Glossary of Terms

obeah   African religious ideas and practices in the English and French Caribbean islands. (p. 659)

Obregón, Alvaro   Emerged as leader of the Mexican government in 1915; elected president in 1920. (p. 935)

obrok   Labor obligations of Russian peasants to either their aristocratic landlords or to the state; typical of increased labor burdens placed on Russian peasantry during the 18th century. (p. 575)

Octavian   Julius Caesar's grandnephew and adopted son; defeated conservative senators following Caesar's assassination; later defeated forces of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra in Egypt; offered title of Augustus by Senate; became first Roman emperor. (p. 156)

Ogedei   Third son of Chinggis Khan; succeeded Chinggis Khan as khagan of the Mongols following his father's death. (p. 483)

old believers   Russians who refused to accept the ecclesiastical reforms of Alexis Romanov (17th century); many exiled to Siberia or southern Russia, where they became part of Russian colonization. (p. 568)

Olmec culture   Cultural tradition that arose at San Lorenzo and La Venta in Mexico c. 1200 b.c.e.; featured irrigated agriculture, urbanism, elaborate religion, beginnings of calendrical and writing systems. (p. 204)

Olympic games   One of the pan-Hellenic rituals observed by all Greek city-states; involved athletic competitions and ritual celebrations. (p. 132)

Onin War   War between rival heirs of Ashikaga Shogunate; fought between 1467 and 1477; led to warfare between rival headquarters and Kyoto and destruction of old capital. (p. 459)

Opium War   Fought between the British and Qing China beginning in 1839; fought to protect British trade in opium; resulted in resounding British victory, opening of Hong Kong as British port of trade. (p. 799)

Orabi, Ahmad   Student of Muhammad Abduh; led revolt in 1882 against Turkish influence in Egyptian army; forced khedive to call on British army for support. (p. 792)

oracle at Delphi   Person representing the god Apollo; allegedly received cryptic messages from the god that had predictive value if the seeker could correctly interpret the communication. (p. 132)

oracles   Shamans or priests in Chinese society who foretold the future through interpretations of animal bones cracked by heat; inscriptions on bones led to Chinese writing. (p. 63)

Ordos bulge   Located on Huanghe River; region of fertile soil; site of Yangshao and Longshan cultures. (p.61)

Ormuz   Portuguese factory or fortified trade town located at southern end of Persian Gulf; site for forcible entry into Asian sea trade network. (p. 657)

Orozco, José Clemente   Mexican muralist of the period after the Mexican Revolution; like Rivera's, his work featured romantic images of the Indian past with Christian symbols and Marxist ideology. (p. 936)

Ottoman Empire   Turkic empire established in Asia Minor and eventually extending throughout Middle East; responsible for conquest of Constantinople and end of Byzantine Empire in 1453; succeeded Seljuk Turks following retreat of Mongols. (p. 503)

Ottoman Society for Union and Progress   Organization of political agitators in opposition to rule of Abdul Harmid; also called "Young Turks"; desired to restore 1876 constitution. (p. 787)

Ottomans   Turkic people who advanced from strongholds in Asia Minor during 1350s; conquered large part of Balkans; unified under Mehmed I; captured Constantinople in 1453; established empire from Balkans that included most of Arab world. (p. 609)

Ovid   Roman poet exiled by Augustus for sensual poetry considered out of touch with the imperial policies stressing family virtues. (p. 157)

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