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AP World History Period 2 Flashcards

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12386672751Ahura MazdaIn Zoroastrianism, the good god who rules the world.0
12386672752Alexander the GreatAlexander III of Macedon (356-323 B.C.E.), conqueror of the Persian Empire and part of northwest India.1
12386672753AryansIndo-European pastoralists who moved into India about the time of the collapse of the Indus Valley civilization; their role in causing this collapse is still debated by historians.2
12386672754AshokaThe most famous ruler of the Mauryan Empire (r. 268-232 B.C.E.), who converted to Buddhism and tried to rule peacefully and with tolerance.3
12386672755Caesar AugustusThe great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar who emerged as sole ruler of the Roman state at the end of an extended period of civil war (r. 31 B.C.E.-14 C.E.).4
12386672756Cyrus (the Great)Founder of the Persian Empire (r. 557-530 B.C.E.); a ruler noted for his conquests, religious tolerance, and political moderation.5
12386672757Darius IGreat king of Persia (r. 522-486 B.C.E.) following the upheavals after Cyrus's death; completed the establishment of the Persian Empire.6
12386672758Greco-Persian WarsTwo major Persian invasions of Greece, in 490 B.C.E. and 480 B.C.E., in which the Persians were defeated on both land and sea.7
12386672759Gupta EmpireAn empire of India (320-550 C.E.). Known as the Golden Age of India with many achievements.8
12386672760Han dynastyChinese dynasty that restored unity in China softened legalist policies. Begun in 202 B.C. by Liu Bang, the dynasty ruled China for more than 400 years. A Golden Age of China.9
12386672761Hellenistic eraThe period from 323 to 30 B.C.E. in which Greek culture spread widely in Eurasia in the kingdoms ruled by Alexander's political successors.10
12386672762HerodotusGreek historian known as the "father of history" (ca. 484-ca. 425 B.C.E.). His Histories enunciated the Greek view of a fundamental divide between East and West, culminating in the Greco-Persian Wars of 490-480 B.C.E.11
12386672763Mandate of HeavenThe ideological underpinning of Chinese emperors, this was the belief that a ruler held authority by command of divine force as long as he ruled morally and benevolently.12
12386672764Mauryan EmpireA major empire (322-185 B.C.E.) that encompassed most of India. This is the empire of Ashoka and the spread of Buddhism in India.13
12386672765PatriciansWealthy, privileged Romans who dominated early Roman society.14
12386672766Pax RomanaThe "Roman peace," a term typically used to denote the stability and prosperity of the early Roman Empire, especially in the first and second centuries C.E.15
12386672767Peloponnesian WarGreat war between Athens (and allies) and Sparta (and allies), lasting from 431 to 404 B.C.E. The conflict ended in the defeat of Athens and the closing of Athens's Golden Age.16
12386672768PersepolisThe capital and greatest palace-city of the Persian Empire, destroyed by Alexander the Great.17
12386672769Persian EmpireA major empire that expanded from the Iranian plateau to incorporate the Middle East from Egypt to India; flourished from around 550 to 330 B.C.E.18
12386672770PlebiansPoorer, less privileged Romans who gradually won a role in Roman politics.19
12386672771Punic WarsThree major wars between Rome and Carthage in North Africa, fought between 264 and 146 B.C.E., that culminated in Roman victory and control of the western Mediterranean.20
12386672772Qin DynastyA short-lived (221-206 B.C.E.) but highly influential Chinese dynasty that succeeded in reuniting China at the end of the Warring States period.21
12386672773Qin ShihuangdiLiterally "first emperor" (r. 221-210 B.C.E.) forcibly reunited China and established a strong and repressive state. Used Legalism, standardized currency and weights and built the Terra cotta army.22
12386672774WudiHan emperor (r. 141-86 B.C.E.) who began the Chinese civil service system by establishing an academy to train imperial bureaucrats.23
12386672775XiongnuNomadic peoples to the north of the Great Wall of China who were a frequent threat to the stability of the Chinese state.24
12386672776AristotleA Greek polymath philosopher (384-322 B.C.E.); student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great.25
12386672777Bhagavad GitaA great Hindu epic text, part of the much larger Mahabharata, which affirms the performance of caste duties as a path to religious liberation.26
12386672778BrahmanThe "World Soul" or final reality in upanishadic Hindu belief.27
12386672779BrahminsThe priestly caste of India.28
12386672780BuddhismThe cultural/religious tradition first enunciated by Siddhartha Gautama in India.29
12386672781ConfucianismThe Chinese philosophy first enunciated by Confucius, advocating the moral example of superiors as the key element of social order.30
12386672782ConfuciusThe founder of Confucianism (551-479 B.C.E.); an aristocrat of northern China who proved to be the greatest influence on Chinese culture in its history.31
12386672783ConstantineRoman emperor (r. 306-337 C.E.) whose conversion to Christianity paved the way for the triumph of Christianity in Europe.32
12386672784DaoismA Chinese philosophy/popular religion that advocates simplicity and understanding of the world of nature, founded by the legendary figure Laozi.33
12386672785Filial pietyThe honoring of one's ancestors and parents, a key element of Confucianism.34
12386672786Greek rationalismA secularizing system of scientific and philosophic thought that developed in classical Greece in the period 600 to 300 B.C.E.; it emphasized the power of education and human reason to understand the world in nonreligious terms.35
12386672787HinduismA word derived from outsiders to describe the vast diversity of indigenous Indian religious traditions.36
12386672788HippocratesA very influential Greek medical theorist (ca. 460-ca. 370 B.C.E.); regarded as the father of medicine.37
12386672789Jesus of NazarethThe prophet/god of Christianity(ca. 4 B.C.E.-ca. 30 C.E.).38
12386672790YahwehA form of the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible. The monotheistic religion developed by the Hebrews, emphasizing a sole personal god with concerns for social justice.39
12386672791KarmaIn Hinduism, the determining factor of the level at which the individual is reincarnated, based on purity of action in the prior existence.40
12386672792LaoziA legendary Chinese philosopher of the sixth century B.C.E.; regarded as the founder of Daoism.41
12386672793LegalismA Chinese philosophy distinguished by an adherence to clear laws with vigorous harsh punishments.42
12386672794MokshaIn Hindu belief, liberation from separate existence and union with Brahman. The ultimate goal of Hindus and freedom from the cycle of rebirth.43
12386672795Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)The Indian prince (ca. 566-ca. 486 B.C.E.) who founded Buddhism.44
12386672796SocratesThe first great Greek philosopher to turn rationalism toward questions of human existence (469-399 B.C.E.).45
12386672797UpanishadsIndian mystical and philosophical works, written between 800 and 400 B.C.E.46
12386672798VedasThe earliest religious texts of India, a collection of ancient poems, hymns, and rituals that were transmitted orally before being written down ca. 600 B.C.E.47
12386672799Warring States PeriodPeriod in China from 403 to 221 B.C.E. that was typified by disorder and political chaos.48
12386672800Yin and YangExpression of the Chinese belief in the unity of opposites.49
12386672801ZoroastrianismPersian monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zarathustra.50
12386672802Caste SystemThe system of social organization in India that has evolved over millennia; it is based on an original division of the populace into four inherited classes, with the addition of thousands of social distinctions based on occupation, which became the main cell of social life in India.51
12386672803DharmaIn Indian belief, performance of the duties appropriate to an individual's caste; good performance will lead to rebirth in a higher caste.52
12386672804KshatriyaThe Indian social class of warriors and rulers.53
12386672805LatifundiaHuge estates operated by slave labor that flourished in parts of the Roman Empire54
12386672806PericlesA prominent and influential statesman of ancient Athens (ca. 495-429 B.C.E.); presided over Athens's Golden Age of Democracy.55
12386672807SudraThe lowest Indian social class of varna; regarded as servants of their social betters; eventually included peasant farmers56
12386672808the "three submissions"In Chinese Confucian thought, the notion that a woman is permanently subordinate to male control: first that of her father, then of her husband, and finally of her son.57
12386672809UntouchablesAn Indian social class that emerged below the Sudras and whose members performed the most unclean and polluting work.58
12386672810VaisyaThe Indian social class that was originally defined as farmers but eventually comprised merchants.59
12386672811Silk RoadTrade route stretching from China into Europe.60
12386672812SyncretismAttempted union or reconciliation of diverse or opposite tenets or practices, especially in philosophy or religion. (ex. Hellenistism)61
12386672813Ancestor VenerationThe custom of worshiping deceased ancestors who are considered still a part of the family and whose spirits are believed to have the power to intervene in the affairs of the living. Practiced in Classical China.62
12386672814Codificationthe action or process of arranging laws, rules or religious beliefs according to a system or plan.63
12386672815Jewish Diasporathe dispersion of Israelites, Judahites and later Jews out of their ancestral homeland (the Land of Israel) and their subsequent settlement in other parts of the globe64
12386672816Monasticisma religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work; typically in a house of worship (ex. Christrianity and Buddhism)65
12386672817ReincarnationThe rebirth of the soul in a new body. A belief of both Hinduism and Buddhism.66
12386672818NirvanaThe goal of the Buddhist path. It is the ultimate spiritual goal in Buddhism and marks the release from rebirths.67
12386672819Mahayana Buddihismone of the two major traditions of Buddhism, now practiced in a variety of forms especially in China, Tibet, Japan, and Korea. Became more a religion and Buddha became viewed as a god.68
12386672820Theravada BuddhismOne of the two major traditions of Buddhism. It is more similar to the Buddha's origional philosophy and Buddha is seen as a teacher rather than a god. It is practiced mainly in Southeast Asia in places such as Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.69
123866728215 Key RelationshipsRuler to subject, father to son, husband to wife, elder to younger and friend to friend. Confucius believed that if society follows these then it will lead to social harmony and order.70
12386672822Influence of Daoism on Chinese cultureMedical theories and practices, poetry, metallurgy, architecture71
12386672823Reasons why Belief Systems SpreadMissionaries, merchants and trade routes72
12386672824AnimismThe ancient religious belief that objects, places and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. All things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems,—considered alive with spiritual presence.73
12386672825PhoeniciansOne of the earliest trading empires in world history that dominated the Mediterranean region; created the world's first known alphabet system that was later adapted by the Greeks.74
12386672826Mayaa Mesoamerican civilization (Mexico) noted for its hieroglyphic script—the only known fully developed writing system of the pre-Columbian Americas—as well as for its art, architecture, mathematics, calendar, and astronomical system.75
12386672827TeotihuacanLocated in the Basin of Central Mexico, was the largest and most revered city in the history of Mesoamerica, and it flourished in a Golden Age during the Classic Period of the first millennium CE. Dominated by two gigantic pyramids and a huge sacred avenue, the city, its architecture, art, and religion would influence all subsequent Mesoamerican cultures, and it remains today the most visited ancient site in Mexico.76
12386672828Methods of Orginization and Legitimicy of Classical Empires and their Rulersadministrateve institutions (centralized governments, bureaucracies, legal systems), claiming divine rule (ex. Mandate of Heaven), promoted trade, projected military power over other lands using new technologies and techniques (standard currencies, diplomacies), building fortifications, defensive walls, roads, using new groups of military officers and soldiers from the conquered populations77
12386672829Role of Imperial CitiesServed as centers of trade, public performances of religious rituals, and political administration for states and empires78
12386672830Merchants in ChinaPlaced at the bottom of the social pyramid in China because they were viewed as greedy and selfish79
12386672831Patriarchya system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it80
12386672832Reasons for the Collapse of Classical EmpiresExcessive mobilization of resources, overexpansion, erosion of political institutions, social class tensions, spread of disease, security issues along borders, invasions81
12386672833Trade Routes of the Classical EraEurasian Silk Roads, Trans-Saharan caravan routes, Inidan Ocean sea lanes, Mediterranean sea lanes82
12386672834New Technologies of the Classical EraYoke, saddal, stirrup83
12386672835Domesticated pack animals used on Classical Trade RoutesHorse, camel, llama84
12386672836Monsoonsa seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, blowing from the southwest between May and September and bringing rain (wet), or from the northeast between October and April (dry)85
12386672837Qanat Systeman ancient system of underground tunnels that supply mountain water to dry lower places in the Middle East. First used in the Persian Empire.86
12386672838Missionarya person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity or Buddhism in a foreign land87
12386672839city-statea city that with its surrounding territory forms an independent state with its own leader; ex. Greece (polis)88
12386672840Bodhisattva(in Mahayana Buddhism) a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings89
12386672841Classical Era600 BCE to 600 CE; characterized by the emergence of empires such as Persia, Rome, Han, the codification of world belief systems and trade routes of Afro-Eurasia90
12386672842Roman RepublicThe era of ancient Roman civilization beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom, traditionally dated to 509 BC, and ending in 27 BC with the establishment of the Roman Empire. It was during this period that Rome's government was headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and advised by a senate composed of appointed magistrates.91
12386672843Universal ReligionsRefers to a religion believing their laws are binding for everyone. A religion that can spread to other lands and cultures and actively seeks converts (i.e. Christianity and Buddhism) Can be directly contrasted to ethnic religions, which are, limited by ethnic or national scope (i.e. Judaism, Zoroastrianism)92

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