Test 1 Flashcards
Agrarian society
Sedentary agriculture; both crop production and animal breeding are the foundation of subsistence and/or surplus wealth
Animism
The belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena
City-state
A sovereign state consisting of an autonomous city with its dependencies
Domestication
To convert (animals, plants, etc.) to domestic uses; tame.
Dynasty
A series of rulers from a single family
Edict
A decree issued by a sovereign or other authority
Eunuchs
Castrated males, originally in charge of protection of the rulers wives. Eventually had major roles in government, especially China
Forage
To wander in search of food
Independent invention
The creation of technology or culture without influence from outside groups
Indigenous
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place
Matriarchal
Relating to a social system in which the mother is head of family
Matrilineal
Relating to a social system in which family descent and inheritance rights are traced through the mother
Metallurgy
The technique or science of working or heating metals so as to give them certain desired shapes or properties
Monarchy
A government in which a king/queen exercises central power that is passed on within a single family
Monotheistic
Belief in a single God
Nomadic
Lifestyle where a group has no permanent home, wandering from place to place in search of food
Pastoral
Lifestyle where a nomadic group herds domesticated animals
Patriarchal
Relating to a social system in which the father is head of family
Patrilineal
Relating to a social system in which family descent and inheritance rights are traced through the father
Polytheistic
Belief in many gods
Slavery
The state of an individual held in servitude as the property, or chattel, of another individual, household, or the state; the practice of owning slaves. The legal, Economic, moral, and it personal condition of slaves had very widely in history from one society to another.
Theocracy
A) A government in which the ruler is viewed as a divine figure. B) A government controlled by religious leaders.
