Review Sheet - Midterm Flashcards
What is Mesopotamia?
Mesopotamia (3550 BC -) means the land between the rivers. Euphrates + Tigris. Mesopotamia was City States. City States could form alliances or conquest city states -> Leading to an empire. Geographically, these City States were fairly open and easy to attack, lack of barriers. Mesopotamia were polytheistic. Monarchy, kings seen as representatives of Gods. Eye for an eye, Code of Hammurabi
What is hieroglyphs?
The writing of Ancient Egypt. We used the ‘’Rosetta Stone’’ (with greek translation) to understand what hieroglyphs were.
The success-story of Ancient Egypt:
Egypt coalesced around 3150 BC.
Success came mostly from it’s ability to adapt to the conditions around the Nile River valley.
Egypt had many achievements: construction techniques, a system of math and agricultural production techniques.
What was significant with Assyria?
9th to 7th century:
It was first to conquer Mesopotamia and Egypt. Strong army. They were fierce and hated. Was followed by Persia.
What was significant with Persia?
6th - 4th century:
They dominated West Asia. Largest empire until the Romans. People liked Persia because they weren’t so ruthless. Had difficulties keeping a large empire going because of diversity in culture, religion, travel and languages. Encouraged trade, travel, communications.
The established a new system of measures.
Hebrews?
People of the Book. Abraham founding-father. Isaac and Jacob helped spreading the word later. Spread in the Middle East.
Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism?
5th century it starts.
Originates in India spreads to the East Central/East Asia, spreads on the Silk Road, spreads across Asia, spreads by the Silk Road and Indian Ocean to South/East Asia. Hinduism developed organically, develops naturally from society since the Iron Age.
Daoism - Confusionism - Legalism?
6th Century BCE.
Yin and Yang. Dark and light. Yin is evil, yang is good. Focus on private life. Inner peace, thinking about yourself and how you can better the individual.
Came from Confusius, 551–479 BCE, a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher.
Not a religion, it’s a philosophy. Natural hierarchy, children respect parent. Importance of knowledge. Focus on the public good and relationships with others.
475–221 BCE.
First out of the dynasties, naturally bad and selfish, severe penalties for the minor crimes.
Qin Dynasty?
221-206 BCE.
Adapted the legalism and divided China into provinces and districts headed by officials selected by their talents and loyalty. Sustained a huge army, pervasive surveillance system and a brutal penal code - the punishments. People were pleased with the system at that time - after the warring period people were lost and wanted to be controlled. Followed by the Han Dynasty.
The fall of the Qin Dynasty?
The Qin Dynasty only lasted for 15 years because they implemented heavy taxes and they forced the people to do alot of labor.
Han Dynasty?
202 BCE - 220 CE. One of the worlds largest and wealthiest domains. Large, effective imperial administration and a sophisticated urban culture and intellectual life. Decentralized state, Mandate of Heaven (the rulers were supported by Heaven): Legitimacy - if it’s not stable - people stop believe. Must always be supported by the people.
Han Dynasty Expansion?
202 BCE. Massive military invasions -> huge territorium. Silk Road and World Trade: cultural exchange, a big market - world is the connected.
The Fall of the Han Dynasty?
220 BCE. Inefficiency, corruption. The Han divided the rich and poor by higher taxes and corruption -> people got angry and revolted.
Chinese Slavery?
2-3% of the population were slaves. Most of the slaves were servants - often debtors, self-sale or sale of their women. No caste system and slaves were often armed. -> More mobility because they were more free than other slaves, self-choosen. It’s not racism as it was during the American Slavery.
Greece Geography?
Greece is very divided by mountains and islands, so it’s hard to centralize and unite the country.
Mother Goddess?
Great Mother Goddess, in ancient Middle Eastern religions, mother goddess, the great symbol of the earth’s fertility. She was worshiped under many names and attributes.
Describe the Era of Warring States:
The Era of Warring states was in Ancient China between 403-221 BCE.
This period followed the Zhou Dynasty and was a long struggle for power between different kings/warlords. Trade however did continue to do well in this time period despite the dangers. This struggle ended with the strict Legalist rule under the Qin Dynasty.
How much of an impact did the helots have on Spartan people?
Since the helots outnumbered the Spartans, the society was militaristic and forced men into barrack life at the age of 20. Women were left to raise future fighters as well as watch over the helot’s work. The daily life of Spartan people revolved around keeping the helots in line or depending on there labor to fund their lives.
Why was religion so important to the governments of ancient civilizations?
Rulers of the Ancient world used religion as a tool to control and pacify their citizens. Starting in Persia, the government used the Zoroastrian prospect of eternal life as an ethical code to maintain order throughout the empire, decreasing the chances of riots and revolts.
In Egypt Pharaoh Amenhotep switched the state religion in order to take away political power from Egyptian priests and consolidate that power under his own authority.
The Byzantine Empire instituted Caesarpapism which gave the emperor was both the political and religious leadership of the Empire allowing for divine judgment, favor, and power; any who opposed his rule would not only be seen as an act against the Emperor but an act against God.
In China, Legalism touted social control through a standardized code of conduct back by an oppressive police state; although arguably effective, it did not have the support of the people. The fall of Legalism gave way to Confucianism which follows the loyalty of relationships; respect between the ruler and the government.
