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The Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

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5780541871BuddhismBelief 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
5780541872600 BCE - 600 CEClassical Era Time Period1
5780541873JudaismA 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
5780541874ChristianityA religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus3
5780541875HinduismMost prevalent religion in India, that integrates spiritual beliefs with daily practices and official institutions such as the caste system.4
5780541876ConfucianismEmphasized education, family, peace, and justice5
5780541877Daoism (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
5780541878ZoroastrianismA 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
5780541879TorahSacred Book for the Jewish & Judaism8
5780541880Synagoguesthe building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction9
5780541881Siddhartha GautamaThe founder of Buddhism10
5780541882VedasReligious texts that were passed down from generation to generation of Aryans in the form of hymns, songs, prayers and rituals honoring the Aryan gods11
5780541883ReincarnationThe rebirth of a soul after the body dies12
5780541884NirvanaUnion with the universal spirit; can be reached through the four noble truths and eightfold paths13
5780541885Pax Romanathe period of peace that existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire14
5780541886Law of Twelve Tablesthe earliest code of Roman civil, criminal, and religious law15
5780541887Punic 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
5780541888Constantinewas Roman Emperor from 377 - 306BC, he was the first emperor to profess Christianity and turned Rome in a Christian State17
5780541889DiasporaScattering of Hebrews because of conquerers that spread them to other parts of the earth18
5780541890KarmaA destiny that has been shaped by years of cause and effect, that is outwardly revealed by and individuals caste or station life19
5780541891Eightfold pathComposed of eight steps that must be mastered one at a time20
5780541892MahabharataWorlds longest poem that contains Hindu beliefs21
5780541893DharmaSet of duties that the individual must fulfill22
5780541894ShivaA supreme deity, the preserver23
5780541895RamayanaA poem that demonstrates the fulfillment of Dharma24
5780541896VishnuA supreme deity, the destroyer25
5780541897PaulOne 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
5780541898Great Wall of ChinaWall began in the Qin Dynasty27
5780541899BrahminPriests who compiled the Vedas28
5780541900Kshatriyawarriors and officials (caste system)29
5780541901Vaishyamerchants, artisans, and landowners (caste system)30
5780541902Shudrapeasants and laborers (caste system)31
5780541903Vedic AgeLasted from 1500 to 500 BCE, time period after the collapse of the Indus River Valley Civilization, contained the Vedas, which are religious texts32
5780541904Mauryan 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
5780541905Gupta Empire320BC-550CE, located in northern India34
5780541906Persian 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
5780541907Qin 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
5780541908Han DynastyDynasty that lasted from 206-220BC and began the official establishment of the Silk Road.37
5780541909Byzantine 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
5780541910Mayan CivilizationCivilization of the Americas located in Central America that saw its height from 200-900 CE.39
5780541911Hellenistic SynthesisHellenistic culture mixed with other cultures, creating cosmopolitan societies connected by trade and Greek culture40
5780541912Athens and Spartatwo main city-states of Greek Empire41
5780541913LegalismChinese philosophy developed by Han Feizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws.42
5780541914Mandate 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
5780541915AristotleA Greek philosopher and scientist who was interested in practically every field of human endeavor.44
5780541916SocratesFirst philosopher to focus on ethical questions and truth-seeking regarding human nature, understandings and relationships45
5780541917MarathonBattle in 490 BCE Greeks defeat Persia46
5780541918Peloponnesian war431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. With Sparta winning, both were still majorly weakened, they were conquered by Macedonia47
5780541919TriumvirateRule of three men holding power (in ancient Rome) Ex: the unofficial coalition of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 BC48
5780541920Four 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
5780541921BoddhisatvaA person who had taken the the eightfold path and reached perfection but had delayed entering nirvana in order to help others along the way50
5780541922Alexander 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
5780541923BureaucracyA system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives52
5780541924AshokaLeader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism53
5780541925Chandragupta MauryaFounder of the Mauryan Empire, first emperor to unify most of India54
5780541926Chandra GuptaFounder of the Gupta Empire55
5780541927Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life56
5780541928AthensA democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.57
5780541929SpartaA powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.58
5780541930Shi 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
5780541931AnalectsCollection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.60
5780541932Confucius(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
5780541933Teotihuacan(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
5780541934ZoroasterFounder of Zoroastrianism, a religion unique to Persia.63
5780541935Royal 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
5780541936Mayan2000 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
5780541937QuranSacred religious texts for Islam66
5780541938Cyrus 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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