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The Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

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9736002335BuddhismBelief 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
9736002336600 BCE - 600 CEClassical Era Time Period1
9736002337JudaismA 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
9736002338ChristianityA religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus3
9736002339HinduismMost prevalent religion in India, that integrates spiritual beliefs with daily practices and official institutions such as the caste system.4
9736002340ConfucianismEmphasized education, family, peace, and justice5
9736002341Daoism (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
9736002342ZoroastrianismA 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
9736002343TorahSacred Book for the Jewish & Judaism8
9736002344Synagoguesthe building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction9
9736002345Siddhartha GautamaThe founder of Buddhism10
9736002346VedasReligious texts that were passed down from generation to generation of Aryans in the form of hymns, songs, prayers and rituals honoring the Aryan gods11
9736002347ReincarnationThe rebirth of a soul after the body dies12
9736002348NirvanaUnion with the universal spirit; can be reached through the four noble truths and eightfold paths13
9736002349Pax Romanathe period of peace that existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire14
9736002350Law of Twelve Tablesthe earliest code of Roman civil, criminal, and religious law15
9736002351Punic 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
9736002352Constantinewas Roman Emperor from 377 - 306BC, he was the first emperor to profess Christianity and turned Rome in a Christian State17
9736002353DiasporaScattering of Hebrews because of conquerers that spread them to other parts of the earth18
9736002354KarmaA destiny that has been shaped by years of cause and effect, that is outwardly revealed by and individuals caste or station life19
9736002355Eightfold pathComposed of eight steps that must be mastered one at a time20
9736002356MahabharataWorlds longest poem that contains Hindu beliefs21
9736002357DharmaSet of duties that the individual must fulfill22
9736002358ShivaA supreme deity, the preserver23
9736002359RamayanaA poem that demonstrates the fulfillment of Dharma24
9736002360VishnuA supreme deity, the destroyer25
9736002361PaulOne 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
9736002362Great Wall of ChinaWall began in the Qin Dynasty27
9736002363BrahminPriests who compiled the Vedas28
9736002364Kshatriyawarriors and officials (caste system)29
9736002365Vaishyamerchants, artisans, and landowners (caste system)30
9736002366Shudrapeasants and laborers (caste system)31
9736002367Vedic AgeLasted from 1500 to 500 BCE, time period after the collapse of the Indus River Valley Civilization, contained the Vedas, which are religious texts32
9736002368Mauryan 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
9736002369Gupta Empire320BC-550CE, located in northern India34
9736002370Persian 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
9736002371Qin 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
9736002372Han DynastyDynasty that lasted from 206-220BC and began the official establishment of the Silk Road.37
9736002373Byzantine 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
9736002374Mayan CivilizationCivilization of the Americas located in Central America that saw its height from 200-900 CE.39
9736002375Hellenistic SynthesisHellenistic culture mixed with other cultures, creating cosmopolitan societies connected by trade and Greek culture40
9736002376Athens and Spartatwo main city-states of Greek Empire41
9736002377LegalismChinese philosophy developed by Han Feizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws.42
9736002378Mandate 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
9736002379AristotleA Greek philosopher and scientist who was interested in practically every field of human endeavor.44
9736002380SocratesFirst philosopher to focus on ethical questions and truth-seeking regarding human nature, understandings and relationships45
9736002381MarathonBattle in 490 BCE Greeks defeat Persia46
9736002382Peloponnesian war431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. With Sparta winning, both were still majorly weakened, they were conquered by Macedonia47
9736002383TriumvirateRule of three men holding power (in ancient Rome) Ex: the unofficial coalition of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 BC48
9736002384Four 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
9736002385BoddhisatvaA person who had taken the the eightfold path and reached perfection but had delayed entering nirvana in order to help others along the way50
9736002386Alexander 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
9736002387BureaucracyA system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives52
9736002388AshokaLeader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism53
9736002389Chandragupta MauryaFounder of the Mauryan Empire, first emperor to unify most of India54
9736002390Chandra GuptaFounder of the Gupta Empire55
9736002391Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life56
9736002392AthensA democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.57
9736002393SpartaA powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.58
9736002394Shi 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
9736002395AnalectsCollection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.60
9736002396Confucius(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
9736002397Teotihuacan(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
9736002398ZoroasterFounder of Zoroastrianism, a religion unique to Persia.63
9736002399Royal 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
9736002400Mayan2000 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
9736002401QuranSacred religious texts for Islam66
9736002402Cyrus 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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