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The Classical Era - AP World History Flashcards

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10827499970BuddhismBelief 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
10827499971600 BCE - 600 CEClassical Era Time Period1
10827499972HinduismMost prevalent religion in India, that integrates spiritual beliefs with daily practices and official institutions such as the caste system.2
10827499973ConfucianismEmphasized education, family, peace, and justice3
10827499974Daoism (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.4
10827499975ZoroastrianismA 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 evil5
10827499976Siddhartha GautamaThe founder of Buddhism6
10827499977VedasReligious texts that were passed down from generation to generation of Aryans in the form of hymns, songs, prayers and rituals honoring the Aryan gods7
10827499978ReincarnationThe rebirth of a soul after the body dies8
10827499979NirvanaUnion with the universal spirit; can be reached through the four noble truths and eightfold paths9
10827499980Pax Romanathe period of peace that existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire10
10827499981Law of Twelve Tablesthe earliest code of Roman civil, criminal, and religious law11
10827499982Punic 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.12
10827499983Constantinewas Roman Emperor from 377 - 306BC, he was the first emperor to profess Christianity and turned Rome in a Christian State13
10827499984DiasporaScattering of Hebrews because of conquerers that spread them to other parts of the earth14
10827499985KarmaA destiny that has been shaped by years of cause and effect, that is outwardly revealed by and individuals caste or station life15
10827499986Eightfold pathComposed of eight steps that must be mastered one at a time16
10827499987DharmaSet of duties that the individual must fulfill17
10827499988Great Wall of ChinaWall began in the Qin Dynasty18
10827499989BrahminPriests who compiled the Vedas19
10827499990Kshatriyawarriors and officials (caste system)20
10827499991Vaishyamerchants, artisans, and landowners (caste system)21
10827499992Shudrapeasants and laborers (caste system)22
10827499993Vedic AgeLasted from 1500 to 500 BCE, time period after the collapse of the Indus River Valley Civilization, contained the Vedas, which are religious texts23
10827499994Mauryan 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.24
10827499995Gupta Empire320BC-550CE, located in northern India25
10827499996Persian 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.26
10827499997Qin 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)27
10827499998Han DynastyDynasty that lasted from 206-220BC and began the official establishment of the Silk Road.28
10827499999Byzantine 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.29
10827500000Hellenistic SynthesisHellenistic culture mixed with other cultures, creating cosmopolitan societies connected by trade and Greek culture30
10827500001Athens and Spartatwo main city-states of Greek Empire31
10827500002LegalismChinese philosophy developed by Han Feizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws.32
10827500003Mandate 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.33
10827500004AristotleA Greek philosopher and scientist who was interested in practically every field of human endeavor.34
10827500005SocratesFirst philosopher to focus on ethical questions and truth-seeking regarding human nature, understandings and relationships35
10827500006MarathonBattle in 490 BCE Greeks defeat Persia36
10827500007Peloponnesian war431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta. With Sparta winning, both were still majorly weakened, they were conquered by Macedonia37
10827500008TriumvirateRule of three men holding power (in ancient Rome) Ex: the unofficial coalition of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 BC38
10827500009Four 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 path39
10827500010Alexander 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.40
10827500011BureaucracyA system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives41
10827500012AshokaLeader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism42
10827500013Chandragupta MauryaFounder of the Mauryan Empire, first emperor to unify most of India43
10827500014Chandra GuptaFounder of the Gupta Empire44
10827500015Caste SystemA Hindu social class system that controlled every aspect of daily life45
10827500016AthensA democratic Greek polis who accomplished many cultural achievements, and who were constantly at war with Sparta.46
10827500017SpartaA powerful Greek military polis that was often at war with Athens. Used slaves known as helots to provide agricultural labor.47
10827500018Shi 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.48
10827500019AnalectsCollection of moral and social teachings of Confucius, including the concept of the Five Relationships.49
10827500020Confucius(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.50
10827500021ZoroasterFounder of Zoroastrianism, a religion unique to Persia.51
10827500022Royal 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 transportation52
10827500023Cyrus 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.53

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