Indo-Europeans
What was the name of the dry grassland that stretched across much of Eurasia, where the Indo-Europeans came from?
The Steppes
What is the name for the cycle in Hinduism where one’s soul is born again and again until Moksha is achieved?
Reincarnation
Who dominated Mediterranean trade first: the Minoans or Phoenicians?
Minoans
Which nomadic group invaded Egypt?
Hyksos
Why was Cyrus of Persia called "Cyrus the Great"?
Military genius (successfully conquered many kingdoms), tolerant of conquered peoples (respected different religions, allowed people to practice their own cultures)
Why were Hittites successful in war?
What is the name for the Buddhist idea of the perfect state of wisdom that is needed to achieve nirvana (the release from selfishness and pain in life)?
Enlightenment (through meditation)
What were the Phoenicians known for, besides trade?
Their alphabet
What was the relationship between Egypt and Nubia during the New Kingdom?
They traded with each other, Egypt controlled Nubia until the decline of their empire and the Kushites later conquered (and unified) the Nile region
What were 2 benefits of the Royal Road in Persia?
Improved communication, transportation of goods, travel for people, travel for armies, spread of ideas/culture, connected distance places in the empire
What was the Aryan caste system/what was it used for?
Social classes in Aryan society that people were born into, it determined work, marriage, association
Who is considered the father of Judaism?
Abraham
What was the name of the capital of Crete, where the Minoans lived?
Knossos
Why did Egypt's empire decline?
Invasions
What was a satrap in Persia?
What was significant about the Indo-European languages?
Many modern languages trace their origins back to the Indo-European language
How did Buddhism spread?
Missionaries and traders/trade routes
What is one thing the Minoans traded? What is one thing the Phoenicians traded?
Minoans - pottery, swords, figurines, and precious metals
Phoenicians - red-purple dye, papyrus, wine, weapons, precious metals, ivory, and enslaved people
Why were the Assyrians such good conquerors?
They glorified military strength, they used iron in their weapons and uniforms, advanced planning and technical skills, disciplined organization, showed no mercy to their victims
What was one of the social order/ethical systems of China?
Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, I Ching, yin and yang
What was one suspected reason why the Indo-Europeans migrated from their homelands?
1. Land dried up
2. Population too large to feed
3. Escape invaders and disease
What shaped the Hebrew code of laws in Canaan?
The Ten Commandments
What caused the end of the Minoans? OR
What caused the end of the Phoenicians?
Minoans - unclear: Natural disasters? Overpopulation? Invaders?
Phoenicians - Conquered by the Assyrians
Why did the Assyrian empire eventually fall?
They didn't have the manpower to support the vast empire they created (they were stretched too thin) and they created a lot of enemies through their cruel rule
What is one way that Shi Huangdi (founder of the Qin dynasty) unified China?
Stopped the fighting between the territories, defeated invaders, acquired more land for China, crushed resistance