Vacab 1
Archaeology
The study of past people and cultures through objects and remains they left behind.
Primary Source
Evidence created during the time being studied, such as a letter, law, artifact, or inscription.
Secondary Source
An account or interpretation created after the historical period being studied.
Civilization
A complex society with cities, government, specialized jobs, social organizations, and cultural traditions.
City-state
An independent city and the surrounding territory it controls.
Empire
A group of territories or people controlled by one government or ruler.
Dynasty
A series of rulers from the same family.
Monarchy
A government ruled by a king or queen.
Theocracy
A government in which religion or religious leaders have significant governing authority.
Oligarchy
A government controlled by a small group of powerful people.
Democracy
A government in which citizens participate in political decision-making.
Republic
A government in which citizens choose representatives to govern.
Citizen
A legally recognized member of a state who may have certain rights and responsibilities.
Codified law
Laws that have been organized and written down.
Polytheism
Belief in many gods
Monotheism
Belief in one God
Mythology
A collection of traditional stories used by a culture to explain beliefs, gods, heroes, nature, or origins.
Philosophy
The study of fundamental questions about knowledge, truth, morality, government, and existence.
Cultural diffusion
The spread of ideas, customs, beliefs, technologies, and products between cultures.
Assimilation
The process through which a group adopts parts of another culture.
Hellenism
The spread and blending of Greek culture with cultures of Egypt, Persia, and Southwest Asia after Alexander's conquests.
Trade route
A path regularly used to move goods between places.
Silk Road
A network of trade routes connecting China, Central Asia, Southwest Asia, and Europe.
Barter
Trading goods or services without using money.
Currency
Money, used as a medium of exchange.