Fall 2024 Midterm Exam Study Guide PDF

Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class The midterm is worth 300 points. It will be structured into three sections: 1. Multiple choice (20x5=10p); 2. Fill in the blanks (10x5=50p); 3. Short answers (5x30=150p). Sections 1 & 2 will rely entirely on the list of key terms and their definitio...

Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class The midterm is worth 300 points. It will be structured into three sections: 1. Multiple choice (20x5=10p); 2. Fill in the blanks (10x5=50p); 3. Short answers (5x30=150p). Sections 1 & 2 will rely entirely on the list of key terms and their definitions provided in this study guide (below). There will not be a word bank on the exam. You will have already studied and used some of these terms for the Quiz scheduled on February 7. Section 3 includes short answers drawing on information from textbook/sourcebook, lectures, and class discussion – one substantial paragraph. Expect to write c. 150 words for each topic. You may prepare very basic outlines for each response and use them during the exam, in the form of key words, e.g. for the topic Roman Republican System you could have the following key words to help you remember what you want to discuss: patricians, plebeians, consuls, tribunes, Senate. From the following list of 7 topics Dr. Gandila will choose 5 for the test (so you will write 5 responses). 1. Tetrarchy 2. Buddhism 3. Indus Valley civilization 4. Roman republican system 5. Indian class system 6. Confucianism vs. Legalism 7. Shi Huang Di We will discuss the topics and everything else related to the midterm during our review session on October 7. Sample response for “A” grade (student response, Spring 2022): 1 Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class KEY TERMS: Human Origins. The agricultural revolution Neanderthal – early hominid from Eurasia "Java man" – early hominid from Java "Peking man" – early hominid from east Asia “Lucy” – famous fossil, more than 3 million years old, belonging to the Australopithecus Africanus class of early hominids homo erectus – advanced version of hominid with larger brain homo sapiens – modern humans homo floresiensis – unique species of hominids from the island of Flores in Asia, only 3 feet tall bipedalism – walking upright on two feet “hunter-gatherer society” – main social organization and subsistence strategy for more than 95% of human history “Dreamtime” – collection of stories and ceremonies in Australia telling the early beginning of occupation during prehistory "Clovis culture" – prehistoric culture of North America Venus of Willendorf - famous prehistoric female figurine “Otzi the Iceman” – famous fossil of a prehistoric man found in the European Alps in the 1990s, fully dressed and with all his tools including a bronze axe Lascaux – prehistoric cave in France dating to the Magdalenian period; Over 600 parietal wall paintings cover the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. “Fertile Crescent” – Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean coast where agriculture was practiced for the first time on a large scale sorghum - a type of African grain manioc – Mesoamerican plant Catalhuyuk – prehistoric farming settlement in Turkey, 7000 BC Gobekli-Tepe – ceremonial site c. 11k years old, built in southeastern Turkey, called the “world’s oldest temple”; evidence of early agriculture in the region Jericho – early settlement in Jordan, first town with defensive wall enclosure Banpo – ancient fortified village in China close to modern Xian studied by archaeologists last century; it was an early agricultural community displaying great technological innovation Patriarchate – communities ruled by men Matriarchate – communities ruled by women Paleolithic – old stone age (hunter-gatherers) Mesolithic – middle stone age (transition to agriculture) Neolithic – new stone age (agricultural communities) The Rise of Civilization Harappa – urban center in the Indus Valley, had c. 35000 inhabitants Mohenjo-Daro – urban center in the Indus Valley, several times the size of Harappa Huang He – river in China 2 Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class Yangtzi – river in China Shang – early dynasty in China Tang – mythical founder of the Shang dynasty Xia – mythical Chinese dynasty predating the Shang “oracle bone inscriptions” – shoulder bones of cattle and bottom shells of turtles on which messages were written for divination Norte Chico – civilization in the Andes, in today’s Peru, characterized by monumental architecture, non-grain-based farming, and the absence of a writing system and little contact with the outside world. Olmecs – early civilization of Mesoamerica, in parts of today’s Mexico dating to c. 1200- 450 BC; developed impressive ceremonial centers San Lorenzo – Olmec center La Venta – Olmec main center after 900 BC Mesopotamia Euphrates – river in Mesopotamia Tigris – river in Mesopotamia Uruk – early urban center in Mesopotamia, c. 50k population around 2900 BC Eridu – early urban center in Mesopotamia, c. 4k population around 4000 BC; a famous temple dominated the city, possibly the Tower of Babel in the Old Testament Epic of Gilgamesh – epic story of a Sumerian king looking for immortality Innana (Sumerian)/ Ishtar (Akkadian) – goddess of love and fertility in Mesopotamian religion An – Sumerian sky/creator god Shamash – sun god and god of justice Eanna complex – temple complex dedicated to Inanna at Uruk – some 15k laborers worked ten hours a day for five years to complete the project. Akkad – urban center in northern Mesopotamia, became the dominant center around 2350 BC Sargon – Akkadian king who created the first territorial kingdom in Mesopotamia Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) - Babylonian king famous for his code and for creating a large empire centered on Babylon ziggurat – Sumerian temple Amorite and Aramaic – Semitic languages spoken in northern Mesopotamia bala taxation system – a form of advance budgeting used by the city of Ur – each province’s contribution was calculated in advance on the basis of its agricultural potential. Hittites – people from Anatolia (in Turkey) who mastered chariot warfare and sacked Babylon in 1595 BC Suppiluliuma I (1344-1322) – the founder and most successful Hittite ruler of the New Kingdom Hurrians – population group in northern Mesopotamia, developed their own state called Mittani. They emphasized horsemanship and they may have been responsible for the spread of horsemanship throughout the Near East. Nabuchadnezzar I (1125-1104) – king of Babylon during the Isin Dynasty, took revenge on Elam, sacking their capital Susa and recovering Marduk’s statue taken by the Elamites from Babylon in 1158. 3 Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class Egypt Old Kingdom (c.2600-2200); Middle Kingdom (c. 2000-1600) and New Kingdom (c. 1500-1050) – historic periodization of ancient Egypt Imhotep - The architect who developed the pyramid as a monumental construction; later venerated almost like a god. Saqqara – the site of the first Egyptian pyramidal tombs Khufu – Egyptian pharaoh, famous for his huge pyramid 480 ft high, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world Khefren – Egyptian pharaoh, built one of the largest pyramids at Giza Akhetaten – Horizon of Aten, the new capital founded by Akhenaten, part of the so- called “Amarna Revolution,” an attempt to introduce a monotheistic religion centered on the sun disc. Hatshepsut (1472-1457) – Egyptian famous queen who ruled as a pharaoh and was portrayed with male attributes in visual media Thebes, Abydos and Memphis - Egypt cities Hyksos – warrior people of the Near East who conquered Lower Egypt in the 18th c BC Ramses II (1279-1213) – one of the most successful pharaohs and military leaders of the New Kingdom Battle of Kadesh (1275) – the first major battle where the armies of great kings fought each other directly (Egyptians and Hittites). Both powers claimed the victory. “Rosetta stone” – tri-lingual inscription used by 19th c. scholars to finally decipher Egyptian hieroglyphic writing - had two types of signs – logograms (indicates a word through meaning) and phonograms (indicate a word through sound). Hieroglyphic writing was used on inscriptions and monuments and hieratic (cursive hieroglyphic) in manuscripts. Demotic took over in the 7th c. (daily use writing as opposed to religious and official) while in the Christian era Coptic developed (alphabet) which remained in use until the 12th c. Early Empires: Greece and Persia Assyrian Empire – First large empire of the East (c. 900-600) conquered Mesopotamia and Egypt Ashur – main Assyrian God Henotheism – religious system between monotheism and polytheism, being characterized by one dominant god (e.g. Assyrian religion) Ashurbanipal (668-628) – one of the most successful Assyrian kings when the empire reached its largest extent and cultural flourishing Medes – people of Iran, developed an empire before Persia, taking advantage of the collapse of Assyria Achaemenids – first line of Persian kings Cyrus the Great (559-529) – founder of the Persian Empire, conquered the kingdom of Lydia in western Turkey Cambyses – Persian king who conquered Egypt Darius the Great (521-486) – Persian king during the height of the Persian Empire; reached the Indus and for the first time the earliest civilizations were united (India, Mesopotamia and Egypt). 4 Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class satrapies – Persian administrative units ruled by satraps (e.g. Egypt) Susa – ancient Persian capital Persepolis – Persian ceremonial capital founded by Darius the Great and finished by Xerxes. Xerxes – Persian king, successor of Darius Zoroastrianism – religion of ancient Persia dominated by a dualistic universe (i.e. the perpetual fight between Good and Evil). Ahura Mazda – Zoroastrian supreme god, creator of the universe Ahriman - rival of Ahura Mazda Dark Age (c. 1100-800); Archaic period (c. 800-480); Classical period (c. 480-323)- historic periodization of ancient Greece polis - Greek city acropolis – hilltop fortified area in most Greek cities agora – open space, used as a market and for conducting business and meetings Herodotus - Greek historian, "father of history" (5th c BC) Peloponnese – region in southern Greece, dominated by Sparta helots – native Peloponnesians, enslaved by Spartans Attica – the region controlled by Athens Solon – early 6th c reformer and lawmaker in Athens; created the first democratic institutions followed by the reforms of Cleisthenes Pericles – Athenian leader during the golden age of Athens (5th c.) Marathon (490) - Battle between Athenians and Persians led by Darius Thermophylae (480) – 300 Spartans royal bodyguard defeated by the Persians led by Xerxes Plataea - (479) – Battle between a Greek coalition led by Sparta and the Persians Battle of Issus (333 BC) – first major battle between Alexander the Great and the Persian king Darius III Hellenistic world (c. 323-31 BC) – the cultural legacy of Alexander – a world dominated by Greek culture but also by political fragmentation Age of Empires II: Rome Periodization: Regal Rome (753-509); Republic (509-31); Early Empire (31 BC-284 AD); Late Empire (284-640); Byzantium (640-1453). patricians – Roman upper class plebeians – Roman lower class Consul – highest magistrate. Two consuls were elected every year Tribune – plebeian magistrate who had the right to veto legislation proposed in the Senate Augustus – title given by the Senate to Augustus, the first Roman emperor Princeps – title taken by Augustus, the first Roman emperor Constitutio Antoniniana (212 AD) - law given by emperor Caracalla granting Roman citizenship to all males in the Empire Hannibal – famous Carthaginian commander; fought against Rome in the Second Punic War Punic Wars – (264 BC-146 BC) – long series of wars between Rome and Carthage for supremacy in the Western Mediterranean 5 Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class Battle of Zama (202 BC) – decisive victory of the Romans in the Punic War Princeps - "first citizen" imperator – victorious in battle Pax Romana – Roman Peace, a phrase coined by modern historians to illustrate the prosperity and stability of the Roman world in the first two centuries AD. Pompeii – city in Italy buried by the Vesuvius in 79 AD Septimius Severus - first emperor of the Severan dynasty Tetrarchy – political system, (“rulership of four”) introduced by emperor Diocletian (284-305) Age of Empires III: China Zhou Dynasty (11th-8th c.) – Iron-Age dynasty of China; Technology and agriculture improved which led to population growth; State building during the Zhou period also led to the development of writing. Xianyang – capital of Qin dynasty “Mandate of Heaven” – political ideology providing divine legitimacy to the ruler who was considered to be the “Son of Heaven” Shi Huangdi ("First Emperor") (221-210 BC) - first emperor of unified China (Qin dynasty) Legalism – governing philosophy of the Qin dynasty of China based on the rule of the law including harsh punishments as a means of enforcing the authority of the state jun – provinces xian – counties Li Bing – Shi Huangdi’s the official responsible for the massive irrigation project undertaken in the Yellow River basin. Liu Bang – first Han emperor Wudi (141-87 BC, "The Martial Emperor") - most successful Han emperor Xiongnu – nomadic confederation, enemies of the Chinese Pax Sinica - Chinese Peace, a phrase coined by modern historians to illustrate the prosperity and stability of China under emperor Wu Sima Qian – first Chinese historian Chang'an – capital of Han dynasty Wang Mang – Han minister who overthrew the Han emperor (early 1st c. AD) Toba - people of east Mongolia who created a strong state in northern China (5th c. AD) Culture and religion in the East to 500 AD Kongzi (551-479) – Confucius, founder of Confucianism Analects – collection of Confucian texts ren – major Confucian principle translated as humanness li – major Confucian principle translated as courtesy xiao – major Confucian principle translated as respect for family and ancestors Mencius and Xunzi – disciples of Confucius Laozi (6th c. BC) – mythical founder of Daoism Daodejing – short poetic volume written by Laozi containing the main Daoist principles Yin and Yang – Chinese concept expressing belief in the unity of opposites 6 Fall 2024 MIDTERM EXAM – October 9, in class Rig Veda – the most important text of Vedic religion of India Aryans – light-skinned people speaking an Indo-European language Dasas – dark-skinned people living in central and southern India and speaking Dravidian languages Jati – Indian group related by birth (caste) Varna – Indian traditional social system (class) Samsara – Indian belief in reincarnation Atman – immortal essence (soul) Ahimsa – Indian concept of non-violence Artha – the honest pursuit of economic well-being Brahmin (priests and scholars); Kshatriya (warriors and officials); Vaishya (merchants, artisans and landowners) and Shudra (peasants and laborers) -- Indian caste system Siddhartha Gautama (563-483) - The Buddha dharma – Indian religious doctrine Mahayana Buddhism - "The Greater Vehicle," the more popular form of Buddhism Hinayana Buddhism - "The Lesser Vehicle," a more demanding and austere version of Buddhism Bodhisattvas – spiritually developed people, Buddhist “saints”, who delayed their entry into nirvana to help other people reach enlightenment. Nirvana – final goal of Buddhism, personal salvation and escape from the cycle of reincarnation and attainment of a state of perpetual tranquility. Upanishads - old Vedic texts Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, and Krishna – central gods of Hinduism Ramayana and Mahabharata – epic poems expressing the principles of reformed Hinduism Culture and religion in the West to 500 AD Zoroastrianism – the official religion of ancient Persia Avesta – the main text of Zoroastrianism augurs – Roman priests in charge with interpreting signs from gods dies fasti/nefasti – good and bad days for business in the Roman calendar Cybele & Attis – deities from Asia Minor imported by Rome Isis & Sarapis – Hellenistic deities from Egypt imported by Rome Mithras – mystery cult from Persia popular with Roman soldiers in Late Antiquity Sol Invictus – cult of the Unconquered Sun popular in Late Antiquity, often associated with Mithras Ecclesia – small communities in early Christianity; later came to mean “church” in most neo-Latin languages (e.g. Spanish iglesia) Arianism – From an Orthodox standpoint, a Christian heresy rejecting the nature of the Trinity (Jesus was not consubstantial with the Father) Monophysitism – From an Orthodox standpoint, a Christian heresy stating that Jesus was only a god with no human attributes. 7