Epic Historical Crossroads: A Deep Dive

📘 STUDY GUIDE: BELIEF SYSTEMS, INDIA & CLASSICAL GREECE 🌼 HINDUISM & INDIA Core Beliefs Brahman – Universal soul; ultimate reality. Reincarnation / Samsara – Cycle of birth, death, rebirth. Karma – A person’s actions determine their future rebirth. Dharma – Duty or moral responsibility according to caste.

Moksha – Release from the cycle of reincarnation; union with Brahman. Vedas – Ancient sacred texts of Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita – Part of the Mahabharata; teaches duty and devotion. Mahabharata & Ramayana – Epic stories that teach Hindu values. Vishnu – Preserver god.

Krishna – Avatar of Vishnu; central in the Bhagavad Gita. Brahmin – Priestly caste. Kshatriyas – Warriors and rulers. Vaishyas – Merchants and landowners. Shudras – Laborers and servants.

Untouchables (Dalits) – Outside caste system; performed “impure” jobs. Varna – Social class (4 main varnas). Caste system – Rigid hereditary social structure. JAINISM Founded by: Mahavira. ahimsa – Nonviolence toward all living things. Teaches asceticism, truth, and rejection of material desires. Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha).

Four Noble Truths – Life is suffering; desire causes suffering; end desire to end suffering; follow Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path – Moral and mental guidelines to reach enlightenment. nirvana – Release from suffering and rebirth Theravada Buddhism – Focus on Buddha’s teachings, not worship; practiced in Southeast Asia. Mahayana Buddhism – More spiritual; worship of bodhisattvas. bodhisattvas – Enlightened beings who help others reach nirvana Mahajanapadas,Maurya Empire,Kushan Empire before Gupta Empire (Golden Age)Chandragupta I Known for golden age achievements: Advances in math (Aryabhata: zero, decimals, astronomy) Literature Art & architecture (Ajanta caves) Medicine & surgery White Huns – Nomadic invaders who weakened the empire.

Abraham – Founder; made covenant with Yahweh. Moses – Led Exodus; received the Ten Commandments. Torah – Sacred text. Yahweh – One true God. Covenant – Sacred agreement between God and the Hebrew people. Hebrews – Ancient Jewish people. phalanx – Greek battle formation.Center of democracy, culture, and philosophy. Pericles – Led Athens during Golden Age; expanded democracy; built Parthenon. Golden Age Achievements: Drama (Sophocles) History (Herodotus) Philosophy (Socrates, Plato) Architecture & sculpture Persian Wars – Greece vs. Persian Empire; Athens & Sparta united. Battle of Marathon – Athens defeated Persia. Delian League – Alliance led by Athens after Persian Wars. Peloponnesian War – Athens vs. Sparta; Sparta wins → weakens Greece. Socrates – Questioning method; executed for “corrupting youth.” Aristotle – Student of Plato; logic, science.