Ancient Civilizations

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Ancient Civilizations

• Egypt, India, China, Mesopotamia, and The Hebrews

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Egypt

• -located on the Nile River The Gift of the
  Nile. Longest river in the world flows into
  Mediterranean Sea.
• -the longest of the four civilizations.
• -annual flooding fertilized the soil.

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Egypt

• Uniting Egypt
• Early on, 2 kingdoms developed.
• The Upper Kingdom in the South
• The Lower Kingdom in the North
• King Menes united the two in Memphis. Kings were
  referred to as Pharaohs.

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Egypt

• The Great Periods
• The Old Kingdom
• The Middle Kingdom
• The New Kingdom

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Egypt

• Egyptian Religion
• polytheistic, meaning they worshipped many gods
  (part human part animal).
• polytheistic, meaning they worshipped many gods
  (part human part animal).
• Horus-sky god.
• Ra-sun god.
• Osiris-god of life and death

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• -very dominant in their lifestyle.
• -believed in life after death.
• -believed in embalming, the preservation of the
  body. (Brains were embalmed first this was a
  very religious ceremony.) (Mummification)
• -caused government to be a theocracy, meaning the
  king acted as both religious and political
  leader.
• -was a bureaucracy, officials to whom the king
  delegated administrative responsibilities. (Ka-sow
  )

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Egypt

• Pyramids were built during the Old Kingdom
• -These served as a place of rest/honor for kings.
• -They held the kings clothing, furniture, and
  weapons.
• -There were secret passages.
• -They took thousands of workers and hundreds of
  years to build.

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Egypt

• Egyptian Contributions
• Hieroglyphics-ancient Egyptian writing system
  employing picture symbols. (e.g.-Rosetta Stone
  was used to decipher hieroglyphs.)
• Number System-enabled them to calculate area and
  volume.
• Geometry-used to survey flooded land.

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• Calendar-An accurate 365 day calendar.
• Medicine-Not only embalming, but doctors used
  splints, bandages, and compresses when treating
  fractures, wounds, and diseases.

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India

• -surrounded by mountains Himalayas. The
  mountains served to block cold weather out of the
  valley and as protection.
• -Due to seasonal floods, soil was rich for
  seasonal crops.
• -They had to deal with monsoons-seasonal winds
  that would bring heavy rainfall.

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India

• Indias Religion
• Hinduism-polytheistic the people believed in
  yoga and fasting, worshipping the cow. Major
  concepts
• Dharma-righteous living duties to fulfill.
• Karma-all actions have a consequence.
• re-incarnation rebirth of the soul after death.

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• Buddhism
• -founded by Siddharta Gautama, b. 566 B.C.
  (Buddha-The Enlightened One). Buddha, a prince,
  wondered, meditated, fasted, denied himself
  pleasure, searching for a solution to end
  suffering and misery.
• Comprised Four Noble Truths
• All know suffering and sorrow.
• Suffering is caused be desires.
• People end suffering by eliminating their desire.
  
• Eliminate desires by knowing truth, resisting
  evil, saying nothing to hurt others, controlling
  thoughts, meditating, etc.

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• The goal was to achieve nirvana, meaning one
  could be one with the universe.

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India

• Contributions
• Seals to make contracts.
• Straight streets
• Ditches for irrigation

15
China

• These people lived in isolation because of the
  Himalayas, near the Yellow Sea. Chinese history
  is divided into Dynasties. Rulers of China (from
  the same family) had a mandate from heaven to
  form a theocracy. Most important dynasties
  Shang, Zhou, Quin, Han

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China

• Religion
• Confucianism
• Confucious (b. 551 B.C.) was poor and sought to
  end suffering by fulfilling a role in society.
  He had many wise proverbs, such as Do not do
  unto others as you would not want done unto you.

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• Taoism
• -rejects social structures belief in the fact
  that opposites attract and Yin/Yang-life must be
  kept in balance.

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China

• Contributions to Society
• System of weights and measurements
• Agriculture system
• Educated officials
• Silk trade
• China (pottery)
• The Great Wall for protection

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Mesopotamia

• Greek for land between the rivers.
• Located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
  in the Fertile Crescent.
• Sumerian farmers first built dams to control
  flooding, and constructed canals and ditches to
  bring river water to irrigate their fields.
  Fertilized land produced food (grain crops) by
  4000 B.C.

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Mesopotamia

• Religion
• Polytheistic their gods had specific powers over
  natural forces and human activity.
• Their gods were unpredictable and selfish.
• Humans had little control over their lives.
• They built ziggurats (temples) where the gods
  lived. (similar to pyramids)
• Theocracy-the religious leader was also the
  political leader he was the mediator between the
  gods and the people.

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Mesopotamia

• Writing
• Pictographs were used they also developed a
  model for the alphabet.
• Scribes wrote on clay tablets had to dry.
• They wrote epics-long poems (e.g.-Gilgamesh,)

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• They wrote proverbs-short bits of advice.
• One bird in hand is worth two in the nest.
• A good plan today is better than a perfect plan
  tomorrow.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh
  word stirs up anger. (Prov. 151)
• A fools lips bring him strife, and his mouth
  invites a beating. (Prov. 186)

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• Hammurabis Code
• Hammurabi, the leader of Babylon had a written
  set of laws that regulated society and trade.
• He created a tax system.
• There was a specific punishment for the violation
  of laws. (e.g.-an eye for an eye.)
• There were differing punishments for social
  classes.

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Mesopotamia

• Contributions to Society
• Dams and Canals
• Wagon wheel
• Potters wheel
• Sundial-to keep time
• 12 month calendar based on the cycles of the moon
  
• Metal plow

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The Hebrews

• A people that grew out of Mesopotamia, lived in
  Canaan, and were monotheistic-a belief in a one
  all-powerful God (Yahweh). The Bible records
  their beliefs and history.

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The Hebrews

• Beliefs
• God determines right and wrong.
• People should deal justly with each other.
• People should accept moral responsibility for
  their actions.

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The Hebrews

• History - recorded in the Old Testament.
• Abraham
• Moved from Mesopotamia to Canaan at Gods
  command. (1900 B.C.)
• God made a covenant (agreement) God would bless
  Abraham and his descendants if they would remain
  faithful to God.

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• Jacob (Israel)
• Abrahams grandson
• Jacob had 12 sons, which would grow into tribes
  (Israelites).
• Due to a famine, they migrated to Egypt, where
  pharaohs enslaved them.
• Moses
• He led them out of Egypt in an exodus (departure)
  into the Sinai desert.
• The covenant was renewed as the Israelites
  pledged to obey Gods laws, the most
  important-The Ten Commandments.

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• Joshua
• He led them across the Jordan River into Canaan
• After the judges, the Israelites wanted a king.
  
• Saul
• Although popular at first, he failed to defeat
  the Philistines.
• Battled with David over the throne.

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• David
• Slayed the giant Philistine, Goliath.
• He took the throne in 1012 B.C.
• Organized a central government at Jerusalem.
• Wrote Psalms.
• Solomon
• Constructed a temple in Jerusalem.
• Wrote Proverbs.

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• Prophets
• After Solomon, the kingdom divided-Israel
  Judah.
• Invaded by Assyrians (722 B.C.), Chaldeans (586
  B.C.)-were exiled to Babylon.
• Prophets were preachers who interpreted Gods
  will to the Israelites, who became known as Jews
  after the Babylonian exile.
• Prophets were preachers who interpreted Gods
  will to the Israelites, who became known as Jews
  after the Babylonian exile.

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ANCIENT GREECE
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Geography

• Located in the southern part of Europes Balkan
  Peninsula very mountainous, and many islands.
  (Island of Crete Peloponnesus peninsula Mt.
  Olympus).
• Mountains protected and isolated the Greeks on
  the mainland.
• Greek people never united under one government.
• People depended on the sea-trade for their
  living. (Aegean, Mediterranean, Ionian, Black)

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• Climate was mild conducive to outdoor public
  meetings. (theater, schools, government)

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Aegean Civilizations

• Minoans (2500 to 1450 B.C.)
• concentrated on the island of Crete.
• Wealthy people with palaces (indoor bathrooms,
  fireboxes) who decorated with brigthly colored
  murals and enjoyed dancing and sports.
• Destroyed by a tidal wave caused by earthquake.

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• Mycenaens (2000 to 1100 B.C.)
• also lived on Crete combined with Minoans to
  form ancient Greece.
• Married with local people (Hellenes) after
  extending boundary to the Balkan Sea.
• Built stone walls for protection.
• Government kept detailed records of taxes, crops,
  and livestock.

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• Overran by the Dorians, which started the Dark
  Age where written language disappeared with no
  records kept, trade stopped, and poverty.
• Many fled to the mainland.
• They restored both cultures into the Hellenic
  Civilization, the original inhabitants of Greece.
  Hellenic Civilization taught love for nature,
  importance of the husband-wife relationship, and
  loyalty between friends.

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Hellenic Poets Heroes

• Homer (700 B.C.)-wrote the epics Illiad The
  Odyssey
• Illiad-a Trojan prince falls in love with Helen
  (wife of Mycenaean prince). Helen is captured
  and taken to Troy, on which the Mycenaean's lay
  siege for 10 years. The Greeks build a huge
  horse and hide soldiers inside. The Trojans
  believe they have won and take the horse into the
  city. That night, the Greeks sneak out of the
  horse, capturing and burning Troy to the ground.
  The Trojan Horse destroyed from within.

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• Odyssey-a homeward adventure of a Mycenaean king
  after the Trojan War taking 10 years to return
  home. An odyssey is a long journey.

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• Heroes-teachers used the Illiad to teach pride in
  Greek civilization and heritage.

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Greek Deities

• Activities of gods goddesses explained why
  people behaved as they did. They believed
  deities caused physical storms to happen.

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• Athena-wisdom art
• Demeter-goddess of agriculture
• Aphrodite-goddess of love beauty
• Zeus-king of the gods ruled the sky (weather).
• Dionysus-god of wine fertility. (play about
  this one)
• Apollo-god of light (sun) and prophecy.
• Hades-ruled the underworld.

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• Greeks humanized their gods they were total
  human forms. They believed gods behaved like
  humans (married had children).

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• Deities possessed super human powers (physical
  mental).
• Humans tried to be like deities in every way
  possible.
• 12 most important deities lived on Mount Olympus
  each one controlling a specific part of the
  natural world.
• Religious festivals were important part of Greek
  life Olympic Games honored Zeus.

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The Polis (city-state)

• This was the basic political unit of Hellenic
  civilization comprised of the city and the
  surrounding villages and fields (measured about 3
  days walking distance). The center of the city
  stood on a fortified hill (acropolis) with a
  temple for the local deity. At the foot of the
  acropolis was the agora-public square.

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• The polis was small enough that all citizens
  could take part in business with 5,000-10,000
  male citizens who voted, owned property, and held
  office. Women, slaves, and foreigners had no
  part.
• The polis was famous for trading of wine and
  olive oil with a monetary system.

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Political and Social Change

• Kings lost power to landholding aristocrats
  (wealthy nobles).
• Farmers had to obtain loans from aristocrats.
  When they were unable to pay them back, they lost
  their land, becoming peasants and sharecroppers.
• farmers were foot soldiers in the Greek army,
  more valuable than a wealthy cavalry.

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• Other middle class working people (artisans)
  joined forces with the farmers wanting a voice in
  government and citizenship.
• tyrants seized power making promises to the
  farmers (low middle classes) and wanting
  citizenship.

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• harshness of a few tyrants caused tyranny to
  mean rule by a cruel and unjust person.
• citizens restructured their government into
  either an oligarchy (small group of rulers) or
  democracy (rule by the people).
• -there were 2 democracies
• 1. Sparta
• 2. Athens

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Sparta

• descendants of Dorian invaders founded in
  southern Greece. Land was invaded and farming
  people were taken as slaves (Helots) and assigned
  to farm the land. Artisans and merchants were
  hired, but were considered free individuals,
  called Periocci. Together, they outnumbered the
  Spartans. To maintain power, they established a
  military society.

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• Spartan Military
• life revolved around the military. Men were the
  soldiers. Women breeded more soldiers. Newborns
  were examined and the sickly left on a hillside.
  Young boys would go to military school, learning
  to read, write, use weapons, and steal. (If
  caught stealing, they were whipped publicly.
  They would go barefoot and have one garment to
  wear and having little to eat.) After 20 years
  as a soldier, they would marry at age 30, but
  continued to live and serve in the military until
  60, then they would retire.

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• Women in Sparta
• Involved in gymnastics, wrestling, and boxing.
  They were to be as healthy and strong as
  possible. They married at 19. If younger, they
  were less likely to have a healthy child. They
  had no rights in government.

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• Government in Sparta
• 2 kings ruled jointly, leading the army and
  religious services.
• Legislative body had 2 houses
• The Assembly had most power, making laws and
  decisions concerning war and peace. Male
  citizens over 20 served. There were five
  overseers (ephors) elected to administer public
  affairs, and could veto legislation.
• The Council of Elders were comprised of 28 men
  over 60 who proposed legislation.

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• Spartan Culture
• people were exceptional athletes, always winning
  the Olympic Games.
• they lagged behind intellectually, and in trade
  and manufacturing.

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Athens

• located in the central part of Greece.
• descendants of Mycenaean's.
• named after the goddess Athena.
• included more citizens all free men regardless
  of class or ownership of land

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• Athenian Tyrants (brought changes)
• Draco-extremely harsh penalties for breaking
  laws. For minor offenses, such as stealing, the
  penalty was death. Draconian means cruel and
  severe. Laws were written down, and aristocrats
  could not dictate.

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• Solon-improved economic conditions. He canceled
  all debts and freed debtors from slavery in
  Dracos rule. Anyone could own a limited amount
  of land. He promoted trade. Cash crops were
  grown rather than grain. He ordered fathers to
  teach their sons a skill. He set up a 2 house
  legislature
• 1. Council of 400 (aristocrats)
• 2. Council of Assembly (commoners).

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• Peisistratus-divided land among the landless
  extended citizenship to the poor gave poor
  loans and provided jobs for the poor by
  providing work projects.
• Cleisthenes-created laws that established a
  democracy for Athens. A tyrant was no longer
  needed.

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• Athenian Democracy-lasted almost 200 years until
  the Macedonians overthrew them. This was more of
  a direct democracy.
• The Assembly was the major political institution.
  All citizens were equal and guaranteed freedoms
  and could belong to the Assembly. The Assembly
  passed laws and acted as the Supreme Court. They
  chose 10 generals to run a navy and army.

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• The Council of 500 administered everyday
  government business. They were chosen by a
  lottery drawing because they thought elections
  unfair. Good speakers had the advantage in an
  election.
• Jury System-majority vote needed for a verdict
  and the jury was very large (200). The large
  size would keep jurors from the influence of
  threats and bribes.

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• Ostracism-each year, citizens would write the
  name of an undesirable politician on a piece of
  baked clay (ostracon). If the name appeared on
  6,000 ostracas, the person was exiled for 10
  years.

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• Education in Athens
• fathers were required to educate their sons. All
  citizens were expected to hold public office.
  Girls did not receive a formal education,
  learning to weave and bake. Boys went to school
  from age 7 through 18. They learned The Illiad
  and the Odyssey by heart. They studied math,
  drawing, music, and gymnastics. They also
  studied rhetoric-public speaking. After school,
  they spend 2 years in the military.