Qin Shihaungdi
Literally "The first emperor from the Qin." forcibly reunited China and established a strong and oppressive state
Persian Empire
A major empire that expanded from the iranian plateau to incorporate the Middle East from Egypt to India. Flourished around 550 to 330 B.C.E
pax Romana
"The Roman Peace" a term typically used to denote the period of stability and prosperity of the early Roman Empire.
Mauryan Empire
A major empire that encompassed most of India
Hellenistic Era
The period from 323 to 30 BCE in which Greek culture spread widely in Eurasia and North Africa in the kingdoms ruled by Alexander the Greats successors
Han Dynasty
Dynasty that ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 CE creating a durable less harsh state based on Shihaungdi's state-building achievement.
Greco-Persian Wars
Two major invasions of Greece in 490 BCE and 480 BCE, in which the Persians were defeated on both land and sea
Caesar Augustus
The great nephew and adopted son of Julius Caeser who emerged as sole ruler of the Roman state at the end of an extended civil war
Athenian Democracy
A radical form of direct democracy in which much of the free male population of Athens had the franchise and officeholders were chosen by the lot
Ashoka
The most famous ruler of the Mauryan Empire who converted to buddhism who tried to rule peacefully and with tolerance.
Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedon conquerer of the Persian Empire and Northwest India
Zoroastrianism
Persian montheistic religion founded by the prophet Zorothustra
Vedas
The earliest religious texts of India a collection of Ancient poems, hymns, and rituals that were transmitted orally before being written down
Socrates
The first Greek philosopher to turn to rationalism toward questions of human existence
Siddhartha Gautama "The Buddha"
The indian prince turned ascetic who founded Buddhism
Plato
A disciple of Socrates whose Dialogues convey the teachings of his master while going beyond them to express Plato's own philosophy; lived from 429 to 348 BCE
Perpetua
Christian martyr from an upper class Roman family in Carthage. Her refusal to renounce her faith made her an inspiration for other early Christians
Legalism
A Chinese philosophy distinguished by an adherence to clear laws with vigorous punishments
Judaism
The monotheistic religion developed by the Hebrews, emphasizing a sole personal god with concerns for social justice
Jesus of Nazereth
The prophet/god of Christianity
Daoism
A Chinese philosophy/popular religion that advocates simplicity and understanding of the world of nature, founded by the legendary figure Laozi
Confucianism
The Chinese philosophy first enunciated by Confucius, advocating the moral example of superiors as the key element of social order
Aristotle
A Greek polymath philosopher student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great