| A | B |
|---|
| Abbassid Dynasty | (750 - 1258) Ruling family of the Islamic Empire during its golden age. This dynasty is responsible for many achievements |
| acupuncture | Chinese method of treating disorders by inserting needles into the skin. This is to help with the flow of energy that is thought to be blocked. |
| African Trading Kingdoms | Three African kingdoms, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that were important in the trans-Sahara trade of gold form the west coast of Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. Their trade provided enough wealth to create the conditions necessary for cultural and intellectual achievement. |
| Age of Reason | Term given to describe the Enlightenment. |
| agriculture | The cultivating of land, producing of crops, and raising of livestock for human consumption. |
| Alexander the Great | (356 BCE-323 BCE) He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India, which began the Hellenistic culture which was a blending of Greek, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian influences. |
| algebra | A branch of mathematics pioneered by Islamic mathematician al-Khwarizimi in which letters are used to represent unknown numbers to generalize arithmetic. |
| al-Khwarizimi | Islamic mathematician who pioneered the study of algebra. His textbook on the subject became a standard in European universities for centuries. |
| anatomy | The branch of science that studies the physical structure of living organisms. |
| aqueducts | Above ground structures used to carry water long distances. Built by the ancient Romans. |
| Arabic | A language that is the official language of several countries of North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the religion of Islam. |
| Arabic Numerals | A written number system created during the Gupta golden age in India, then adopted by the Islamic Empire before spreading further. Used throughout western civilization today. |
| arable | Land that is able to support the growing of crops. |
| Archimedes | (287-212 BCE) Greek mathematician and inventor. He wrote works on plane and solid geometry, arithmetic, and mechanics. He is best known for the lever and pulley. |
| architect | A person who designs buildings. |
| Aristarchus | (310?-250? BCE) Greek scientist who first stated that the Earth revolved around the Sun, and rotated on its axis. |
| artisan | A person who is skilled at a craft, such as weaving, or woodcarving. |
| astronomer | A person who specializes in the study of astronomical bodies. |
| Augustus | (63 BCE – 14 CE) First emperor of Rome (27 BCE – 14 CE) He restored order and prosperity to the Empire after nearly a century of turmoil. Grandnephew to Julius Caesar. |
| Aztecs | A Mesoamerican civilization of Mexico who created a strong empire that flourished between the 14th and 15th century. The arrival of Hernando Cortez and the Spanish Conquistadores ended their empire. |
