Egyptian Pyramids

Main purpose was for a tomb of the Pharoah

Cataracts

Rapids along the Nile River

Fertile Crescent

Fertile lands facing the Med. Sea

Area of Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Theocracy

Government ruled by a religious authority

Hammurabi

Babylonian ruler came up with strict code of

laws

Chinese Writing

People all over China could read it even if they spoke different language helped

unify China

Mandate of Heaven

It allowed new rulers to justify the overthrow of a

declining dynasty

Confucius

He believed in relationships to restore order, harmony

and good government

Dynastic Cycle

The rise and decline and replacement of

dynasties

Daoism

Ethical system along with Yin and Yang focus

on natural order

Polis

A Greek city-state

Acropolis

The highest point a fortified hilltop where Greek citizens gathered to discuss city gov.

Oligarchy

Government ruled by a few powerful people

Phalanx

Greek military formation that was unstoppable

Hellenistic

Civilization, language,art,science and literature of the Greek

world. Alexandria, Egypt became the center of it

Peloponnesian War

Athens v. Sparta

First Triumvirate

Caesar, Crassus and Pompey after 10 years

Caesar and Pompey went to war

Republic

Form of Government where power rests with citizens who

elect their leaders (Rome)

Diaspora

Jewish dispersal

Buddhism

It became popular b/c many people could become buddhas

Bantu Migrations

They migrated in search of new land b/c of their

growing population

Animism

Spirits play a role in daily life

Olmecs

Jaquar spirits, mother culture of Mesoamerica, massive

stone sculptures

Zapotecs

Monte Alban first real urban center in

Americas

Allah

Arabic “God”

Hijrah

Migration in 622 Muhammad went from

Mecca to Yathrib

Mosque

Islamic house of worship

Quran

Islamic holy book

Sunna

Muhammad’s Example

Cyrillic Alphabet

Saint Cyril and Methodius created it. Helped with

Russian Culture

Shah

Seljuk Ruler

Frederick I

First ruler to call his lands Holy Roman Empire. Also

known as Red Beard

Magyars

Group of nomadic people who attacked from the east

(Hungary). Superb horsemen who swept across Europe.

Fief

Land granted to a vassal during the Middle Ages

Tournament

Some knights took part in these mock battles

Excommunicate

Banished or kicked out of the church

Interdict

No sacraments could be performed in a banned kings land

Charlemagne

In 800 Pope Leo III crowned him emperor. He helped

spread Christianity

Chivalry

Knights 3 obligations were earthly lord, heavenly lord

and chosen lady

Canon Law

Church LawLike marriage and

baptism

Khanate of the Golden Horde

The Mongol Empire in Russia

Treaty of Verdun

Charlemagne’s empire to be broken into 3 parts for

each of his sons

Lay Investiture

Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV fought over who

could appt. bishops

Ghana

Islam, gold salt-trade overrun by Muslim

Almoravids

Mali

Mansa Musa, Sundiata, Ibn Battuta (historian)

gold-salt trade

Songhai

Gold-salt trade, military conquests, Sunni Ali, Askia

Muhammad, (lacked modern weaponry)

Hausa People

Savanna culture, located on important trade routes,

powerful independent city-state.

Yoruba People

Forest civilization, spoke common language,

Ife and Oyo kingdoms

Benin

Artistic , traded with the Portuguese, had an organized kingdom

Swahili

Arabic and Bantu languages

Kilwa

Important city-state a trading center between

India and S.Africa

Great Enclosure

In Great Zimbabwe mainly intended to impress outsiders

and not for protection

Mutapa

Means Conqueror

Tikal

Important Mayan city-state

Glyphs

Used for Mayan writing

Codex

Maya used this to keep track of important historical events

Aztec

Triple Alliance, warlike, believed Sun god

needed human blood

Toltec

Pyramids and temples, warlike, dominated central Mexico before the Aztecs

Tenochtitlan

Aztec city, planned built on island, its exact location is

unknown

Quetzalcoatl

Feathered serpent was a god of Toltecs and Aztecs.

Followers believed he would return

Mita

Labor tribute in the Incan Empire

Ayllu

Small Incan group used to do community work.