AP World History Unit 1 Vocabulary #1

Unit One: Foundations (8000 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.) 1. Civilization 2. Chariot 3. Composite bow 4. Independent invention 5. Monsoon 6. Steppe 7. Agricultural Revolution 8. Epic of Gilgamesh 9. Foraging 10. Neolithic Age 11. Hittites 12. Slash-and-burn agriculture 13. Specialization of labor 14. Cuneiform 15. Mesoamerica 16. Mandate of Heaven 17. Matrilineal 18. Oracle bones 19. Patriarchal 20. Nubia 21. Persepolis 22. Paterfamilias 23. Ziggurat 24. Alexander the Great 25. Aristocracy 26. Aristotle 27. Artisan 28. Surplus of food 29. Dynasty 30. Geocentric theory 31. Hellenistic Age 32. Indo-Europeans 33. Jati 34. Pax Romana 35. Pastoralism

Jati One of the many subcastes in the Hindu caste system One of the many subcastes in the Hindu caste system

Paterfamilias “Father of the family" - the head of Roman family life; the oldest living male who looked after the family's business affairs and property and could perform religious rites on their behalf; he had absolute rule over his household and children. If they angered him, he had the legal right to disown his children, sell them into slavery or even kill them. “Father of the family" - the head of Roman family life; the oldest living male who looked after the family's business affairs and property and could perform religious rites on their behalf; he had absolute rule over his household and children. If they angered him, he had the legal right to disown his children, sell them into slavery or even kill them.

Mandate of Heaven The concept developed by the Zhou dynasty that the deity granted a dynasty the right to rule and took away that right if the dynasty did not rule wisely The concept developed by the Zhou dynasty that the deity granted a dynasty the right to rule and took away that right if the dynasty did not rule wisely

Artisan A craftsman A craftsman

Oracle Bones Animal bones or shells used by the Chinese priests to receive messages from the gods Animal bones or shells used by the Chinese priests to receive messages from the gods

Ziggurat A multilayered pyramid constructed by Mesopotamians A multilayered pyramid constructed by Mesopotamians

Agricultural Revolution The transition from foraging to the cultivation of food occurring about B.C.E; also known as the Neolithic Revolution The transition from foraging to the cultivation of food occurring about B.C.E; also known as the Neolithic Revolution

Ancestor Veneration Ritual practice that is based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, take an interest in the affairs of the world, and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. The goal of ancestor worship is to ensure the ancestors' continued well-being and positive disposition towards the living and sometimes to ask for special favors or assistance. The social or nonreligious function of ancestor worship is "to cultivate kinship values like filial piety, family loyalty, and continuity of the family lineage.

Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) King of Macedon (336– 323), the son of Philip II. He was a pupil of Aristotle. After his succession he invaded Persia, liberating the Greek cities in Asia Minor, and then defeating the Persians in Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia. While in Egypt he founded Alexandria (332 BC), his first and best-known city King of Macedon (336– 323), the son of Philip II. He was a pupil of Aristotle. After his succession he invaded Persia, liberating the Greek cities in Asia Minor, and then defeating the Persians in Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia. While in Egypt he founded Alexandria (332 BC), his first and best-known city

Aristocracy Rule by a privileged hereditary class or nobility Rule by a privileged hereditary class or nobility

Aristotle (384–322 B.C.) Greek philosopher and scientist. A pupil of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great, in 335 BC he founded a school and library (the Lyceum) outside Athens. His surviving written works constitute a vast system of analysis, including logic, physical science, zoology, psychology, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and rhetoric. He established the inductive method of reasoning and proposed a system for the classification of plants and animals. Greek philosopher and scientist. A pupil of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great, in 335 BC he founded a school and library (the Lyceum) outside Athens. His surviving written works constitute a vast system of analysis, including logic, physical science, zoology, psychology, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and rhetoric. He established the inductive method of reasoning and proposed a system for the classification of plants and animals.

Civilization A cultural group with advanced cities, complex institutions, skilled workers, advanced technology, and a system of recordkeeping A cultural group with advanced cities, complex institutions, skilled workers, advanced technology, and a system of recordkeeping

Chariot Type of carriage using primarily horses to provide rapid mobile power. Chariots were used in militaries as transport or mobile archery platforms, for hunting or for racing, and as a conveniently fast way to travel for many ancient peoples. The Hittites were the first to record their use.

Composite Bow Traditional bow made from horn, wood, and sinew laminated together that originated among Asiatic pastoralists. Traditional bow made from horn, wood, and sinew laminated together that originated among Asiatic pastoralists.

Cuneiform A system of writing originating in Mesopotamia in which a wedge-shaped stylus was used to press symbols into clay tablets A system of writing originating in Mesopotamia in which a wedge-shaped stylus was used to press symbols into clay tablets

Epic of Gilgamesh The great Sumerian/Babylonian poetic work which pre-dates Homer’s writing by 1500 years (written c BCE) and, therefore, stands as the oldest piece of epic western literature

Dynasty A series of rulers from the same family A series of rulers from the same family

Hittites An ancient Indo- European people who settled in Anatolia around 2000 B.C. and excelled in the technology of war (chariot and iron weapons).

Geocentric Theory The belief held by many before the Scientific Revolution that the earth is the center of the universe The belief held by many before the Scientific Revolution that the earth is the center of the universe

Nubia Region along the Nile River located in what is today northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Home to some of Africa’s earliest kingdoms it was known for rich deposits of gold. Nubia was also the gateway through which luxury products like incense, ivory, and ebony traveled from their source in sub-Saharan Africa to the civilizations of Egypt and the Mediterranean. Kings of Nubia ultimately conquered and ruled Egypt for about a century. Nubian rulers built cities, temples, and royal pyramids in Egypt and Sudan.

Hellenistic Age The era (c B.C.E) in which Greek culture blended with Persian and other Eastern influences spread throughout the former empire of Alexander the Great The era (c B.C.E) in which Greek culture blended with Persian and other Eastern influences spread throughout the former empire of Alexander the Great

Independent Invention The development of innovation or technology independent of cultural diffusion The development of innovation or technology independent of cultural diffusion

Indo-Europeans A group pf semi- nomadic peoples who, around 2000 B.C.E., began to migrate from central Asia to India, Europe, and the Middle East A group pf semi- nomadic peoples who, around 2000 B.C.E., began to migrate from central Asia to India, Europe, and the Middle East

Monsoon A seasonal wind A seasonal wind

Matrilineal Referring to a social system in which descent and inheritance are traced through their mother Referring to a social system in which descent and inheritance are traced through their mother

Neolithic Age Final stage of technological development or cultural evolution among prehistoric humans. It is characterized by the use of stone tools shaped by polishing or grinding, the domestication of plants or animals, the establishment of permanent villages, and the practice of such crafts as pottery and weaving. Final stage of technological development or cultural evolution among prehistoric humans. It is characterized by the use of stone tools shaped by polishing or grinding, the domestication of plants or animals, the establishment of permanent villages, and the practice of such crafts as pottery and weaving.

Pastoralism The practice of herding as the primary economic activity of a society that emerged in parts of Africa and Eurasia. Pastoral peoples domesticated animals which led to more reliable and abundant food supplies. They rarely accumulated large amounts of material possessions, but became an important conduit for technological change as they interacted with settled populations.

Patriarchal Pertaining to a social system in which the father is the head of the family Pertaining to a social system in which the father is the head of the family

Persepolis Ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BCE) that lasted only two centuries. Its majestic audience halls and residential palaces perished in flames when Alexander the Great conquered and looted the city in 330 B.C.

Surplus of food Single most important factor that led to the rise of human civilization. Once humans adopted a sedentary existence through the production of crops and livestock and the surplus of food that eventually resulted, specialization and stratification in society began to occur.

Pax Romana The Roman Peace; the period of prosperity and stability throughout the Roman Empire in the first two centuries C.E. The Roman Peace; the period of prosperity and stability throughout the Roman Empire in the first two centuries C.E.

Steppe A dry grassland A dry grassland

Slash and Burn Agriculture A agricultural method in which farmers clear fields by cutting and burning trees, then use the ashes as fertilizer A agricultural method in which farmers clear fields by cutting and burning trees, then use the ashes as fertilizer

Specialization of Labor The division of labor that aids the development of skills in a particular type of work The division of labor that aids the development of skills in a particular type of work

Mesoamerica Region that includes Mexico and Central America.