AP World History 2026 |
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,pictograms A pictorial symbol or sign representing an object or concept. Used by many non-
alphabetic written scripts.
cuneiform The earliest known form of writing, which was used by the Sumerians. The name
derives from the wedge shaped marks made with a stylus into soft clay. Used
from the 3000s BCE to the 100s BCE.
ideograms A character or figure in a writing system in which the idea of a thing is represented
rather than it's name (example: Chinese)
Sumer The world's first civilization, founded in Mesopotamia, which existed for over
3,000 years.
Xia A legendary Chinese dynasty that was not believed to exist until relatively
recently. Walled towns ruled by area-specific kings assembled armies, built cities,
and worked bronze. Created pictograms which would evolve in to the first
Chinese script.
Shang An early Chinese dynasty. Not a unified Chinese state. Instead rulers and their
relatives gave orders through a network of cities. Earliest evidence of Chinese
writing comes from this period.
Zhou Succeeded the Shang dynasty. Similar to the Shang And Xia dynastic periods in
that China was fragmented politically. Yet, despite the lack of true centralization,
this was one of the longest Chinese dynasties, lasting about 600 years. It left
substantial written records, unlike the preceding dynasties.
Yellow River Also known as the Huang-He. The second longest river in China. The majority of
ancient Chinese civilizations originated in its valley.
Oracle Bones The earliest known Chinese writing is found on these from ritual activity of the
Shang period.
,Teotihuacan A large central city in the Mesoamerican region. Located about 25 miles
Northeast of present day Mexico City. Exhibited city planning and unprecedented
size for its time. Reached its peak around the year 450.
Jenne-Jeno One of the first urbanized centers in western Africa. A walled community home to
approximately 50,000 people at its height. Evidence suggests domestication of
agriculture and trade with nearby regions.
Great Zimbabwe A stone-walled enclosure found in Southeast Africa. Have been associated with
trade, farming, and mining.
Code of Hammurabi A collection of 282 laws. One of the first (but not THE first) examples of written
law in the ancient world.
Hittites An ancient Anatolian group whose empire at largest extent consisted of most of
the Middle East. Some of the first two-wheeled chariots and iron.
Zoroastrianism One of the first monotheistic religions, particularly one with a wide following. It
was central to the political and religious culture of ancient Persia.
Zoroaster The founder of Persia's classical pre-Islamic religion, Zoroastrianism.
Hellenistic Of or influenced by the Greek Empire. A type of culture typically referred to after
the conquests of Alexander the Great.
, Trireme Greek ships built specifically for ramming enemy ships.
Minoans One of the early proto-Greek peoples from 2600 BCE to 1500 BCE. Inhabitants of
the island of Crete. Their site of Knossos is pictured above.
Acropolis Greek for "high city". The chief temples of the city were located here.
Plato Socrates' most well known pupil. Founded an academy in Athens.
Pax Romana The "Roman Peace", that is, the state of comparative concord prevailing within the
boundaries of the Roman Empire from the reign of Augustus (27 B.C.E.-14 C.E.) to
that of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 C.E.)
Republic A state that is not ruled by a hereditary leader (a monarchy) but by a person or
persons appointed under a constitution and in some way claims to be "of the
people."
Century The smallest unit of the Roman army, each composed of some 100 foot soldiers
and commanded by a centurion. A legion was made up of 60 of these. They also
formed political divisions of Roman citizens.
Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Exam Review
|Graded A+ | Guaranteed
success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,pictograms A pictorial symbol or sign representing an object or concept. Used by many non-
alphabetic written scripts.
cuneiform The earliest known form of writing, which was used by the Sumerians. The name
derives from the wedge shaped marks made with a stylus into soft clay. Used
from the 3000s BCE to the 100s BCE.
ideograms A character or figure in a writing system in which the idea of a thing is represented
rather than it's name (example: Chinese)
Sumer The world's first civilization, founded in Mesopotamia, which existed for over
3,000 years.
Xia A legendary Chinese dynasty that was not believed to exist until relatively
recently. Walled towns ruled by area-specific kings assembled armies, built cities,
and worked bronze. Created pictograms which would evolve in to the first
Chinese script.
Shang An early Chinese dynasty. Not a unified Chinese state. Instead rulers and their
relatives gave orders through a network of cities. Earliest evidence of Chinese
writing comes from this period.
Zhou Succeeded the Shang dynasty. Similar to the Shang And Xia dynastic periods in
that China was fragmented politically. Yet, despite the lack of true centralization,
this was one of the longest Chinese dynasties, lasting about 600 years. It left
substantial written records, unlike the preceding dynasties.
Yellow River Also known as the Huang-He. The second longest river in China. The majority of
ancient Chinese civilizations originated in its valley.
Oracle Bones The earliest known Chinese writing is found on these from ritual activity of the
Shang period.
,Teotihuacan A large central city in the Mesoamerican region. Located about 25 miles
Northeast of present day Mexico City. Exhibited city planning and unprecedented
size for its time. Reached its peak around the year 450.
Jenne-Jeno One of the first urbanized centers in western Africa. A walled community home to
approximately 50,000 people at its height. Evidence suggests domestication of
agriculture and trade with nearby regions.
Great Zimbabwe A stone-walled enclosure found in Southeast Africa. Have been associated with
trade, farming, and mining.
Code of Hammurabi A collection of 282 laws. One of the first (but not THE first) examples of written
law in the ancient world.
Hittites An ancient Anatolian group whose empire at largest extent consisted of most of
the Middle East. Some of the first two-wheeled chariots and iron.
Zoroastrianism One of the first monotheistic religions, particularly one with a wide following. It
was central to the political and religious culture of ancient Persia.
Zoroaster The founder of Persia's classical pre-Islamic religion, Zoroastrianism.
Hellenistic Of or influenced by the Greek Empire. A type of culture typically referred to after
the conquests of Alexander the Great.
, Trireme Greek ships built specifically for ramming enemy ships.
Minoans One of the early proto-Greek peoples from 2600 BCE to 1500 BCE. Inhabitants of
the island of Crete. Their site of Knossos is pictured above.
Acropolis Greek for "high city". The chief temples of the city were located here.
Plato Socrates' most well known pupil. Founded an academy in Athens.
Pax Romana The "Roman Peace", that is, the state of comparative concord prevailing within the
boundaries of the Roman Empire from the reign of Augustus (27 B.C.E.-14 C.E.) to
that of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 C.E.)
Republic A state that is not ruled by a hereditary leader (a monarchy) but by a person or
persons appointed under a constitution and in some way claims to be "of the
people."
Century The smallest unit of the Roman army, each composed of some 100 foot soldiers
and commanded by a centurion. A legion was made up of 60 of these. They also
formed political divisions of Roman citizens.
