End of Year Review: Ancient Civilizations
Boys in Athens
went to school
Olympians
what the gods and goddesses are called who live on Mt. Olympus, Prometheus helped Zeus overthrow the Titans
Proverb
wise saying
Slaves in Athens
worked so men could take part in the government
cuneiform
world's first writing system. Wedge shaped symbols
Greek gods and goddesses
• Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena - Symbols and images in Western literature, art, and architecture of today
Delian League
Alliance between Athens and many of its allied cities following the first attempted invasion of Perisa into Greece. Caused a lot of wealth to flow into Athens and thus contributed to the Athenian "golden age."
Hieroglyphics
An ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds
Torah
First five books of the Hebrew Bible
King Saul
First king of Israel, won many battles against the Philistines and disobeyed God's commands
Han Dynasty in China
Founded by Liu Bang (a peasant) Second imperial dynasty of China Considered a golden age in Chinese history - economic prosperity, military advancement, newly conquered territories, science, technology, and mathematics-valued scientific knowledge.
Abraham
Founder of Judaism who, according to the Bible, led his family from Ur to Canaan in obedience to God's command.
Peisistratus of Athens
Gave farmers land and loans, increased civic participation
Cleishthenes
Greek leader who and is credited with making the government of Athens a democracy by establishing an assembly
Pythagoras and Euclid
Greek mathematicians
Socrates
Greek philosopher; socratic method--questioning; sentenced to death for corrupting Athens youth
Vaisyas
merchants, farmers, craftspeople, and traders
surplus
more than enough of something
What would you find in Egypt that shows their religious beliefs?
mummification, pyramids, temples, statues for gods
emperor
one ruler over an empire
ziggurat
place of worship in Mesopotamia in the center of the city
Brahmins
priests
embalming
process developed by the ancient Egyptians of preserving a person's body after death
Kshatriyas
rulers and warriors
Greek influence on Western Civilization
sculpture and architecture copied much later in Europe and around the world
Boys is Sparta
served in the military
isolate
set apart from others
Delta
triangular area of land formed by silt at the mouth of rivers. Most fertile land in Egypt.
Shudras
unskilled workers
Checks and Balances
used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch
revolt
a violent uprising against a ruler
scribe
a writer
afterlife
life after death
merchants
traders and businessmen
Trade & Standardized Money
Alexander the Great helped establish it.
epic
long poem about a hero
Library of Alexandria
Library in Egypt which was an important center of learning in the Hellenistic Age.
subcontinent
A large piece of land separated from the rest of the land by a large physical feature.
Upanishads
A major book in Hinduism that is often in the form of dialogues that explored the Vedas and the religious issues that they raised.
alloy
A mixture of two or more metals
Roman roads
A network of paved roads extended throughout the empire. The roads allowed the Romans to communicate and move armies and goods easily
prophet
A person who speaks or interprets for God to other people
sanctuary
A place of protection
democracy
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Hinduism
A religion native to India, featuring belief in many gods and reincarnation
Cyrus the Great
A remarkable leader who managed to reunite he Persian Empire in a powerful kingdom. Allowed the Jews to return to Judah
Pharaoh
A ruler of ancient Egypt
dynasty
A series of rulers from the same family
Punic (Carthaginian) Wars
A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage (264-146 B.C.); Cause-protecting the strait of Messina.
Persian War
A series of wars between the Greeks (mainly Athens) and the Persians in which the Greeks were usually victorious like at Plataea
Hebrews
A smaller early civilization whose development of a monotheistic faith that provided the foundation of modern Judaism, Christianity
Huang He River
"river of sorrows" floods; Also called the "yellow river".
philosophy
A system of beliefs and values
Caste System
A system of social classes in India into which a person was born. It determined their job and social status, from which one could never change. It was believed that if you lived a moral life, you would be reborn into a higher caste in the next life.
Parthenon
A temple dedicated to the goddess Athena
Aryans
A warlike group of people from the north whom attacked the people at the city of Mohenjo-Daro.
Priests and nobles
2nd level of the social pyramid, worked for the gov.
scribes and craftsmen
3rd level of the social pyramid, created all written works and other items needed for the community
Farmers
4th level of the social pyramid and worked to grow all items needed for their community
Homer
A Greek poet, author of the Iliad and the Odyssey
The Wooden Horse
A Plan on how the Greeks get into Troy
Great Wall
A barrier made of walls across China's northern frontier.
city-state
A city within walls and the countryside around it.
polis
A city-state in ancient Greece.
direct democracy
A form of government in which citizens vote on all rules, create and enforce laws and act as judges
Acropolis
A fortified hilltop in an ancient Greek city, safe place during invasions
Republic
A government in which citizens rule through elected representatives
oligarchy
A government ruled by a few powerful people
Gobi Desert
A high desert in China and Mongolia.
Lyceum
Aristotle's school of philosophy.
Battle of Thermopylae
Battle during the Persian wars in which Spartan troops fought to the death(last) against a much larger Persian force
Battle of Marathon
Battle where the Persians who invaded Greece were defeated on the Plain of Marathon by an Athenian army.
Monotheism
Belief in one God
Buddhism
Belief system that started in India in the 500s BC. Happiness can be achieved through removal of one's desires. Believers seek enlightenment and the overcoming of suffering.
morals
Beliefs about what is fair and what is right or wrong
stupa
Buddhist shrine that is shaped like a dome or mound
Hannibal
Carthaginian military commander who, in the Second Punic War, attempted a surprise attack on Rome, crossing the Alps with a large group of soldiers, horses, and elephants.
Nebuchadnezzar
Chaldean king who rebuilt Babylon, destroyed Solomon's Temple, and forced Jews into captivity
Confucius
Chinese philosopher who thought family obligations had the greatest influence on Chinese behavior and thinking.
Constantinople
City founded as the second capital of the Roman Empire; later became the capital of the Byzantine Empire; center of Christianity
Peloponnesian War
Conflict between Athens and Sparta; were divided and weak
Silk Road
Connected China, India, and the Middle East. Traded goods and helped to spread culture.
Slaves
Considered lower than farmers but had some legal rights
Emperor Constantine
Converts to Christianity. Allows freedom of worship, Christianity becomes legal
Persians
Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Xerxes were the most famous rulers;
Persian Wars: events after it
Delian League,Athens dominates and grows politically, Pericles,
Shadoof
Egyptian machine used to raise water.
Papyrus
Egyptian paper
Wudi
Emperor under the Han Dynasty that wanted to create a stronger central government, highly educated and trained
Nirvana
Enlightenment
trade
Exchange of goods and services/Greece had limited resources
Olympics
Greek athletic competitions(games) to celebrate the gods(Zeus) and feed city-state rivalries
Sparta
Greek city-state that was ruled by an oligarchy, focused on military physical training, discouraged the arts
Untouchables
Harijans/Pariah/Dalit: any person outside the caste system
Alexander the Great dies
His kingdom was divided into 4 kingdoms
Yangtze River
Longest major river in China
Carthaginians
In 264 and 202 B.C.E., Rome fought two protracted and bloody wars against Carthaginians. , These people were descendants of Phoenicians. Hannibal.
Patrician
In ancient Rome, a member of the privileged upper class.
Mohenjo-Daro
Indus Valley city laid out in a grid pattern. Had a complex irrigation and sewer system.
Moses
Led the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt; received the 10 commandments
Western Roman Empire
It finally fell for many reasons( mostly invasions) in 476 AD, nearly 150 years after the establishment of Constantinople
Synagogue
Jewish house of worship
Octavian/Augustus
Julius Caesar's grandnephew, later known as Augustus. By defeating Mark Antony, he gained rule of all roman lands. He was Rome's first true emperor.
King Solomon
King of Israel (King David's son) who built a great temple in Jerusalem
Zeus
King of the gods
Jupiter
King of the gods-Rome
How did Egypt influence Kush?
Kush worshipped rulers like a god, built pyramids, and used a form of hieroglyphics like Egypt.
Spartacus
Most famous gladiator who started a rebellion and was killed in battle
Hellenistic
Of or influenced by the Greek Empire. A type of culture typically referred to after the conquests of Alexander the Great. Still influences cultures today.
Shang Dynasty
One of the first Chinese dynasties, ruled from 1700 to 1122 B.C.E. ruled by a king and supported by warlords. Achievements in writing.
Julius Caesar
Part of the first triumvirate who eventually became "emperor for life". Was assassinated by fellow senators in 44 B.C.E.
Taxes in Rome
Pays for: soldiers, religious temples, roads and monuments
Tiber River
River that runs through Rome used for transportation and trade
military conquest
Roman expansion was built on
Roman Warships tactics
Roman navy would catapult beehives onto enemy ships to disrupt the crew/built own warships
Twelve Tables
Rome's first code of laws; adopted in 450 B.C. Plebeians knew the law well
cataract
Rough rapid waters in the Nile.
Plato
Socrates most well known pupil. Founded an academy in Athens.
fertile
Soil that is rich in nutrients and good for farming.
helots
Spartan slaves
Women in Athens
Stayed home and completed domestic chores and raised their children.
Aquaducts
Structures built by the Romans to transport water
citizenship
active membership in a political community/in Greece it was free native-born men owned land
sphinxes
stone statues of imaginary creatures with bodies of lions and heads of animals or people
Dharma
The Hindu and Buddhist belief that all people follow a natural set of rules to be good.
Battle of Plataea
The Spartans and the Athenians unite and the Persians flee. This is the last battle.
Titans
The TITANS ruled the world before the Olympians.
reincarnation
The belief that after death, the soul is reborn into a new life. If you led a good life, you were born into a higher caste.
seperation of powers
The division of a central government into two or more branches, each having its own responsibilites and authorities.
Qin Shi Huandi
The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty who created and practiced Legalism, built a strong, centralized government, standardized laws, writing, coins, weights and measures, improved irrigation, roads, canals, trade, transportation. Protected empire from outside enemies with army, and built the Great Wall of China.
silt
fertile soil
Chaldeans
The new Babylonians, their king was king Nebuchadnezzar. They were defeated by the Persians
Vedas
The religious books of Hinduism.
monsoons
The summer winds that come off of the Indian Ocean and bring tons of rain to India, good for farming, but bad due to flooding.
Himalayas
These mountains separate India from China and are the tallest in the world.
nobles
They worked for the pharaohs or royal family. Overseers of the lands worked by peasants.
Cleopatra
last pharaoh of Egypt; had alliance with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony; Octavian's enemy
What rights did women have in Egypt?
Women could hold positions of authority, serve as a ruler or co-ruler, and expected to be active in society
Latin Prefixes
You can use latin prefixes and suffixes to help you figure out the meanings of words. Each prefix and suffix has a particular meaning.
Mediterranean Sea
a body of water west of Israel
mild climate
a climate without extreme weather conditions that leds to a plentiful food supply
monarchy
a form of government with a monarch at the head and passes it to the oldest son in Greece
deity
a god or goddess
bureaucracy
a group of non-elected government officials
Greek colonies
a group of people who leave their native country to form in a new land a settlement due to shortage of food
Vizier
a high government official in ancient Egypt
Exodus
a large-scale departure or flight
warlord
a military commander exercising power by force
Strait of Salamis
a narrow strip of water near Athens where the Greeks attacked the Persians by using smaller and faster ships
noble
a person from a rich or powerful family
ancestor
a person that someone is descended from, relatives that are from your past
merchant
a person who buys and sells goods
papyrus
a reed plant that could make a paper-like material
aristocrats
a rich landowner or noble
Commandments
a rule that God wanted the Israelites to follow
Pslam
a sacred song or poem used in worship
dynasty
a series of rulers from one family
trade network
a system of people in different lands who trade goods
pharaoh
a title used for the ruler of Egypt
Covenant
an agreement with God
plateau
an area of high, flat land
decree
an official order issued by a legal authority
hieroglyphics
ancient Egyptian writing system
polytheism
belief in many gods
oracle bones
bones that ancient priest used to speak for a god or goddess
Italy
boot shaped country in the Mediterranean Sea
Seven Hills of Rome
built on; made it easier to protect themselves
King David
considered one of the greatest kings of all time and defeated Goliath, second king
tyranny
cruel and unjust use of power
Solon of Athens
democratic reformer/allowed more men to become citizens
architecture
designing or constructing buildings
canal
dug out ditch used to get water to dry areas
Brahmanism
early religion of the Aryans
Aeneid
epic poem by Virgil that told the story of a great Trojan hero, Aeneas (similar to The Iliad and the The Odyssey)
Neptune
god of the sea, sailors would worship this god
Athena
goddess of wisdom and war, the Parthenon
imports
goods and items brought in from other regions
Exports
goods and items sent out to other regions
monarchy
government run by a king
theocracy
government run by a religions leader
Women in Sparta
had more rights than other Greek women; owned land, ran households when husbands were away, received physical training and could own property
Ramses the Great
he last great Egyptian pharaoh circa 1200 BC who ruled for 66 years, fought the Hittites, and built Karnak
Menes
he united Upper and Lower Egypt into one country and wore the double crown
Roman coins
helped increase trade by having coins standarized
pyramids
huge stone tombs with triangular wall that meet in a point
Slaves in Sparta
if they served in the military, they could become free as a reward
inoculation
injecting a person with a small dose of a virus to help build up defenses to a disease
farmland
land used for farming, but in Greece it was limited due to mountainous terrain
tribute
something done or given to show thanks or respect; a payment
Xerxes
son of Darius; became Persian king. Married Esther and stopped a plan that would have killed many Jews
Alexander the Great
son of Philip II; received military training in Macedonian army and was a student of Aristotle; great leader; conquered much land in Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; goal was to conquer the known world
mummies
specially treated bodies wrapped and preserved
Tutankamen
the "boy king" who lived and ruled only a brief time but whose tomb was not robbed and held many treasures
engineering
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
Mandate of Heaven
the belief that the Chinese kings' right to rule came from the gods
Athens
the capital and largest city of Greece, had small number of citizens, focused on arts and education
Diaspora
the dispersion of the Jews outside Israel
Karma
the effects that good or bad actions have on a person's soul
Siddartha Guatama
the first Buddha who set forth the Four Noble Truth, The Middle Way to Nirvana, and The Eight-fold Path.
Hatshepsut
the first woman ruler of Egypt circa 1472-1458 BC - she brought peace and increased trade
meditation
the focusing of attention to clear one's mind and produce relaxation
12 tribes of Israel
the future name for the descendants of Abraham; tribes named for the sons of Jacob/Israel
Romulus and Remus were
the main characters in the story about the beginnings of Rome.
Judaism
the monotheistic religion of the Jews.
sanskrit
the most important language of ancient India
irrigation
the process of getting water to dry land for crops
exile
to force someone to live in another country
unify
to join together into one group
standardize
to make uniform or the same
