Midterm Flashcards
Civilization
large-scale system of human political, economic, and social organizations; they have cities, law, states, and often writing
Neolithic Revolution
transition from a nomadic hunter gatherer lifestyle, to an agricultural and sedentary lifestyle
Cuneiform
sumerian form of writing, describes the wedge-shaped marks made by a stylus
Patriarchy
social system in which men have more power and access to ressources than women of the same social status
Hammurabi
king of several kingdoms, united almost all of Mesopotamia. Established Hammurabi’s law Code.
Monotheism
The belief in one god.
Polytheism
The belief in many gods and goddesses.
What do we mean by the west and western civilization?
West: Greeks defined themselves in relation to Egypt and Mesopotamia (more advanced cultures). They saw them as Eastern, and themselves as Western.
Evolving terms with history and colonization.
What kind of civilization did the Sumerians build in Mesopotamia?
They installed large-scale irrigation because of the arid climate.
The first agricultural city, Uruk, was home to 50,000+ people (modern day Irak).
Religion: polytheism (chief god Enlil)
Writing: wrote on clay tablets. cuneiform (wedge-shaped marks made with a stylus). Worlds first epic poem (Epic of Gilgamesh: story about his eternal search for life)
Social hierarchy: Chief priest or military leader took temporary power, which then became permanent kingship. Kings transfer power to their sons, creating a patriarchal hereditary dynasties.
How did the first city-states emerge?
The agricultural and sedentary lifestyle caused food surplus. Farmers established a division of labour, as well as a trade to cope. This created a social hierarchy, and later on the emergence of city-states
How did the Akkadian empire develop in Mesopotamia?
Sagon: king of a city in northern Sumer. conquers the city of Akkad and expands empire westward towards north Syria. Would appoint his sons (and daughter) as rulers of conquered cities. Dynasty lasted 150 years.
The Akkadian Empire collapsed because of an extended period of drought and the gain of independency of many city-states.
How did the Old Babylonian empires develop in Mesopotamia?
Hammurabi united most of Mesopotamia with his conquests. Linked his success to the will of gods. Established Hammurabi’s law code, which operated under divine authority. Laws are primarily about property, family and marriage.
Babylonian Captivity
forced detention of Jews in Babylonia
Polis
city-state, basic political and institutional unit in Greece in the Hellenic Period.
Hoplites
Heavily armed citizens who served as infantry troops and fought to defend the polis. (Greece)
Tyranny
Rule of one man who took over without being elected
Democracy
Type of greek government in which all citizens administered the workings of government
Oligarchy
A type of Greek government in which citizens who owned a certain amount of property ruled.
Helots
Unfree residents of Sparta forced to work state lands.
Lycurgus
Lawgiver who may or may not have existed. Established the new system in Sparta, which consisted of rigorous military training for men, and regular exercise for women during the Archaic Period.
Delian League
Military alliance led by Athens whose aims were to protect the Aegean Islands, liberate Ionia from Persian rule, and keep Persians out of Greece
Senate
Assembly that was the main institution of power in the Roman Republic, originally composed only of aristocrats
Consuls
Primary executives in the Roman Republic, elected for 1 year terms. Command the army, administered state business, and supervised financial affairs.
Patricians
The Roman hereditary aristocracy; held most of the political power.
Plebeians
Common people of Rome. Free, but not as many privileges as the patricians.
Struggle of the Orders
Conflict in which plebeians (common people) sought political representation and safeguards against patrician domination. 497-287
Tribunes
Plebeian-elected officials. Protected plebeians from the arbitrary conduct of patrician magistrates.
Julius Caesar
Emperor of Rome.
Pax Romana
“Roman Peace”. First and second centuries C.E. of political stability and relative peace.
Augustus
Caesar’s nephew.
Diocletian
Emperor of Rome. Born in a low-class family, he rose through the ranks of the military to then become emperor.
Constantine
Came up from the army and took control after a series of civil wars.
Goths
Germanic people who played a major role in the fall of the Roman Empire.
Huns
Nomadic people from Western Asia, known for their cruelty and destructiveness.
Explain the new system (Lycurgan regimen) in Sparta
No political distinction between men (all citizens are equal), two kings, life centered around the military (for boys), women were freer and harsh mothers.
Explain the evolution of Athens
Life centered around democracy. All full citizens were sovereign. Any citizen with a certain amount of property had a chance of becoming an archon (magistrate of the polis). Draco instilled a new harsh code. Solon defended the people, freed debt slaves, recalled exiles, etc.
Boule
Council of 500 members
Ecclesia
Assembly of all citizens
Marathon
Race where a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens
Compare the roles of women in Sparta and Athens
The women in Sparta were much freer than the one’s in Athens. They had a place in public life, they were able to (and expected to) own land and run estates because the men were always preparing for war or at war.
The women in Athens weren’t to be seen in the public eye. They were supposed to stay at home to ensure that the children they bared were their husbands. They were to stay in a separate room: the gynaeceum and they cooked.
Describe the key characteristics of “civilization” and how they emerged in the Fertile Crescent
Civilizations have cities, laws, often writing, codes of manner and social conduct that operate on a large scale They emerged in the Fertile Crescent because of the rich soil that allowed agricultural and sedentary lifestyle. The food surplus from the agricultural practices allowed the development of trade, as well as a division of labour. Because of the economic aspect of trade and labour differences, a social hierarchy is seen, and the first city-states are born.
irrigation
move water from one place to another, typically to assist the production of crops
Irrigation
Move water from one place to another, typically to assist the production of crops
Solonic Reform
No more debt slaves, land debts were removed, exiles were recalled
Minoans
A vibrant culture in Crete. Ruled by a king with a large palace
Mycenaeans
Bronze-Age culture that flourished in Greece. Build fortified palaces and cities
Etruscan
Dominant people in Italy before Rome’s expansion
Hellenistic Kingdoms
Hellenistic: “like the Greeks”. Period after the death of Alexander the Great when Greek culture spread.
Hebrew Bible
collection of hebrew scriptures
Judah
In the first bible, he is Jacob’s son
Triumvirates
a group of 3 men holding power (CAESAR, POMPEY, CRASSUS)
Res publica
Belongs to the public. Republic (state without a king)
Populares
populist political tendencies at the end of the Roman Republic. ruled in the favor of the people.
Optimates
conservative political tendencies at the end of the Roman Republic. ruled in the favor of the aristocracy.
Philip of Macedon
reigned over Macedonia. He became the head of an empire that was expanded by his son and successor, Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great
King of Macedonia (in Greece). Created one of the largest empires, stretching from Greece to India
Salamis
Naval battle between Greece and Persia (persian wars). Greek victory. Cause: Ionian Rebellion
Hegemony
Dominance of a city-state over other city-states
