Unit 1 Study Guide Flashcards
1
Q
Prerequisites for Civilization
A
No culture can be considered civilized unless it has the following 6 characteristics:
- Organized Religion
- Domestication of Plants and Animals
- Use of Textiles
- Widespread Trade
- Use of Metals
- Writing
2
Q
Cuneiform
A
Meaning “wedge-shaped”, because it was made by a writing implement in the triangular shape of a wedge pressed into clay.
3
Q
Gathas
A
- Little known about Zarathustra’s doctrines
- Priests, (Magi,) passed them down orally
- Eventually compiled into a holy book called the Avesta
- The teachings known as the Gathas
4
Q
Darius the Great
A
- Darius ruled from 522-486 BC
- Expanded the Persian Empire
- Became involved in a war with mainland Greece
- Defeated in the Battle of Marathon
5
Q
Zarathustra
A
- Founder of Zoroastrianism
- Lived between 7th and 6th Centuries BC
- Believed in a supreme God: Ahura Mazda, the wise lord
6
Q
Cyrus the Great
A
- Unified the Persians
- Conquered the Medes in 550 BC
- Made the Medes kingdom the first Persian Satrapy
- Satrapy: a state
- Satrapy ruled by a Satrap (governor)
7
Q
Rosetta Stone
A
- Rediscovered in 1789 AD when Napoleon invaded Egypt
- Over the centuries, the ability to read Egyptian died out
- French discovered black slab with identical writings in Greek and Hieroglyphics
8
Q
Ra
A
- The Sun God
- Provided warmth for crops to grow
- Osiris and Isis son
9
Q
Isis
A
- Earth Goddess
- Wife/Sister of Osiris
- When the Nile overflowed, Osiris impregnated Isis
10
Q
Osiris
A
- God of vegetation, the nile & death
- Each year he was resurrected as the Nile overflowed
- Most important God
11
Q
Hieroglyphics
A
- Picture writing
- Sacred/Holy writing
- Often on temple or tomb walls
12
Q
Demotic
A
- For everyday use
- Use for trade, commerce, etc.
13
Q
Pharaoh
A
God-King
14
Q
Hittites
A
- War weakened both
- Egyptian conquered by Assyrians
- Egypt not an independent again until 1952
- Hittite Empire in Asia Minor grew tired of Egyptian Imperialism
15
Q
Assyrians
A
- Capitol of Ninevah
- Militaristic people who conquered Sumerians
- Worshiped militaristic God Ashur
- King was embodiment of Ashur on earth
- Best army in ancient world
- First army to use iron weapons
- Exterminated or resettled enemies
- Conquered by the Medes in 612 BC
16
Q
Talmud
A
- Book of Jewish law, ethics, customs and legends
- Based on Rabbinic discussion
- Fundamental source of legislation, customs, case histories and morality
17
Q
Torah
A
- Compiled between 1000 and 400 BC
- Same as the first 5 books of Christian Bible
- Story of punishment or reward from God, based on observation of his commandments
18
Q
Abraham
A
- Originally from Sumerian city of Ur
- Migrated to Palestine around 1850 BC
- Made a covenant with Yahweh
- Taught Monotheism
19
Q
Moses
A
- Born in Egypt
- Freed Israelites from Egyptian Slavery
Received the 10 Commandments from Yahweh at Mt.Sinai
20
Q
Ahura Mazda
A
Supreme Deity (is the highest spirit worshipped in Zoroastrianism)