Ancient Civilizations

Question 1

Neolithic era was

Answer 1

When agriculture happened, people stopped being hunters and gathers

Question 2

Definition of a civilization

Answer 2

large numbers of humans share similar culture

Question 3

What are the 5 characteristics of a complex civilization?

Answer 3

1. Formed cities( center of trade)
2. Created complex institutions (political roles, laws, keep people in line…)( Religion)
3. Social structures( rich, powerful, poor, slaves, women)
4. record/Writing system created(keep track of religion/trade, taxes)
5. Technology advancements/ Art

Question 4

How did farming and agriculture establish the foundations for the “modern society”?

Answer 4

MORE FOOD= MORE LEISURE TIME
Population increase, job specialization= civilizations

Question 5

monotheistic religion vs polytheistic

Answer 5

Mono- one god
Poly- multiple gods

Question 6

Religion vs belief system

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Diaspora

Answer 7

movement of a religious or ethnic group beyond their point of origin, spread of ideas

Question 8

The 3 Ways diaspora occurs

Answer 8

1. Hierarchical (mandated by the powers that be) =Conquest
2. Contagious by coming into contact with others =Trade
3. Relocation = migration

Question 9

Syncretism

Answer 9

blend of cultural elements to form something new or different

Question 10

How did the warring states period set the stage for the creation of the 3 belief systems?

Answer 10

Regional kingdoms fought each other for power for over 230 years

Question 11

What was the Mandate of Heaven?

Answer 11

The divine permission that gave Chinas kings and emperors the authority to rule, if they ruled well.

Question 12

What is the main idea of legalism

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

What is the main idea of Confucianism

Answer 13

-Based on relationships and respect

-People are good, and will succeed if given rules to follow

-Good Moral Conduct=Superiors set standards for everyone

Question 14

Describe how the five basic relationships of Confucianism provided structure to Chinese society.

Answer 14

Social order: proper order of relationship/ respect

Ruler > subject
Father > son
Husband > wife
Older > younger
friend= friend

Question 15

Filial piety

Answer 15

respect/honor for elder family members.
-veneration= great respect for ancestors

Question 16

Daoism

Answer 16

-“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

Question 17

Yin-yang

Answer 17

strive to maintain the balance of yin & yang (Yin: the power to concentrate/Yang: the power to expand)

Question 18

Main characteristics of the Qin dynasty

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Main characteristics of the Han Dynasty

Answer 19

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)

Question 20

Hebrews

Answer 20

Group of people who established two kingdoms in canaan. Created new religion- Judaism named after one of the kingdoms.

Question 21

Yahweh

Answer 21

Judaism worship of all powerful god called YHWH( monotheism)

Question 22

Importance of Abraham.

Answer 22

Abrahamic religions- abraham part of origins, tribal leader who god appeared to.

Question 23

Torah

Answer 23

Hebrews wrote down their traditions, laws, history and ethics into five books called the Torah

Question 24

Be able to explain the Covenant.

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Ten Commandments( do not need to know all 10, more what they are and history behind them)

Answer 25

God gave the hebrews a series of rules of behavior called ten commandments. Related to worship and ethics, required certain kinds of religious observations and actions forbidding others.

Given to moses after leaving egypt

Question 26

Be able to explain the history of Yom Kippur.

Answer 26

Moses was given ten commandments from god- on way to give to Hebrews saw them worshiping a golden calf( not god) and shattered them in anger. The people atoned for doing this, and God forgave them

People seek to expiate their sins/ sins of others and achieve reconciliation with god. God judges all people during 10 days of awe and decided if they will live or die in the year

Question 27

Brahman

Answer 27

One universal creator- the source of the universe in Hinduism

Question 28

Brahmins

Answer 28

the priests in Hinduism

Question 29

Karma

Answer 29

if you do good things, good things will happen to you; if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you

Question 30

Dharma

Answer 30

fulfilling your caste duty (If you’re a Brahmin, you’re a priest)

Question 31

Samsara

Answer 31

Circle of birth, life, death, and rebirth

Question 32

Moksha

Answer 32

Release from samsara (the circle of birth, life, death, and rebirth)
And become united with the divine Brahman.

Question 33

The 5 Social stratas.

Answer 33

brahmin( priests)/ warriors/ merchants/ peasants and laborers/ untouchables

Question 34

Vedas

Answer 34

Sacred text of Hinduism. Layed out the history and morals of the religion.

Question 35

Be able to explain the importance/ history of Diwali.

Answer 35

return of Rama and Sita, two deities, to Ayodhya, an ancient city in India, after being exiled

light these lamps outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness, in tune with a holiday that is an ode to the triumph of good over evil

Question 36

History of Siddhartha Guatama and how he becomes Buddha.

Answer 36

Born into a wealthy Brahmin family in Nepal ,Wanted to find more in life, escaped his palace, Realizes all life is suffering, Seeks to find a solution to suffering , reaches enlightenment, Spends rest of life preaching his message

Question 37

How did Buddhism challenge Hinduism’s belief system/ differ from it?

Answer 37

Did not agree with the caste system, did not use it.

Question 38

What role did Ashoka play in the establishment of Buddhism?

Answer 38

Indian Emperor Ashoka (268-232 BCE) converts to Buddhism (from Hinduism)
Puts power of the throne into spreading Buddhism-creates monasteries for monks
Spreads it throughout India and Asia

Question 39

List the Four noble truths

Answer 39

All life is suffering
Suffering is caused by desire
To stop suffering, stop desiring
You stop desiring by following the Eightfold Path

Question 40

What are the Eightfold path

Answer 40

Know the truth
Free mind of evil
Say nothing that hurts others
Work for the good of others
Respect life
Resist evil
Practice mediation
Control your thoughts