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AP World History: Ancient World Flashcards

First set of words in the AP World History book by the Princeton Review.

Terms : Hide Images
6785967738AgricultureThe deliberate effort to modify a portion of Earth's surface through the cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock for sustenance or economic gain.0
6785967739AgrarianPertaining to land or its cultivation1
6785967740Bands/ClansExtended family groups that generally lived together2
6785967741BarbarianWithout civilizing influences3
6785967742BureaucracySystem of managing government through departments run by appointed officials (not elected)4
6785967743CivilizationA society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)5
6785967744City-StatesDifferent sections of land owned by the same country but ruled by different rulers6
6785967745ClassicalCharacteristics of a form or system felt to be of first significance before modern times7
6785967746DomesticationProcess of changing plants or animals to make them more useful to humans8
6785967747EconomySystem by which goods and services are produced and distributed to meet people's needs9
6785967748EgalitarianA person who believes in the equality of all people10
6785967749EmperorSupreme ruler of an empire11
6785967750EmpireMany territories, countries, or peoples controlled by one government12
6785967751FeudalismA political system and a social system where by a powerful lord would offer protection in return for service13
6785967753HierarchyA series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system14
6785967755Hunter-GathererWhich society is one whose primary subsistence method involves the direct procurement of edible plants and animals from the wild, foraging and hunting without significant recourse to the domestication of either plants nor animals15
6785967756IrrigationSupplying dry land with water by means of ditches, sprinklers, etc.16
6785967757MonarchyA government in which power is in the hands of a single person who usually inherits their power17
6785967758MonotheismBelief in a single God18
6785967759NeolithicThe New Stone Age from circa 8500 to 4500 BCE: The period of the Stone Age associated with the ancient Agricultural Revolution(s)19
6785967760NomadicA group of people tending to travel and change settlements frequently20
6785967761PastoralRelating to shepherds/herdsmen/devoted to raising sheep or cattle21
6785967762PaleolithicThe Old Stone Age from circa 750,00 to 500,000 years BCE to 8,500 years BCE: The period of the Stone Age associated with the evolution of humans and the development of minor tools22
6785967763PhilosophyThe rational investigation of questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics23
6785967764PolytheismBelief in multiple Gods24
6785967765River ValleyThe fertile land surrounding a river- the first civilizations arose near them25
6785967766SedentaryRemaining in one place26
6785967767SettlementThe act of colonizing or a small group of people in a sedentary position27
6785967768SubsistenceThe necessities of life, the resources of survival28
6785967770SustenanceThe act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence29
6785967771TheocracyGovernment run by religious leaders30
6785967772TraditionalCustomary practices31
6785967773UrbanizationThe social process whereby cities grow and societies become more urban32
6785967774VassalsLesser lords who pledged their service and loyalty to a greater lord -- in a military capacity33
6785967775Alexander the GreatKing of Macedon, conqueror of Greece, Egypt, and Persia (356-323 BC)34
6785967776Analects of Confucius"something that is repeated" - A collection of Confucius' famous sayings35
6785967777Bronze AgeA period between the Stone and Iron ages, characterized by the manufacture and use of bronze tools and weapons36
6785967778CalendarA system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year37
6785967779Code of HammurabiThe set of laws drawn up by Babylonian King Hammurabi dating to the 18th century BC38
6785967780CuneiformOne of the first written languages known: A system of writing in which wedge-shaped symbols represented words or syllables. It originated in Mesopotamia and was used initially for Sumerian and Akkadian but later was adapted to represent other languages of western Asia.39
6785967781DemocracyA political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them40
6785967782Eight Fold PathEight steps to end suffering and attain enlightenment according to Buddhist tradition.41
6785967783Four Noble TruthsAs taught by the Buddha, the four basic beliefs that form the foundation of Buddhism42
6785967784Gothic MigrationsAlso called the Barbarian Invasions, was a period of human migration that occurred roughly between the years 300-700 A.D in Europe. These movements were catalyzed by profound changes within both the Roman Empire and the "barbarian frontier". Migrating peoples during this period included the Goths, Vandals, Bulgars, Alans, Suebi, Frisians, and Franks, among other Germanic and Slavic tribes.43
6785967785Great Wall (of China)A fortification 1,500 miles long built across northern China in the 3rd century BC44
6785967786Han DynastyAn imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC-220 AD) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy45
6785967787Hellenism (Hellenization)The ideals and principles that spread from Greece through much of the ancient world. Much of its influence such as philosophy, athletics, and architecture penetrated the Middle East.46
6785967788The HunsFierce warriors from Central Asia- First invaded southeastern Europe and then launched raids on nearby kingdoms47
6785967789Indian Ocean TradeConnected to Europe, Africa, and China; worlds richest maritime trading network and an area of rapid Muslim expansion.48
6785967790Iron AgeThe period following the Bronze Age; characterized by rapid spread of _____ tools and weapons49
6785967791Jewish DiasporaA "scattering" of the Jewish people50
6785967792LegalismIn Chinese history, this was one of the main philosophic currents during the Warring States Period- a philosophy of focusing on the text of written law to the exclusion of the intent of law, elevating strict adherence to law over justice, mercy and common sense51
6785967793Pax RomanaA period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to 180 A.D.52
6785967794PyramidsHuge stone tombs built in ancient Egypt53
6785967795Roman RepublicThe period from 507 BC to 31 BC, during which Rome was largely governed by the aristocratic Roman Senate.54
6785967796Roman SenateA council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised the city's leaders55
6785967797ShangChina's first dynasty, 2000 BC56
6785967798Shi Huang DiHarsh ruler who united China for the first time and used legalism in ruling (Qin China)57
6785967799Siddhartha GautamaFounder of Buddhism; born a prince; left his father's wealth to find the cause of human suffering; aka Buddha58
6785967800Silk Road TradeThe most famous of the trading routes established by pastoral nomads connecting the Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Mediterranean civilizations; transmitted goods and ideas among civilization.59
6785967801The TorahThe most sacred text of Judaism60
6785967802The VedasAryan hymns originally transmitted orally but written down in sacred books from the 6th century B.C.61
6785967803ZigguratsA temple/tomb of the ancient Assyrians, Sumerians, or Babylonians. Having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories62
6785967804ChristianityMonotheistic religion born out of Judaism, preached by Jesus of Nazareth and later codified by his disciples. Persecuted by Romans early on; however, gained support under Constantine in Rome.63
6785967805BuddhismOriginally preached by Siddhartha and codified by his disciples into the sutras. Rejected Vedic rituals and the caste system. Spread throughout SE Asia and China and split into Mahayana and Theravada64
6785967806AsokaThird ruler of the Mauryan Empire in India (r. 270-232 B.C). He converted to Buddhism and broadcast his precepts on inscribed stones and pillars, the earliest surviving Indian writing.65
6785967807HinduismTerm for a wide variety of beliefs and ritual practices that have developed in the Indian subcontinent since antiquity. It has roots in ancient Vedic, Buddhist, and south Indian religious concepts and practices.66
6785967808Trans SaharanMajor trade route that traded for gold and salt, created caravan routes, economic benefit for controlling desert, camels played a huge role in the trading67
6785967809MonsoonsMajor winds in the Indian Ocean that blew into India for half the year, and blew away from India for the other half. Helped facilitate trade in the Indian Ocean.68
6785967810SumeriansPeople who dominated Southern Mesopotamia through the end of the 3rd Millennium BC. Responsible for the creation of irrigation technology, cuneiform, and religious conceptions.69
6785967811Indo-EuropeansGroups of people who came from the area north of the Caucasus mountains, which are between the Black and Caspian seas. Herded multiple animals. Rode into battle on chariots. Their language of Sanskrit, by the Aryans, are the basis of many languages today. Often accepted and adapted aspects of technology, religions, and social order of those with whom they came in contact.70
6785967812PatriarchalBefore agriculture, men and women were to believed to have a greater degree of equality. But after the rise of agriculture, most human societies became ________ as a result of greater male strength.71
6785967813Caste systemA set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's occupation and economic potential, but also his or her position in society, there was virtually no social mobility72
6785967815CarthageThis city has existed for nearly 3,000 years, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC into the capital of the Carthaginian Empire. Controlled commerce in the Mediterranean prior to the rise of Roman Power. The expanding Roman Republic took control of many of its outposts after the two Punic Wars.73
6785967817DaoismChinese religion that believes the world is always changing and is devoid of absolute morality or meaning. They accept the world as they find it, avoid futile struggles, and deviate as little as possible from 'the way' or 'path' of nature.74
6785967818BureaucratGovernment official75

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