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Golden Ages Vocabulary List |
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Abbassid Dynasty : (750 - 1258) Ruling family of the Islamic Empire during its golden age. This dynasty is responsible for many achievements
acupuncture : Chinese method of treating disorders by inserting needles into the skin. This is to help with the flow of energy that is thought to be blocked.
African Trading Kingdoms : Three African kingdoms, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that were important in the trans-Sahara trade of gold form the west coast of Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. Their trade provided enough wealth to create the conditions necessary for cultural and intellectual achievement.
Age of Reason : Term given to describe the Enlightenment.
agriculture : The cultivating of land, producing of crops, and raising of livestock for human consumption.
Alexander the Great : (356 BCE-323 BCE) He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India, which began the Hellenistic culture which was a blending of Greek, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian influences.
algebra : A branch of mathematics pioneered by Islamic mathematician al-Khwarizimi in which letters are used to represent unknown numbers to generalize arithmetic.
al-Khwarizimi : Islamic mathematician who pioneered the study of algebra. His textbook on the subject became a standard in European universities for centuries.
anatomy : The branch of science that studies the physical structure of living organisms.
aqueducts : Above ground structures used to carry water long distances. Built by the ancient Romans.
Arabic : A language that is the official language of several countries of North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the religion of Islam.
Arabic Numerals : A written number system created during the Gupta golden age in India, then adopted by the Islamic Empire before spreading further. Used throughout western civilization today.
arable : Land that is able to support the growing of crops.
Archimedes : (287-212 BCE) Greek mathematician and inventor. He wrote works on plane and solid geometry, arithmetic, and mechanics. He is best known for the lever and pulley.
architect : A person who designs buildings.
Aristarchus : (310?-250? BCE) Greek scientist who first stated that the Earth revolved around the Sun, and rotated on its axis.
artisan : A person who is skilled at a craft, such as weaving, or woodcarving.
astronomer : A person who specializes in the study of astronomical bodies.
Augustus : (63 BCE – 14 CE) First emperor of Rome (27 BCE – 14 CE) He restored order and prosperity to the Empire after nearly a century of turmoil. Grandnephew to Julius Caesar.
Aztecs : A Mesoamerican civilization of Mexico who created a strong empire that flourished between the 14th and 15th century. The arrival of Hernando Cortez and the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire.
Baron de Montesquieu : (1689-1755) Enlightenment thinker from France who wrote a book called, The Spirit of the Laws in 1748. In his book, Montesquieu describes what he considers to be the best government. He states that government should divide itself according to its powers, creating a Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch. Montesquieu explained that under this system each branch would Check and Balance the others, which would help protect the people's liberty.
BCE : Date designation meaning Before Common Era, or more than two thousand years ago.
block printing : A system of printing where characters are carved onto a wooden block. The block is then inked and pressed onto a sheet of paper.
botany : The study of plant life.
Buddhism : Buddhism developed in India, and is based on many of the core concepts of Hinduism.. Buddhists believe in an endless cycle of reincarnation, or samsara, which is similar to beliefs of Hinduism. However, Buddhists do not believe that deities are responsible for the phenomenon. In addition, the Caste System is rejected by Buddhists who believe instead that one is reincarnated until they can achieve nirvana, best described as spiritual enlightenment.
Byzantine Empire : (330-1453) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine.
Caesar, Julius : (100-44 BCE), Roman general and statesman. He is responsible for setting up the imperial system in Rome which placed his grandnephew, Augustus, on the throne.
calendar : A system for keeping track of time.
calligraphy : A form of fine handwriting.
Canon on Medicine : A book written by Ibn Sina, a famous Islamic physician, which was an encyclopedia of Greek, Arabic, and his own knowledge of medicine. This book became the standard medical text in Europe for over five hundred years.
Caste System : A rigid social class system in Hinduism.
causeway : A paved road or path.
Cavalry : Mounted warriors.
censorship : The suppression information considered offensive or a threat to security.
check and balance : A system in government described by Baron de Montesquieu where legislative, judicial, and executive power is shared among the different branches to provide protection against abuses of power.
chemistry : The science dealing with the structure, composition, properties, and reactive characteristics of substances.
circumference : The distance around the edge of a circle.
city-state : An independent state consisting of a city and its surrounding lands.
civil service exam : In China, it was an exam based on Confucian teachings that was used to select people for various government service jobs in the bureaucracy.
civil war : A war between groups of people in the same country, culture, or political system.
civilization : A society that has a high level of culture and social organization including organized government, job specialization, and a organized belief system.
commerce : The large scale buying of goods and/or services.
Confucianism : Confucius lived in China during the Chou Dynasty, when there was mass disorder and confusion and degrading moral standards. Confucius was appalled by what appeared to be the fracturing of Chinese society. He believed that the only cure was to stress a sense of social order and mutual respect, a philosophy that later became known as Confucianism. Confucianism teaches that there is a natural social order to society which can best be explained through the Five Relationships.
Copernicus, Nicolaus : (1473-1543) Polish astronomer who wrote On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. Theorized that the Earth orbited the Sun (heliocentric system) and laid the foundations of modern astronomy.
cultural diffusion : The spreading of ideas through contact such as trade or war.
culture : The shared beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people
Da Vinci, Leonardo : (1452-1519) An Italian painter, sculptor, engineer, and inventor. Famous works include paintings Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Also left a variety of sketches showing flying machines and underwater boats centuries before the invention of planes and submarines.
Dante : (1265-1321) Italian poet and Renaissance writer. His greatest work is The Divine Comedy.
de Cervantes, Miguel : (1547-1616) Spanish Renaissance writer. His greatest work is the comedic tale Don Quixote.
decimal system : Numeric system based on ten. Created by mathematicians during the Gupta golden age in India.
democracy : A system of government in which the citizens hold the legislative, judicial, and executive power, based on majority rule.
Descartes, Rene : (1596-1650) French intellectual who challenged traditional ideas. He said that human reason was capable of discovering and explaining the laws of nature and man. The idea of human reason being superior to tradition led to the beginning of the Enlightenment, a time of political awakening that became revolution.
divine : Godlike, or coming from, or having to do with a god.
Divine Comedy, The : An epic poem written by Dante during the Renaissance.
divine right : The justification of monarchy through the word of God.
dome : A hemispherical roof.
Dome of the Rock : First Islamic religious shrine. It was built in 687 C.E., and is located in present day Jerusalem, Israel.
Don Quixote : A comedic book written by Miguel de Cervantes during the Renaissance. The title character is now used to refer to idealists that champion hopeless or fanciful causes.
dynastic cycle : In China, a dynasty would remain in power only as long as it was providing good government. When a dynasty went into decline, and began to abuse its power, it was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. A strong leader would usually emerge to claim the Mandate, and establish a new dynasty. The dynastic cycle would then begin again.
dynasty : A succession of rulers of a country from the same family.
emperor : Political ruler of a country of nation. Similar to a king.
empire : 1. A collection of nations or peoples ruled by a single authority, usually a monarch, but can be other systems of government as well. 2. A very large and powerful industrial organization
engineer : A person who plans and creates mechanic structures for a variety of uses.
enlightened despots : A monarch who retains absolute control of their country while also enacting reform based on Enlightenment ideas.
Enlightenment : A movement in the 18th century that stressed the importance of reason and science in philosophy and the study of human society. Occurred in Western Europe.
Eratosthenes : (276?-196? BCE), Greek mathematician, astronomer, and geographer who measured the circumference of the Earth. His measurement was only off by 15%.
Euclid : (circa 300 BCE), Greek mathematician. Considered to be the father of modern geomertry.
executive : Rrelating to a system that enforces laws.
export : The sending of goods to another country for sale or trade.
Five Pillars of Islam : Code of behavior for followers of Islam. Includes Charity, Daily Prayer, Profession of Faith, Fasting during Ramadan, and a pilgrimage to Mecca called the hajj.
Galilei, Galileo : (1564-1642) Italian astronomer. One of the founders of Europe's scientific revolution, one of his main contributions is the application of the telescope to astronomy. He was able to prove Copernicus’ heliocentric model correct.
general will : Name Enlightenment thinker Jean Jacques Rousseau uses to describe majority rule.
gentry : Members of the upper class in some social class systems.
geocentric model : Theory of the universe that states the earth is the center, and that the sun revolves around it.
golden age : A time in a culture of high achievement in arts, literature, and science. Generally occurs in times of peace.
government : a person or body of people who have the power to make and enforce laws for a country or area.
Greek column : Fluted column used in many of their buildings, and copied throughout the world today.
gunpowder : Chemical compound that burns very quickly. Used in weaponry.
Gupta Dynasty : (320-550 C.E.)Ruling family in India during its golden age. Responsible for many achievements.
Gutenberg, Johannes : (1400?-1468) German printer and European pioneer in the use of movable type.
Haiku : A 3 line poem that has 17 syllables in the Japanese language, and expresses a single thought, feeling or idea.
heliocentric model : Theory of the universe that states the sun is the center, and that the earth revolves around it.
Hellenistic : Time period from the late 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE that was characterized by Greek achievement and a blending of Persian, Egyptian, Greek, and Indian cultures due to the empire of Alexander the Great.
hieroglyphics : A system of writing which uses pictures for concepts and ideas.
Hippocrates : (460?-377? BCE) Greek physician. He is considered to be the father of medicine and the ethical standard of treating all patients known as the Hippocratic Oath.
Hippocratic Oath : An promise made new physicians to treat all people fairly, and to seek to preserve life. Named after a ancient Greek physician who is credited with writing it.
Hobbes, Thomas : (1588-1679) English philosopher and political theorist. Wrote Leviathan, where he favored an absolute government as the only means of balancing human interests and desires with their rights of life and property.
human rights : The rights that are considered by most societies to belong automatically to all people, including the rights to justice, freedom, and equality.
humanism : A philosophical movement during the Renaissance that stressed life on Earth, and the quality of being human. Rejected living only for the afterlife of Christianity.
Ibn Sina : Islamic physician, wrote a book called Canon on Medicine, which was an encyclopedia of Greek, Arabic, and his own knowledge of medicine. This book became the standard medical text in Europe for over five hundred years.
idealized realism : Art form practiced by the Greeks during the 5th century BCE. Portrays the human form very realistically, but in its perfect form.
ideographs : Writing system that uses pictures of ideas.
Inca : A Mesoamerican civilization of South America, centered in Peru. The Inca ruled a large empire and had many cultural and scientific achievements including an elaborate road system, architecture, and terrace farming. The arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire in the 15th century.
individualism : A social philosophy which stresses the importance of the individual above society.
irrigation : A system to bring water to support crops.
Islam : The word Islam, which when translated from Arabic, means "to submit to the will of Allah," is the youngest of the world's major religions. Worshippers of this monotheistic religion are known as Muslims, which means "one who submits to the will of Allah." The Islamic holy book is called the Qur’an. Islam is currently the second most practiced religion in the world, and experts predict that it will overtake Christianity as the most popular religion in the world sometime during the 21st century.
Joseph II : The son of Maria Teresa and a enlightened despot who ruled over the Austrian Empire.
judicial : Relating to a system that administers justice.
Kabuki theatre : Feudal Japanese theatre that performed comedic or melodramatic presentations of everyday life or historic events.
Kana : Japanese writing system adapted from Chinese, with the addition of phonetic symbols representing syllables.
Korean Bridge : The term given to process in which cultural diffusion occurred between China and Japan though Korean contact with both civilizations.
Last Supper, The : A famous Renaissance painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Latin America : The Geopolitical designation for Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands which were settled by the Spanish.
Latin American Revolutions : Political revolutions in various Latin American countries beginning in the late 18th century. These revolutions were aimed at overthrowing the European powers that controlled these nations. Many were successful, but few achieved the success of the American Revolution.
Laws of the Twelve Tables : A system of laws. Some of the features of this system include, men being equal under the law, having the right to face their accusers, and being considered innocent until proven guilty.
legislative : Relating to a system that makes laws.
Leviathan : A book written by Thomas Hobbes describing his theory that an absolute government was the only means of balancing human interests and desires with their rights of life and property.
liberty : In the political sense, this usually means freedom.
Locke, John : (1632-1704) English philosopher and political theorist. He wrote Two Treaties on Government which explained that all men have Natural Rights, which are Life, Liberty, and Property, and that the purpose of government was to protect these rights.
Machiavelli, Niccolo : (1469-1527) Italian historian, statesman, and political philosopher of the Renaissance. His greatest work is The Prince, a book of political advice to rulers in which he describes the methods that a prince should use to acquire and maintain political power. This book was used to defend policies of despotism and tyranny. Machiavelli wrote that a ruler should take any action to remain in power, or that “the ends justifies the means.”
Mandate of Heaven : Divine right of rule in China.
Maria Teresa : An enlightened Despot who ruled the Austrian Empire.
Mayans : A Mesoamerican civilization of Central America and southern Mexico. Achievements include mathematics, architecture, and a 365 day a year calendar. They flourished between the 4th and 12th centuries C.E..
Mesoamerican : A region of Central America, Mexico, and South America where several pre-Columbian civilizations lived including the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs.
Michelangelo : (1475-1564) An Italian sculptor, painter, poet, engineer, and architect. Famous works include the mural on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and the sculpture of the biblical character David.
Middle Ages : Time period in European history between the fall of Rome in 476 C.E. and the beginning of the Italian Renaissance in the early 15th century.
middle class : Social and economic class usually composed of merchants, artisans, and business people. In some societies, the richest class, but without a title of nobility. The middle class is usually the backbone of society as they are generally more moderate in their economic, social, and political habits.
Mona Lisa : A famous Renaissance painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
mosque : A domed Islamic religious building.
movable type printing machines : A printing machine that used individual letters that could be moved after each printing. This allowed for faster and easier printing.
natural rights : Concept of John Locke’s that states all people have the right to life, liberty, and property.
Nô theatre : Feudal Japanese theater where men wore decorative mask and performed on stage, while a chorus sang the lines. Nô theatre reflected Buddhist ideas such as resisting selfish behavior.
Olmecs : A Mesoamerican civilization that flourished around 1200 C.E.. Achievements include irrigation, a simple calendar and writing system, and small cities.
oracle bones : In ancient China, they were pieces of bone or turtle shell used by Shang priests to tell the future. They would write a question addressed to either one of the gods, or an ancestor on the bone, then heat it until it cracked. They believed that by studying the pattern of cracks, one could learn the answer to the question. Oracle bones are the oldest example of Chinese writing.
pagoda : A multistoried building with the corners of the roof curved up that were used as a temple.
Pantheon : A domed temple in Rome that was completed in 27 BCE, and still stands today.
Parthenon : A large temple dedicated to the goddess Athena on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It was built in the 5th century BCE, during the Athenian golden age.
partnership : The cooperative relationship between two or more people who are involved in the same activity.
patrician : A member of the upper class of ancient Roman society.
Pax Romana : A 200 hundred year period of relative peace throughout the Roman Empire. Occurs during the first two centuries C.E..
peasantry : Members of the lowest class in some social class systems.
Pericles : (495? BCE-429? BCE) Athenian statesman. He was the central ruler of Athens during its golden age. He was the central patron behind many of their achievements. He was also a very skilled speaker. Athens City-State of Ancient Greece and center of Greek golden age that occurred in the 5th century BCE.
philosopher : A person who seeks to understand and explain the nature of things around them. A scholar of philosophy.
philosophy : A system of thought devoted to the examination of ideas such as truth, existence, reality, causality, religion, and freedom
pictographs : Writing system that uses drawings of objects.
plebeian : A member of the lower class of ancient Roman society.
porcelain : A hard, fine ceramic material used to make a variety of products.
Prince, The : A book of political advice written by Niccolo Machiavelli during the Renaissance in which he describes the methods that a prince should use to acquire and maintain political power. This book was used to defend policies of despotism and tyranny. Machiavelli wrote that a ruler should take any action to remain in power, or that “the ends justifies the means.”
property : Something of value that is owned by a person.
Ptolemy : (100?-170 CE) Greek astronomer, mathematician, and geographer. His geocentric model of the universe lasted until the 16th century.
pyramid : A triangular shaped building.
Pythagoras : (582?-500?BCE) Greek mathematician responsible for the Pythagorean Theorem which states the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
quipas : A record keeping system that used colored, knotted string developed by the Incan Civilization.
Quran : Islamic holy book.
recant : To reject a belief or withdraw something previously said.
relay runners : The passing of information through a series of runners.
Renaissance : A rebirth of cultural and intellectual pursuits after the stagnation of the Middle Ages. This period in European history, from about the 14th through 16th centuries, features major cultural and artistic change.
republic : A political system in which a country is ruled by law, has representative government, and is democratic in nature.
river : A moving body of water that usually has its source in an area of high ground.
Roman Empire : The territories ruled by ancient Rome which at one time encompassed most of the Mediterranean world and parts of France, England, and Germany. The empire lasted from 27 BCE to 395 CE.
Rousseau, Jean Jacques : (1712-1778) French writer and Enlightenment philosopher who wrote a book called, The Social Contract, where he stated that people were basically good, and that society, and its unequal distribution of wealth, were the cause of most problems. Rousseau believed that government should be run according to the will of the majority, which he called the General Will. He claimed that the General Will would always act in the best interest of the people.
rudder : A device used to steer a ship. It is usually shaped like a paddle and is on the back of the boat.
Sanskrit : The extinct language of ancient India. Spoken between fourteenth and fifth centuries BCE. Still used today in classic literature.
scholar : A person who posesses a great deal of knowledge, usually an academic who specializes in a particular subject area.
Scientific Revolution : An offshoot of the Renaissance in which scientists questioned traditional beliefs about the workings of the universe. One of the main ideas to come out of the Scientific Revolution was the use of the Scientific Method. The Scientific Method uses observation and experimentation to explain theories on how the universe works.
sculptor : An artist who creates three-dimensional works of art, usually in stone or clay.
senator : A person that is a member of a legislative body called a Senate.
separation of powers : A tool in government described by Baron de Montesquieu which states that government should divide itself according to its powers, creating a Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch. This system would Check and Balance itself, which would help protect the people's liberty.
Shakespeare, William : (1564-1616) English poet and playwright. He wrote 37 plays between 1590 and 1613. His plays reflect the ideas of individualism and the unconquerable human spirit, and most of them are still performed today.
Sharia : The Islamic book of laws which regulates all aspects of life including, moral behavior, family life, business dealings, and government.
Shogun : Military ruler of feudal Japan.
Silk Road : Trade route from China to the Middle East. Called the Silk Road due to China’s most important export.
Sistine Chapel : A Catholic church in Vatican City, Italy. Its ceiling was painted by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
slave : A person forced to work for another with no payment or freedom to seek work elsewhere. A slave can be bought and sold.
slave trade : The buying and selling of people for the purposes of slavery.
smallpox : A highly contagious disease. Symptoms include high fever and scar-producing blisters. It can be fatal.
spinning wheel : A device used to make thread by spinning fibers together through the use of a big wheel.
Spirit of the Laws, The : A book written by Baron de Montesquieu describing his theories on government. He states that government should divide itself according to its powers, creating a Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch. Montesquieu explained that under this system each branch would Check and Balance the others, which would help protect the people's liberty.
Stupa : A Buddhist shrine or temple in India. This form of architecture made its way to China where it was altered slightly and renamed the pagoda.
surgery : The medical treatment of a body which involves cutting open to perform various manipulations.
tea ceremony : A Japanese ritual in which tea is prepared, served, and drunk in a certain way.
technology : A society's practical knowledge, especially with reference to its material culture and modes of production.
telescope : A device used to see distant objects, such as those in space.
terrace farming : The cutting out of flat areas (terraces) into near vertical slopes to allow farming. Terrace farms appears as steps cut into a mountainside. This adaptation allowed both the early Chinese, and the Inca of Mesoamerica to grow enough food for their large populations.
Tokugawa Shogunate : (1603-1867) Feudal Warlord rulers of Japan. Responisble for closing Japan off from the rest of the world. Overthrown during the Meiji Restoration.
trade fair : A gathering of merchants, craftsmen, and artisans to buy and sell goods and service during late Middle Ages.
tradition : A long-established custom or belief.
Two Treatises of Government : Also known as The Three Baskets of Wisdom, a book written by John Locke describing his views on government which explained that all men have Natural Rights, which are Life, Liberty, and Property, and that the purpose of government was to protect these rights. This book is the basis for many modern democracies.
vaccine : A prevention treatment containing weakened microbes of the kind of disease one is guarding against. It is administered to stimulate the immune system against that disease.
Voltaire : (1694-1778) French philosopher. He believed that freedom of speech was the best weapon against bad government. He also spoke out against the corruption of the French government, and the intolerance of the Catholic Church.
Zen Buddhism : A blending of Buddhism from India with Taoism from China. It is predominately practiced in China and Japan.
Zheng He : (1371-1433?) Chinese naval explorer who sailed along most of the coast of Asia, Japan, and half way down the east coast of Africa before his death.
zoology : The biological study of animals.
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