Unit II

1. Unit II • Classical Civilizations • Greece Izydorczak

2. City- state: A city and its surrounding lands functioning as independent political unit. Izydorczak

3. Polis: Greek word for city-state Izydorczak

4. Limited Democracy: Form of gov’t where only a “select” segment of society participates in government. Izydorczak

5. Direct Democracy: Form of gov’t where the citizens make the laws themselves through mass meetings. Izydorczak

6. Totalitarianism: A society where everything is controlled by either the gov’t or a dictator. Izydorczak

7. Pericles: Leader of Athens during its GOLDEN AGE Izydorczak

8. Golden Age • A time in a culture of high achievement in arts, literature, and science. Generally occurs in a time of peace Izydorczak

9. Oligarchy: Form of government where a few people rule/make the decisions for the rest of society Izydorczak

10. Alexander the Great: 356 BCE-323 BCE He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India, which began the Hellenistic culture which was a blending of Greek, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian influences Izydorczak

11. Hellenistic: Blending of eastern and western cultures as a result of Alexander the Greats conquests Izydorczak

12. Unit II • Ancient Rome Izydorczak

13. Republic: System of government in which officials are chosen by the people Izydorczak

14. Patricians: Aristocratic landowners of the early Roman Republic Izydorczak

15. Plebeians: Commons of the early Roman Republic made up of farmers and artisans Izydorczak

16. Twelve Tables of Roman Law: System of laws during the Roman Empire Izydorczak

17. Absolute Ruler: A leader who has TOTAL POWER (his way or the highway!) Izydorczak

18. Augustus: First emperor of the Roman Empire whose reign ushered in the PAX ROMANA Izydorczak

19. Pax Romana: A 200 year period of relative peace throughout the Roman Empire. Occurs during the first two centuries C.E. Izydorczak

20. Christianity: Currently the most popular religion in the world based on the number of worshippers found throughout the world. While this monotheistic religion developed from Judaism, there are several key differences in its teachings. Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ in the 1st century CE. The Christian holy book is called the Holy Bible. Izydorczak

21. Jesus Christ: Founder of Christianity. Considered by Christians to be the son of God and the Messiah. He is the central figure in the Christian Religion. Izydorczak

22. Diaspora: A forced “scattering” of a people (Jews/Africans) Izydorczak

23. Subcontinent • Large area that is a separate part of a continent divided by natural barriers (desert, mountains). South East Asia Izydorczak

24. Subcontinent physical features • Himalaya Mts., Deccan Plateau, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Thar Desert, E& W Ghats, (Brahmaputra River, Ganges River, Indus River), Hindu-Kush Mts. Izydorczak

25. China Physical Features • Himalaya Mts., Eastern lowlands, Huang He River, Yangtze River, Xi River Izydorczak

26. Archipelago • A group or chain of islands Izydorczak

27. Japanese archipelago • Four main islands. (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) Izydorczak

28. Asoka • (? – 232 BCE) King of the Maurya dynasty. He ruled nearly the entire subcontinent of India. He also was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism after his conversion (religious tolerant). Izydorczak

29. Gupta Dynasty • (320 – 550) C.E.) Ruling family in India during its golden age. Responsible for many achievements. Izydorczak

30. Centralized Government • A government which controls all aspects of society from a central location or through a central system Izydorczak

31. Civil-service • Created by the Han, government positions in which employees are hired based on examination scores (merit). Izydorczak

32. Assimilation • The adoption of a conqueror’s culture by a conquered people. Izydorczak

33. Confucius • 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. Izydorczak

34. Confucianism • Philosophy created by Confucius to bring order back to society—dominates Asia culture. Izydorczak

35. Filial Piety • Respect and obedience owed to parents/elders by children. Izydorczak

36. Sub-Saharan Africa • Africa BELOW the Sahara Desert Izydorczak

37. Desertification • Process by which semi arid land turns to desert Izydorczak

38. Sahel • Area directly bordering the Sahara to its South that is undergoing desertification Izydorczak

39. Escarpment • Tall cliffs/walls of rock that dominate parts of the West coast of Africa; barrier to transportation and communication Izydorczak

40. Nile, Congo, Zambezi, Niger • Main river systems of Africa Izydorczak

41. Savanna • Flat, grassy plains of Africa; home to much of the wildlife (lions, tigers, wildebeests, etc) Izydorczak

42. Kilimanjaro & Kenya • Two major Mountains in Africa Izydorczak

43. Tribe • A social grouping of people sharing the same culture Izydorczak

44. Clan • A group of people united by kinship or descent (blood). A tribe may be made of many clans. Izydorczak

45. Griot • In West African culture, a Griot is the “story-teller” of the tribe. They keep the history of the tribe alive by passing it orally (stories, songs, etc…) to the children of the tribe. Izydorczak

46. Consensus • A general agreement among members of a given group. Izydorczak

47. Bride Wealth • A payment that is made by the future husband to the bride’s family. Family/marriage alliance. Izydorczak

48. Ancestor Worship • Worship given to deceased relatives who are believed to be closer to the Gods, and therefore able to grant favors. Izydorczak

49. Animism • Belief system whereby spirits are present in animals, plants and nature Izydorczak

50. Subsistence Farming • Farming in which farmers grow only enough food to feed the family and to pay taxes or feudal dues. Also called self-sufficient farming. Izydorczak