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APWH Chapter 2 and 3 Terms : Classical Civilizations: China and India Flashcards

Under PART 2: The Classical Period 1000 BCE - 500 BCE (Chapters 2-5)
China had developed the 1st of the classical societies.
Ch.2 (Classic Civilization: China)
Ch.3 (Classic Civilization: India)

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1148839810AjantaPlace where Buddhist artists painted rich murals in cave temples in Western India Give evidence along with Ellora to the religious ferment that could be found in India during the Classical Period. Also a testament to religious blending (Hindu, Jain, Buddhist) that is a part of India's enduring culture.0
1148839811ElloraOne of India's( along with Ajanta) most important holy sites in the Deccan Plateau. It is a series of caves carved into a huge cliff1
1148839812RamayanaOne of two classical Hindu epics written in Sanskrit telling of the banishment of Rama from his kingdom and the abduction of his wife by a demon and Rama's restoration to the throne.2
1148839813Gangetic PlainsMost populated area of India; Place where the Aryans searched for Iron ore for axes, tools, and new land.3
1148839814AryansIndo-European speaking nomads who entered India from the Central Asian steppes between 1500 and 1000 BC after the fall of Harappan Culture, vedas from this time show the subjugation of the the existing inhabitants and institution of the caste system4
1148839815BrahmansOne of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; the priestly class (in charge of the religious ceremonies that were so important in Indian society), also called Vedic Preists, were the dominant force in Indian Society during the Classical Era.5
1148839816varnasThe social divisions of the Aryan Society that included from top to bottom: 1)priests (Brahmins), 2) rulers or warriors; 3) farmers, craftspeople, traders; 4) workers and servants (Sudras)6
1148839817BuddhaAn Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama, who renounced his wealth and social position. After becoming an 'enlightened' ascetic under a bo tree (the meaning of Buddha) he enunciated the principles of Buddhism.7
1148839818BuddhismThe teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth, provided the most powerful challenge to the brahmans and many of the ancient Vedic beliefs and practices, also helped establish the Mauyran Empire.8
1148839819Alexander the GreatSuccessor of Philip II; successfully conquered Persian Empire prior to his death in 323 BCE; attempted to combine Greek and Persian cultures, Spread Hellenistic Culture.9
1148839820Hellenistic CultureIt began from Philips conquest of Greece to the beginning of the Roman Empire. During this time the laws, calendar, money, and language of Greece was used by millions of people. Homes and public buildings were very elaborate.10
1148839821HimalayasThe highest mountains in the world, which stretch along northern India, separating it from the rest of Asia. Is the main example of how topography helped shape vital features of its civilization in the classical period. Made political unity very difficult and contributed to greater diversity in culture.11
1148839822Indus RiverA river in South Asia that flows from the Himalayas to the Arabian Sea., the location of the first river valley civilization of India12
1148839823Ganges RiverIndia's most important river, flows across northern India into Bangladesh. this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals.13
1148839824MonsoonsSeasonal reversals of wind patterns caused by the differential heating and cooling rates of the ocean's and continents. During the summer it can bring massive rain throughout India, and if it comes too late induce drought.14
1148839825Sanskrita sacred Indo-European, Indic language, in use since c1200 b.c. as the religious and classical literary language of India.15
1148839826Vedic AgeA period in the history of India; It was a period of transition from nomadic pastoralism to settled village communities, with cattle the major form of wealth. When the Vedas were first composed.16
1148839827Veda(from the Sanskrit word for 'knowledge') any of the most ancient sacred writings of Hinduism written in early Sanskrit17
1148839828Rig- VedaA collection of 1,028 Sanskrit hymns composed about 1500 BC or earlier; Hinduism's oldest sacred text.18
1148839829Epic AgeA period of time in India that followed the Vedic Age and lasted from 1000-500 B.C.E. in India. The important epics of the time were Mahabharata, Upanishads and Ramayana.19
1148839830MahabharataIndian epic of war, princely honor, love, and social duty; written down in the last centuries BCE; previously handed down in oral form20
1148839831UpanishadsLater books of the Vedas; contained sophisticated and sublime philosophical ideas; utilized by Brahmans to restore religious authority; religion/mysticism, also stressed the very shallowness of wordly concerns21
1148839832Untouchablesthe name of the group of people in the caste system that were the outcasts of society; were not considered a part of Indian society or the caste system, also called pariahs22
1148839833IndraChief deity of the Aryans; depicted as a colossal, hard-drinking warrior. Also known as the God of Thunder and strength23
1148839834KshatriyasThe second level of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; Warriors and the governing class.24
1148839835Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life, a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's occupation and economic potential, but also his or her position in society25
1148839836SudrasCaste that made up most of the Indian population; most were peasants and manual laborers; they had limited rights in society26
1148839837Jatisub castes; were groups of people within each caste that worked together for one economic function27
1148839838VaisyasThird level of the varnas in the Hindu caste system; identifies merchants who engaged in commerce; COMMONERS28
1148839839BactriaThe ancient region stretching from the Hindu Kush mountain range to the ancient Ganhara region of the Indian subcontinent. and ruled by Greek-speaking descendants of Alexander's campaigns29
1148839840MagadhaA kingdom that emerged as a result of strife for land and power among minor kings; occupied almost all of the Indian subcontinent in the second century BC, most significant remaining kingdom after Alexander's departure located on the Central Ganges plian. Had economic strength and dominated surrounding regions in northeastern India.30
1148839841Chandragupta MauryaKing and founder of the Mauryan Empire, he seized power along the Ganges River following Alexander the Great's Incursion. Was the first of the Mauryan Rulers to unify the entire subcontinent, he was highly autocratic. His grandson was Ashoka31
1148839842AshokaThird ruler of the Mauryan Empire in India.He converted to Buddhism and broadcast his precepts on inscribed stones and pillars, the earliest surviving Indian writing. Believed in Dharma. After his death the empire began to disentigrate and new invaders( Kushans) from the Hindu Kush Mountains surfaced.32
1148839843Ashoka's EdictsA collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as boulders and cave walls, made by the Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty during his reign from 272 to 231 BC.33
1148839844Dharmain Hinduism, the duties and obligations of each caste, In Hinduism, it stands for law, obligation and duty. To follow this, it means to perform and live life as one should.34
1148839845KushansDynasty that succeeded the Mauryas in northwestern India; sponsors of Buddhism; empire did not extend to Ganges River valley., came into central India from northwest; greatest king: Kanishka, converted to Buddhism but hurt religions population;35
1148839846KanishkaLeader of the Kushan Empire in Classical India, 120-162 CE, Created Therarvists and Mahayanists, Considered "Second Ashoka" Warrior before converting to Buddhism Had deep support of Buddhism. Actually hurt Buddhism in India because it was associated with foreign rule36
1148839847Hindu-KushA mountain range Northwest of the Indus River. The Khyber Pass is a pass through this mountain range. South of Tajikistan, North of Pakistan, Northeast of Afghanistan. Himalayas are to the east.37
1148839848GuptasThe dynasty the succeeded the Kushans in the 3rd century CE in classical era India; built empire that extended to all but the southern regions of Indian subcontinent; less centralized(and smaller) than Mauryan Empire; claimed divine rule; demanding system of taxation; established many universities38
1148839849KautilyaPolitical adviser to Chandragupta Maurya; one of the authors of Arthashastra( a political treatise ; believed in scientific application of warfare.39
1148839850ArthashastraAncient Indian political treatise from the time of Chandragupta Maurya; its authorship was traditionally ascribed to Kautalya, and it stressed that war was inevitable and thus advocated use of spies and assassins, bribery, and scientific forms of warfare40
1148839851HinduismA body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a lack of central founder. developed gradually41
1148839852GurusBrahmans who served as teachers for the princes of the imperial court of the Guptas.42
1148839853VishnuThe Brahman, later Hindu, god of sacrifice; widely worshipped, who, in the trinity of gods, is the Preserver43
1148839854ShivaThe Brahman, later Hindu, god of destruction and reproduction; worshipped as the personification of cosmic forces of change.44
1148839855VarunaIn Vedism, god of the night sky( who changed to the guardian of right and wrong) who with his thousand eyes watches over human conduct and judges good and evil and punishes evildoers.45
1148839856ReincarnationThe Hindu or Buddhist doctrine that person may be reborn successively into one of five classes of living beings (god or human or animal or hungry ghost or denizen of hell) depending on the person's own actions46
1148839857KamasutraWritten by Vatsayana during Gupta dynasty offered instructions on all aspects of life for higher caste males, including grooming, hygiene, etiquette, selection of wives, and instruction on lovemaking47
1148839858Nirvanain Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude48
1148839859StupasStone shrines built to house pieces of bone and personal possessions said to be relics of the Buddha; preserved Buddhist architectural forms.49
1148839860AryabhattaFamous classical mathematician, wrote a book that summarized Hindu mathematics, discovered pi, calculated the length of the solar system, and the circumference of the earth during India's Classical Era.50
1148839861NalandaA Buddhist monastery which was university where they studied Buddhism, Hindu text, philosophy, astronomy, and medicine. Peaked at the end of the Gupta dynasty.51
1148839862PanchatantraThe "Five Books" of fables, or moral stories, from the Gupta period in India, advocates proper behavior and high moral standards, including "Sinbad the Sailor" and "Jack the Giant Killer." Best-known Indian stories around the world. The Epics final written form during the classical period52
1148839863Scholar gentryChinese class created by the marital linkage of the local land-holding aristocracy with the office-holding shi; superseded shi as governors of China. (Don't really know why they put it in this chapter but whatever)53
1148839864AnalectsThe collected saying of Confucius, laid the foundation for China's enduring civilization. It idealized a strong rulers, the consolidation and centralization of power, a highly educated , EXCLUSIVELY male elite, that was responsible for the well being of all the subjects in the state. ("Confucious Says")54
1148839865SyncretismThe fusion of cultural elements from more than one tradition. In colonial Latin America religious this was common, with both Amerindians and Africans blending their existing beliefs and rituals with Catholicism. There was a small amount of this developing during the classical period which would hint at what would occur much later.55
1148839866Kong FuziAlso known in the West as Confucius, was an opinated middle aged scholar in the late 6th century BCE, went on a search for an "ideal ruler".` Attracted a number of disciples and published the "Analects". Never found an ideal ruler. He stressed respect for superiors(in a proper hierarchy) , moderation in behavior, veneration of custom and ritual , and love of wisdom. If these were accomplished then a solid political life would develop.56
1148839867ShiThe emerging social scholar gentry that was developing in the classical period.; transformed into corps of professional bureaucrats because of knowledge of writing during Zhou dynasty.57
1148839868ConfucianismA philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It shows the way to ensure a stable government and an orderly society in the present world and stresses a moral code of conduct.58
1148839869Zhou DynastyThe dynasty that displaced Shang Dynasty, Lasted from (1029 - 258 BCE); alliances with regional princes and families, overtook Yangtze River Valley (Middle Kingdom); invoked the "Mandate of Heaven" rationality in goverment; and beginnings of Mandarin Chinese language(Resulted in the largest single group speaking the same language in the world). They banned human sacrifice. Fell because of an inability to control vassals, external nomadic invaders which lead to a mini- assimilation of cultures and also to a new dynasty(Qin) and ruler Shi Haungdi who united ALL of china. (Think of this as China's Feudal Period)59
1148839870Yangtze River ValleyA valley that the Zhou dynasty seized in order to expand territorial boundaries, also called middle earth.60
1148839871Mandate of HeavenChinese religious and political ideology developed by the Zhou dynasty, was the prerogative of Heaven, the chief deity, to grant power to the ruler of China.61
1148839872Shi HaungdiThe Chinese ruler(First Emperor) who came to power in 221 B.C. and unified and expanded China by ending internal battles and conquering rival states, established the brief Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE, which only lasted for 14 years. Name means the "the tiger". He vigorously organized and centralized the government into a bureaucracy , selected his officials from non-aristocratic backgrounds. He also built the Great Wall of China(3000 miles) to the North to protect against nomadic invaders.62
1148839873Qin DynastyThe Chinese dynasty (221 BC to 204 BC) that established the first centralized imperial government and built much of the Great Wall, Replaced the Zhou dynasty and employed Legalist ideas in order to control warring states and unify the country. Burned a lot of books that would be "subversive" to his autocratic rule. There was the National Census, Great Wall of China, standardization of coinage, weights, and measures throughout the entire realm, and made all script length uniform. Shi Huangdi unpopularity lead to the dynastys downfall and a peasant family established the Han Dynasty63
1148839874Han DynastyImperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) 400 YEARS and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization, succeeded the Qin Dynasty. Expanded into Korea, Indochina( Cambodia) , and central Asia. Was a very prosperous and large dynasty(established the FIRST Civil Service examinations), however the nomadic Huns overturned the dynasty, and marked the end of the classical period for chinese civilization.64
1148839875Shang DynastySecond Chinese dynasty (about 1750-1122 B.C.) which was mostly a farming society ruled by an aristocracy mostly concerned with war. They're best remembered for their art of bronze casting.Succeeded the Xia . Rulers and their relatives gave orders through a large network of cities65
1148839876Sons of HeavenThe Zhou called themselves the __________, because they supposedly derived their lineages from the old Shang Rulers and heavens Mandate.66
1148839877Mandarin ChineseThe main language of (ancient) China, had the most people speak it, with other languages spread out over China aswell. Mainly established by the Zhou rulers.67
1148839878Era of Warring StatesThe period of Chinese history between c. 402 and 220 B.C.E. characterized by the breakdown of the central government and feudal war.; regional rulers made their own armies and fought for control; during this time Zhou Dynasty disentigrated.68
1148839879Great Wall of ChinaOne of the biggest building projects in history that was started by Shi Huangdi and took thousands of forced workers and hundreds of years to complete/built to protect the empire from northern invaders69
1148839880Wu TiHan "Warrior Emperor" who greatly expanded the empire, (140-87 BCE); promoted peace; supported Confucianism; Conducted trade with the Parthian Empire in the Middle East. He also conducted the FIRST Civil service examinations in the world.70
1148839881P'an KuMythic ancestor whcih ancient chinese said was their creation myth, he created the world after breaking out of an egg.71
1148839882LegalismIn China, a political philosophy that emphasized the unruliness of human nature and justified state coercion and control. The Qin rulers and early Han rulers invoked it to validate the authoritarian nature of their regime. Not as popular as Confucianism, and did not seek popular approval anyway.72
1148839883DaoismChinese philosophy based on the teachings of Laozi; taught that people should turn to nature and give up their worldly concerns, emphasized harmony and was largely a spiritual alternative to Confucianism, which actually developed at the same time in the last centuries of the Zhou dynasty. Remember Dao, humility, frugalty, learning/politics was IRRELEVANT under this philosophy.73
1148839884LaoziAlso known as Lao Tsu; major Chinese philosopher; recommended retreat from society into nature; individual should seek to become attuned with Dao. Established Daoism74
1148839885Daothe central idea of Daoism also called "The Way"75
1148839886MenciusConfucius's greatest disciple; he has been called the second sage; , Also known as Meng Ko; stressed the consent of the common people.Said that humans were essentially GOOD and that governments required the consent of their subjects.76
1148839887XunziA Confucian follower, suggested humans are lazy(and naturally EVIL) and required a totalitarian government to make them good Became an advocate of Legalism, or more accurately a mesh of legalism and Confucianism.77
1148839888Five ClassicsA corpus of texts considered authoritative by the early Confucians. They include poetry, historical, speeches, chronicles, ritual, and divination, Texts used to train scholars and civil servants in ancient China78
1148839889CalligraphyA style of beautiful or elegant handwriting that became a very important art form in early classical Chinese culture.79
1148839890ReligionThe lack of this(or at least the abundance) is the main reason that the Chinese classical period was not marked by a large amount of monuments( excluding the Great Wall of China/ Terracotta)80
1148839891Terracotta ArmySoldiers and horses of the first Chinese emperor ( Shi Huangdi). The soldiers dated back to 210 B.C. discovered by a farmer. Vary in height and are usually 6 feet. They are all different and have different characteristics. Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huang Di in the after life. Made during Qin Dynasty81
1148839892SeismographsAn instrument that records vibrations in the ground and determines the location and strength of an earthquake, first developed in classical period , specifically the Han Dynasty.82
1148839893PatriarchalismIdeas that social organization should be ordered with the male as the head of the family and institutions.83
1148839894MandarinsMember of the elite class of civil servants in Chinese government and the aristocracy during the classical period. (Highest Class), picture is a joke, couldn't find a better one.84
1148839895Laboring MassesThe 2nd highest group in China's classical Era, included the peasants and the urban artisans who manufactured goods.85
1148839896Mean PeopleThe lowest and 3rd group in China's Classical Era, Were people without "meaningful skills". Performing artists and household slaves were included, this group was punished more harshly than any others and required to wear green scarves. <(Again the Picture is a joke)>86
1148839897PaperWas developed by the Chinese classical society in the Han Dynasty, far before it was created in Europe, it was an example of a large amount of technological innovation( like Pulleys, Ox drawn Plows, water powered mills etc etc)>87

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