Understanding Prehistory, Civilization and Chieftains

1388 Words3 Pages

Part 1. (a) Define each, (b) Explain its significance, (c) where indicated with this symbol * provide an example. Prehistory a. Definition: b. Significance: Civilization (elements or parts of a civilization) a. Definition: b. Significance: Chieftains * a. Definition: Chiefdoms were agricultural village societies that had become organized politically into groups governed by one chief that. Chiefs would use their generosity, ritual status, and charisma to obtain allegiance from their followers. They were inherited positions of power and created a sense of inequality. b. Significance: These agricultural chiefdoms were the birth of separation or distinction between a higher class of people (elite) and a lower class of people (commoner). …show more content…

Definition: Another Chinese philosophy created by thinker and teacher, Confucius to solve China’s disorder problems. It promoted the moral guideline for relationships between superiors and inferiors as a necessary element for China’s social order and harmony. b. Significance: While impacting China and East Asia, Confucianism placed great importance on history and past events and marked Chinese elite culture. It also provided social harmony to where disorder was found after the warring states of China. Filial Piety a. Definition: Filial piety is part of Confucian philosophy. It is the virtue of respecting family, especially the parents, the elderly, and the ancestors. b. Significance: A large element of Confucianism was based upon the relationships between superiors and inferiors of a society. Confucian teaching valued filial piety as a guideline to how these relationships should work. A superior should act kind and benevolent while the inferior should respond with obedience just like how a father and son should treat each other. Daoism (Laozi) a. Definition: A different school of thought that acted as a philosophy and a religion that supported simplicity and understanding the world by nature. Nature is the overpowering force of the universe and man should conform to it. It was found by a legendary figure, …show more content…

Significance: Allowed for progress in understanding human behavior as philosophers such as Herodotus, Plato, and Aristotle applied this intellectual thinking to better understand human behavior and the physical reality which drew away from unreliable mythological framework. Zoroastrian (Zoroaster) a. Definition: A Persian religion created by the prophet Zarathura or Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism is monotheistic and advocated the free will of humankind and the necessity for people to choose between evil and good. b. Significance: Some elements of Zoroastrianism were incorporated into other religious traditions. Jews of the Persian Empire were influenced by Zoroastrian ideas of God vs Satan, last judgments, bodily resurrection, the final defeat of evil, the return and help of a savior, and the remaking of the world. These elements also were found Islam and Christianity. Judaism (Abraham) a. Definition: Being the Middle East’s other monotheistic religion, this was a religion created by the Hebrews whose traditions were recorded in the Old Testament. The Old testament tells of a migration of the Hebrews to Palestine with the leader of Abraham. b. Significance: Developed a distinct understanding of God and became the foundation for Christianity and Islam. Christianity (Jesus)

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