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.
Ten Commandments( do not need to know all 10, more what they are and history behind them)
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
Be able to explain the history of Yom Kippur.
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
Brahman
One universal creator- the source of the universe in Hinduism
Brahmins
the priests in Hinduism
Karma
if you do good things, good things will happen to you; if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you
Dharma
fulfilling your caste duty (If you’re a Brahmin, you’re a priest)
Samsara
Circle of birth, life, death, and rebirth
Moksha
Release from samsara (the circle of birth, life, death, and rebirth)
And become united with the divine Brahman.
The 5 Social stratas.
brahmin( priests)/ warriors/ merchants/ peasants and laborers/ untouchables
Vedas
Sacred text of Hinduism. Layed out the history and morals of the religion.
Be able to explain the importance/ history of Diwali.
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
History of Siddhartha Guatama and how he becomes Buddha.
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
How did Buddhism challenge Hinduism’s belief system/ differ from it?
Did not agree with the caste system, did not use it.
What role did Ashoka play in the establishment of Buddhism?
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
List the Four noble truths
All life is suffering
Suffering is caused by desire
To stop suffering, stop desiring
You stop desiring by following the Eightfold Path
What are the Eightfold path
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