History 1010 (Webb) midterm

Yahweh

A supremely powerful deity, the creator and sustainer of the world. He expected his followers to worship him alone and demanded they observe high moral and ethical standards. He warned his followers against destructive and antisocial behaviors such as lying, theft, adultery, and murder. His followers included Hebrews, Jews, and Israelites. Monotheistic God, meaning peoples recognized him as the one and only true God.

Mycenean

Greek civilization created by Indo- Europeans that dominated mainland Greece during the late bronze age. Lived in Mycenae. In the late bronze age, the Myceneans became the most dominant power in the Aegean. Considered to be the first people to speak what is considered the Greek language. Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey based on Mycenean civilizations. Their cultures spread to Greek mainland, Southwest Asia, and North Africa. The land was divided by estates which were ran by tenants. The Mycenean civilization declined in what is called the dark age. There is no evidence of Troy or Mycenean civilization as noted in the writing's of Homer.

Sea Peoples

Groups of people who settled the eastern Mediterranean after 1200 BCE. A rapid rise in population and the development of local natural resources, particularly iron, spurred this group.

Sargon the Great

He was seen as the creator of empire in Mesopotamia. He served as minister to the King of Kish, near Babylonia. He organized a coup and conquered cities one by one before setting up regional governments and seizing control of trade routes. Sargon became the first person in history to create an empire, ruling over a multi-ethnic people. Well known for his conquests.

Imhotep

Chief architect who created the step pyramid of Djoser, a structure that featured six tiers rising up in decreasing size, and was 200 feet tall. Poet,architect, and physician who served under four Egyptian Pharaohs. After his death ,Egyptians made Imhotep a god. So he was deified after death, which was a great honor in Egypt.

Hittites

The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian (modern-day Turkey) people who formed an empire between 1600-1180 BCE. The Hittites manufactured advanced iron goods, ruled over their kingdom through government officials with independent authority over various branches of government.

Oracle Bones

one of the animal bones or tortoise shells used by ancient Chinese priests to communicate with the gods. bones carved with the earliest known Chinese Kingdom writings -- Shang Kings used them to try to predict the future. A priest would normally study the cracks to find the answer to the question asked.

Xiao (filial devotion)

A confucian idea of respect for parents and family elders above all others. Confucius argued for its importance in creating a peaceful family and society. Wrote a book about xiao called "Xiao Jing," also known as the "Classic of Xiao" and written in the 4th century BCE.

Analects

Also known as the Analects of Confucius, are a record of the words and acts of the central Chinese thinker and philosopher Confucius and his disciples, as well as the discussions they held Animism - The belief that spirits inhabit the features of nature. A large collection of daily teachings of Confucius recorded by his students. Specifically, it's about how to better manage your relationships with your boss and subordinates, and your colleagues around you.

Akkadian

Began in 2350 BCE when Sargon - King of Akkad - began conquering Sumerian cities. The empire was the first to unite city-states under a single ruler and ruled for 200 years. It was located along the western bank of the Euphrates River possibly between the cities of Sippar and Kish.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese religious and political ideology developed by the Zhou, was the prerogative of Heaven, the chief deity, to grant power to the ruler of China. Importance: been in place since the zhou until the dynasty system ended and it can be argued that it is still used today. why was it created? to justify the zhou as the main power of the region/ over the shang dynasty.

How were the civilizations of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia similar and different?

Both Civilizations were developed around a river. Mesopotamia formed between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Egypt was formed around the Nile. Both grew into complex civilizations. Both had one main ruler. Egypt had a Pharaoh while Mesopotamia had a decentralized government with a king. The pharaoh was believed to be a god. Both patriarchal, but Egypt was more lenient towards women while Mesopotamia was stricter. Mesopotamia made women cover their bodies with clothes and veils. Egypt on the other hand allowed their women to become high political leaders. Although both had one main ruler, Egypt was centralized and whereas Mesopotamia was decentralized. Mesopotamia used Cuneiform while Egypt used hieroglyphics. Both worshipped multiple gods and goddesses. Both were like each other in many ways while also having their differences.

Buddhism

Buddhism emerged around the 6th century B.C.E. in India. It was founded by Gautama. There is no belief in a personal god. Buddhism is based on the idea of achieving nirvana. Nirvana is an enlightened state of mind in which there is no suffering and no sense of self. Buddhism believes you can only achieve Nirvana once in a lifetime. Whereas Hinduism believes this sensation can only be achieved after several lifetimes. Buddhism didn't believe in social classes; everyone was ranked the same and all could achieve Nirvana.

Confucius

Confucius was born to a rich family in Northern China and became a teacher and political advisor. His thoughts and saying were recorded in the book Analects. Western name for the Chinese philosopher Kongzi (551-479 B.C.E.). His doctrine of duty and public service had a great influence on subsequent Chinese thought and served as a code of conduct for government officials.

Ur

Considered to be the most important Sumerian city-state in ancient Mesopotamia. The city can be linked to biblical Abraham who left Ur to settle in the land of Canaan. Ur was an important trade center owing to its location at a pivotal point where the Tigris and Euphrates run into the Persian Gulf.

Cuneiform

Cuneiform is a written language of wedge shaped symbols developed by the Sumerians. With this, the Sumerians were able to record The Epic of Gilgamesh. People wrote it using a reed stylus cut to make a wedge-shaped mark on a clay tablet. Not a language, just symbols. This was very important because it started the basis of creating new languages and allowed people to record history in a sense.

Daoism

Daoism arose at roughly the same time as Confucianism, during the waning centuries of the Zhou dynasty. Daoism first appealed to many in the upper classes, who had an interest in a more elaborate spirituality. Daoism embraced traditional Chinese beliefs in nature's harmony and added a sense of nature's mystery. This new religion was furthered by Laozi.

Han Feizi

Founder of Legalism. Legalism is the Chinese belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest. He is important because legalism, which he created, became the official philosophy of the Qin dynasty. He lived in an oral society, meaning everyone spoke to the king orally. However, Han Feizi wrote his thoughts down instead. Because of this, we still have some of his thoughts recorded which gave us more insight into his legalistic philosophy. Han Feizi died by suicide because he got locked up, and he viewed death as the only way not to dishonor his family.

Alexander the Great

He was the king of Macedonia or Ancient Greece and he began his rule in 336 B.C. He is considered to be one of the greatest military commanders in history. Alexander was taught by Aristotle. Alexander sought to conquer towards the east of Greece, and did so, winning battle after battle as he marched and expanded the Greek empire. He took over Syria, defeating the Persian army. He conquered Egypt and established Alexandria as the Capital. Although he was successful through his battles, his soldiers were ready to revolt as Alexander edged India. After Alexander untimely death at the age 32, his great Empire was divided among his generals. He is most importantly known for establishing the largest empire the ancient world had ever seen.

The Hundred Schools of Thought

In the turbulent Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC) and Warring States Period (475-221BC) of China, many schools of thought were flourishing. The four most influential schools of thought that evolved during this period were Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism. Philosophers were trying to figure out an answer to how they can eliminate social disorder. This was their immediate concern because during their lives they were constantly surrounded by chaos.

The Second Intermediate Period

It is a period of relative turmoil and disunity which lasted around one hundred and fifty years and had a profound cultural and political effect on ancient Egypt. Important people outlined during this time included Hyksos, Thebans, Kushites. Three internal pressures during this time included: high flood, rising power of Nomarchs, and a confusing succession. The capital was moved to Thebes.

Mohenjo-Daro

It was one of the largest cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. One of the world's earliest major urban settlements.

Hammurabi

King Hammurabi ruled Babylonia. Claiming that he received laws from the sun god, Shamash, Hammurabi declared a set of 282 laws known as Hammurabi's Code. It is one of the first written codes of law in history, and it is the longest code that has been discovered. It was written in cuneiform, which was adopted from the Sumerians.

Describe the rise of empire in Ancient Mesopotamia and its historical significance.

Mesopotamia is referred to as the cradle of civilization because some of the most influential early city-states and empires first emerged there. The two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates allowed the development of agriculture. Around 3000 BCE, the Sumerians had significant cultural interchange with the Akkadians. The Akkadian Empire was the first empire of ancient Mesopotamia, which makes it the oldest empire in the world. Sumerians and Akkadians were united, and many people were bilingual. There were 8 kings over the duration of the Akkadian Empire. One most notably would be Sargon the Great. Who was known for violently conquering cities as he marched south through Mesopotamia.

Describe the circumstances that led to the rise of the Macedonian Empire.

Phillip II instituted far-reaching reforms at home and abroad. Innovations- improved catapults and siege machinery, as well as a new kind of infantry. Philips plans to siege Asia were cut short when he was assassinated. His son, Alexander the Great is the person that can truly be pinpointed back to the rise of the Macedonian Empire. He was raised under the teachings of Aristotle. Alexander marched an army towards the East of Greece towards Asia Minor, conquering any civilization in his path. Alexander continued his remarkable campaign for 11 years. He conquered the Persian Empire and Egypt, renaming the capital Alexandria. He continued through Asia as far as the Indus Valley until his infantry decided it was time to go home. Though Alexander fought his forces, he ended up heading back to Greece. He died in Babylon to fever. After his death, the great Greek Empire was divided among his generals. The political divisions were what compromised the many kingdoms of the Hellenistic period.

Sumer

Sumer was the southernmost region of ancient Mesopotamia. It's the site of the earliest known civilization located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in the area that later became Babylonia and is now southern Iraq. Important civilizations because writing called cuneiform emerged. Earliest form was pictographs the later stage is phonographic. Was once ruled by Sargon the Great who was known for violently conquering cities as he marched south through Mesopotamia. Hammurabi ruled during the Old Babylon period. He wrote "Hammurabi's code" which was harsh but somewhat just. Important because it's considered the first eastern civilization, established a writing system, made tools and invented laws.

Shi Huangdi

Was the first August Emperor. Powerful ruler ruled based on Legalism. Punished or killed those who opposed him. Hated by the Chinese Dynasty ended 4 years after he died. Was responsible for creating uniform money in China. A lot of public works projects such as roads, and northern fortification walls. Beginning of Great Wall of China but not what we think of it being today, those kinds of walls came much later. He was very scared of death, so because of this, he built a massive tomb. He built a large terracotta army of men who worked for him during his life and took them to the grave with him.

Art of war

Written by Sun Tzu, this book presents military strategy and is still used today. This book dates back from the Spring and Autumn period. Covering all aspects of warfare, it seeks to advise commanders on how to prepare, mobilize, attack, defend, and treat the vanquished.

Ma'at

ma'at was the balance between harmony and chaos. The pharaoh had to achieve ma'at for all of Egypt. Also was the Egyptian goddess of truth and justice the Egyptian concept of truth, justice, and cosmic order, represented by a goddess, often portrayed with a feather upon her head. The feather of Ma'at is used in weighing the hearts of the deceased in Egyptian afterlife mythology. Daughter of Re

Warring states period

military conflict increased, 7 states conquer smaller states, Zhou king has ritual function but militarily inferior to vassals; increase central bureaucracy within a state, ruler sent his own official to govern; chariot less effective in mountainous area, develop infantry army that require less training tool develop, more land, increase agriculture, levy more tax for public works; increase cash economy: coins appeared, iron.

Spring and Autumn Period

the period during the Zhou dynasty- when many vassal states fought and competed for supremacy. It was named for the title of a Confucian book of chronicles. During this time, the imperial house slowly sank out of sight as the local nobles struggled with one another for power. However, its lasting legacy is its philosophers: Confucius, Sun Tzu, and Lao Tzu.

Tigris and Euphrates

two rivers that form the outside border of Mesopotamia. These rivers helped form the first known river-valley civilization. these rivers helped create irrigation systems to save precious water they needed. This helped because farmers now had water for their crops to grow and they would grow extra food. These rivers are located in modern Iraq.