FINAL FLASHCARDS
7 features of Ancient Civilizations:
Urban focus
New political and military structures (organized gov)
New social structure based on economical power (social hierarchy)
More complexity (export/ import in trade)
Religious structure
Writing
New forms of artistic and intellectual activity (architecture)
Beliefs about Kingship in mesopotamia
kind should be a “counselor-man” who battles for the gods
Gilgamesh:
acts as a shepherd of his people
Went on a quest to find Utnapishtim after best friend Enkidu dies (eternal life)
Taught that he should be satisfied with his life
Hammurabi:
leader of the amorites (old babylonians),
“the man of war”,
built temples, defensive walls, canals,
“shepherd of peace”
Hammurabi’s code
Neolithic Revolution:
A shift to agriculture from hunter/gatherers
Polytheism:
belief in numerous gods
Kingship in Assyria
System of revenge
Monotheistic
Kings had absolute power
Outstanding conquerors (effective military, disciplined, large)
Use of terror
Fertile Crescent:
a crescent-shaped region in Western Asia, very fertile
Hammurabi’s Code:
Laws held penalties for criminal offenses which were varied in severity between classes.
Sumer:
an ancient civilization founded in the Mesopotamia region of the Fertile Crescent situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
Ziggurat:
square-shaped temple
Theocracy:
a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
Rosetta Stone:
black basalt stone found in 1799 that bears an inscription in hieroglyphics, demotic characters, and Greek and is celebrated for having given the first clue to the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics:
sacred carvings used by the ancient egyptian
Importance of Geography in egypt:
nile river crucial part of development, black lands very fertile, desert as protection, rivers life enhancing (not life threatening), cataracts
Belief Systems in india (both polytheistic)
Hinduism:believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul.
Buddhism: buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana
Organization of Society
Role of Dharma
Caste System
Varna
Bhagavad Gita
Caste System:
Hierarchical division of society
Each individual was placed into a class that was defined by occupation and status within broader society
Aryans were colorist-> their lightskin implied high status
Role of Dharma:
dharma denotes behaviors that are considered to be in accord with Ṛta—the “order and custom” that makes life and universe possible. This includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and “right way of living”.
Varna:
color/ et of social classifications that determine occupation and status and hope for salvation
Bhagavad Gita
Its teachings offer practical guidance for navigating life’s challenges, finding meaning in everyday actions, and cultivating a sense of inner peace.
Raja:
leader of aryan group (chieftain- prince)
Aryans:
northern pastoralists/ nomads who follow herds of animals/shepherd herds
Maharaja:
chieftains transforming into kings (who did not have absolute power)