Ancient Civilizations Flashcards
Neolithic era was
When agriculture happened, people stopped being hunters and gathers
Definition of a civilization
large numbers of humans share similar culture
What are the 5 characteristics of a complex civilization?
- Formed cities( center of trade)
- Created complex institutions (political roles, laws, keep people in line…)( Religion)
- Social structures( rich, powerful, poor, slaves, women)
- record/Writing system created(keep track of religion/trade, taxes)
- Technology advancements/ Art
How did farming and agriculture establish the foundations for the “modern society”?
MORE FOOD= MORE LEISURE TIME
Population increase, job specialization= civilizations
monotheistic religion vs polytheistic
Mono- one god
Poly- multiple gods
Religion vs belief system
Religion: a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things( from –beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community.
Belief systems- same as religion, EXCEPT- not divine connection.
Diaspora
movement of a religious or ethnic group beyond their point of origin, spread of ideas
The 3 Ways diaspora occurs
- Hierarchical (mandated by the powers that be) =Conquest
- Contagious by coming into contact with others =Trade
- Relocation = migration
Syncretism
blend of cultural elements to form something new or different
How did the warring states period set the stage for the creation of the 3 belief systems?
Regional kingdoms fought each other for power for over 230 years
What was the Mandate of Heaven?
The divine permission that gave Chinas kings and emperors the authority to rule, if they ruled well.
What is the main idea of legalism
-People are bad, do not respond to good examples therefore, you need a Powerful absolute ruler to control bad people
-Threat of harsh punishment will force people to give up their individuality to the absolute ruler
-Strict law and order. =Group punishment= group responsibility
What is the main idea of Confucianism
-Based on relationships and respect
-People are good, and will succeed if given rules to follow
-Good Moral Conduct=Superiors set standards for everyone
Describe how the five basic relationships of Confucianism provided structure to Chinese society.
Social order: proper order of relationship/ respect
Ruler > subject
Father > son
Husband > wife
Older > younger
friend= friend
Filial piety
respect/honor for elder family members.
-veneration= great respect for ancestors
Daoism
-“the way of nature” “way of the cosmos”
Goal =bring all elements of existence/nature into harmony:heaven, earth, and man
Humans achieve happiness by living with nature
Individualistic: if you are at peace, it doesn’t matter what the world is like
Stopped striving for glory, riches, and attainment there would be no war no eny or suffering
Yin-yang
strive to maintain the balance of yin & yang (Yin: the power to concentrate/Yang: the power to expand)
Main characteristics of the Qin dynasty
Shi Huangdi: “First Emperor” of China
Used LEGALISM to gain control
The good:
Standardized Weights, currency, and laws
Formalized a writing system
Built infrastructure: roads/ canals
The Great Wall of China for protection
The bad:
The Great Wall( many killed while building)
Killed scholars / burned books
Terra cotta soldiers buried alive in his tomb
ended= shi poisoned himself looking for immorality
Main characteristics of the Han Dynasty
Based on confusciam
Based on relationship and respect
Education important
Expanded empire
Strong bureaucracy
Not based on heredity – based on passing an exam( Civil Service Exam which was based on confucian principles)
Hebrews
Group of people who established two kingdoms in canaan. Created new religion- Judaism named after one of the kingdoms.
Yahweh
Judaism worship of all powerful god called YHWH( monotheism)
Importance of Abraham.
Abrahamic religions- abraham part of origins, tribal leader who god appeared to.
Torah
Hebrews wrote down their traditions, laws, history and ethics into five books called the Torah
Be able to explain the Covenant.
An agreement that people believed to exist between themselves and god.
God appeared to abraham- promising him that he would be blessed, as would his descendants if they followed God.
Second covenant- after Moses led jews out of Egypt from slavery. If they worshiped god as their only god, he would consider them his chosen people and protect them from their enemies.
