Download Chapter 1 Neolithic Agricultural Revolution Had to measure out time

Chapter 1
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Neolithic Agricultural Revolution
o Had to measure out time accurately to harvest crops.
o Early farmers learned how to use oxen or buffalo to help plow fields.
o Early farmers also had to figure out ways of protecting their crops.
o First cities sprang up along the river valleys where farming was conducive
Chapter 2
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Egyptians believe in Life after death
Pharaohs were viewed as gods
Egyptian society relied on the Nile River for much of its natural resources
Most Egyptians were farmers
Mesopotamia
o Sumer was made up of independent city-states
o The Epic of Gilgamesh is a poem recounting the adventures of a Sumerian hero
o The Code of Hammurabi was the first major collection of laws*
Chapter 3 and 4
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India and China
o The Indus and the Ganges rivers were the two main bodies of water which influenced
early Indian civilization.
o India’s first civilization grew up in the Indus River Valley.
o In an Hindus society, the purpose of caste rules was to ensure spiritual unity.*
o Indian Caste System
o According to Hindu beliefs, a persons social status could be changed by reincarnation.
o Both Hindus and Buddhists believe in nonviolence.
o Well-planned cities suggested that the Indus valley cities had a well-organized
government.
o Golden age during the Guptas
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Early Chinese Civilizations
o Confucius taught the Chinese people that their most important duty was respect for
parents.
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The Mandate of Heaven is the idea responsible for the dynastic cycle.
The Huang He was nicknamed the “River of Sorrows” because it often flooded and
destroyed crops.
Because of its geographical isolation, China developed a unique civilization.*
Chinese Contributions
o The Chinese system of writing was difficult to learn because it used thousands of
characters.
o The trade route which linked China with the West became known as the Silk Road.
Important Indian and Chinese Definitions
o Calligraphy- an artistic form of handwriting.
o Dynastic cycle- the rise and fall of dynasties.
o Filial piety- respect for parents.
o Patriarchal- headed by the father or oldest male.
o Reincarnation- rebirth of the soul in another bodily form.
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Karma- the actions of a person’s life that affect his/her fate in the next life.
Nirvana- the final goal in Buddhism – union with the universe and release form the cycle
of rebirth.*
Siddhartha Gautama- founder of Buddhism.
Legalism- the way to achieve order was through strict laws and harsh punishment.
Confucianism- “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Daoism- rejected the world of conflict, emphasizing the virtue of yielding.***
Chapter 5
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Some Important things
o Pericles- Statesman who established direct democracy in Athens.
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Some more basic facts
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Homer- Blind poet credited with creating the Iliad and the Odyssey.*
Hippocrates- Physician whose oath set ethical standards for doctors.
Socrates- Philosopher who examined beliefs and ideas through critical questioning.
Aristotle- Philosopher who taught good conduct meant following a moderate course.
Herodotus- Historian who wrote about the Persian Wars.
Aristocracy- Rule by the landholding elite.
Democracy- Government by the people.
Monarchy- Government in which a King or Queen exercises central power.
The great epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, reveal much about the lives of the ancient
Greeks.
The rocky islands and isolated valleys of Greece contributed to the development of
individual city-states.
From childhood, Spartan boys were trained to be soldiers.*
Athens enjoyed a golden age under the leadership of Pericles.
Alexander’s greatest achievement was spreading Greek culture.
According to Aristotle, the best government was ruled by a strong and virtuous leader.*
Following the Persian Wars, Greece was dominated by Athens
Conflict between Athens and Sparta resulted in what wars? Peloponnesian War
Possible Essay question
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List the differences between Athens and Sparta
Chapter 6: Ancient Rome
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Roman Terms
o Legion- basic unit of the Roman army.
o Heresy- belief contrary to official church teachings.
o Veto- block a government action.
o Consul- government official who supervised the business of government and the army.
o Patrician- landholding elite.
o Plebeians- farmers, merchants, and traders who made up the bulk of Roman Society.
o Aqueduct- bridge-like stone structure that bought water from the hills to the cities.*
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Famous People
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Augustus- first ruler of the Roman Empire, once known as Octavian.
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o Julius Caesar- general that brought Gaul under Roman control.
o Jesus- central figure in Christianity.
o Hannibal- leader of the Carthaginian army who used elephants.
o Ptolemy- astronomer who believed the earth was the center of the universe.
o Messiah- savior sent by god. *
Facts about the Romans
o The mission of Jesus was to bring spiritual salvation to believers.
o The Pax Romana refers to Roman peace.
o The decline of the Roman republic followed a century of civil wars fought over the
question of who would hold power.
o The Romans generally tolerated religious differences.
o Germanic invasions, corrupt officials, and heavy taxes all helped contribute to the fall of
Rome. *
More facts about the Romans
o Diocletian and Constantine tried to restore order to the Roman Empire.
o The Plebeians were responsible for making the early Roman Republic more democratic.
o The Romans were greatly influenced by the culture of Greece.*