Analects
Also known as the Analects of Confucius, are a record of the words and acts of the central Chinese thinker and philosopher Confucius and his disciples, as well as the discussions they held Animism - The belief that spirits inhabit the features of nature
Bodhisattvas
Buddhist holy men who accumulated spiritual merits during their lifetime; Buddhists prayed to them in order to receive some of their holiness
Brahmin
A member of the social class of priests in Aryan society
Covenant
Agreement; in the Judeo-Christian heritage, an agreement between God and humankind
Dharma
In Hinduism , the doctrine of the religious and moral rights and duties of each individual; it generally refers to religious duty, but may also mean social order, right conduct, or simply virtue.
Diaspora
The exile of an ethnic or racial group from their homeland
Disciple
A follower and learner of a mentor or other wise figure
Edict of Milan
A document that made Christianity one of the religions allowed in the Roman Empire
Filial Piety
In China, respect for one's parents and other elders
Huns
Nomadic and pastoral people of unknown ethnological affinities who originated in N central Asia, appeared in Europe in the 4th cent. AD, and built up an empire there.
Phoenicians
Seafaring civilization located on the shores of the eastern Mediterranean (modern day Lebanon); established colonies throughout the Mediterranean (Carthage); devised a simplified alphabet of 22 letters
Karma
In Hindu tradition, the good or evil deeds done by a person
Latifundia
Large landholdings in the Roman Empire
Messiah
(Heb. 'anointed') Savior or redeemer. Specifically, the Messiah was the descendant of King David expected by the Jews of ancient times to become their king, free them from foreign bondage, and rule over them in a golden age of glory, peace, and righteousn
Moksha
In Hindu belief, the spirit's liberation from the cycle of reincarnation
Monotheism
The belief in one god
New Testament
The portion of the Christian Bible that contains the Gospels that relate the account of the life of Jesus and also includes letters from the followers of Jesus to the early Christian churches
Nirvana
In Buddhism, a state of perfect peace that is the goal of reincarnation
Polis
A Greek city-state
Pope
The head of the Roman Catholic church
Reincarnation
Rebirth; a belief of both Buddhism and Hinduism
Sati
The custom of higher castes of Hinduism of a widow throwing herself on the funeral pyre of her husband
Silk Road
Caravan routes and sea lanes between China and the Middle East
Stoicism
The most popular Hellenistic philosophy; it involved strict discipline and an emphasis on helping others
Twelve Tables
The codification of Roman law during the republic
Ten Commandments
The moral law of the Hebrews
Theocracy
A government ruled by the church
Torah
The first five books of the Jewish scripture
Untouchables
The social division in Hindu society that fell in rank below the caste system; it was occupied by those who carried out undesirable occupations such as undertaking, butchering, and waste collection
Varna
A caste in the Hindu caste system
Vedas
Ancient and most sacred writings of Hinduism. They consist of series of hymns and formulaic chants that constituted a Hindu liturgy (rituals).
Yahweh
Jehovah, the god of the Jews
Yin and Yang
In ancient Chinese belief, the opposing forces that bring balance to nature and life
Zoroastrianism
An ancient Persian religion that emphasized a struggle between good and evil and rewards in the afterlife for those who chose to follow a good life