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The Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

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9221002541BuddhismBelief 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
9221002542600 BCE - 600 CEClassical Era Time Period1
9221002543JudaismA 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
9221002544ChristianityA religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus3
9221002545HinduismMost prevalent religion in India, that integrates spiritual beliefs with daily practices and official institutions such as the caste system.4
9221002546ConfucianismEmphasized education, family, peace, and justice5
9221002547Daoism (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
9221002548ZoroastrianismA 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
9221002549TorahSacred Book for the Jewish & Judaism8
9221002550Synagoguesthe building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction9
9221002551Siddhartha GautamaThe founder of Buddhism10
9221002552VedasReligious texts that were passed down from generation to generation of Aryans in the form of hymns, songs, prayers and rituals honoring the Aryan gods11
9221002553ReincarnationThe rebirth of a soul after the body dies12
9221002554NirvanaUnion with the universal spirit; can be reached through the four noble truths and eightfold paths13
9221002555Pax Romanathe period of peace that existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire14
9221002556Law of Twelve Tablesthe earliest code of Roman civil, criminal, and religious law15
9221002557Punic 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
9221002558Constantinewas Roman Emperor from 377 - 306BC, he was the first emperor to profess Christianity and turned Rome in a Christian State17
9221002559DiasporaScattering of Hebrews because of conquerers that spread them to other parts of the earth18
9221002560KarmaA destiny that has been shaped by years of cause and effect, that is outwardly revealed by and individuals caste or station life19
9221002561Eightfold pathComposed of eight steps that must be mastered one at a time20
9221002562MahabharataWorlds longest poem that contains Hindu beliefs21
9221002563DharmaSet of duties that the individual must fulfill22
9221002564ShivaA supreme deity, the preserver23
9221002565RamayanaA poem that demonstrates the fulfillment of Dharma24
9221002566VishnuA supreme deity, the destroyer25
9221002567PaulOne 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
9221002568Great Wall of ChinaWall began in the Qin Dynasty27
9221002569BrahminPriests who compiled the Vedas28
9221002570Kshatriyawarriors and officials (caste system)29
9221002571Vaishyamerchants, artisans, and landowners (caste system)30
9221002572Shudrapeasants and laborers (caste system)31
9221002573Vedic AgeLasted from 1500 to 500 BCE, time period after the collapse of the Indus River Valley Civilization, contained the Vedas, which are religious texts32
9221002574Mauryan 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
9221002575Gupta Empire320BC-550CE, located in northern India34
9221002576Persian 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
9221002577Qin 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
9221002578Han DynastyDynasty that lasted from 206-220BC and began the official establishment of the Silk Road.37
9221002579Byzantine 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
9221002580Mayan CivilizationCivilization of the Americas located in Central America that saw its height from 200-900 CE.39
9221002581Hellenistic SynthesisHellenistic culture mixed with other cultures, creating cosmopolitan societies connected by trade and Greek culture40
9221002582Athens and Spartatwo main city-states of Greek Empire41
9221002583LegalismChinese philosophy developed by Han Feizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws.42
9221002584Mandate 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
9221002585AristotleA Greek philosopher and scientist who was interested in practically every field of human endeavor.44
9221002586SocratesFirst philosopher to focus on ethical questions and truth-seeking regarding human nature, understandings and relationships45
9221002587MarathonBattle in 490 BCE Greeks defeat Persia46
9221002588Peloponnesian war431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. With Sparta winning, both were still majorly weakened, they were conquered by Macedonia47
9221002589TriumvirateRule of three men holding power (in ancient Rome) Ex: the unofficial coalition of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 BC48
9221002590Four 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
9221002591BoddhisatvaA person who had taken the the eightfold path and reached perfection but had delayed entering nirvana in order to help others along the way50
9221002592Alexander 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
9221002593BureaucracyA system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives52
9221002594AshokaLeader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism53
9221002595Chandragupta MauryaFounder of the Mauryan Empire, first emperor to unify most of India54
9221002596Chandra GuptaFounder of the Gupta Empire55
9221002597Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life56
9221002598AthensA democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.57
9221002599SpartaA powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.58
9221002600Shi 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
9221002601AnalectsCollection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.60
9221002602Confucius(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
9221002603Teotihuacan(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
9221002604ZoroasterFounder of Zoroastrianism, a religion unique to Persia.63
9221002605Royal 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
9221002606Mayan2000 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
9221002607QuranSacred religious texts for Islam66
9221002608Cyrus 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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