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| Northwest Passage | Mythical water route from the northeast region of North America to the Pacific Ocean. Many people during the Age of Exploration searched for this route that does not exist. However, the search resulted in the discovery of much of the northeast region of North America by the Europeans. |
| Old Imperialism | A European policy of conquest that occurs in the 15th through 18th centuries in Africa, India, the Americas, and parts of Asia The motives were the same for most areas, the establishment of lucrative trade routes. Various European countries dominated these trades routes and one time or another, and a some countries, such as Great Britain and Spain, came to dominate entire countries. |
| Orthodox Christianity | A branch of Christianity developed in the Byzantine Empire, after its split from the Roman Empire. It spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean and Russia. |
| Paleolithic Age | (750,000 BCE - 10,000 B.C.E.) Old Stone Age. A period of time in human history characterized by the use of stone tools and the use of hunting and gathering as a food source. |
| papyrus scrolls | Paper like material made from the reeds of the papyrus plant. It was used by the Egyptians for the writing and storing of documents. |
| partnership | The cooperative relationship between two or more people who are involved in the same activity. |
| Pax Mongolia | Also known as the Mongol Peace. A time when global trade expanded due to the political stability provided by Mongol rulers. |
| Pax Romana | A 200 hundred year period of relative peace throughout the Roman Empire. Occurs during the first two centuries C.E.. |
| peninsula | An area of land surrounded on three sides by water. Italy, Greece, and the southern part of India are all peninsulas. |
| persecution | Treating a person, or a group of people unfairly or cruelly due to ethnic background, gender, or other difference. |
| Persian Empire | Ancient Middle Eastern empire comprising modern day Iran. The Perisan Empire dominated the Middle East from the middle of the 6th century BCE to about the end of the 5th century BCE, Its greatest ruler was Dairus I. Persia was later conquered by Alexander the Great. |
| pharaoh | In ancient Egypt, title given to the ruler who was considered both king and god. |
| Phoenicians | An early trading civilization located in present day Lebanon and Syria along the Mediterranean. They produced various products, such as glass, papyrus scrolls, and dyes, and established trade across the entire Mediterranean Sea. The Phoenician trade empire benefited most cultures in this region. As their trade expanded, they setup colonies throughout the Mediterranean. The Phoenicians also developed an alphabet to keep track of their business dealings. This alphabet was later adopted and adapted by the Greeks and Romans, and is the basis for the western alphabets of today. Phoenician trade is responsible for the great exchange of ideas and culture that occurred during this time period. |
| pilgrimage | A religious journey to visit a shrine or other holy site. |
| Pizarro, Francisco | (1476?-1541) Spanish conquistador who was responsible for the conquest of the Incan Empire. |
| porcelain | A hard, fine ceramic material used to make a variety of products. |
| Reconquista | The re-conquest of Spain by the Christians after centuries of Islamic domination. |
| religion | A person's beliefs concerning the existence and worship of a god or gods, and divine involvement in the universe and human life. |
| revolution | a dramatic change in ideas, practice, or government. |
| river | A moving body of water that usually has its source in an area of high ground. |
