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The Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

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13758389187BuddhismBelief 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
13758389188600 BCE - 600 CEClassical Era Time Period1
13758389189JudaismA 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
13758389190ChristianityA religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus3
13758389191HinduismMost prevalent religion in India, that integrates spiritual beliefs with daily practices and official institutions such as the caste system.4
13758389192ConfucianismEmphasized education, family, peace, and justice5
13758389193Daoism (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
13758389194ZoroastrianismA 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
13758389195TorahSacred Book for the Jewish & Judaism8
13758389196Synagoguesthe building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction9
13758389197Siddhartha GautamaThe founder of Buddhism10
13758389198VedasReligious texts that were passed down from generation to generation of Aryans in the form of hymns, songs, prayers and rituals honoring the Aryan gods11
13758389199ReincarnationThe rebirth of a soul after the body dies12
13758389200NirvanaUnion with the universal spirit; can be reached through the four noble truths and eightfold paths13
13758389201Pax Romanathe period of peace that existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire14
13758389202Law of Twelve Tablesthe earliest code of Roman civil, criminal, and religious law15
13758389203Punic 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
13758389204Constantinewas Roman Emperor from 377 - 306BC, he was the first emperor to profess Christianity and turned Rome in a Christian State17
13758389205DiasporaScattering of Hebrews because of conquerers that spread them to other parts of the earth18
13758389206KarmaA destiny that has been shaped by years of cause and effect, that is outwardly revealed by and individuals caste or station life19
13758389207Eightfold pathComposed of eight steps that must be mastered one at a time20
13758389208MahabharataWorlds longest poem that contains Hindu beliefs21
13758389209DharmaSet of duties that the individual must fulfill22
13758389210ShivaA supreme deity, the preserver23
13758389211RamayanaA poem that demonstrates the fulfillment of Dharma24
13758389212VishnuA supreme deity, the destroyer25
13758389213PaulOne 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.26
13758389214Great Wall of ChinaWall began in the Qin Dynasty27
13758389215BrahminPriests who compiled the Vedas28
13758389216Kshatriyawarriors and officials (caste system)29
13758389217Vaishyamerchants, artisans, and landowners (caste system)30
13758389218Shudrapeasants and laborers (caste system)31
13758389219Vedic AgeLasted from 1500 to 500 BCE, time period after the collapse of the Indus River Valley Civilization, contained the Vedas, which are religious texts32
13758389220Mauryan 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.33
13758389221Gupta Empire320BC-550CE, located in northern India34
13758389222Persian 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.35
13758389223Qin 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)36
13758389224Han DynastyDynasty that lasted from 206-220BC and began the official establishment of the Silk Road.37
13758389225Byzantine 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.38
13758389226Mayan CivilizationCivilization of the Americas located in Central America that saw its height from 200-900 CE.39
13758389227Hellenistic SynthesisHellenistic culture mixed with other cultures, creating cosmopolitan societies connected by trade and Greek culture40
13758389228Athens and Spartatwo main city-states of Greek Empire41
13758389229LegalismChinese philosophy developed by Han Feizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws.42
13758389230Mandate 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.43
13758389231AristotleA Greek philosopher and scientist who was interested in practically every field of human endeavor.44
13758389232SocratesFirst philosopher to focus on ethical questions and truth-seeking regarding human nature, understandings and relationships45
13758389233MarathonBattle in 490 BCE Greeks defeat Persia46
13758389234Peloponnesian war431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. With Sparta winning, both were still majorly weakened, they were conquered by Macedonia47
13758389235TriumvirateRule of three men holding power (in ancient Rome) Ex: the unofficial coalition of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 BC48
13758389236Four 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 path49
13758389237BoddhisatvaA person who had taken the the eightfold path and reached perfection but had delayed entering nirvana in order to help others along the way50
13758389238Alexander 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.51
13758389239BureaucracyA system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives52
13758389240AshokaLeader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism53
13758389241Chandragupta MauryaFounder of the Mauryan Empire, first emperor to unify most of India54
13758389242Chandra GuptaFounder of the Gupta Empire55
13758389243Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life56
13758389244AthensA democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.57
13758389245SpartaA powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.58
13758389246Shi 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.59
13758389247AnalectsCollection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.60
13758389248Confucius(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.61
13758389249Teotihuacan(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.62
13758389250ZoroasterFounder of Zoroastrianism, a religion unique to Persia.63
13758389251Royal 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 transportation64
13758389252Mayan2000 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.65
13758389253QuranSacred religious texts for Islam66
13758389254Cyrus 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.67

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