Historical Terms – XIII
Eastern Europe and the World Belisarius: (c.505-565); one of Justinian’s most important military commanders during the attempted reconquest of western Europe. Greek Fire: Byzantine weapon consisting of mixture of chemicals…
Historical Terms – XII
Internal Development and Global Contacts. The spread of Islam KEY TERMS. Stateless societies: societies of varying sizes organized through kinship and lacking the concentration of power found in centralized states.…
Historical Terms – XI
Islam – A Bridge Between Worlds. KEY TERMS Al-Mahdi: 3rd Abbasid caliph (775-785); failed to reconcile Shi’a moderates to his dynasty and to resolve the succession problem. Harun al-Rashid: most…
Historical Terms – X
The Late Classical Period and the World. KEY TERMS Yellow Turbans: Chinese Daoists who launched a revolt in 184 C.E, promising a golden age to be brought about by divine…
Historical Terms – IX
The Emerging Cultures KEY TERMS Sahara: desert running across northern Africa; separates the Mediterranean region from the rest of Africa. Sahel: lands lying between the Sahara to the north and…
Historical Terms -VIII
American Civilizations and the World Archaic cultures: hunting and gathering groups dispersed over the Americas by 9000 B.C.E. In the Americas, sedentary farmers depend on the staple crop known as…
Historical Terms – VII
Rome and the World Etruscans: culture that ruled Rome prior to the republic; ruled through powerful kings and well-organized armies; Romans won independence circa 510 B.C.E. Plebians: ordinary citizens; originally…
Historical Terms – VI
India and the Wider World Himalayan Mountains: region marking the northern border of the Indian subcontinent; site of Aryan settlements that formed small kingdoms or warrior republics. Varnas: the categories…
Historical Terms – V
Cyrus the Great: (c. 576 or 590-529 B.C.E.); founded Persian Empire by 550 B.C.E.; successor state to Mesopotamian empires. Zoroastrianism: Persian religion that saw material existence as a battle between…
Historical Terms – IV
Classical China and the World Qin: dynasty (221-207 B.C.E.) founded at the end of the Warring States period Shi Huangdi: first emperor of China; founder of Qin dynasty. Warring States…