Western Civilization I Study Guide 2024

Prehistory - Answer-human history in the period before recorded events known mainly through archaeological discoveries, study, research Paleolithic Age - Answer-the period of human history when humans used simple stone tools (c. 2,500,000-10,000 b.c.) Neolithic Age - Answer-latest part of the stone-age beginning about 10,000 BC in the middle-east (but later elsewhere) Civilization - Answer-an advanced level of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached Agricultural (Neolithic) Revolution - Answer-the shift from hunting and gathering to planting and growing Bronze Age - Answer-between the Stone Age and the Iron Age, characterized by the use of weapons and implements made of bronze Mesopotamia - Answer-an ancient region in west Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, now part of Iraq Tigris and Euphrates Rivers - Answer-The land between these two rivers contained the early civilizations of Mesopotamia Ziggurat - Answer-a massive stepped tower upon which a temple dedicated to the chief god or goddess of a Sumerian city was built Theocracy - Answer-a form of government where God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities Code of Hammurabi - Answer-A collection of 282 laws which were enforced under Hammurabi's Rule. One of the first examples of written law in the ancient civilizations. Polytheistic - Answer-Belief in more than one god Cuneiform - Answer-"wedge-shaped." A system of writing developed by the Sumerians that consisted of wedge-shaped impressions made by a reed stylus on clay tablets Epic of Gilgamesh - Answer-an epic poem from Mesopotamia, and among the earliest known works of literary writing. Egypt: Old Kingdom - Answer-Encompassed the 3rd through the 6th dynasties of Egyptian kings, when the largest pyramids of Egypt's history where built. Egypt: Middle Kingdom - Answer-A new period of stability lasting from B.C. Characterized by a new concern on part of the pharaohs for the people. Pyramids - Answer-quadrilateral masonry mass having smooth, steeply sloping sides, meeting at an apex, used as a tomb Mummification - Answer-making a dead body into a mummy by embalming and drying Hyksos - Answer-a nomadic people who conquered and ruled ancient Egypt between the 13th and 18th dynasties; believed to have been a Semitic people that originally migrated into Egypt from Asia Amenhotep IV - Answer-early ruler of Egypt who rejected the old gods and replaced them with sun worship (died in 1358 BC)