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The Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

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6803897895BuddhismBelief system that started in India in the 500s BCE. Happiness can be achieved through removal of one's desires. Believers seek enlightenment and the overcoming of suffering. A path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of reality.0
6803897896600 BCE - 600 CEClassical Era Time Period1
6803897897JudaismA religion that originated in the Middle East, founded by Moses. They believe that there is one God whom they covenant. A common symbol for this religion is David's Star.2
6803897898ChristianityA religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus3
6803897899HinduismMost prevalent religion in India, that integrates spiritual beliefs with daily practices and official institutions such as the caste system.4
6803897900ConfucianismEmphasized education, family, peace, and justice5
6803897901Daoism (Taoism)Philosophy based on the ideas of the Chinese thinker Laozi, Who taught that people should be guided by a universal force called the Dao.6
6803897902ZoroastrianismA religion originating in ancient Iran. It centered on a single benevolent deity-Ahura Mazda, Emphasizing truth-telling, purity, and reverence for nature, the religion demanded that humans choose sides between good and evil7
6803897903TorahSacred Book for the Jewish & Judaism8
6803897904Synagoguesthe building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction9
6803897905Siddhartha GautamaThe founder of Buddhism10
6803897906VedasReligious texts that were passed down from generation to generation of Aryans in the form of hymns, songs, prayers and rituals honoring the Aryan gods11
6803897907ReincarnationThe rebirth of a soul after the body dies12
6803897908NirvanaUnion with the universal spirit; can be reached through the four noble truths and eightfold paths13
6803897909Pax Romanathe period of peace that existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire14
6803897910Law of Twelve Tablesthe earliest code of Roman civil, criminal, and religious law15
6803897911Punic warsa series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 BC to 146 BC. At the time, they were probably the largest wars that had ever taken place.16
6803897912Constantinewas Roman Emperor from 377 - 306BC, he was the first emperor to profess Christianity and turned Rome in a Christian State17
6803897913DiasporaScattering of Hebrews because of conquerers that spread them to other parts of the earth18
6803897914KarmaA destiny that has been shaped by years of cause and effect, that is outwardly revealed by and individuals caste or station life19
6803897915Eightfold pathComposed of eight steps that must be mastered one at a time20
6803897916MahabharataWorlds longest poem that contains Hindu beliefs21
6803897917DharmaSet of duties that the individual must fulfill22
6803897918ShivaA supreme deity, the preserver23
6803897920VishnuA supreme deity, the destroyer24
6803897921PaulOne of the twelve men to follow Jesus and the most responsible for the rapid growth of Christianity. Was a key Christian leader who was initially a Jewish rabbi and hostile towards Christians, but became an ardent follower.25
6803897922Great Wall of ChinaWall began in the Qin Dynasty26
6803897923BrahminPriests who compiled the Vedas27
6803897924Kshatriyawarriors and officials (caste system)28
6803897925Vaishyamerchants, artisans, and landowners (caste system)29
6803897926Shudrapeasants and laborers (caste system)30
6803897928Mauryan Empire(321-184BC) The first united Indian state, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 324 BCE, after Alexander's defeat of weakened India; it lasted for more than 100 years, before it declined, and fell in 183 BCE.31
6803897929Gupta Empire320BC-550CE, located in northern India32
6803897930Persian EmpireIndo-Europeans who settled in present-day Iran. Defeated the Babylonians and created the largest empire in the world up to 500 BC. It stretched across Africa, the Mediterranean, Turkey, Greece, and Afghanistan. Persia was later conquered by Alexander the Great.33
6803897931Qin DynastyIron weapons helped army defeat other states until it controlled China, King declared himself "First Emperor" or Shi Huangdi (ruled 221 - 210 BCE. The dynasty didn't last long but is significant in regard to the development of the Chinese state, and developed bureaucracy (it also made the Great Wall of China)34
6803897932Han DynastyDynasty that lasted from 206-220BC and began the official establishment of the Silk Road.35
6803897933Byzantine EmpireThe eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine.36
6803897934Mayan CivilizationCivilization of the Americas located in Central America that saw its height from 200-900 CE.37
6803897935Hellenistic SynthesisHellenistic culture mixed with other cultures, creating cosmopolitan societies connected by trade and Greek culture38
6803897936Athens and Spartatwo main city-states of Greek Empire39
6803897937LegalismChinese philosophy developed by Han Feizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws.40
6803897938Mandate of HeavenAncient Chinese belief/theory and philosophical idea that tiān (heaven) granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well, appropriately and fairly.41
6803897939AristotleA Greek philosopher and scientist who was interested in practically every field of human endeavor.42
6803897940SocratesFirst philosopher to focus on ethical questions and truth-seeking regarding human nature, understandings and relationships43
6803897941MarathonBattle in 490 BCE Greeks defeat Persia44
6803897942Peloponnesian war431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. With Sparta winning, both were still majorly weakened, they were conquered by Macedonia45
6803897944Four noble truths・all of life is suffering ・all suffering is caused by desire for things that ultimately won't fulfill us ・desire can only be overcome by ending all desire ・desire can only be ended by following the eighthfold path46
6803897945BoddhisatvaA person who had taken the the eightfold path and reached perfection but had delayed entering nirvana in order to help others along the way47
6803897946Alexander The GreatBetween 334 and 323 B.C.E. he conquered the Persian Empire, reached the Indus Valley, founded many Greek-style cities, and spread Greek culture across the Middle East.48
6803897947BureaucracyA system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives49
6803897948AshokaLeader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism50
6803897949Chandragupta MauryaFounder of the Mauryan Empire, first emperor to unify most of India51
6803897950Chandra GuptaFounder of the Gupta Empire52
6803897951Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life53
6803897952AthensA democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.54
6803897953SpartaA powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.55
6803897954Shi HuangdiFounder of the short-lived Qin dynasty and creator of the Chinese Empire (r. 221-210 B.C.E.). He is remembered for his ruthless conquests of rival states and standardization.56
6803897955AnalectsCollection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.57
6803897956Confucius(551-479 BCE?) Chinese philosopher and writer of The Analects, a collection of moral and social teachings, including the concept of the Five Relationships. Also known as Kong Fu Zi.58
6803897957Teotihuacan(200 BCE - 750 CE) Highland Mexico, largest city, obsidian, more than 5000 structures, pop 125-200k people, large pyramids, no ball courts, no writing, city of the gods, evidence for large fires.59
6803897958ZoroasterFounder of Zoroastrianism, a religion unique to Persia.60
6803897959Royal RoadCreated by King Darius, a system of roads in the Persian empire stretching over 1,600 miles. It connected the vast empire and helped with communication and transportation61
6803897960Mayan2000 BCE - 1500 CE, located in Southern Mexico, and was divided into city-states each with their own kind, rural area for farming, and city area temples. They also had a fair legal system with laws and courts.62
6803897961QuranSacred religious texts for Islam63
6803897962Cyrus the GreatExtended territory from India to the Mediterranean Sea, Reached its height under Darius I (into Egypt and Macedonia) and established law code based on earlier Mesopotamian codes.64
6803924930DariusPersian ruler who brought order to the Persian Empire. He also built roads; established a postal system; and standardized weights, measures, and coinage.65

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