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“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” What does the quote mean? What is its purpose? Why...
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Transcript of “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” What does the quote mean? What is its purpose? Why...
The First Civilizations
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” What does the quote mean? What is its
purpose? Why would this be considered an acceptable action? Is this justice?
Warm-up:
Mesopotamia Egypt India China
Born near rivers Had cities, writing, law codes, divine kingship Not in the Western world (still cavemen)
First Civilizations
Ancient Mesopotamia
City-states: cities which had control of the
surrounding countryside Fought each other for control of resources (i.e.
land and water) Flat land = vulnerable to invasion Fighting led to empire-building
Ancient Mesopotamia
Hammurabi
1792 B.C. – Empire of Hammurabi
Well-disciplined army of foot soldiers Divide and conquer enemies
“the sun of Babylon, the king who has made the four quarters of the world subservient”
Built temples, defensive walls, irrigation canals
Trade and economic revival Created the earliest law code
that has been preserved
Collection of 282 laws, based on strict justice Keep order, prevent conflict Severe penalties retaliation No equality of individuals
Penalties differed among social classes Importance of family:
arranged marriages, marriage contracts Patriarchal – dominated by men
Obedience Covers almost every aspect of people’s lives
Code of Hammurabi
In groups, read your list of laws What are they regulating? Who are they written for? What are the consequences? Do they fit the
crimes? Are the laws equal for all society?
Check it out
Egypt and Divine Kingship
Founded along the Nile
Floods often, built irrigation system 3 major periods of long-term stability: strong
leadership, freedom from invasion, building of pyramids, great cultural activity Chaotic government and foreign invasion between
the periods Old Kingdom: Pharaohs ruled through divine right,
polytheistic Middle Kingdom: Hykosos invaded with horse-
drawn chariots, learned to make bronze weapons and chariots
New Kingdom: Empire
Egypt and Divine Kingship
New Centers of Civilization: The Israelites
The spiritual heritage of the Israelites is a
basic pillar of Western civilization Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam King Solomon rules as Israelites took over
Palestine, Jerusalem became the capital Israel split into Israel and Judah Jews
practicing Judaism Jews became stateless Religion helped maintain their identity when
they didn’t have a state
The Israelites
Monotheistic one god called Yahweh, creator and
ruler of the world Above everyone in nature Watched over his creature Punished for wrongdoing, but merciful
Sin Jewish beliefs are markers of Western tradition:
Humans are separate from and struggle against nature Have a particular relationship to a Supreme Being, who
watches over them Covenant (contract with Moses), law (social justice)
and the prophets (religious teachers) Gives all people access to God’s wishes
The Israelites
Ancient India
Ancient India
Established in the Indus River valley
Aryans dominated by creating a distinct social structure Ranks people from high
to low into varnas (“color”) discrimination
Based on occupation and family networks
Beliefs about religious purity Higher caste = greater religious purity
Remain in same caste for life Untouchables not part of caste system
Given menial tasks, like collecting trash and handling dead bodies
Gave a sense of order during chaotic times
Caste System
Single force, or ultimate reality in the
universe, the Brahman If the individual self, the Atman, seeks
to know the Brahman in this life, the self would merge with the Brahman after death
Reincarnation, after death the soul is reborn in another form Achieve union after many deaths
Karma, what a person does in one life affects their future life, moving closer to the Brahman
Support the caste system
Hinduism
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama tried to achieve wisdom by seeing the world in a new way
Known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”
Ancient China
Zhou Dynasty laid the foundations for today’s
China “Mandate from Heaven” political belief that a
ruler was the ruler because Heaven gave him a mandate
Mandate command, authorization Family is the core of society
Patriarchal Devotion to family and one’s ancestors
Stable, yet conservative, society Han Dynasty extended Chinese borders
Ancient China
Philosopher who traveled all throughout China
How do we restore order to our society? (chaotic times)
Wanted to know how to act morally in the real world
People are naturally good, and can acquire knowledge and virtue Need virtuous leaders to show the way
Obedience to superiors Sayings influence Chinese culture
Confucius