World History Vocabulary

Question 1

Physical Maps

Answer 1

One which shows the physical features of a place or country, like rivers, mountains, forests and lakes

Question 2

Political Maps

Answer 2

they show state and national boundaries and capital and major cities

Question 3

Latitude

Answer 3

Parallel to the equator- east to west

Question 4

Longitude

Answer 4

Perpendicular to the equator- north to south

Question 5

Compass Rose

Answer 5

A circle showing the principal directions printed on a map or chart

Question 6

Legend

Answer 6

Displays the meaning of the symbols, colors and styles used to represent geographic data on the map

Question 7

Artifact

Answer 7

An item made by humans that us studied to learn about the past

Question 8

Archaeology

Answer 8

The study of past societies through an analysis of the items people left behind

Question 9

Nomad

Answer 9

A person who regularly moves from place to place

Question 10

Civilization

Answer 10

A complex culture in which large numbers of people share a number of common elements such as social structure, religion, and art

Question 11

Theocracy

Answer 11

A government established by divine authority

Question 12

Dynasty

Answer 12

A family of rulers whose right to rule is passed on within the family

Question 13

Domesticate

Answer 13

Adapt to life with and to the advantage of humans

Question 14

Anthropology

Answer 14

The study of human life and culture based on artifacts and human remains

Question 15

Confluence

Answer 15

A place where two rivers or streams join to become one

Question 16

Polytheistic

Answer 16

Believing in many gods or goddesses

Question 17

Patriarchal

Answer 17

Dominated by men

Question 18

Hieroglyphics

Answer 18

“Priest-carvings” or “sacred writings”; a complex system of writing that used both pictures and more abstract forms; used by the ancient Egyptians and Maya

Question 19

Sanskrit

Answer 19

The language and later writing system of ancient Indian societies

Question 20

Pilgrim

Answer 20

A person who travels to a shrine or other holy place

Question 21

Yoga

Answer 21

A method of training developed by the Hindus that is intended to led to oneness with Brahman

Question 22

Reincarnation

Answer 22

The rebirth of an individual’s soul in a different form after death

Question 23

Filial Piety

Answer 23

The duty of family members to subordinate their needs and desires to those of the male head of the family

Question 24

Nirvana

Answer 24

In Buddhism, ultimate reality; the end of the self and a merging into emptiness

Question 25

Analects

Answer 25

A collection of sayings of Confucius

Question 26

Varna

Answer 26

The name given by ancient Indians to a group of people in what was believed to be an ideal social structure of four groups

Question 27

Caste System

Answer 27

A set of rigid categories in ancient India that determined a person’s occupation and economic potential, as well as his or her position in society

Question 28

Mandate of Heaven

Answer 28

The divine permission that gave China’s kings and emperors the authority to rule, if they ruled well

Question 29

Karma

Answer 29

In Hinduisms, the force generated by a person’s actions that determines how the person’s actions that determines how the person will be reborn in the next life

Question 30

Dharma

Answer 30

In Hinduism, the divine law that rules karma; it requires all people to do their duty based on their status in society

Question 31

Confucianism

Answer 31

The system of political and ethical ideas formulated by the Chinese philosopher Confucius toward the end of the Zhou dynasty; it was intended to help restore order to a society that was in a state of confusion

Question 32

Civil Service

Answer 32

The administrative service of a government, not including the armed forces, in which appointments are determined by competitive examination

Question 33

Daoism

Answer 33

A system of ideas based on the teachings of Laozi, teaches that the will of Heaven is best followed through inaction so that nature is allowed to take its course

Question 34

Boule

Answer 34

A council of Athenian citizens who ran the day-to-day affairs of the city

Question 35

Acropolis

Answer 35

In early Greek city-states, a fortified gathering place at the top of a hill that was sometimes the site of temples and public buildings

Question 36

Rule of Law

Answer 36

The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced

Question 37

Helot

Answer 37

In ancient Sparta, a captive person who was forced to work for the conqueror

Question 38

Hellenistic

Answer 38

Of or related to ancient Greece, usually referring to Greek culture after the rule of Alexander the Great

Question 39

Arete

Answer 39

In early Greece, the qualities of excellence that a hero strives to win in a struggle or contest

Question 40

Agora

Answer 40

In early Greek city-states, an open area that served as a gathering place and as a market

Question 41

Democracy

Answer 41

“The rule of many”; government by the people either directly or through their elected representatives

Question 42

Direct Democracy

Answer 42

A system of government in which the people participate directly in government decision making through mass meetings

Question 43

Spartan

Answer 43

Leading a very simple life that has no luxuries in it

Question 44

Polis

Answer 44

The early Greek city-state, consisting of a city or town and its surrounding countryside

Question 45

Phalanx

Answer 45

A wall of shields created by foot soldiers marching shoulder to shoulder in a rectangular formation

Question 46

Oligarchy

Answer 46

“The rule of the few”; a form of government in which a select group of people exercises control

Question 47

Oracle

Answer 47

In ancient Greece, a sacred shrine where a god or goddess was said to reveal the future through a priest or priestess

Question 48

Triumvirate

Answer 48

A group of three people who all hold power together

Question 49

Plebeian

Answer 49

In the Roman Republic, a social class made up of minor landholders, craftspeople, merchants, and small farmers

Question 50

Gentile

Answer 50

A person who is not Jewish

Question 51

Patriarch

Answer 51

The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, originally appointed by the Byzantine emperor

Question 52

Republic

Answer 52

A form of government where the citizens elect leaders to represent them, rather than engage in direct voting as in a democracy

Question 53

Paterfamilias

Answer 53

In the Roman social structure, the dominant male who served as the head of the household

Question 54

Persecution

Answer 54

Persistent annoyance or harassment

Question 55

Patrician

Answer 55

A wealthy, powerful landowner

Question 56

Procurator

Answer 56

In the Roman Empire, an official in charge of a province

Question 57

Missionary

Answer 57

A person sent out to carry a religious message