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Greece-Rome-Late Antiquity-Islam
Flash cards for terms in the Greco-Roman, Late Antiquity, and Islam sections
130
History
Undergraduate 2
10/30/2010

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Term
Mycenaean Civilization
Definition
Lasted from about 1600 to 1100 BC. They had a system of city-states ruled by a king. They had lots of conflict and trade. Most of what we know comes from the Iliad and Odyssey.
Term
Minoan Civilization
Definition
Lasted from about 2200 to 1450 BC. They were a peaceful civilization, and had very little fortification in any of their cities. They had little trade. Their civilization was wiped out abruptly, possibly due to a cataclysm.
Term
Tyrant
Definition
In Greece, a tyrant was someone who would make alliances with political groups to get political power. They could be good or bad. They were technically illegal, but the support they received from the middle and lower classes made them powerful.
Term
Oligarchy
Definition
Rule by a small group of elite citizens.
Term
Aristocracy
Definition
Rule by the upper classes.
Term
Monarchy
Definition
The supreme power of rule is held by a king or queen and his or her family.
Term
Iliad
Definition
An epic poem written by Homer about the siege and sacking of Troy by the Mycenaean Civilization. Written about 8th century BC. The actual war was about the 13th century BC.
Term
Odyssey
Definition
An epic poem written by Homer about the 10 year adventure of Odysseus as he returned home from the Trojan War.
Term
Homer
Definition
An epic poet who wrote the Iliad and Odyssey in about the 8th century BC.
Term
Polis
Definition
Greek city-state. Each of these cities was an individual state, that is they answered to the authority of no one besides themselves.
Term
Acropolis
Definition
"City upon a hill" This was the group of buildings on top of a hill overlooking Athens which includes the Parthenon, which was built during the reign of Pericles.
Term
Persian Wars
Definition
Wars between Greece and Persia from 500 to 450 BC. The Greeks won.
Term
Peloponnesian Wars
Definition
War fought between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 BC. Sparta won.
Term
Athens
Definition
The most important city in Greece. Head of the Delian League.
Term
Delian League
Definition
A group of city-states led and created by Athens. It was formed to defend against Persian attacks, and developed into a maritime power.
Term
Thebes
Definition
Allied with Athens to defeat Sparta in the battle of Leuctra in 371 BC. They were the most dominant city-state for a century until the rise of Philip II and Macedonia.
Term
Alexander
Definition
The son of Philip II and tutor of Aristotle. He was referred to as Alexander the Great due to his conquest of the Persian Empire, leading the combined Macedonian and Greek army. He died at age 33 after starting Hellenistic Greek culture and establishing his capital at Babylon.
Term
Philip of Macedon
Definition
The King of Macedonia, he united the Greeks and prepared for war with the Persians by training Phalanx and heavy cavalry.
Term
Macedonia
Definition
A Greek city-state in the north which used diplomacy, threats, and military strength to unify Greece.
Term
Axial Revolution
Definition
Emergence of philosophical reasoning, as well as many more religions than before
Term
Socrates
Definition
Greek philosopher who used the Socratic method (asking deep questions and letting his students find answers) to teach his students, one of whom was Plato. He died around 400 BC.
Term
Plato
Definition
Greek philosopher, the student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. He was very interested in the nature of the universe.
Term
Aristotle
Definition
Greek philosopher. The student of Plato, he lived around 350 BC.
Term
Hellenic vs. Hellenistic
Definition
Hellenic was before Alexander the Great. Hellenistic was after Alexander.
Term
Alexandria
Definition
Founded by the Ptolemies, it was the center of education and commerce after Alexander the Great died.
Term
Seleucids
Definition
People who tried to spread Greek culture and succeeded through trade and commerce.
Term
Ptolemies
Definition
Led by Ptolemy, one of the generals to Alexander the Great, they founded Alexandria. They followed the tradition of the Pharoahs.
Term
Koine Greek
Definition
The common Greek language (unrefined) which was spoken by most Hellenistic people. They spoke it at home and in trade. The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek.
Term
Etruscans
Definition
The most highly developed civilization between 900 and 400 BC, they were located in northern Italy. They gave their customs and alphabet to the Romans.
Term
Latin
Definition
The Italic dialect spoken by the Romans. It originated in Latium.
Term
Rape of Lucretia
Definition
She was raped by the son of a king, and her family got together to revolt against the king over the matter.
Term
Aeneid of Virgil
Definition
A story relating to the ancient Romans. Has a part in it which is probably description of the arrival of the Etruscans.
Term
Imperator, Imperium
Definition
Title in Rome which meant commander.
Term
Pontifex Maximus
Definition
"Supreme Bridge Keeper" The bridges in Rome were originally kept by the priests of the Church. This is why Constantine called himself the Pontifex Maximus when he rose to power. He was both the political and religious of Rome at the point.
Term
Tribune
Definition
Represented the Plebians in the Senate.
Term
Senate
Definition
Highest authority in Rome. Membership was limited to the upper classes.
Term
Plebians
Definition
Commoners of Rome. They were originally allowed no power in the country, but were eventually allowed to elect tribunes to take part in senate discussions and voting.
Term
Patrician
Definition
The upper class of Rome.
Term
Punic Wars
Definition
Wars between Rome and Carthage. Hannibal fought for Carthage during these wars. Rome eventually completely destroyed Carthage.
Term
Carthage
Definition
A Phoenician naval/trade city which became Rome's greatest threat to power.
Term
Hannibal
Definition
Carthaginian general who led the Carthaginian armies on elephants across the Alps and attacked Rome. He was called back to Carthage when the Romans attacked Carthage.
Term
Julius Caesar
Definition
Famous Roman general and tyrant. Wrote books about the Roman wars.
Term
Marc Antony
Definition
Tried to enlist Cleopatra as an ally after the fall of Julius Caesar. He was defeated by Octavius (Augustus).
Term
Triumvirate
Definition
Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey fought to seize power after the throne was left empty.
Term
Diocletian Reforms
Definition
Reforms which split Rome into 4 regions. Persecuted the Christians horribly, was reunited when Constantine took absolute power and declared Christianity the state religion of Rome.
Term
Tetrarchy
Definition
Form of government which existed during the Diocletian reform, with two Augustuses and two Caesars.
Term
Constantinople
Definition
Capital city of Rome under Constantinople.
Term
Octavius/Augustus
Definition
Nephew and adopted son of Caesar. He defeated Marc Antony for control of the empire. He always won his wars. He gave the people the illusion that the senate was ruling, despite the fact that he was.
Term
Pax Romana
Definition
The golden age of Rome. There was prosperity and constant expansion of the empire.
Term
Mare Nostrum
Definition
"Our Sea" Rome sat in the perfect position to rule the Mediterranean, which helped them in their conquests overseas.
Term
Nero
Definition
Blamed a fire in Rome (which he was most likely responsible for) on the Christians.
Term
Barracks Emperors
Definition
The emperors after Pax Romana. They all originated in the military and had an average reign of 2 years each. None died of natural causes.
Term
Praetorian Guard
Definition
The standing army in Rome, loyal to the Emperor. They meddled in politics frequently, as they could kill the emperor and assume power if they wished.
Term
Barbarians
Definition
The Romans found it cheaper to hire German mercenaries for the army, which led to a decrease in the quality of the army, and losses in battles across the frontiers of Rome.
Term
Huns
Definition
Following the death of Julian the Apostate they had moved from Asia and started fighting in Europe. They had to choose between fighting Germany or Rome, and settled for the weaker Roman army.
Term
Goths
Definition
German soldiers, many of whom were in the roman army. They were loyal to their commanders, not Rome, and ended up sacking the western half of the Roman empire.
Term
Vandals
Definition
One of the German tribes which conquered the African portion of the Roman empire.
Term
Ostrogoths
Definition
One of the two eastern German tribes, they played a key role in the disruption of the Roman empire during the migration period.
Term
Lombards
Definition
A German tribe from northern Europe which invaded Byzantine Italy.
Term
Visigoths
Definition
The other branch of the eastern German tribes (Ostrogoths are the first) which also served a major role in the disruption of Rome during the migration period.
Term
Gaul
Definition
A region of Europe (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, etc.)
Term
Celts
Definition
People from Gaul who attacked Rome after defeating the Etruscans. They sieged Rome for 3 months, failing to take the city. The people of Rome then developed a martial mentality and developed the strongest army the world has ever seen.
Term
Fall of Rome
Definition
The Empire was divided into 2 pieces, became economically unstable, civil wars raged, Goths and Huns came in and destroyed the empire, leaving the Byzantine empire around Constantinople, but nothing else intact.
Term
Monotheism
Definition
Belief in one god.
Term
Pharisees
Definition
A sect of Judaism which emphasized strict adherence to law and oral tradition, and opposed Hellenism.
Term
Sadduces
Definition
A sect of Judaism which was a supporter of Herodians and the temple priesthood in Jerusalem.
Term
Essenes
Definition
An extremist sect of Judaism which was against the establishment at Jerusalem and followed the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Term
Zealots
Definition
An extremist sect of Judaism which advocated the military takeover of Rome.
Term
Paul the Apostle
Definition
A Jewish apostle to Jesus, he considered him an "apostle to the gentiles." He was converted to Christ on the road to Damascus, and was considered one of the leaders of the Church. He was also a Roman citizen, so he had an easier time working in heavily Roman populated lands.
Term
Constantine
Definition
Won the title of emperor in Rome at the battle of Milvian Bridge. He set forth the Edict of Milan in 313, making Christianity legal. This was because he won the battle under Christian standards (symbols on the flags and shields).
Term
Milvian Bridge
Definition
Battle where Constantine won the title of Emperor of Rome while fighting with Christian standards.
Term
In Hoc Signo Vinces
Definition
"In this sign you shall conquer" was what the voice Constantine reportedly heard in his head said.
Term
5 Centers of Christianity
Definition
Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople
Term
Arius
Definition
A missionary who believed in the Corporeality of Christ -- that Christ had a body. He gained lots of followers in the eastern Roman empire.
Term
Arians
Definition
The followers of Arius. They were mostly centralized in eastern Rome, and led missions to the Germans. They began following a form of Christianity later when the Germans began moving deeper into Rome (the Germans brought a different version of Christianity with them).
Term
Council of Nicaea
Definition
Council of Christians in 325 to determine the true doctrine of Christianity.
Term
Nicene Creed
Definition
What the Council of Nicaea published. The Creed influenced many religions which exist today.
Term
Council of Epheus
Definition
Argued over whether Christ had two natures.
Term
Council of Chalcedon
Definition
Went against the Council of Epheus and said that Christ had only one nature.
Term
Dualists
Definition
Philosophy of mind, that there is a relationship between the mind and matter.
Term
Monophysites
Definition
Belief in 1 god.
Term
Monotheletes
Definition
Believed that Christ had 2 natures but 1 will.
Term
Manichaeans
Definition
One of the major Iranian Agnostic religions, emphasized good vs. evil and light vs. darkness on the Earth. Mani was their leader.
Term
Christology
Definition
Debate over nature and will of Christ (2 natures and 2 wills -- human and divine).
Term
Corporeality
Definition
Debate over whether or not Christ had a body.
Term
Nestorians
Definition
Believed that Christ had 2 natures (led by Nestorius).
Term
St. Ambrose
Definition
Bishop of the church of Milan -- considered one of the 4 doctors of the church.
Term
St. Augustine of Hippo
Definition
One of the leaders of Christianity in the west. He said, "Church is more important than state."
Term
Hermit
Definition
Someone who lives, at least to a certain degree, isolated from society. First applied to those who lived in the desert as Eremites.
Term
Stylite
Definition
A monk who would sit on top of a pillar in the desert and expose themselves to the elements.
Term
Cult of the Saints
Definition
Idea that martyrs went to heaven and were intermediaries,that is you could contact heaven through them.
Term
Relics
Definition
Objects with religious importance.
Term
Reliquary
Definition
Containers holding relics. Often they held the bones or clothes of saints.
Term
Marabout
Definition
Islamic religious leader in west Africa. They were often scholars and teachers of the Qur'an.
Term
Stoics
Definition
A religion from Hellenistic Greece which believed that destructive emotions are bad and that perfect people don't feel those emotions. They believed in maintaining a will in accord with nature.
Term
Epicureans
Definition
Believed in having pleasures in life. Things which caused pain were bad. But things which caused pleasure could cause pain if taken to extremes.
Term
Mystery Religions
Definition
Promise eternal life. You had to be initiated and a member to know their rituals.
Term
Cult of Mithras
Definition
Religion based around the god Mithras. Little is known about the religion, besides that Mithras was born from a rock and sacrificed bulls. The Mithrian temples were all located underground, and survive today.
Term
Cult of Isis
Definition
Worship based around the goddess Isis, the ideal mother and wife. This was a religion for all social classes.
Term
Copts
Definition
Native Egyptian Christians
Term
Byzantium
Definition
An ancient Greek City which was founded by the citizens of Megara. The city was changed to Constantinople when Constantine moved the Roman capital there. It was the capital of the Byzantine Empire following the fall of Rome. It is now a city in Turkey, and is called Instanbul.
Term
Justinian
Definition
Famous for reconquering the west. He was the last emperor to speak Latin. He used codification to record laws.
Term
Constantinople
Definition
Center of the Roman empire after Constantine. The people of Constantinople could control who came in and out of the empire as the city was on the strait between the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Term
Greek Fire
Definition
A chemical which ignited on contact with water and was used to burn enemy fleets.
Term
Anatolia
Definition
Modern day Turkey (Asia Minor).
Term
Muhammad
Definition
The Seal of the Prophets. He was the last great prophet according to the Muslims. He was told to read scripture from Gabriel, but couldn't, so it was put into his heart and became the Koran. He married Khadija, who was his first believer.
Term
Hijra
Definition
Fleeing from Mecca to Medina. This happened in the year 622 AD. This is year 0 for the Muslims. They then use AH (Anno Hijra) instead of AD. They count in lunar years.
Term
Qur'an
Definition
Perfect word of god, written in heaven in Arabic.
Term
5 Pillars of Islam
Definition
Belief (There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger), prayer toward Mecca 5 times a day, Almsgiving (Zakat)to care for the needy. 2.5% of increase, or just helping them out., Fasting during the month of Ramadan during daylight hours, Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca once in your life if possible.
Term
Jihad
Definition
Struggle. We see this as Holy War, which it isn't. It is not one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
Term
Ka'aba
Definition
The ancient temple at Mecca supposedly built by Abraham which was restored by Muhammad and is now the destination of an annual pilgrimage of Muslims.
Term
Sufi
Definition
Idea that you can obtain spiritual unity with god through meditation, rituals, etc. Not an actual part of Islam.
Term
Shi'ite
Definition
Faction of Islam which believes in succession of leadership from Muhammad. They are characterized by political extremism.
Term
Sunni
Definition
90% of Muslims are Sunni. They believe the successor of Muhammad should be the most religious. They believe in the Islamic religion being on what everyone agrees it is.
Term
Caliph
Definition
The first 4 successors to Muhammad.
Term
Caliphate
Definition
Idea that the Caliphs were the supreme political and religious leaders. This idea went away after a while.
Term
Imam
Definition
Line of divinely inspired successors to Muhammad (followed by the Shi'ites).
Term
Ulema
Definition
Muslim scholars, who are also sometimes military and political leaders.
Term
Umayyads
Definition
Rival clan to the Shi'ites who took over and had a dynasty from 661 to 750. They had the 2nd largest pre-modern empire.
Term
Damascus
Definition
Capital of the caliphs. It became a center of learning.
Term
Abbassids
Definition
Led a revolt against the Umayyads in 750. Their rule ended in the high point of classical Muslim culture. The Classical culture originated from 4 elements: religion, Arabic language and literature, culture, philosophy and science.
Term
Baghdad
Definition
The Abbasids moved the capital from Damascus to here. It became a place which attracted all of the great Muslim scholars.
Term
Turks
Definition
People from northeast of the border of Iran, they took over Baghdad, restored Sunni control, and then defeated Syria and Palestine. They restored Islamic military power.
Term
Moors and Saracens
Definition
Moors -- Black people of African and Arabic descent, who ruled the Iberian peninsula for about 800 years. Saracens -- Roman term for black people living near Syria. Later applied to all Muslims.
Term
Cordoba
Definition
Muslim city in Spain. It lost some of the political idea of Islam.
Term
Harun-al-Sharid
Definition
Most famous Abbasid Caliph. He was the emperor during the Muslim Golden Age. He wrote the collection of Muslim Folk Tales called A Thousand and One Nights, or, as the Western World refers to it, Arabian Nights.
Term
Saladin
Definition
1189-1193, he led the Anti-Crusader armies of the Ayyubids. He reconquered Jerusalem. Fighting among the upper ranks in his army prevented total reclamation of the Holy Land.
Term
Ottoman Turks
Definition
Osman conquered Constantinople in 1453, Sulayman conquered Balkans, Eastern Europe, and North Africa. The empire was prosperous and lasted until the 18th century.
Term
Ibn Battuta
Definition
Famous traveler. He visited almost all of the major cities in North Africa, Eastern Europe, Anatolia, India, China, Central Eurasia, and Southeast Asia.
Term
Arabic Scholars and the Greek Classics
Definition
The Arabs translated the works of famous philosophers like Plato and Aristotle into Arabic. The study of these texts became taught in schools along with the Koran, and an educational renaissance was born.
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