SS Test 10/31 Flashcards
What rivers are in Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
How was flooding in Mesopotamia characterized?
Unpredictable, they thought the gods were out to get them.
What are Sumerian city-states?
Powerful individual cities that prioritized their own interests over the country as a whole.
What is a ziggurat?
A tiered pyramid built in honor of gods.
How did geographic factors impact Mesopotamia?
Silt from flooding made the land fertile, but a lack of natural barriers led to invasions.
What is cuneiform?
The first written language.
What was Hammurabi’s Code?
The first universal code of law, known for its harsh penalties, based on the “eye for an eye” concept.
Who was Darius
A persian ruler known for his tolerance of other cultures.
What were the Royal Roads in Persia?
A network of 4,000 miles of roads for transporting goods and troops.
What is a satrap?
Provincial government. Divided the empire into sections that were ruled by governors loyal to the emperor
What was the Assyrian attitude towards war?
They strongly believed in war and victory.
What innovation did the Hittites bring?
They were the first to make iron weapons, replacing copper.
What significant contribution did the Phoenicians make?
They developed the phonetic alphabet with 22 letters.
How did the Nile River benefit Egypt?
It provided annual flooding that watered crops, but could also lead to damage.
What type of government was a theocracy?
A government ruled by religious leaders.
Name two major cities in the Indus River Valley.
Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.
What advanced feature did Indus cities have?
Organized city layouts with plumbing.
What were monsoon winds?
Seasonal winds that affected the climate and agriculture of the Indus Valley.
Describe Confucianism.
A philosophy based on five key relationships and respect for hierarchy. About passing on knowledge and being/having good role models
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The belief that the emperor’s right to rule is granted by the gods and that he can be overthrown if he rules unjustly.
What was significant about the Qin Dynasty?
It unified China but was known for harsh legalism.
What major invention did the Han Dynasty contribute?
The invention of paper, which spread education.
What are the three major river valleys of early civilizations?
Mesopotamia, Indus River Valley, and Egypt.
Name the eight early civilizations.
Sumer, Babylon, Persia, Assyria, Hittites, Phoenicians, China, and Indus River Valley.
What are the two major cities of the Indus River Valley?
Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.
What important technological advancement was found in Indus cities?
Advanced plumbing and drainage systems.
What type of climate influenced the Indus River Valley civilization?
Monsoon climate, which caused predictable seasonal flooding.
What does the term “subcontinent” refer to in the context of the Indus River Valley?
A large landmass that is geographically distinct, surrounded by natural barriers.
What was the religious belief system of the Indus Valley civilization?
Polytheistic
How did the Nile River benefit Egyptian agriculture?
It provided predictable annual flooding that deposited nutrient-rich silt.
What was the concept of “Ma’at” in Ancient Egyptian society?
It represented truth, balance, and order, essential for maintaining cosmic harmony.
Who were the “viziers” in Ancient Egypt?
High-ranking officials who served as advisors to the Pharaoh and oversaw government operations.
What is “papyrus” and why was it important?
A plant used to make paper-like material for writing
Describe the Egyptian belief in the afterlife.
Egyptians believed in an afterlife where one’s heart would be weighed against a feather to determine fate.
What were “sphinxes” and their significance?
Mythical creatures with the body of a lion and the head of a human, symbolizing strength and wisdom.
How did the social hierarchy in Ancient Egypt function?
Pharaoh at the top, followed by nobles, priests, scribes, artisans, and farmers.
What was the role of women in Ancient Egyptian society?
Owned property, initiated divorce, and engage in business
What were the “Book of the Dead” and its significance?
A collection of spells and texts intended to guide the deceased through the afterlife.
What was the Civil Service Examination System?
A method of recruiting civil officials based on merit and skill rather than connections.
What were the “Five Studies” tested in the civil service exams?
- Military strategy
- Civil law
- Revenue and taxation
- Agriculture
- Geography
How did the civil service examination system reflect the Han Dynasty’s “Golden Age”?
Promoted stability through a merit-based system, ensuring qualified officials.
What was the significance of the Silk Roads?
They were trade routes connecting the Mediterranean to East Asia
How did the Silk Road reflect the Han Dynasty’s “Golden Age”?
Increased trade and government stability promoted economic growth.
Where did silk spread, and why was it valuable?
Spread to regions like Rome and Greece; it was valued for its rarity and luxury, often likened to gold.
What was the Roman response to the popularity of silk?
Politicians tried to ban silk due to its expense and perceived immorality.
What evidence supports the Han Dynasty’s “Golden Age” in terms of prosperity and stability?
The civil service system and secure trade routes promoted economic growth and effective governance.
Bureaucracy
A body of government officials who are not elected but form an administrative policy making group
Qin Dynasty used ____________
Legalism
Han Dynasty used __________
Confucianism
What were 3 key concepts of Persians
Tolerance, Royal Road system, satraps
Women’s role in Persia
The king’s eyes and ears, got information from people.
Where is the Fertile crescent
Mesopotamia
What are the 5 key relationships are confucianism
- Ruler and subject
- Father and son
- Elder brother and younger brother
- Husband and wife
- Friend and friend
What are the three river valleys
Indus River Valley, Mesopotamia, Egypt
What do the peasants do
Farming
Where is the Indus River Valley
Northwest India
Describe the Indus River Valley
Organized grid system, plumbing,
