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Unit 4 Ap World Flashcards

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5893096123The Monsoon SystemDuring the summer the winds blow regularly from the southwest, whereas in the winter they come from the northeast. Knowledge of these winds enabled mariners to sail safely and reliably to all parts of the Indian Ocean basin.0
5893096124Trade in the Hellenistic WorldSpices, pepper, cosmetics, gems, and pearls from India traveled by caravan and ship to Hellenistic cities and ports. Grain from Persia and Egypt fed urban populations in distant lands. Throughout the region from India to the Mediterranean, merchants conducted a brisk trade in slaves recruited largely from the ranks of kidnapping victims or prisoners of war.1
5893096125Sea lanes and Maritime TradeThe silk roads included a network of sea lanes that sustained maritime commerce throughout much of the eastern hemisphere. A wide variety of manufactured products and agricultural commodities traveled over the silk roads.2
5893096126Trade goodsMediterranean merchants and manufactures often imported raw materials such as uncut gemstones, which they exported as finished products in the form of expensive jewelry and decorative items.3
5893096127Buddhism in Central AsiaBuddhism first established a presence in the oasis towns along the silk roads. The oases depended heavily on trade for their prosperity and they allowed merchants to build monasteries and invite monks and scribes into their communities.4
5893096128Buddhism in ChinaThe earliest Buddhists in China were foreign merchants who observed their faith in the enclaves that Han Dynasty officials allowed them to inhabit in Chang'an and other major cities. In about the 5th century C.E., Chinese began to respond enthusiastically to Buddhism.5
5893096129Buddhism and Hinduism in Southeast AsiaAs Buddhism spread north from India into central Asia and China, also both Buddhism and Hinduism also began to attract a following in southeast Asia. Many rulers converted to Buddhism, while others promoted the Hindu cults of Shiva or Vishnu.6
5893096130Christianity in Southwest AsiaAs Christianity became a prominent source of religious inspiration within the Roman Empire, the young faith also traveled the trades routes and found followers beyond the Mediterranean basin. They attracted large number of converts in southwest Asia. Christians in southwest Asia often followed the strict ascetic regimes.7
5893096131Mani and ManichaeismManichaeism was the faith derived from the prophet Mani, a devout Zoroastrian form Babylon in Mesopotamia. Mani drew deep influence from Christianity and Buddhism. Mani saw a need for a prophet for all humanity and he promoted a syncretic blend for Zoroastrian, Christian, and Buddhist elements as a religious faith that would serve the needs of a cosmopolitan world.8
5893096132Manichaean EthicsMani promoted an ascetic lifestyle and insisted that disciples observe high ethical standards. Devout Manichaeans, known as "the elect," abstained from marriage, sexual, relations, fine clothing, meat, rich foods, and other personal comforts, dedicating themselves instead to prayer, fasting, and ritual observances. Less zealous are "hearers," led more conventional lives, but followed a strict moral code and provided food and gifts for the elects.9
5893096133Decline of ManichaeismZoroastrian leaders urged the Sasanid rulers to suppress Mani's movement as a threat of public order. Mani himself died in chains as a prisoner of the Sasanid emperor, who sought to use Zoroastrianism as a cultural foundation for the unification of his realm.10
5893096134Epidemic diseasesThe most destructive epidemic diseases are smallpox and measles, and epidemics of bubonic plague ma also have erupted. All three diseases are devastating when they break out in populations without resistance, immunities, or medicines to combat them.This caused the population to decline.11
5893096135The Barracks EmperorsMost of them were generals who seized power, held it briefly, and then suddenly lost it when they were displaced by rivals or their mutinous troops.Most died violently, only one is know for sure to have succumbed to natural causes.12
5893096136ConstanineHe and his successors faced the same sort of administrative difficulties that Diocletian had attempted to solve by dividing the empire. As population declined and the economy contracted, emperors found it increasingly difficult to marshall the resources needed to govern and protect the vast Roman empire.13
5893096137The HunsThe Huns began an aggressive westward migration from their homeland in Central Asia. They spoke a Turkish language, and probably were cousins of nomadic Xiongnu who inhabited the Central Asian steppe lands west of China. The Huns invaded man frontiers in the Balkan region, menaced Gail and northern Italy, and attacked Germanic peoples.14
5893096138St. AugustineBishop of North African city of Hippo(modern day Annaba in Algeria). Augustine had a fine education, and he was conversant with the leading intellectual currents of the day. He became disillusioned with both Hellenistic philosophical school and Manichaeism and converted to Christianity. For the remainder of his life, he worked to reconcile Christianity with Greek and Roman philosophical traditions.15
5893096139The Early Byzantine StateThe Byzantine emperors built a distinctive tradition of statecraft. The most important feature of the state was a tightly centralized rule that concentrated power in the hands of a highly exalted emperor. Constantine built his new capital to lavish standards, all in an effort to create a new Rome fit for the ruler of a mighty empire.16
5893096140CaesaropapismConstantine set a precedent by hedging his rule with an aura of divinity. He could not claim the divine status that some of his imperial predecessors had sought to appropriate. As the first Christian emperor, however, Constantine claimed divine favor and sanction for his rule. The policy called "caesaropapism" whereby the emperor not only rule as secular lord but also played an active and prominent role in ecclesiastical affairs.17
5893096141The Byzantine CourtEven dress and court etiquette drew attention to the lofty status of Byzantine rulers. The emperors wore heavily bejeweled crowns and dressed in magnificent silk robes dyed a dark rich purple. High officials presented themselves to the emperor as slaves, not subjects.18
5893096142Justinian and TheodoraJustinian is an energetic and tireless worker known to his subjects as " the sleepless emperor," who influenced the development of the Byzantine empire with the aid of his wife Theodora. The couple were intelligent, strong willed, and disciplined. Justinian found a position in the imperial bureaucracy, and soon mastered the intricacies of Byzantine finance. Theodora proved to be a sagacious advisor.19
5893096143Justinian's CodeHis most significant political contribution was his codification of Roman law. He ordered a systematic review of Roman law that was more thorough than any that had taken place before. He issued the Body of Civil Law, which won recognition as the defensive codification of Roman law. It continued to serve as a source of legal inspiration.20
5893096144Imperial OrganizationThe Byzantine empire was more compact and manageable after the eighth century than was the far flung realm of Justinian. Rulers responded to the challenge of Islam with political and social adjustments that strengthened the empire that remained in their hands. The theme system placed an imperial province under the jurisdiction of a general who assumed responsibility for both its military defense and its civil administration.21
5893096145Liudprand of CremonaHe described the Byzantine emperor as "a monstrosity of a man, a dwarf, fat headed and with tiny mole's eyes; disfigured by a short, broad, thick beard half going gray; disgraced by a neck scarcely an inch long; piglike by reason of the big close bristles on his head." He described Constantinople itself as a formerly prosperous and illustrious city that had become shabby, sleazy, and pretentious.22
5893096146The PeasantryByzantine economy and society were strongest when the empire supported a large class of free peasants who owned small plots of land.Free peasants cultivated their land intensively in hopes of improving their families' fortunes. Peasants did not become slaves, but neither did they remain entirely free.23
5893096147Decline of the Free PeasantryLarge estates did not contribute to imperial tax coffers a the rate of small peasants' holdings, since wealthy landowners had the influence to obtain concessions and exemptions. It diminished the pool of recruits available for service in military forces organized under the theme system.24
5893096148TradeConstantinople served as the main area for trade in the western part of Eurasia. The merchants maintained trade routes with Asia, Russia, northern Europe, and lands of the Black Sea. The Byzantine Empire dominated trade, people all over recognized the gold coin used in the empire.25
5893096149Housing in ConstantinopleAristocrats had large palaces, courtyards, reception halls, libraries, and chapels. There were also places for slaves and extended family members to stay. The women lived in separate apartments, and they did not receive male visitors outside the family.26
5893096150Attractions in ConstantinopleThere were many attractions in Constantinople. There were many baths, which were used for relaxation, hygiene, and exercise. There were also taverns and restaurants. These places were used as social gatherings for the people of the city. There were stadiums, where people watched clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and dwarfs.27
5893096151Greens and BluesChariot races were extremely popular in the Byzantine Empire. The Greens and Blues were a rivalry that preformed in the Hippodrome. Sometimes the Greens and Blues fought in the streets and they both tried to get imperial officials to favor their group. By the late 17th century, the rivalry had faded.28
5893096152Byzantine EducationEducation was important in the Byzantine Empire, because of such a large bureaucracy. The aristocrats often hired tutors to teach their children. Girls and boys both had an opportunity to get an education. There were also state organized schools, which taught reading, writing, science, and more.29
5893096153Byzantine ScholarshipThe Byzantine scholarship represented the cultural legacy of Greece. The scholars focused on literature, history, and philosophy, rather than science and medicine. The scholars tried extremely hard to preserve the classical Greece culture.30
5893096154Organization of TradeBanks and business partners played a major role in the success of Byzantine trade. The banks gave loans to people wanting to start businesses. Merchants often made partnerships.Banking and partnerships was not a new thing, but the Byzantines made it much more successful.31
5893096155IconoclasmIconoclasm means the breaking of icons. Emperor Leo the 3rd, started destroying religious images and taking them out of churches. The Byzantine empire had many paintings of Jesus, Saints, and other Holy figures. Leo wanted to stop the worshiping of religious images, and he wanted people to start worshiping physical idols.32
5893096156AsceticismMany people wanted to live a holy life style. Some people left society, and went to deserts. Others decided to practice celibacy, fasting, and prayer. During the 5th century, men and women demonstrated their commitment by perching on top of tall pillars.33
5893096157Mt. AthosMt. Athos was the main place where Byzantine monasteries went. Mt. Athos prohibited women, human and animals, because they wanted the monks to stay pure. Monks and nuns did a lot of community service. They also organized medical attention, to places that experienced disasters.34
5893096158Constantinople and RomeTensions between Constantinople and Rome were centered around political strains. The Christian communities divided into 2 communities. Religious and theological differences separated the two. Later on, there were many differences that arose, some ritual and doctrinal differences caused an even larger separation.35
5893096159SchismThe Byzantine patriarchs and Roman popes disputed their rights and power. The patriarchs the autonomy of all Christian rules. The popes had the main authority over Christendom. The division became so great, that the eastern and western churches went their own ways.36
5893096160Social ProblemsGenerals and their offspring started intermarrying, which created an elite class with an amazing military, political, social, and economic power. Rebels never defeated imperial forces, but their revolts hurt the empire.37
5893096161Challenges from the EastAs the Europeans expanded into the Byzantine empire, nomadic Turkish people invaded from the east. There was also Muslim invaders. The Byzantine empire weakened, as a result of the conquering of Anatolia, the main source of their grain, wealth, and military.38
5893096162Muhammad's Early LifeHe was to a family of merchants. As he reached 40 Muhammad under went a spiritual experience. His experiences left him with convictions of the world. He also found that Allah was the one true deity.39
5893096163The QuranThe Quran is the holy book for the Islamic religion. The Quran contains Muhammad's understandings of Allah. The Quran also contains many of Muhammad's sayings. There are also social and legal customs and biographies of Muhammad.40
5893096164Conflict at MeccaMuhammad's growing popularity led him to face conflict with elites at Mecca. The conflict was centered around religious disagreements. Muhammad insisted that Allah was the most divine power. Arabs believed in deities and spirits. The tensions were also personal disputes.41
5893096165The HijraHijra means migration. Muhammad's move to Medina serves as the starting point of the Islamic calendar.42
5893096166The UmmaUmma means community of the faithful. Muhammad organized his followers into Umma, and it had its own legal and social code. He led the community with daily prayers and in battles. He looked after the economic welfare of the Umma.43
5893096167Muhammad's Return to MeccaMuhammad and his followers planned to return to Mecca. In 630, they attacked and conquered the city. They forced the elites to adopt Muhammad's faith, and to base the government off of Allah. They made many changes in the city. By Muhammad's death, they had conquered most of Arabia.44
5893096168The Five Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars of Islam are the foundation of the Islamic religion. The FIve Pillars include, acknowledge Allah as the one and only god, praying to Mecca, fast during Ramadan, contribute to weak and poor, and visit Mecca, if you are able to.45
5893096169JihadJihad means the struggle. Many Muslims have taken this term into many different meanings. In one meaning, jihad imposes spiritual obligations, causing them to do evil and harm. In another way, jihad has called Muslims to go against ignorance and unbelief, by spreading the word of Islam.46
5893096170Islamic Law: The ShariaThe Sharia came many centuries after Muhammad. They offered guidance on proper behavior in almost every aspect of life. It had inspiration from the Quran and Muhammad's early life and teachings. It talked about family life, slavery, business, and much more.47
5893096171The CaliphA caliph is a deputy. They chose the caliph by choosing a genial man, who was one of the prophet's closest friends48
5893096172Expansion of IslamAfter Muhammad's death, Islamic armies arose and went well beyond Arabia, and they took their religion with them. They attacked many empires when they were exhausted from other conflicts. This helped the army become powerful. They took over most of Mesopotamia, Byzantine Syria, and Palestine. The continued to expand.49

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