Ancient Civilizations

• Groups invaded and conquered civilizations in the Fertile Crescent because the area lacked natural barriers.
• Mesopotamia means land between the rivers.
• The agricultural revolution made it possible for people to develop civilizations.
• The main political unit in Sumer was a city-state.
• Egyptian, Sumerian, and Chinese writing systems all developed from pictographs.
• Unlike Sumerian kings, the pharaohs of Egypt were Gods.
• Ancient Egyptian history pharaohs were buried in pyramids.
• Organs were removed before embalming and placed in storage jars.
• Howard Carter found King Tut's tomb.
• The Nile River has a predictable flooding schedule.
• People during the Paleolithic period survived mainly by gathering plants and catching small animals.
• Although written law codes benefit all peoples, the commoners benefited most from written laws.
• Egypt is referred to as the breadbasket of the ancient world.
• Egypt was fairly isolated during the old kingdom
• Pyramids were built in Egypt during the Old Kingdom
• Mummification was a common practice for Pharaohs and royal families during the Old Kingdom.
• There were no great cultural exchanges among Egypt and people of the Near East during the Old Kingdom.
• The Amorite king Hammurabi wrote an extensive law code with retributive punishments.
• The writing system that developed in Sumer was cuneiform.
• The great Mesopotamian epic story is called Epic of Gilgamesh.
• Five characteristics of Civilization: Complex social structure, advanced cities, writing system, specialized labor and centralized government.
• Three significant ways the Agricultural revolution changed the world/the societies that adopted agriculture: The shift to farming allowed people settlement in one place instead of being nomadic, which led to the creation of permanent villages and cities.
• Agriculture produced plenty of food to support larger populations and societies grew, which led to the development of social structures.
• With food being plentiful, other opportunities opened as not everyone needed to be involved in farming, and things like craftsmanship and trade led to further technological advancements.
• The Mesopotamians built temples called ziggurat.
• The key to unlocking the mystery of the Egyptian Hieroglyphics which was discovered during Napoleon’s campaigns in Egypt was called the Rosetta Stone.

Module 2 Part B

• The Phoenicians, a Semitic people, were important merchants and transmitters of culture.
• The United kingdom of Israel’s first king was Saul.
• An important event in Hebrew history is the sack of Jerusalem and the subsequent captivity in Babylon.
• The Exodus refers to the Hebrews' departure from Egypt.
• Cambyses was the emperor that invaded Egypt and made it part of the Persian Empire.
• The Persian Empire was the largest in the ‘Near East’ until it was conquered by Alexander the Great who created an even larger empire.
• According to the Hebrews, God made a covenant with Abraham who is known as the father or patriarch of the Hebrews.
• The Indo-Europeans migrated from the Black Sea region and conquered lands in Western Asia, India, the Mediterranean, and Europe.
• The Assyrians successfully conquered the people of Mesopotamia and build an empire via: Advanced military, a well organized army with powerful weapons and equipment, as well as the use of fear, being brutal to enemies and using public punishments like impalement.
• Cyrus the Great is considered the founder of the great Persian Empire.
• The holy scriptures of the Hebrews are known as the Torah.
• The Hebrew concept of man includes that humans are created in the image of God, giving them value and special purpose.
• Man’s purpose is to live in a relationship with god, serve him and follow his plan.
• God requires the Hebrews to follow his laws, worship only him and live morally.
• The Hebrews believed that God sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt and free them from Slavery.
• The Babylonian kingdom defeated the Assyrians but was then defeated by the Persians about 50 years later.
• The main Persian religion was Zoroastrianism.
• Israel's greatest king, King David, is also known for his love of music and composing many of the Hebrew Psalms.
• The “Great King” of Persia, Darius, moved the capital, created an effective administrative system, and expanded the Empire, but did not conquer the Greek Mainland.
• One of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world is the Pharos Lighthouse.
• The Hebrew Laws focus on mercy for the poor
• Hammurabi’s Code is more about strict punishments in favor of the higher class.
• The main similarities between The Hebrew Laws and Hammurabi's code are: both have laws to guide people to live and behave, and both have the same idea of “an eye for an eye” punishments that match the crime.
• The ancient law codes influenced Western thought by giving ideas of justice, quality before the law, and moral responsibility.
• “An eye for an eye” and the importance of laws governing social behavior are still within the modern legal systems, while fairness and protection of the weak is more common within today’s laws.

Module 3

• Aryans were Indo-European people similar to those who settled in Europe.
• The raja did not possess complete authority over his tribe.
• The raja did not settle and build their capital city along the holy Indus River.
• The Harappan Civilization developed the largest of the River Valley Civilizations.
• The Harappan Civilization had an economy based on agriculture.
• The Harappan Civilization developed cities on grids with a type of sewer system.
• The Harappan Civilization did not develop pictographic writing that scholars have begun to translate.
• Hindus believed that individuals have an individual soul which one day may join a Great World Soul.
• One’s ultimate goal is to escape from existence by not being reborn.
• Souls will be reborn and progress through many lives.
• All Hindus must live according to the same set of rules or laws as laws differ from group to group according to caste of status.
• The “right way to live” sometimes translated as duty or cosmic law is called Dharma.
• Vishnu is associated with preservation.
• The two great classical Indian Epics are the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• The first dynasty to build an Empire on the Indian Subcontinent was called the Maurya Dynasty.
• Ashoka, the greatest ruler of Ancient India united most of the subcontinent.
• Ashoka converted to Buddhism.
• Ashoka created a law code and worked to spread Buddhism throughout India.
• People relegated to the lowest level of Hindu society and who had no caste were called untouchable or Dalits.
• The four noble truths are the truth of suffering, the trust of the cause of suffering, the truth to the end of suffering, and the truth of the path to the end of suffering.
• The earliest Hindu texts are called the Vedas.
• In Buddhism the ultimate goal is to reach Nirvana in which self disappears and is united with the One Soul.
• The Ja’in belief in and practice of ahimsa or non injury is central to their faith.
• This idea is also important in Hinduism and Buddhism.
• The second great Indian Empire after the Mauryan flourished in the 4th and 5th centuries and was called the Gupta.
• The two major sects of Buddhism were Theravada (the teaching of elders) and Mahayana (the greater vehicle).
• During the 10th and 11th centuries a new religion, Islam, began to spread in northern India.
• By 1200 the Delhi Sultanate had gained power over northern India.
• The Muslim custom pertaining to women that certain upper caste hindu males adopted was purdah.
• A new religion was founded in the 16th century in the northern Indian area called Punjab.
• This group, called the Sikhs, tried to reconcile differences between Islam and Hinduism.
• The amazing Buddhist cave complexes constructed in the Deccan Plateau are called Ajanta.
• Known as the Indian Shakespeare Kalidasa wrote poetry and drama during the Gupta period.
• Three significant architectural works of medieval India between 500 and 1400 AD/CE were Sen Temple at Konarak, Ellora Caves, and the Temple of Khajuraho.
• Outside of India in Southeast Asia, two complexes were constructed, one of which was called Angkor Wat located in Cambodia.

Module 4 Quiz 1

• The first civilization in China developed along Huang Ho River or the Yellow River.
• The Chou government became increasingly corrupt and ineffective.
• There was increased opportunity to rise in the military.
• Large infantries began to play a significant role in Chinese warfare during the Warring States period.
• China did not enter a Dark Age with decline of education or philosophical thought during the Warring States period.
• The Chou Dynasty ruled longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history.
• The Chou Dynasty created a feudal system in China.
• The Chou Dynasty overthrew the Shang Dynasty.
• The Chou Dynasty did not codify the Chinese language, that was Chin/Qin.
• The legend of Panku explains the origins and creation of China.
• In the Qin/Chin era China was divided into 36 commanderies.
• China entered a period of division and invasion.
• The Sui Dynasty did not gain power.
• China did not enter a new age of peace and stability after the Chin/Qin era.
• The population did not continue to grow during a period of division and invasion.
• Buddhism did not replace Confucianism in China.
• The term Mandate of Heaven developed during the Chou Dynasty and developed by the Duke of Choi, legitimizes the rule of a conquering people claiming that they were chosen by god.
• Chin or Qin was given the title of “First Emperor”.
• The concept of five key relationships and filial piety were integral to the teachings of Confucius.
• Sun Tzu wrote the art of war.
• Confucius’ students collected his teachings in a work known as Analects.
• Created to protect the emperor in the afterlife, the Terracotta warriors are one of the great archeological discoveries of modern times.
• The Chinese Great Wall is one of the great engineering feats of the ancient world and can be seen from space.
• The founder of Taoism is said to have been a man named Lao-tzu.
• The magnificent Han Dynasty flourished at the same time as the Roman Empire in the West.
• The first documented dynasty in China is the Shang Dynasty.
• After the Qin/Chin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty came into power and ruled for 400 years.
• The Han Dynasty is considered the classical age of Chinese history and corresponds with the peak of the Roman Empire.
• The Book of Changes is also called the I Ching and is one of the oldest Chinese classic texts and is the foundational work on Chinese divination.
• Developed in the Han period, the Civil Service Exam was used until the 20th century to fill the civil service positions in China.

Module 4 Quiz 2

• China entered a period of division and invasion following the Han Dynasty.
• The population did not continue to grow during a period of division and invasion.
• The Sui Dynasty did not gain power during a period of division and invasion.
• China did not enter a new age of peace and stability during a period of division and invasion.
• The Tang Dynasty did not lose control over Tibet.
• The Tang Dynasty did see a golden period of Chinese culture.
• The Tang Dynasty was one of the greatest dynasties in Chinese history.
• The Tang Dynasty contained the largest city in the world.
• Buddhism did NOT replace Confucianism in China.
• Zen Buddhism was expressed in aesthetics such as Tea Ceremony.
• The Chinese Age of Exploration was short lived compared to the European Age of Exploration.
• The Chinese Admiral Zhenghe explored as far west as Africa.
• Taoist poet Li Bo of the Tang Dynasty wrote poems about nature and self exploration.
• The Samurai warrior code was called Bushido.
• The tradition religion of Japan is called Shinto or Sacred Way.
• Lady Murasaki wrote the Japanese classic called the Tale of Genji and provided insight into court life and the world of women.
• The military position of Shogun (one who commands the armies) became an important political position and reduced the Emperor to a figurehead.
• Neo Confucianism combines traditional Confucian ideas with some teachings from Daoism and Buddhism.
• Neo Confucianism focuses on being a good person by following rules, improving yourself and understanding how the world works.
• Neo Confucianism teaches that living with respect and kindness, you can help make society better.
• The Grand Canal was crucial in uniting northern and southern China and strengthening trade and commerce.
• The Koryo Dynasty brought stability and cultural rebirth to Korea.
• The two most famous Chinese novels of Medieval China are Journey to the West and Water Margin.
• The Chinese city of Chang’an was perhaps the greatest city in the world during the Early Middle Ages.
• Three sects of Chinese Buddhism were Chan Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tiantai Buddhism.
• Samurai primarily used weapons like the Katana, yari, and naginata in battle, as well as horseback archery.
• The katana was considered the soul of the samurai and they believed the swordsmiths who made the weapons to have supernatural powers.
• The Mongol Rule changed China by replacing the Chinese government system with one that lessened the power of Chinese officials and favored foreigners.
• The Mongol Rule improved trade by building roads and connecting China to Europe.
• The Mongol Rule allowed different religions to exist peacefully.
• Even after they lost power their influence on trade, culture and government lasted for a long time.
• Pao Chao’s Lessons for Women was a guide on how women should behave in ancient China, teaching women to be humble, obedient and devoted to their families, especially their husbands.

Module 5 Part A Greece

• In the 6th c. BC, Solon proposed reforms which included canceling land debts.
• Solon revived the commercial life of Athens.
• Solon provided opportunities for the middle class.
• Solon freed slaves enslaved for debt.
• The battles of Salamis, Thermopylae, and Marathon were all battles in the Persian Wars.
• Aegospotami was not a battle in the Persian War.
• The Greek being victorious in the Trojan War was not a sign that the Greek Dark Ages had ended, however Homer composing the iliad and Odyssey does mark the end.
• Hesiod writing Theogony marks the end of the Greek Dark Ages.
• The first Olympic Games being played marks the end of the Greek Dark Ages.
• Sparta won the Peloponnesian Wars.
• The general Themistocles made Athens a great naval power and led them to a victory over the Persian fleet in 480 BC.
• The Greatest Greek warrior of the Greeks during the Trojan War was Achilles.
• The Spartan form of government was Oligarchy, created by the constitution of Sparta.
• The Father of History and the author of the Persian Wars was Herodotus.
• Monarchies of the Pre-Archaic period were replaced by oligarchies, which means rule by the few and were usually the aristocrats.
• Tyrants were sometimes champions of the people and came to power in unconstitutional ways, ruling above the law.
• The gathering place or marketplace within an Athenian city contained civic and religious buildings called the Agora.
• Schliemann’s excavations in Greece uncovered the ancient city of Mycenae and provided evidence for his theories on the Trojan Wars.
• The earliest Aegean civilization was called the Minoan and was on the island of Crete.
• The most important form of political organization in Archaic and Classical Greece was the polis.
• The great Athenian general and leader of the 5th Century Athens Pericles gave a moving funeral speech to commemorate those who had died in the war and stir the people to action.
• Sparta was an oligarchic government while Athens was democratic.
• Sparta had boys train from young to become warriors while Athens focused on education.
• Spartan women had more rights than Athenian women as they could own property and manage households unlike the women in Athens.
• The state serfs who worked for the Spartans and had no political rights were called helots.
• The brave 300 fought at the battle of Thermopylae.
• The King of the Olympian Gods was Zeus.
• The goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens was Athena.

Module 5 Part B

• Greek theatre was funded by the wealthy.
• Greek theatre was open to women and slaves.
• Greek theatre was NOT only the Greeks’ main form of entertainment.
• The deity associated with the theatre is Dionysus.
• Tragedy literally means goat song.
• The comedic playwright who wrote comedies like Lysistrata was Aristophanes.
• Homer’s heroes reflected the aristocratic warrior ethos, striving for excellence or arete and renown and become the model for Greek education.
• Euripides wrote realistic plays dealing with common social problems and attacking conventions of the day.
• Plato believed in absolute truth that could be found in an external world of forms.
• The Greek epics were composed in the poetic style of Dactylic Hexameter.
• The stiff, column-like standing male nude developed during the archaic period is called Kouros.
• Erechtheion was the Athenian temple dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.
• Kritios Boy, Diadumenos and Doryphoros were all pieces of Classical Era Greek.
• Laocoon was not a piece of Classical Era Greek.
• The only extant Greek trilogy of plays was written by Aeschylus.
• Antigone was written by Sophocles.
• The three types of plays performed at a theatre festival are tragedy, comedy and Satyr Play.
• Lysistrata was a comedy written by Aristophanes about an Athenian woman who comes up with a plan to end conflict by bringing all of the women together and withholding sex from their husbands and lovers until the men negotiated peace.
• The men in Lysistrata resist and try to intimidate the women, but end up giving up and reconciling after the war ended.
• Lysistrata shows that Greek democracy allowed freedom of speech, where people could openly criticize things like the war, as the play satirizes the government and challenges the traditional roles.
• Within a monarchy, that criticism would not be allowed as the king holds absolute power and wouldn’t tolerate public dissent.
• 2 Architectural orders prominent in Classical Greece were Doric and Ionic.
• The temple of the acropolis which was dedicated to Athena the Virgin was called Pathenon.
• Professional teachers who taught oratorical skills and the art of persuasive rhetoric, or the Sophists (aka the wise men) did not concern themselves with questions of absolute truth.
• The belief that knowledge is within the individual and all that is needed is critical questioning to bring it forth, is found in the pedagogical technique called Socratic Method.
• A short poem in a plain style often dealing with personal themes and emotions is called a lyric.
• The Great Debate was between those who believed in absolute truth and those who argued that truth was relative.
• The most famous female poet in Greece was named Sappho and lived in the 6th century.
• The Greek word for high city is Acropolis and where Athenians located their most important temples.
• Epic poems include a hero protagonist that embarks on a heroic journey that is typically a long adventure or quest with challenges, battles, and trials to test the hero’s abilities.
• Epic poems usually starts with a poet invoking a muse, asking for help in telling the story of the epic.
• A trilogy is called Oresteia.

Module 5 Hellenistic

• Hellenistic means Greek-like.
• Greek soldiers fight in formations called a phalanx.
• Cynicism, The Cult of Isis, Stoicism and Epicureanism were all movements or schools of philosophy/religion during the Hellenistic Period.
• Sophism was not a movement or school of philosophy/religion during the Hellenistic Period
• The chief language of the Hellenistic Empire was Koine.
• Macedonian Prince Phillip conquered Greece by 338 BC.
• Greek city-states accept Macedonian rule because they were weakened by the internal divisions and constant fighting.
• Greek city-states were tired of war and were willing to accept Macedonian leadership in exchange for peace and stability.
• 3 significant scientists of the Hellenistic period were Archimedes, Euclid and Hipparchus
• Archimedes formulated buoyancy or Archimedes' Principle, which is explains why objects float in water.
• Euclid worked in geometry and published the book “Elements” which became the standard textbook for teaching mathematics.
• Hipparchus, the father of trigonometry made contributions to astronomy.
• Alexander solved the problem of the Gordian Knot by cutting it with his sword.
• Alexander promoted cultural integration, founded cities, respected local customs and used political strategies.
• After Alexander’s death, his empire fell apart as he had no heir and his generals, the Diadochi, fought for control over different parts of the empire.
• This led to the division and creation of the several Hellenistic kingdoms.
• One of the seven wonders built during the Hellenistic Empire was the Pharos Lighthouse.
• The Hellenistic period blended Greek culture far more than the stricter Greek centered classical Greece.
• The Hellenistic world was much larger than the Greek world.
• The Hellenistic world was ruled by monarchies established by Alexander's generals.
• Philosophy shifted during the Hellenistic period because discussions about the ideal state focused more on personal happiness.

The agricultural revolution: Five ways it changed ancient culture

• Permanent Settlements: People transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to establishing villages and cities (e.g., Jericho).
• Population Growth: More reliable food sources allowed for larger communities (e.g., Mesopotamian city-states).
• Social Hierarchies: Economic surplus led to class divisions (e.g., emergence of rulers and priests in Sumer).
• Technological Advancements: Agriculture led to new tools like plows and irrigation systems (e.g., Egyptian irrigation along the Nile).
• Specialization of Labor: Not everyone needed to farm, leading to diverse professions (e.g., artisans and merchants in Indus Valley).

Defining features of Mesopotamian geography and its impact

• Mesopotamia, meaning “land between the rivers,” was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
• Unpredictable flooding led to the development of irrigation systems.
• Lack of natural barriers made the region prone to invasions, leading to a history of conquest.
• Fertile land supported the rise of agriculture and early civilization (e.g., Sumer).
• Trade routes developed due to the region’s central location in the ancient world.

Defining features of Egyptian geography and its impact

• The Nile River provided predictable flooding, which enriched the soil and supported farming.
• Deserts (Sahara and Eastern Desert) acted as natural barriers, protecting Egypt from frequent invasions.
• The Mediterranean and Red Seas facilitated trade with other civilizations.
• Limited arable land meant most Egyptians lived along the Nile.
• The Nile’s consistency allowed for a stable and centralized government.

Five ways in which the Hebrew God differs from the gods of other ancient civilizations

• Monotheism: The Hebrews worshipped one God, unlike polytheistic cultures (e.g., Sumerians, Egyptians).
• Moral Code: The Hebrew God emphasized ethical living and justice (e.g., Ten Commandments).
• Personal Relationship: God was seen as personal and involved in human affairs, unlike distant deities (e.g., Mesopotamian gods).
• Covenant with People: God made agreements (covenants) with the Hebrews, such as the one with Abraham.
• Non-Anthropomorphic: Unlike Greek and Egyptian gods, the Hebrew God was not depicted as human-like.

At least five principles found in Hammurabi’s Code and the greatest benefits of the Code

• Retributive Justice: “An eye for an eye” punishment system.
• Social Class Influence: Different punishments based on social status.
• Protection of Property: Strict laws regarding theft and land ownership.
• Family Law: Rules about marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
• Accountability: Officials and builders were held responsible for their work (e.g., if a house collapsed and killed someone, the builder could be executed).
• Benefits: The Code provided order, set clear expectations, and established the principle that laws applied to all (though not equally).

Confucius, his most significant teachings, and at least three key principles of Confucianism

• Confucius (Kong Fuzi) was a Chinese philosopher (551–479 BCE) who emphasized ethics and social harmony.
• Key Principles:
• Filial Piety (Xiao) – Respect for parents and elders.
• Humaneness (Ren) – Compassion and empathy in relationships.
• Proper Behavior (Li) – Observance of rituals and social norms.

List and explain four ideas within/teachings of Taoism

• Wu Wei: Acting naturally without force; effortless action.
• The Dao: The Way; the natural order of the universe.
• Yin-Yang: Balance between opposite forces in nature.
• Simplicity: Living with minimal desires and attachments.

Plato’s idea of good government and the key ideas found in his Republic

• Plato advocated for a government led by philosopher-kings, who ruled based on wisdom rather than wealth or birthright.
• Key Ideas in Republic:
• The Tripartite Soul: Society reflects the soul’s three parts—reason (rulers), spirit (warriors), and appetite (workers).
• The Allegory of the Cave: People live in ignorance until enlightened by philosophy.
• Ideal State: A just society functions when each class performs its role without interfering in others.

The philosophy of Legalism imposed by the Ch’in and its differences from previous Chinese belief systems

• Legalism emphasized strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain order.
• Differed from Confucianism (which valued moral virtue) and Daoism (which encouraged natural order).
• Centralized power under an authoritarian state (e.g., Qin Shi Huang’s rule).

List five defining characteristics of the Han dynasty and explain the significance of each

• Civil Service Exam: Established a merit-based bureaucracy.
• Silk Road: Expanded trade with the West.
• Technological Advancements: Invented paper and improved iron tools.
• Confucian Revival: Confucianism became the official ideology.
• Territorial Expansion: Extended China’s borders significantly.

Compare and contrast the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, with at least three similarities and three differences

• Similarities:
• Both were early Greek civilizations.
• Both engaged in trade.
• Both built impressive palaces.
• Differences:
• Minoans were peaceful traders; Mycenaeans were warlike.
• Minoans had a mysterious script (Linear A); Mycenaeans used Linear B (an early form of Greek).
• Minoan culture centered on Crete; Mycenaeans spread across mainland Greece.

Compare life in Sparta and Spartan values with life in Athens and Athenian values

• Sparta: Militaristic, oligarchic, focused on discipline.
• Athens: Democratic, valued education and philosophy.
• Sparta: Women had more rights than in Athens.
• Athens: Emphasized arts, debate, and intellectual life.

The Great Debate, the two positions, and who (in Greece) would have supported each

• The debate between absolute truth (Plato, Socrates) and relativism (Sophists).
• Philosophers supported absolute truth; Sophists argued truth depended on perception.

The rise of Alexander the Great and his successes as a military and political figure. Examine the reasons for his tremendous successes

• Conquered Persia, Egypt, and India.
• Used strategic warfare and psychological tactics.
• Integrated cultures, spreading Hellenistic ideals.

How the Hellenistic Empire developed following Alexander’s death and the greatest accomplishments of the Hellenistic Era

• After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided among his generals (Diadochi).
• Accomplishments:
• Cultural Fusion: Greek, Persian, and Egyptian influences blended.
• Scientific Advancements: Euclid, Archimedes, and Hipparchus made key contributions.
• Urban Development: Cities like Alexandria flourished as cultural hubs.