Vocabulary Glossary

6th Grade Social Studies Glossary 

• Achaemenid: The dynasty of Persian kings, including Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes, who ruled over the empire during its peak.

• Acropolis: High point in a city with temples and government buildings.

• Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medical practice that involves inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain and promote healing.

• Aeneas: Legendary hero in ancient Roman mythology who survived the fall of Troy and became the ancestor of the Romans.

• Aesop: An ancient Greek storyteller known for his fables

• Afterlife: life after death; much of Egyptian religion focused on the afterlife

• Agora: A marketplace and meeting place for people to socialize and trade

• Agriculture: The practice of farming and growing crops for food and resources.

• Ahura Mazda: The supreme god in Zoroastrianism, representing goodness, truth, and wisdom.

• Akkadians: The first empire in Mesopotamia who were known for their advancements in language, culture, and governance.

• Alexander the Great: A famous Greek military leader and conqueror who created a vast empire.

• Alliance: A partnership or agreement between different groups or countries for a common goal.

• Amphorae: Large clay jars used by the Phoenicians to transport and store goods such as wine, olive oil, and other valuable commodities.

• Amulet: an item that someone might wear or carry around with them in the belief that it will bring them good luck or protect them.

• Analects: A collection of sayings and teachings of Confucius, a great Chinese philosopher.

• Ankh: Egyptian hieroglyphic character that stood for the word ʿnḫ, meaning life. Egyptian gods are often portrayed carrying it by its loop, or bearing one in each hand, arms crossed over their chest

• Apadana: A grand audience hall or palace, typically found in Persian architecture, used for ceremonies and receiving dignitaries.

• Archaeologist: A person who studies ancient civilizations by examining artifacts, ruins, and other historical evidence.

• Archers: Skilled soldiers who specialize in shooting arrows from a bow, known for their accuracy and long-range capabilities.

• Archimedes: An ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, and engineer known for his contributions to mathematics, including calculating pi and inventing new machines and mechanisms.

• Architecture: the science of building

• Aristocrat: A person from the wealthy and powerful upper class

• Aristotle: A philosopher and student of Plato, known for his contributions to logic, ethics, and many other fields of study.

• Artisans: skilled craftspeople who created various objects of beauty or utility. They worked with materials such as clay, metal, wood, or textiles

• Assembly: Gathering of citizens to make important decisions and vote.

• Assyrians: a powerful civilization in ancient Mesopotamia known for their military abilities and aggressive expansion.

• Astronomy: Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, such as stars, planets.

• Athena: Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicrafts, often associated with strategic warfare and civilization.

• Athens: A famous city-state known for its democracy, art, and philosophy

• Atlas: A book of maps

• Augustus: The first emperor of Rome and founder of the Roman Empire, originally named Octavian.

• Ba: ½ of a person's soul (a belief of ancient Egyptians had) - this part of the soul is what made you unique including your personality, your humor, charm, happiness and empathy

• Babylon: an ancient city located in Mesopotamia, known for its impressive structures and as the capital of the Babylonian Empire.

• barter: to trade by exchanging one thing for another without the use of money

• Bronze Casting: The process of creating objects by pouring molten bronze into molds.

• Brutus: A Roman senator who played a key role in the assassination of Julius Caesar.

• Bureaucracy: A system of government where tasks and decisions are divided among different departments and officials.

• Calligraphy: The art of beautiful and elegant writing, often practiced with a brush and ink in Chinese culture.

• canals: an artificial waterway for boats or for irrigation of land

• Canopic Jars: made to contain the organs that were removed from the body in the process of mummification: the lungs, liver, intestines, and stomach. Each organ was protected by one of the Four Sons of Horus: Happy (lungs), Imsety (liver), Duamutef (stomach), and Qebehsenuef (intestines).

• Caravans: Groups of travelers, often with camels, who journeyed together for trade or transportation purposes across land.

• Cardinal Directions: these are the main points on a compass; these cardinal directions are; North, South, East, and West.

• Carthage: An ancient city in North Africa, established by the Phoenicians. It became a powerful trading and cultural center.

• Cartogram Map: a map in which the size of a region or territory is in proportion to data the map shows

• Cartouche: a nameplate - hieroglyphic symbol of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. It is oval with a horizontal line at one end, showing that the text enclosed is a royal name.

• Cataracts: rapids along a river, such as those along the Nile in Egypt

• Cavalry: A unit of soldiers who fight on horseback, known for their speed and mobility in battles.

• Chariot: A chariot is a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses

• Checks & Balances: A system in which different branches of government have the ability to limit or control the powers of other branches to prevent the concentration of power.

• Chinese characters: The written symbols used in the Chinese writing system to represent words and concepts.

• Choropleth Maps: a map that uses colors or patterns to give specific information about demographics (examples: population and people)

• Cicero: A Roman philosopher, statesman, and orator known for his influential speeches and writings.

• Cincinnatus: A Roman farmer who became a temporary dictator and saved Rome from invasion, known for his humility and dedication to public service.

• Citizen: A person who has rights and responsibilities in a city-state

• City-State: a political unit consisting of a city and its surrounding countryside

• Civil service system: A system in which government officials are selected based on their knowledge and skills through competitive exams.

• civilization: a group of people with their own languages and way of life

• Clay Nails: small, nail-shaped objects made of clay used for writing in ancient Mesopotamia. They were inscribed with cuneiform characters and used as alternative forms of documentation.

• Cleopatra VII: The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, known for her political alliances and relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.

• Coinage: The use of standardized metal coins as a form of currency for trade and commerce.

• Coliseum: A large amphitheater in Rome where gladiatorial contests and other public spectacles took place.

• Colonization: The act of establishing settlements in new territories. Phoenicians engaged in colonization, founding new cities and trading posts in various regions around the Mediterranean.

• Compass Rose: A symbol on a map that shows the cardinal directions

• Confucianism: A philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius, promoting moral values, filial piety, and social order.

• Confucius: A famous philosopher and teacher in ancient China who emphasized moral values, respect, and social harmony.

• Conquer: To overcome or defeat someone or something, usually in a battle or competition.

• Consuls: The two highest-ranking elected officials in the Roman Republic who served as the chief executives and military leaders.

• Continent: a large solid area of land.

• Coordinates: a set of numbers or numbers and letters together that show you a position on a map using lines of longitude and latitude

• Cowrie Shells: Small shells from a type of marine snail. Phoenicians used cowrie shells as currency and traded them with other civilizations.

• Crete: The largest Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea, home to the Minoan civilization.

• Crook and flail: Two symbols of authority carried by ancient Egyptian pharaohs. The crook was a shepherd's staff, representing the pharaoh's role as a shepherd to his people, while the flail symbolized their power to punish and rule.

• Cuneiform: the world’s first system of writing developed in Sumer

• Cyrus the Great: The founder of the Persian Empire and a renowned ruler known for his tolerance and respect for diverse cultures.

• Dao De Jing: A foundational text of Taoism attributed to Laozi, emphasizing the concept of the "Dao" or the Way.

• Darius III: The last king of the Achaemenid Empire and the opponent of Alexander the Great in the conquest of Persia.

• Darius the Great: A Persian king who expanded the empire and created a well-organized administration system, construction projects, and military conquests

• David: former shepherd who became king after the death of Saul, Israel's first king

• Dead Sea Scrolls: Ancient Jewish texts (written between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE ) discovered in the 20th century near the Dead Sea, providing insights into Jewish life and beliefs during that time.

• Delta: a triangle-shaped area of land made from soil deposited by a river

• Democracy: A system of government where citizens have a voice and vote in decision-making

• Diaspora: The dispersal of Jewish people from their ancestral homeland, especially referring to the scattering after the Babylonian exile.

• Dictator: A ruler with absolute power, usually appointed during times of crisis.

• Diffusion: The spread of ideas, customs, or technology from one culture to another.

• division of labor: various people that have various occupations

• Dot Density Map: a type of thematic map that uses dots or other symbols on the map to show the values of one or more numeric data fields

• drought: long periods of time with little or no rain

• Dynasty: a series of rulers from the same family

• Empire: land with different territories and peoples under a single rule (one ruler)

• Engineering: the process of creating and building structures, products, and systems by using math and science

• Epic: A long narrative poem that tells the heroic deeds and adventures of legendary characters.

• Equator: an imaginary line around the middle of a planet or other celestial body. It is halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole, at 0 degrees latitude

• Ethics: Moral principles that guide a person's behavior and decisions.

• Euclid: An ancient Greek mathematician known as the "Father of Geometry"

• Exile: to leave your homeland and live somewhere else - a period when the Israelites were forced to leave their homeland and live in a foreign land.

• Exodus: The journey of the Israelites made from Egypt to Cannan, led by Moses

• Fable: A short story with animal characters that teaches a moral lesson or conveys a message.

• fertile crescent: a part of the Middle East where some of the world’s first civilizations began. In ancient times the land there was fertile, or good for growing crops.

• Feudalism: A system of government based on land ownership and loyalty, where nobles granted land to vassals in exchange for military service and support.

• Filial piety: The respect and obedience shown by children towards their parents and ancestors.

• Five Relationships: The hierarchical relationships that governed society in ancient China, including ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, and friend-friend.

• floodplain: an area of relatively level land that is floods from time to time

• Forbidden City: A massive palace complex in Beijing, China, which was the imperial residence of Chinese emperors.

• Fortification or Fortify: The process of strengthening and protecting a city or military position by building walls, towers, and other defensive structures.

• Forum: The central public square in ancient Rome where people gathered for business, social activities, and political discussions.

• Gaius Marius: A Roman general and statesman who introduced significant reforms to the Roman military.

• Gilgamesh: was the fifth king of Uruk, an ancient city of Sumer - the Epic of Gilgamesh was written about him

• Giza: a city on the west bank of the Nile River, home to the three “great pyramids”

• Gladiator: A trained fighter who entertained audiences by engaging in combat in arenas like the Coliseum.

• Great Wall of China: A long wall built across China to protect the country from invasions.

• Hadrian: A Roman emperor known for his extensive building projects and the construction of Hadrian's Wall in Britain.

• Hammurabi's Code: a set of laws established by Hammurabi, the sixth king of Babylon. It is one of the oldest known legal codes and consisted of laws and punishments for various crimes, helping maintain order and justice in society.

• Hanfu: Traditional clothing worn by the Han Chinese people during ancient times.

• Hannibal: Carthaginian general who famously led his army, including elephants, across the Alps to wage war against Rome during the Second Punic War.

• Hatshepsut: one of only a few women to rule in ancient Egypt

• Helot: A class of enslaved people in ancient Sparta.

• Hippocrates: A renowned physician in ancient Greece, considered the "Father of Medicine,"

• Hittites: an ancient civilization that flourished in Anatolia (present-day Turkey). They were skilled warriors and proficient in the use of iron

• Hittites: The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian (modern-day Turkey) people who formed an empire between 1600-1180 BCE. The Hittites’ ongoing conflict with Egypt produced the world’s first known peace treaty.

• Homer: A famous ancient Greek poet who composed the epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

• Hyksos: immigrants from Western Asia that slowly folded themselves socially, economically, and politically into Lower Egypt's culture.

• Immortals: An elite group of soldiers in the Persian army who were highly skilled and known for their fierce loyalty.

• Imperial Court: The center of political power in ancient China, where the emperor and his advisors ruled the empire.

• Influence: The power to shape or affect the thoughts, actions, or decisions of others.

• Inset Map: A smaller map inside a larger map

• Intermediate Directions: the halfway points on a compass; these intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

• Inundation: to cover or overspread with water - a flood.

• Ionian: A region in ancient Greece, known for its culture and influence on Roman civilization.

• irrigation: the use of connected ditches, canals, dams, and dikes to move water to dry areas

• Israelites: The ancient people who were descendants of Jacob (also known as Israel) and played a significant role in the history of the Jewish people.

• Isthmus: a narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas of land

• Jerusalem: A holy city for people of the Jewish, Chirsitian, and Islamic faith, known for its historical and religious significance.

• Julius Caesar: A Roman military general and statesman who played a pivotal role in the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

• Ka: ½ of a person's soul (a belief of ancient Egyptians had) - this part of the soul is a person's double, sort of an invisible twin, which supposedly lived in the body until death

• Karnak: A massive temple complex located in ancient Thebes (modern-day Luxor, Egypt)

• Key/Legend: Symbols followed by a description of what that symbol represents on a map

• Khufu: an Egyptian pharaoh from the Old Kingdom who is best known for the monuments that were built to him

• Knossos: An ancient city on the island of Crete, known for its palace and the Minoan civilization.

• Landforms:a natural feature of the surface of Earth Common landforms are mountains, plateaus, and valleys

• Laozi: An ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism.

• Latin: The language spoken by the ancient Romans, which later evolved into the Romance languages.

• Latitude: distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator an imaginary line around the middle of a planet

• Legalism: A strict philosophy in ancient China that focused on strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain social order.

• Legion: A large military unit in ancient Rome consisting of around 4,800 to 6,000 soldiers.

• Longitude: distance measured in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian an imaginary line that runs from the north pole to the south pole

• Lords: Noble or wealthy landowners who held power in the feudal system.

• Lower Egypt: area surrounding the Nile River Delta. It includes important cities such as Memphis and Alexandria

• Macedonia: An ancient kingdom located in the northern region of Greece.

• Magi: A term used to refer to the priests and wise men in ancient Persia who had knowledge of astronomy, astrology, and religious rituals.

• Magistrates: Officials in ancient Rome who held various positions of authority and were responsible for administering justice and maintaining order.

• Majority Rule: A principle in which decisions are made based on the preference of the majority of people.

• Marc Antony: A Roman general and politician who formed the Second Triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus after Caesar's assassination.

• Mediterranean: The sea that borders Greece, important for trade and transportation

• Mercenary: A soldier who fights for money rather than loyalty to a particular country or cause.

• Meritocracy: A system of governance where positions and advancements are based on individual abilities and merit, rather than social status or birthright.

• Mesopotamia: an ancient region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Middle East. Some of the world’s first civilizations developed in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia is a Greek name that means “land between the rivers.”

• Migrate: To move from one place to another, often for better living conditions or opportunities.

• Minoans: Ancient civilization that thrived on the island of Crete, known for their advanced culture, art, and trade.

• Monument: A structure, statue, or building that is created to honor a person, event, or significant historical or cultural importance.

• Moses: A prominent Hebrew leader who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt

• Mummification: the process that ancient Egyptians used to preserve bodies after death. This process was important in their culture to prepare a person for the afterlife

• Murex: A type of sea snail found in the Mediterranean Sea. Phoenicians used it to extract a special purple dye called "Tyrian Purple."

• Mycenaeans: Ancient people who lived in Greece during the Late Bronze Age, known for their powerful city-states and warlike culture.

• Mythology: A collection of myths, legends, and stories that explain natural phenomena, human behavior, and the origin of the world.

• Natron: A natural salt-like substance found in Egypt used in the process of mummification to dry out and preserve the bodies of the deceased

• Nebuchadnezzar: a famous king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire who ruled in the 6th century BCE. He is known for his military campaigns, including the conquest of Jerusalem and the construction of grand structures, such as the Ishtar Gate.

• Nefertiti: A famous queen of ancient Egypt

• Nemes: A striped headdress worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt.

• Nilometer: An ancient Egyptian device used to measure the water level of the Nile River. It helped farmers predict floods and plan their agricultural activities accordingly

• Nomad: A person or group of people who do not have a permanent home and move from place to place in search of resources.

• Nubia: A region located south of Egypt along the Nile River, which was an important trade partner and sometimes a rival of ancient Egypt

• Obelisk: a monument made from stone that has four sides and tapers towards the top to a pyramid shaped point

• Odysseus: The legendary hero of Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, known for his cunning and long journey back home after the Trojan War.

• Old Kingdom: the period from 2700 to 2200 BC in Egyptian history that began shortly after Egypt was unified

• Oligarchy: A system of government where a small group holds power over a larger group of people

• Olympians: The twelve major gods and goddesses who ruled over Mount Olympus and were central to Greek religion and mythology.

• Oracle bones: Animal bones or turtle shells used in ancient China for fortune-telling.

• Oracle: A person or place considered to have the ability to communicate with the gods and provide prophetic guidance or advice.

• Oral Tradition: The passing down of stories, legends, and knowledge through spoken words and storytelling rather than through written records.

• Orator: A skilled public speaker who delivers persuasive speeches or orations.

• Pandora: In Greek mythology, the first woman created by the gods, known for opening a forbidden box and releasing all the world's evils.

• Pantheon: A temple in Rome dedicated to all the gods of ancient Rome, known for its dome architecture.

• Papermaking: The process of making paper from materials like tree bark, bamboo, or rags, which was invented in ancient China.

• Papyrus: a kind of paper that was used in Ancient Egypt for writing made from an aquatic plant

• Patricians: The wealthy and powerful aristocratic class in ancient Rome.

• Peasants: The common people who worked on the land and were the majority of the population.

• Peloponnesian War: A war fought between Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies, for dominance in ancient Greece.

• Peninsula: A body of land surrounded by water on three sides\

• Persepolis: The capital city of the Persian Empire, known for its grand palaces and intricate architecture.

• Persia: An ancient civilization located in modern-day Iran, known for its powerful empire and rich history.

• Persian Wars: A series of conflicts between the Persian Empire and Greek city-states, including famous battles like the Battle of Marathon

• Phalanx: A formation of heavily armed infantry soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder in close ranks.

• Pharaoh: the title used by the rulers of Egypt

• Phillip II: King of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great.

• Phoenicians: an ancient civilization known for their maritime skills and trading abilities. They established colonies across the Mediterranean and are credited with creating the first alphabet.

• Physical Map: A map that shows the physical features of a place or country, like rivers, mountains, forests and lakes

• Plato: A philosopher and student of Socrates, who founded the Academy and explored concepts of justice, truth, and the ideal society.

• Plebeians: Common people in ancient Rome who were not part of the aristocracy.

• Polis: An independent city-state with its own government and laws

• Political Map: A map that shows the state and national boundaries of a place and is often colorful.

• Polytheism: the worship of many gods

• Pompeii: An ancient Roman city near modern-day Naples, Italy, which was destroyed and buried under volcanic ash during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD

• Ports: Special areas along the coast where ships can dock and load or unload goods. Phoenician ports were vital for their extensive maritime trade network.

• Poseidon: Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, often depicted with a trident.

• Priest: a person who performs religious ceremonies

• Prime Meridian: the imaginary line that divides Earth into two equal parts: the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere, at 0 degrees longitude

• Punic War: A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 BCE to 146 BCE, resulting in Roman dominance over the western Mediterranean.

• Pyramids: a huge triangular tomb built by the Egyptians and other peoples

• Ramses: a highly popular pharaoh. Under him Egypt enjoyed great prosperity

• Reason: The ability to think logically, make judgments, and draw conclusions based on evidence and facts.

• Reign: The period of time when a ruler, such as a king or queen, holds power over a country or region.

• Religion: A set of beliefs, practices, and rituals that people follow to worship and connect with a higher power or spiritual beings.

• Republic: A form of government where the people elect leaders to represent them and make decisions.

• Roman Senate: The governing body of ancient Rome, composed of wealthy and influential citizens who advised the consuls and made important decisions.

• Romulus & Remus: Twin brothers in Roman mythology who were raised by a she-wolf and founded the city of Rome.

• Rosetta Stone: an ancient Egyptian stone bearing inscriptions in several languages and scripts. Their deciphering of the stone led to the understanding of hieroglyphic writing.

• Royal Road: A network of roads built by the Persians to facilitate communication and trade within the empire.

• rural: opposite of urban, an area predominantly made up of farms

• Sargon: Sargon of Akad created the first empire (Akkadian empire)

• Sarissa: A long spear used by the Macedonian army, known for its effectiveness and reach in battle.

• Satrap: A governor appointed by the Persian king to rule over a specific region or province.

• Scale: The relationship between distance on the map and distance in real life

• Scarab: A type of beetle that ancient Egyptians considered sacred and believed to bring good luck

• Scribe: a writer (a professional writer)

• Seafaring: The skill and practice of traveling by sea. Phoenicians were known for their seafaring abilities and exploration of distant lands.

• Seismograph: An instrument used to measure and detect earthquakes.

• Senet: a board game played by ancient Egyptians

• Shabti: Small figurines placed in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

• Shaduf: A simple machine used in ancient Egypt to lift water from a river or well for irrigation purposes

• Shipwrights: Skilled craftsmen who built and repaired ships. Phoenician shipwrights were renowned for their expertise in constructing seaworthy vessels.

• Siege: A military tactic where an army surrounds and isolates a city or fortress to cut off supplies and force surrender.

• Silk Road: An ancient trade route that connected China with other parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.

• Silk: A delicate and smooth fabric produced from the cocoons of silkworms.

• silt: a rich mixture of bits of rock and soil that helps make land suitable for growing crops

• Social Hierarchy: the division of society by rank or class

• Socrates: A philosopher known for his method of questioning and challenging conventional wisdom to seek truth and self-knowledge.

• Solomon: David’s son; know for building the First Temple in Jerusalem

• Sparta: A city-state known for its strong military and disciplined way of life

• Spartacus: A Thracian gladiator who led a slave revolt against the Roman Republic known as the Third Servile War.

• Sphinx: A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a person or animal

• Sphynx: a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head of a person. In Ancient Egypt a lot of times the head was that of a Pharaoh or a god

• Sundial: A device that uses the position of the sun to tell time.

• surplus: an amount left over or excess

• Synagogue: A place of worship for Jewish people, where they gather for prayers, study, and community events.

• Talmind: commentaries, stories and folklore recorded to explain Jewish laws

• Taoism: A philosophy and religious belief system that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, the natural way of the universe.

• Tea: A popular beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which has been enjoyed in China for thousands of years.

• Terracotta Army: A collection of life-sized clay soldiers and horses buried with the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, to protect him in the afterlife.

• Thematic Map: Maps that illustrate a specific theme in relation to a geographical area.

• Theocracy: a government ruled by religious authority

• Titans: Mighty and influential deities in Greek mythology, who came before and laid the foundation for the Olympian gods.

• Torah: The sacred text of Judaism, containing the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Pentateuch).

• Trade Routes: paths or networks used for the exchange of goods and ideas between different regions or civilizations.

• Trade: The act of exchanging goods or services between people or communities.

• tributaries: a stream or river that flows into and joins a main river

• Tribute: Payments or gifts made by conquered peoples to the Persian Empire as a sign of submission or loyalty.

• Triremes: Ancient Greek warships with three rows of oars, used in naval warfare.

• Tutankhamun: a pharaoh born in 1336 BCE, at just nine years of age. He ruled until he was 18, in 1327 BCE, when he died suddenly.

• Tyrant: A ruler who holds power forcefully and without legal right

• Tyre: A prominent Phoenician city known for its maritime trade and production of purple dye. It was a major center of Phoenician civilization.

• Tyrian Purple: A purple dye made from the murex snail by the Phoenicians. It was highly valued and associated with royalty and wealth.

• Upper Egypt: the part of Egypt that extends south of the Nile Delta. It’s northern boundary shifts depending on the time period and the source, but it’s generally considered to be just south of Memphis

• Urban: a city or densely populated area (opposite of rural)

• Valley of the Kings: part of the ancient city of Thebes and was the burial site of almost all the kings (pharaohs) of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties

• Veto: The power of a person in authority to reject or block a decision made by others.

• Vizier: the highest government official - the pharaoh's right hand man. They are responsible for the day to day function of the kingdom and all other government officials would report to them.

• Waypoints: a fixed location with a specified longitude and latitude

• Xerxes: A Persian emperor who led the second invasion of Greece in 400 BCE

• Zeus: The king of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus in Greek mythology, associated with sky, thunder, and justice.

• Ziggurat: a pyramid-shaped temple in Sumer

• Zoroastrianism: A religion founded by the Persian prophet Zoroaster, which teaches about good and evil, the importance of truth, and the worship of the one supreme deity.