The Ancient World Flashcards
What is history as defined by social science/liberal arts?
It is the study of human societies from the past through written documents
What is History (with a capital h)?
The past involving human societies uncovered through written documents
What is history (with a lowercase h)?
It is the study of past human societies through written documents
When does History begin?
It begins in 3,300 BC, who writing was invented
What did the Ancient Greeks use as a point of reference to date things?
They used the Olympic Games as a point of reference (ex: 2 years after the Olympic Games)
What did the Ancient Romans use as a point of reference to date things?
They used who was ruling (emperor) or the council (republic)
(ex: the 2nd year of the council of Caesar)
Who does History end?
It ends when the present begins
What is the time span from the beginning of History to its end?
3,300 BCE - the Present
What does BP mean?
Before the Present (everything in the past)
What does BCE mean?
Before the Common Era (before the hypothetical year 0)
What does CE mean?
of the Common Era
What is the first period in history?
Antiquity
What kind of evidence is used in the historical discipline?
Written documents
What are primary sources?
Documents written at the time being studied
What are secondary sources?
Books/articles written by specialists/historians about the past that use primary sources or a survey of information from primary sources to write them
What is the definition of a civilization?
It is a society that has reached a complex level of development
What are the typical features (5) of of a civilization?
1) Cities
2) Intensified/long-distance trade
3) Writing
4) Organized society/government
5) Having the tendency to compare themselves to uncivilized societies in order to describe their superiority
What is the definition of an organized society?
When a society has a structured system for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security and a national identity
What are the pros of a civilization?
Cultural development
Technological wonders
Quality of life
Wealth
What are the cons of a civilization?
Pollution
Epidemics
Warfare
Slavery
What are the core areas of the West?
Western Europe
Central Europe
North America
What are the characteristics (7) of the West?
European ancestry Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman foundation Christianity (Roman Catholic/Protestant) Democracy Capitalism Colonization Industrialization Etc.