iLEAP Review – Part 2

1. iLEAP Review – Part 2

2. Importance of Writing • The development of written languages allowed people to keep records • Cuneiform from the Sumerians was the first • Egyptian hieroglyphics is another early form of writing. We were unable to read this writing for many years, but the discovery of the Rosetta Stone helped us learn how to translate this ancient language. Importance of Trade • Ancient civilizations relied on trading with one another • Before coin and paper money was created, people used barter • The Phoenicians were among the ancient world’s greatest traders • The Silk Road was an important trading route • Evidence of trade can be seen when objects created in one civilization are later located in a far away place (From India to Mesopotamia, for example)

3. ANCIENT GREECE • The Greeks developed a type of government called a DEMOCRACY. • A democracy is a type of government where the people rule – each citizen can vote directly on the issues. • The democratic form of government was first created in the city-state of Athens. • Other societies imitated the Greek form of government. Democracy is now in many parts of the world.

4. CITY-STATES • The Greek word for city-state is polis. Two main city-states were Athens and Sparta • Athens – The Athenians created democracy and were considered the “smart Greeks” – they made many advances in art, music, theater, philosophy, mathematics, and medicine.

5. SPARTA • Spartan society was centered around warfare and the military. Boys were trained for life in the military from a young age.

6. GREEK ARCHITECTURE • Architectural style was known as “classical” • Use of columns – Doric, Ionic, Corinthian • Parthenon – most famous building • Influenced many law buildings in the modern USA

7. GREEK ALPHABET • The first alphabet to use a separate symbol for each sound. • Made up of 24 letters starting with alpha and ending with omega • Derived from the Phoenician alphabet • Model for the Latin alphabet and eventually the one we use today

8. GREEK RELIGION • Polytheistic (belief in many gods) • VERY similar to Roman religion (same gods, different names) • Zeus – king of the gods • Gods lived on Mt. Olympus

9. Alexander the Great • Son of Philip II of Macedonia who made Greece a very powerful kingdom • The famous philosopher Aristotle was Alexander’s teacher and taught him to appreciate Greek art and culture • Philip taught his son to be a skilled military leader

10. Alexander the Great • Alexander expanded the Greek empire and defeated the Persians • He allowed conquered people to keep their traditional religion • He was firm, but merciful, and helped spread Greek culture and language across the known world

11. ANCIENT ROME • Copied many ideas from the Greeks • Established the republican form of government • A republic (or representative democracy) is a type of government where people elect representatives to govern them • The Romans influenced the USA in many ways. The United States is a republic. We have three branches of government. One of our branches includes the Senate, which was first created in Rome. In both societies, people must care about and participate in the government for it to work.

12. ANCIENT ROME • Language was Latin. From this, the Romance languages developed (French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese). These languages are still spoken around the world today. • Religion was similar to that of the Greeks • Both were polytheistic - same gods, different names. • Great engineers. Built thousands of miles of roads, bridges, and aqueducts. Also built an impressive stadium-like building called the Colosseum that was used for gladiator fights.

13. FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE • The Roman Empire eventually grew to be HUGE! • Over time, it became too big to control. • The Roman Empire suffered from many problems, some of which are similar to issues facing the United States today. • Problems facing Ancient Rome: • Financial ($$$) problems • Foreign invasions – Germanic tribes like the Huns and Goths • Unemployment • Weakened military • Crime

14. Diocletian split the empire into two – Western Empire and Eastern Empire. • The Western Empire was still subjected to invasions and fell apart completely. • The Eastern Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire and lasted another thousand years. • Eventually the Byzantine Empire was conquered when a group of Muslim warriors known as the Ottoman Turks attacked and defeated the city of Constantinople.

15. Byzantine Empire • Developed from the Eastern Roman Empire • Emperor Justinian is known for simplifying old Roman laws (Justinian’s Code) and building the Hagia Sophia, a church that also served as a mosque after Muslims conquered Constantinople .

16. The Middle Ages

17. Medieval Church • Roman Empire split into East and West • There was also a split in the church (Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) • With little political unity, the pope (leader of the church) became very powerful • Those who challenged Catholic teachings were executed

18. Charlemagne • Leader of the Franks • Launched a military campaign that conquered most of western and central Europe • He helped unify Europe and reinforced the power of the Roman Catholic Church • Valued and spread education and Christianity

19. Feudal System • A system of promises that governed the relationship between lords and vassals • Kings and queens were at the top of feudal society, nobles were next, followed by knights then peasants • Large estates owned by a knight or lord was called a manor • Serfs were workers tied to the land on which they worked • Church gained influence while bishops and priests gained wealth

20. Crusades • The Crusades were a series of bloody wars between Christians and Muslims. • Christians wanted to retake the Holy Land, or the land of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. This area is considered sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. • The Crusades also contributed to trade and cultural diffusion. Many Crusaders returned to Europe bringing Middle Eastern customs and products with them.

21. Black Death • Many died as a result of the bubonic plague • Began in Asia and made its way along the trade routes to Europe • Was carried by fleas on rats • As people died, production, trade, and supplies of labor decreased

22. Prince Henry the Navigator • From Portugal • Began an Age of Exploration • Hired scientists and inventors to help make long voyages possible • He hired sailors to explore the African coast • He encouraged sailors to push the limits and sail further than ever before

23. Innovations at Sea • Cannon- guns that could fire great distances • Telescope- used to see things far away • Astrolabe- helped sailors determine location • Compass-used magnetic field to determine direction • Lateen Sail- triangular sail • Frigate- ship built for war • Galleon- large ship used to trade, but armed • Caravel- small, fast, maneuverable ships