went up against Moses)
106
Who was Egypt eventually conquered by in 332 BCE?
Alexander the Great
107
Who were The Kush?
A civilization in North Africa south of the Egyptians that stretched along the Nile River
Spread their empire south and traded heavily across Africa
108
The Kush were heavily influenced by neighboring Egyptians. What was same and different about them?
Religion, and hieroglyphs were the same but Kush had their own court ceremonies & religious gods
109
Which civilization ruled Egypt from 750-666 BCE, traded heavily with African and became a gateway to sub-saharan Africa?
The Kush
110
_______ was the capital and center of Kushite culture (c. 600 BCE), was the center of iron making, meeting place for traders from Middle East, Asia and Africa, had at least 5 queens that government and were eventually conquered by neighboring kingdom in 350 CE
Meroe
111
What was Sheba?
Sheba: A rich, wealthy area that controlled the Red Sea port
112
What was the Indus River Valley?
Modern day northwest India and Southwest Pakistan, doesn’t have natural barriers and is subject to foreign invasion, but like Egypt it flooded regularly
113
India's civilization had ________ states and ________ stability
decentralized, political/social stability
114
What were the accomplishments and downfall of the Harappan Civilization (3000 BCE) in the Indus River Valley?
Accomplishment: urban grid layout, sewage draining system, and precise scientific weights and measure system
Fell due to combination of drastic changes in the river course, over-salinated irrigation and invasions from Central Africa, did not fall due to lack of leadership
115
Who moved into the Indus River Valley after the Harappan Civilization?
1600-1000 BCE: Aryans move into Indus Valley
116
What did the Aryan civilization provide?
1500-500 BCE: Vedas, sacred text of Hinduism, set down in writing
They helped to develop both Hinduism and Buddhism
117
What would happen in the Aryan civilization throughout its reign?
1000-750 BCE: Aryans move into Ganges valley
563-483 BCE: Life of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
C. 320 BCE: Alexander the Great invades India
118
What two cities were walled cities built on a grid structure, showed evidence of highly organized and powerful ruling class. Major trading centers, social structure controlled by a powerful priest class system of writing, yet undeciphered
Harappa & Mohenjo Daro
119
What was the economic and political structure of the Aryans?
Nomadic herders from Central Asia. Stratified society with rigid caste structure: 4 Varnas of Hinduism
120
What are the 4 Varnas in Hinduism's caste system?
1. Brahmin (priests and scholars)
2. Ksatriya (kings and warriors)
3. Vaisya (property farmers, ranchers and merchants)
4. Shudra (servants of other three classes and farm workers)
and untouchables
121
How did the 4 Varnas impact society?
Created a stratified society based on the caste system.
| Could be reborn in a lower or higher caste gave incentive to follow laws
122
What was the agriculture like in China's early civilizations?
Further east in the Huang He or Yellow River system, flooded regularly leaving fertile top soil and silt called Loess, required organized leadership to protect it with dams and dikes
123
From 5000 - 3500 BCE, China was considered a ________ culture
Neolithic
124
What was the first dynasty in Chinese Civilization?
1700-1100 BCE: Shang Dynasty
125
What were characteristics of the Shang Dynasty?
well led and organized, able to expand beyond agriculture, earliest glazed pottery for trade, first appearance of Chinese script, first unified Chinese dynasty
126
What dynasty came after the Shang Dynasty?
1100-256 BCE: Zhou dynasty came to be when the Zhou rebelled against the Shang Dynasty’s corrupt king, ruled over 900 years
127
What is the Zhou Dynasty best known for?
Created the Mandate of Heaven which would inspire Taoism and Confucionism
128
What was the mandate of heaven?
The idea that the power to rule came from the gods (Tian), not from inherent human right. If ruler had lost Mandate of Heaven, it was acceptable to overthrow him
129
What was the social system like in the Zhou dynasty?
Zhou practiced a feudal system: local leaders became vassals of the emperor, pledging loyalty in return for fiefs of land. Feudal govt led to its downfall
130
Who was the founder of Taoism?
Lao Tzu (604 -517 BCE)
131
What was Taoism?
A religion of unity and opposites: that all must be in balance to promote harmony, which is the goal for life and the secret to peace and prosperity
132
What was Taoism used for in society?
Used to explain away natural disasters and reasons for rich and poor
133
What did Confucius emphasize?
Emphasized moral cultivation of individuals, service to the state, and leadership by ethical, educated men (i.e. Superior Men), five right relationships that encouraged social stability
134
What were the five right relationships?
1. Ruler and Subject: Ruler protects subjects and subjects obey rulers
2. Father and Son: Father provides for family and son obeys and brings pride to father
3. Husband and Wife: Husband guides family and wife supports
4. Older brother and younger brother: Older brother leads by example and younger follows
5. Friend to friend: Treated fairly and with good will
135
What occurred after the feudal system failed in the Zhou dynasty?
481 - 221 BCE: Warring states period
136
Which civilization developed much later than other civilizations because they had to migrate from a farther distance?
The Americas
137
What set apart the civilizations in the Americas from other early civilizations?
Ancient American civilizations did not develop in river valleys , they depended on rainfall, and developed settled agriculture much later than Asia, Africa, and Europe. They were more vulnerable to sustained drought and other natural disasters that interfered with agriculture, less politically and socially stable, less frequent and less monument building
138
American civilizations most likely migrated from the ______.
Bering Land Bridge
139
What was the first American Civilization and what were they like?
1200 - 500 BCE: Olmec Civilization
Southeast coast of Mexico, sophisticated social structure, monumental architecture (Colossal Stone Heads, most likely for religious purposes)
140
What civilization came after the Olmec Civilization?
300 BCE - 700 CE Teotihuacan Civilization
Central Mexico, religious ritual central to culture, built huge temple complexes, looked like Ziggurats but had more step pyramids than huge monuments
141
Who were descendents of the Olmecs that had a complex writing system, solar calendar we use today, innovations in mathematics and astronomy, came up with concept of zero, built monuments along star lines
The Mayan Civilization
142
How did religious institutions change with agriculture?
Prior to agriculture, the gods that were worshipped were mostly ancestral gods or protective gods as part of their nomadic culture but with neolithic revolution, and introduction of agriculture and settled groups, gods move to polytheistic and henotheistic
143
What is Polytheism?
belief in existence of many gods usually headed by a “high god” or the father of gods who is often associated with the sun or the sky (revered for their help with agriculture)
144
What are examples of Polytheism?
Egypt: Amon-Ra (sun god), Osiris, Isis, Horus, Seth
China: God above (Tien), protective gods, imperial gods
Vedic India, Indra, Mitra, Varuna
145
What is the important of the goddess Isis?
Isis was wife of Osiris, after her husband was killed, she tries to put him back together but can’t find the last piece, so she is responsible for helping her son Horus gain the strength to avenge his father’s death. Had a cult following and leads to other cults with female gods (like Mary)
146
What was Henotheism?
an extension of polytheism, belief in a pantheon of gods, with a head god, with the most important gods believed to be patrons of a tribe or city while all respected by others
147
What were examples of Henotheism?
Mesopotamia: Marduk (Babylon), Innana (Uruk), Ninlil (Nippur)
Greece: Athena (Athens), Zeus (Olympia), Apollo (Corinth)
148
What were the differences between chinese religion and other civilization's religions?
Confucianism and Taoism are moral philosophies rather than god or deic based, they are trying to regulate the relationship between the individual, the society and the state
149
What is Confucianism?
System of ethics and leadership based on order, harmony, and loyalty. The best rulers were those with superior leadership qualities, rather than those born into ruling elite. Superior men respected their elders and revered the past.
The five cardinal relationships helped to keep order and establish hierarchy, each has a specific role to play
Founded by Confucius in 5th Century BCE
Used to maintain order and obedience to the state
150
What is Taoism?
School of thought based on idea that all life is interdependent, human beings should exist in harmony with the Tao (or natural order). Institutions were dangerous because they led to competition and fighting; ideal state was a small, self-sufficient town. Ultimate values included patience, selflessness, and concern for others
Founded by Lao Tzu during the Zhou dynasty
151
What Tao concept was viewed as counterproductive by the state?
Tao concept of wu wei (effortless doing)
152
What is Legalism?
based on principle that man was inherently evil, needed strict laws and punishment to behave properly. The best government was a strong, central authority with an absolute leader and heavy taxes
153
Who was Legalism founded by?
Founded by Shang Yang during the Warring states period (Qin)
Intended to preserve law and structure over the whims of rulers
154
What two asian philosophical traditions existed in India?
Hinduism and Buddhism
155
What are the concepts behind Hinduism?
individuals must follow their dharma (duty) in life as determined by one’s birth and stage in life. Following one’s dharma leads to good karma, which allows one to move up to a better position in the next life following reincarnation. The ultimate goal is to end the cycle of birth/rebirth by reaching moksha, or oneness with the universe:
156
Is Hinduism Polytheistic or Monotheistic?
Polytheistic (but also spans monotheism): believing in Brahma (the creator) and his incarnations including Vishnu and Shiva
157
What are the sacred texts of Hinduism?
Sacred texts include the Rigveda, Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata
158
How was Hinduism used for the Indian govt?
Tool for Indian govt because it tied religious belief to follow ones social duties, to disobey was to condemn soul to lower caste
159
What is Buddhism?
Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), originally born a prince, attempted to understand the basis of suffering in the world. Turned away from Hinduism and realized the Four noble truths
160
What are the four noble truths?
1. All life is suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire
3. Suffering (and the cycle of life/rebirth/suffering) may be stopped.
4. The way out of suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path: live in a righteous manner and stop desiring material wants
161
How was Buddhism different than Hinduism?
Buddha rejected the caste system and Brahmanic rituals of Hinduism. Instead espoused complete equality among believers, didn’t flourish in India and was persecuted, but would become popular in China because of suffering in China, when dynasties were in decline, Buddhism was on the rise
162
Who was considered the first great WORLD empire and what made them different?
The Persian Empire: 559 - 333 BCE
Unlike previous empires like Assyrians or Babylonians, the Persian’s integrated all of its parts into one administrative system
163
Who were some of the Persian tribes that migrated to the Iranian Plateau in ca 1000 BCE
Parthians and Medes
164
Who were a few of the great conquerors of the Persian Empire?
Cyrus the Great
| Darius the Great
165
Which Persian leader conquered Elam, Media, Lydia, and Babylon and was first to expand Persian borders?
Cyrus the Great
166
Which Persian leader conquered Seythia?
Darius the Great?
167
How were Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great related?
Cyrus was Darius' father
168
Which Persian leader used innovative tactics like diverting the flow of of the Euphrates river to conquer Babylon?
Cyrus the Great
169
What was different about Cyrus the Great's Military tactics?
He respected local customs and beliefs, allowed local officials to remain in their positions, creating wide ranging bureaucracy
170
Which Persian leader established the Imperial system of satraps and provinces?
Darius the Great
171
How did Darius the Great set up the Imperial system?
placed satraps above local administrators, solidified govt by giving Satraps power in an emergency to provide for the people
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How did the Persian Empire communicate, farm, trade, and use transportation?
- Had first written Persian language
- System of roads “royal road”, start to settle away from rivers and more to trade routes which allows sustenance for large population
- Canal linking Nile River to Red Sea
- Utilized three river valley systems
173
What would lead to the fall of the Persian Empire in 332 BCE?
Fall of the Empire (Darius III) to Alexander the Great
174
What people groups existed in Archaic Greece (750-500 BCE)?
Minoans and Mycenaens are the main people group here, what we know about this comes from writers like Homer, concept of glorifying glory, shining out to be famous
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What occurred during the Archaic Greek period?
emergence of city-states and collapse of the Minoan civilization
176
What made the Greek empire not a typical empire?
didn’t conquer massive areas that it controlled
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What areas were part of Classical Greece (530-500 BCE)?
Athens & Sparta
178
Who was Pericles and why was he important to Classical Greece?
Pericles led Athens at most prominent time period - he was important because he encouraged defensive tactics during Peloponnesian war and was most famous for using the inspiring funeral oration that glorified fallen heroes to inspire others to take their place
179
Who was the charismatic leader of Sparta during the classical Greek period?
Lysander, was able to use clever strategy in Peloponnesian War and first Spartan to use a Navy, would lead to Sparta’s victory over Athens, instead of completely decimating Athens, he refused to destroy it and treated them with benevolence.
180
What was the result of the Persian Wars from 510-450 BCE?
The rise of Athens and Sparta as main Greek city-states
181
What league was created and dominated that led to a classical Athenian democracy full of philosophy and arts?
The Delian League
182
What was the Peloponnesian War and what was the result of it?
431-401 BCE: Peloponnesian War: War between Athens and Sparta; Fall of Athens
183
Who conquered much of Greece and was the first to conquer weakened Peloponesia?
Philip II of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great) conquered much of Greece in 338 BCE
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In 335 BCE, Philip II's son, _______ conquered the Persian Empire. How would this impact Greek culture?
Alexander the Great
His dominance allowed Greek culture to permeate through the three river valley system, prevented rebellion by leaving politics in conquered areas in place and marrying Greek culture with the culture of the conquered creating a cosmopolitan concept
185
What came about after Alexander the Great's death?
The Hellenistic Age: Greek language, art, architecture becomes commonplace throughout Egypt, Persia, and Mesopotamia
186
What was a Drachma and why was it important?
silver coin that features Alexander the Great’s face, important because it shows a stray away from the bartering system during the time of nomads vs. sedentary groups. Societies can barter for commodities and move more towards a currency economy, used to trade with Mesopotamia and to show the rule of Kings. Each new King made new coinage
187
What was the social structure present in Athens?
- Patriarchal society with strict social divisions
- Women under male authority (father, husband, son) could not own land nor become citizens, women were not expected to be educated, their role was to provide heirs
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Who could vote in Athens?
All free adult males (10% of population) who were 18 years of age were citizens and could participate in govt, citizens had to be very well educated and philosophy was an important field of study
189
What were the similarities and differences between Athen's social structure and Sparta's social structure?
Sparta’s social structure had a stratified society like Athenians, Spartans were at the top, next were the Perioikoi who were craftsman and merchants, and last section were helots (conquered people surrounding Sparta who turned into Serfs), dichotomy of treatment of women; women in Sparta had more rights than they did in Athens, women got to be educated, could practice trade, excessive wealth was frowned upon which was different, political structure was more oligarchian, Kings were in control in times of crisis and war, people themselves did not have a major voice in contrast
190
What did the culture in Athens value?
Central importance on appreciating human life and human beauty (sculpture, art, literature, etc.)
Valued heroism: Homer, The Iliad (Achilles is the hero) and the Odyssey (Odysseus is the hero)
Olympics - demonstrated athletic excellence
Anatomy (Hippocrates, Galen), Astronomy and Math (Archimedes)
191
What was the religion in Athens?
Polytheistic: gods were personification of nature and of human emotions (i.e. Athena - goddess of wisdom and war strategy, Zeus God of the Sky, Apollo god of the sun)
192
Who were the great philosophers in Athens and what were their beliefs?
- Use of logic and reason to investigate the universe
| - Socrates, Aristotle and Plato
193
What was the philosophy of Socrates?
unexamined life is not worth living, we have to look at how we live in order to bring about the best life possible
194
What is Plato's philosophy?
perfectly governed society is run by the wisest (philosopher kings), run through a republic that listened to the people but made decisions regardless of people
195
What is Aristotle's philosophy?
Examined the nature of the world and human society, how to diplomatically treat different groups of people, how the universe and humanity worked together
196
What type of governance did Athens have?
Direct Democracy: Every citizen sat in assembly and voted on laws
Laws proposed, directly voted on by members of the assembly (citizens)
Jury duty for citizens
3 branches of govt:
Strategos (generals): made decisions in times of emergency
197
How did Judeo-Christian values influence western thought?
set of laws that are above people and that moral behavior matters; 10 commandments, rule of law, love is a primary driver, justice is a primary driver, mercy and sympathy for poor, and idea that hypocrisy is sin, social welfare came out of Judeo-Christian ideas of taxation for social welfare within old Israel
198
How did the practice of Judaism start?
C. 1700 BCE: Hebrew God revealed himself to Abraham (Ancient Mesopotamia)
Emergence of Monotheism
Formation of holy covenant between Hebrews and God
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What happens 400 years after the Hebrew God reveals himself to Abraham?
1300 BCE: Moses leads Hebrews out of Egypt (Exodus); 10 Commandments given to Moses by God -- set up a foundation for most governments in the world, not just Judeo based govts in Europe
200
Where was the Kingdom of Israel?
Kingdom of Israel established on eastern shores of Mediterranean
201
What happened under King David in 1000 BCE?
under David, Israel conquers neighboring kingdoms of Moab, Edom and defines its borders from enemies
202
Despite invasions and loss of independence to the __________, __________, ________and the _________, Jews remained determined to preserve their culture and religion
Assyrians
Babylonians
Alexander the Great
The Romans
203
How did discrimination and persecution impact the Jewish people?
Faced discrimination and persecution which ironically helped Jews maintain their culture and religious identity, stated they suffer in gods name for a less worldly reward
204
What was the Jewish Diaspora?
Jews rebelled against Roman Empire because it went against their belief in one god. Revolts occurred in 66-73 CE
Jews were scattered around the Mediterranean, Persia, Central Asia.
Romans destroyed Jerusalem and dispersed jews
205
Early Christianity was most present in what areas?
Rome and the East
206
What was emphasized with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in 6-4 BCE?
emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human being
207
Why was Christianity considered a religion of lower classes?
Made Christianity universal -- it didn’t just benefit the jews or the upper class
208
How did Christianity's idea of helping the poor and disenfranchised impact the Roman Empire?
Quickly spread through the Roman Empire: replaces the dysfunctional imperial “social security” structure
Allowed a social role for women through charitable work
209
Despite persecution, Christianity became a powerful religion throughout the Roman Empire. Why was this?
Because of universal attraction, anyone can be a part of it.
Even Constantine’s mother was a Christian which may have motivated him to create the edict of Milan, making it a tolerated religion
By 380 CE, Christianity was the official religion of the empire
210
How did Judaism help shape modern democratic thinking?
- Human beings created in God’s image, had dignity and moral freedom (laws that protect life and livelihood)
- Written code of laws - Ten Commandments (concept that laws should be known to all people and laws should benefit all people)
- Social conscience -- each person and community should oppose injustice and oppression, help the unfortunate (it isn’t the role of the govt to suppress and oppress but to uphold well being of all people)
211
How did Christianity help shape modern domestic thinking?
- All people are equal before God (Even gave prominent role for women, women could be leaders and become nuns)
- Love and compassion for all people (Shown today on the statue of liberty, founding basis for those coming to America)
212
What system in Rome was present prior to the Roman Empire?
The history of Rome starts with a Republic for 500 years. During this time, the Roman Republic is governed under a senate. The Senate includes Patricians -- those who can hold public office, the Plebians -- the free citizens that don’t hold land or property, but can vote and hold office but not senatorial offices, and then slaves -- those who don’t have any rights. Works well and is prosperous but there is political and social unrest that needs a charismatic leader. One of these was Julius Caesar who was assassinated because the leadership thought he was trying to turn Rome into an Empire. His great nephew, Octavian would end up later turning the Roman Republic into an empire.
213
When was Rome founded and who ruled it?
735 BCE: Mythical founding of Rome; Rome ruled by 7 kings
214
When was the Roman Republic established?
509 BCE
215
Around what time were the Punic Wars?
264-146 BCE
216
When was Julius Caesar assassinated?
15 March 44 BCE
217
Who was Octavian (Augustus)?
Julius Caesar's Great Nephew
Known as "First Citizen"
Rules Rome as a monarchy disguised as a republic.
Centralizes political and military power but preserves some traditions of the Republic.
Launches Pax Romana and takes on role of Poxtifixus maximum (great leader)
Created the cult of the emperor
218
What was Rome's geography like before the Punic Wars?
Spread from the Aegean sea to the Adriatic Sea, across the Italian peninsula throughout the peninsula, went beyond its native borders because in the Eastern Mediterranean they dominated trade but they also wanted to control the Western Mediterranean trade which was controlled by Carthaginians.
219
What were the Punic Wars?
Three wars that were fought between the Romans and the Carthaginians for dominance of the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans won, and they won because of their military prowess, they emulated the Spartan Phalanx and perfected it. Had a large, well run army. Marks the beginning of Roman empire’s reign over the Mediterranean which means “Middle of the Earth” or “Our Sea”. Would end up expanding as far north as England/ Scotland and as far South as Nile and Indus River.
220
How was the Roman Republic stratified?
- Patricians (elite) ← only these were considered Roman citizens in the beginning. Later people of some allied and conquered regions were also granted “citizenship”
- Plebeians (commoners)
- Non Romans / Slaves (people from the provinces), they became slaves by going against the Roman Republic
221
What was the administration made up of in the Roman Republic?
- Consuls: two elected each year (Plebeian or Patrician)
- Senate: former office holders; legislative control, supreme power, made decisions at peace, but at war, the Consuls would take control
- Tribunes: exclusive representatives of the plebeian class, couldn’t discuss in the Senate but had veto powers
222
How was the administration set up in the provinces of the Roman Republic?
Original (republican) provinces were designated as the Senatorial provinces
Conquered territory was controlled by the conquering general (Imperial Provinces) who distributed land among his soldiers: establishing colonies
Conquered people were mostly okay with being in the Roman Republic, because they had a voice, but if they went against the Roman Republic, they would become slaves
223
How did politics of the Roman Empire differ from the early Roman Republic?
a continuation of the Roman Republic, but instead of a Consul, an emperor was in charge, the Senate still existed but didn’t have many powers
224
What dynasty established the Roman Imperial Administration?
31 BCE-14 CE: Augustus, Julius-Claudian Dynasty
225
What was the Roman Imperial Administration?
Like the Persia Empire, each province had a governor, although mostly in a military capacity, as well as an administrative one
Based originally on the Roman military administration
226
What was the Cult of the Emperor?
Elevation of the emperor to the level of god, disobeying the emperor was like disobeying god.
Established temples
Basis of Roman Peace (Pax Romana)
227
What is the Pax Romana?
200 year period starting with Augustus Caesar that led to a peaceful, prosperous time period, personal loyalty to the person of the emperor
228
Who were the 4 Roman Empires after Augustus Caesar?
Tiberius
Caligula
Claudius
Nero
229
What did the first five emperors of the Roman Empire accomplish?
Territorial expansion to Germania and Eastern Europe\
| Power of the Emperor over that of the senate
230
What occurred under the Flavian Dynasty (69 CE)?
65-70: The Roman-Jewish War; destruction of the Second Temple and the annexation of Judea (Emperor Titus)
Vespasianus builds the Coliseum
Domitianus undertakes first Christian persecutions
231
What occurred between 96-180 CE under the Five Good Emperors?
Under Hadrian, empire marks northernmost reach (Hadrian’s Wall -- near England/Scotland border)
Period of relative peace and prosperity, still some rebellions though among the Jews and Christians who believed in one single god and not the emperor, led to Jewish Diaspora in 90 AD where temple of Solomon is destroyed
180: Death of Marcus Aurelius; civil war and unrest; beginning of “Late Antiguity”
232
How does the geography of the Roman Empire expand?
Northern border in England, Southern border in Egypt and along Caspian Sea
233
What are two different art pieces in the Roman Empire and what do they represent?
SPQR - flag for the senate and people of Rome, showed that citizens of Rome are the government, citizens thought it was a “people led” government and that is why they had loyalty to it
Fresco of a Musician - a picture of a female musician in her home and her slave or servant, shows the different classes of Rome
234
What was the economy of the Greco-Roman world like?
Mediterranean economy was essentially agricultural in both Classical Greece and in Rome.
235
How did Agriculture impact Classical Greece?
Agriculture was considered an important job, although peasants largely an under-class
236
How did agriculture impact Rome?
Agriculture was the most important part of the economy
Large plantations: slave labor, mostly war captives; also free peasants worked the land
The nobility lived in the countryside agricultural estates (“villas”), only Patrician families in Rome had estates in the city
Most of the Roman conquests in Gaul, Spain, and North Africa was for the purpose of finding new land for the growing population
237
What was the Roman Empire's economic success tied to?
tied to extensive system of roads: 60,000 miles of road linked 100 million people for trade and for communication, was also used to suppress rebellions
Had a uniform currency, helped make for a fair exchange of goods
Greek is the language of trade in the Mediteranean
238
What were the two main aspects of the government of the Roman Empire?
1. Twelve tables and Justinian code: written legal codes, helped establish equal protection of the laws and the rule of law
2. Republic: Created an indirect democracy, voting rights to all free-born men, similar to what we have in the US today where decisions are made for the whole
239
What was different about Chinese Empires unlike Rome or Persian empires?
Unlike Rome or Persia, the power of the Chinese empire died down quickly
240
What was the first Dynasty of the Chinese Empire?
221 BCE: Qin (Chin) Dynasty: Emperor Shi Huangdi
241
What did Emperor Shi Huangdi accomplish in the Chin Dynasty?
Shi Huangdi unified China, standardized the writing system, his successors created extensive infrastructure; strongly utilized Legalism, strong administrative class
242
What led to the end of the Chin (Qin) Dynasty?
1029 BCE: Han Dynasty (founded by Liu Bang) take over from Chin because Chin weren’t doing a good enough job so they take on because of the Mandate of Heaven
243
What accomplishments occurred under the Han Dynasty?
- Consolidation of Chinese territories and development of the concept of Han Chinese
- Created better dams and regulated the language
- Confucianism adopted, first civil service developed, incorporated Legalism
- Silk Road began to flourish (trade with Central Asia, India, Roman Empire)
244
How did Confucianism incorporated with Legalism impact the Han Dynasty?
the combination of these two meant that people lived under the concept that man can not rule himself and that he needs to abide by the five right relationships, created a structured and well run society
245
What was the capital of the Han Dynasty?
There was a capital in Han (Chang An) and then there were provinces. The provinces report to capitol to deal with issues, gave semblance that the Han were able to care for its people without physically being there with them
246
What was different about the cities of Han China vs. other cities at the time?
Cities in Han China lie along trade routes rather than river flow
247
What was the Empire that was present in India before the Gupta Empire?
324-189 BCE: Mauryan Empire
248
What did the Mauryan Empire accomplish?
Created central state administrative structure, prior to this, India was made up of localized leaders
249
Who was the leader of the Mauryan Empire?
Emperor Asoka expanded Buddhism within and beyond India, one of few indian rulers who advocated for buddhism, helped bring about fall of empire since much of india is Hindu rather than buddhist
250
What were some characteristics of the Gupta Empire?
Renaissance of Hindu culture
| Sanskrit became language of communication, literature and philosophy
251
Who was the notable Emperor in the Gupta Empire?
320 CE: Chandragupta I, the grea test emperor and his grandson Chandragupta II
252
What allowed the Gupta Empire to expand their empire like they did?
What allowed them to expand their empire was their military prowess, they used bamboo and steel bows for long distance accuracy, armed forces and elephants and foot arches defended the borders
253
What was the geography of the Gupta Empire like?
Started in Indus River Valley and leads to Ganges River, was built along the Silk Road during time of Rome / Asia trading
254
What led to the collapse of the Gupta Empire in 550 CE?
Gupta empire collapsed to invading Huns
