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AP World History Period 2 Flashcards

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7574500858Alexander the GreatAlexander III of Macedon (356-323 B.C.E.), conqueror of the Persian Empire and part of northwest India.0
7574500859AryansIndo-European pastoralists who moved into India about the time of the collapse of the Indus Valley civilization; their role in causing this collapse is still debated by historians.1
7574500860AshokaThe most famous ruler of the Mauryan Empire (r. 268-232 B.C.E.), who converted to Buddhism and tried to rule peacefully and with tolerance.2
7574500861Caesar AugustusThe great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar who emerged as sole ruler of the Roman state at the end of an extended period of civil war (r. 31 B.C.E.-14 C.E.).3
7574500862Cyrus (the Great)Founder of the Persian Empire (r. 557-530 B.C.E.); a ruler noted for his conquests, religious tolerance, and political moderation.4
7574500863Darius IGreat king of Persia (r. 522-486 B.C.E.) following the upheavals after Cyrus's death; completed the establishment of the Persian Empire.5
7574500864Greco-Persian WarsTwo major Persian invasions of Greece, in 490 B.C.E. and 480 B.C.E., in which the Persians were defeated on both land and sea.6
7574500865Gupta EmpireAn empire of India (320-550 C.E.).7
7574500866Han dynastyChinese dynasty that restored unity in China softened legalist policies. Begun in 202 B.C. by Liu Bang, the Han ruled China for more than 400 years.8
7574500867Hellenistic eraThe period from 323 to 30 B.C.E. in which Greek culture spread widely in Eurasia in the kingdoms ruled by Alexander's political successors.9
7574500868HerodotusGreek historian known as the "father of history" (ca. 484-ca. 425 B.C.E.). His Histories enunciated the Greek view of a fundamental divide between East and West, culminating in the Greco-Persian Wars of 490-480 B.C.E.10
7574500869hopliteA heavily armed Greek infantryman. Over time, the ability to afford a military wares and to fight for the city came to define Greek citizenship.11
7574500871Mandate of HeavenThe ideological underpinning of Chinese emperors, this was the belief that a ruler held authority by command of divine force as long as he ruled morally and benevolently.12
7574500872Battle of MarathonAthenian victory over a Persian invasion in 490 B.C.E.13
7574500873Mauryan EmpireA major empire (322-185 B.C.E.) that encompassed most of India.14
7574500874PatriciansWealthy, privileged Romans who dominated early Roman society.15
7574500875Pax RomanaThe "Roman peace," a term typically used to denote the stability and prosperity of the early Roman Empire, especially in the first and second centuries C.E.16
7574500876Peloponnesian WarGreat war between Athens (and allies) and Sparta (and allies), lasting from 431 to 404 B.C.E. The conflict ended in the defeat of Athens and the closing of Athens's Golden Age.17
7574500878Persian EmpireA major empire that expanded from the Iranian plateau to incorporate the Middle East from Egypt to India; flourished from around 550 to 330 B.C.E.18
7574500879PlebiansPoorer, less privileged Romans who gradually won a role in Roman politics.19
7574500880Punic WarsThree major wars between Rome and Carthage in North Africa, fought between 264 and 146 B.C.E., that culminated in Roman victory and control of the western Mediterranean.20
7574500881Qin DynastyA short-lived (221-206 B.C.E.) but highly influential Chinese dynasty that succeeded in reuniting China at the end of the Warring States period.21
7574500882Qin ShihuangdiLiterally "first emperor" (r. 221-210 B.C.E.) forcibly reunited China and established a strong and repressive state.22
7574500884WudiHan emperor (r. 141-86 B.C.E.) who began the Chinese civil service system by establishing an academy to train imperial bureaucrats.23
7574500886AristotleA Greek polymath philosopher (384-322 B.C.E.); student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great.24
7574500889BrahmanThe "World Soul" or final reality in upanishadic Hindu belief.25
7574500890BrahminsThe priestly caste of India.26
7574500891BuddhismThe cultural/religious tradition first enunciated by Siddhartha Gautama27
7574500892ConfucianismThe Chinese philosophy first enunciated by Confucius, advocating the moral example of superiors as the key element of social order.28
7574500893ConfuciusThe founder of Confucianism (551-479 B.C.E.); an aristocrat of northern China who proved to be the greatest influence on Chinese culture in its history.29
7574500894ConstantineRoman emperor (r. 306-337 C.E.) whose conversion to Christianity paved the way for the triumph of Christianity in Europe.30
7574500896DaoismA Chinese philosophy/popular religion that advocates simplicity and understanding of the world of nature, founded by the legendary figure Laozi.31
7574500897Filial pietyThe honoring of one's ancestors and parents, a key element of Confucianism.32
7574500899HinduismA word derived from outsiders to describe the vast diversity of indigenous Indian religious traditions.33
7574500901Jesus of NazarethThe prophet/god of Christianity(ca. 4 B.C.E.-ca. 30 C.E.).34
7574500902YahwehA form of the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible. The monotheistic religion developed by the Hebrews, emphasizing a sole personal god with concerns for social justice.35
7574500903KarmaIn Hinduism, the determining factor of the level at which the individual is reincarnated, based on purity of action and fulfillment of duty in the prior existence.36
7574500904LaoziA legendary Chinese philosopher of the sixth century B.C.E.; regarded as the founder of Daoism.37
7574500905LegalismA Chinese philosophy distinguished by an adherence to clear laws with vigorous punishments.38
7574500907MokshaIn Hindu belief, liberation from separate existence and union with Brahman.39
7574500908NirvanaThe end goal of Buddhism, in which individual identity is "extinguished" into a state of serenity and great compassion.40
7574500909PlatoA disciple of Socrates whose Dialogues convey the teachings of his master while going beyond them to express Plato's own philosophy; lived from 429 to 348 B.C.E.41
7574500911Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)The Indian prince turned ascetic (ca. 566-ca. 486 B.C.E.) who founded Buddhism.42
7574500912SocratesThe first great Greek philosopher to turn rationalism toward questions of human existence (469-399 B.C.E.).43
7574500914UpanishadsIndian mystical and philosophical works, written between 800 and 400 B.C.E.44
7574500915VedasThe earliest religious texts of India, a collection of ancient poems, hymns, and rituals that were transmitted orally before being written down ca. 600 B.C.E.45
7574500916Warring States PeriodPeriod in China from 403 to 221 B.C.E. that was typified by disorder and political chaos.46
7574500917Yin and YangExpression of the Chinese belief in the unity of opposites.47
7574500919ZoroastrianismPersian monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zarathustra.48
7574500921dharmaIn Indian belief, performance of the duties appropriate to an individual's caste; good performance will lead to rebirth in a higher caste.49
7574500922helotsThe dependent, semi-enslaved class of ancient Sparta whose social discontent prompted the militarization of Spartan society.50
7574500925PericlesA prominent and influential statesman of ancient Athens (ca. 495-429 B.C.E.); presided over Athens's Golden Age.51
7574500929UntouchablesAn Indian social class that emerged below the Sudras and whose members performed the most unclean and polluting work.52
7574500934Silk RoadTrade route stretching from China into Europe.53

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