[BLANK-1] developed in the western part of Japan ca. 300-600…

[BLANK-1] developed in the western part of Japan ca. 300-600, formalizing in many ways in the fifth century. It was heavily influenced, particularly early on, by Korean culture, technology, language, and trade goods. A Chinese historian described the early people of this region as liking liquor, eating with their fingers, using body paint, and selecting female rulers. By the fifth century, the chief of the ruling clan claimed to be descended from the Sun Goddess and became monarch. This gave rise to the Japanese native religion of Shintoism. A sixth century reformer-king of this group named Prince Shōtoku strengthened the state by adopting Chinese-style bureaucratic practices, opening direct diplomatic relations with China, tightening his control of the nobility, and making a committed adherence to Buddhism.

From ca. 800-200 B.C.E., intellectuals, moral thinkers, reli…

From ca. 800-200 B.C.E., intellectuals, moral thinkers, religious leaders, and philosophers from diverse areas in Mesopotamia, Greece, India, China, and other regions began to think deeply about how to live a moral life. These individuals (such as Vardhamana Mahavira, Sidhartha Gautama, Moses and other prophets of the Hebrew scriptures, Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Han Feizi, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Archimedes, Aristarchus, Euclid, Zeno, and others) had a tremendous impact on later intellectual, social, and religious developments. While many of these thinkers from different regions did not have contact with one another, the parallels between them are hard to ignore. Some historians have termed this period of time [BLANK-1] due to the profound, and nearly global, sense that new ways of understanding the world and approaching moral philosophy were possible. They argue that there was a fundamental pivot to how human beings would interact with the world that began at this time

[BLANK-1] is an important and sacred body of water in India…

[BLANK-1] is an important and sacred body of water in India that is fed by the snowmelt from the Himalayan Mountains. It is located in the Northeastern region of the Indian subcontinent and it empties into the Bay of Bengal; it was one of the two first locations of Indian civilization. The body of water routinely floods, which provides rich, fertile soil for farming, but the flooding can be unpredictable and deadly. The region surrounding this body of water was dense jungle populated by “forest people” during the Aryan Age. By the sixth and fifth centuries, B.C.E., the Kingdom of Magadha came to dominate the region through military superiority, with the use of catapults and war elephants.

China was split into two factions from 220-559 – north and s…

China was split into two factions from 220-559 – north and south – during [BLANK-1] that followed the collapse of the Han Dynasty. The Northern Dynasties during this period marked the first case of alien rule in China, as non-Chinese groups such as the Xianbei established hereditary dynasties throughout large parts of China. Huge cities in the north (with populations exceeding one million) fell into slavery from conquering northern pastoral tribes. In the south, the Great Families (elite noble families) intermarried with one another and held local control in the hopes of keeping Han traditions alive during this period of political fracturing. This period ended with the establishment of the Sui Dynasty in 581, when both north and south China was once again united.

After the Protestant Reformation began in 1517, a number of…

After the Protestant Reformation began in 1517, a number of new Protestant sects formed on the heels of Lutheranism. Many were heavily influenced by the theology of John Calvin. One group, called [BLANK-1], originated in Scotland and was founded by a protégé of Calvin named John Knox.

Throughout history, Sunni Muslims have tended to yield polit…

Throughout history, Sunni Muslims have tended to yield political power much more than Shi’a Muslims. One counterexample to this trend was [BLANK-1] which was a Shi’a Muslim political dynasty in Egypt and North Africa from 909-1171. Rulers were descended from one of Muhammad’s daughters.

[BLANK-1] is part of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, a…

[BLANK-1] is part of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and it is a central ethical text for the religion. It tells the story of a human hero, the warrior Arjuna, who is guided into action by the god Krishna. When Arjuna has moral doubts about fighting his kinsmen in battle, Krishna compassionately points out that his duty is to act and his moral law, or dharma, is to fight in battle as a member of the warrior caste. The text centralizes both the necessity of action and dharma, and stresses that everyone’s dharma may be different, but they must follow their own path.

Roman Jews, particularly the Zealots in Judaea and Galilee,…

Roman Jews, particularly the Zealots in Judaea and Galilee, grew increasingly disenchanted with Rome, particularly in light of the practice of Roman Syncretism and the political and military turmoil of the late republican period. They began to believe in a final struggle against the Romans and the coming of a savior, or [BLANK-1], who would destroy the Roman legions and inaugurate a period of peace and happiness for the Jews. For a small number of followers, this belief was applied to the Jewish teacher Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus accepted the belief and claimed to be this savior, but he argued that he would establish a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one.

Part 2 Short Answer ID Terms (30%): A short answer ID should…

Part 2 Short Answer ID Terms (30%): A short answer ID should briefly address the basic journalistic questions: who or what, when, where, and why. Be sure to discuss the historical significance – this is the most important part of your ID term. It is best to write a paragraph of at least 4-5 sentences for each ID term. Do not leave any portion of the five options you choose blank – it is best to write something, even if you must guess somewhat. Partial credit is better than nothing.Answer FIVE (5) of the following terms:Ardashir IChang’anClovisGreat ZimbabweThe Han DynastyKilwaMadrasasPaul of TarsusThe Sui DynastySulla