Ancient Civilizations

Egypt, India, China, Mesopotamia, and The Hebrews

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.

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.

Egypt

The Great Periods

The Old Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom

The New Kingdom

Egypt

Egyptian Religion polytheistic, meaning they worshipped

many gods (part human & part animal). Horus-sky god. Ra-sun god. Osiris-god of life and death

-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)

Egypt

Pyramids were built during the Old Kingdom -These served as a place of rest/honor for

kings. -They held the king’s clothing, furniture,

and weapons. -There were secret passages. -They took thousands of workers and

hundreds of years to build.

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.

Calendar-An accurate 365 day calendar.

Medicine-Not only embalming, but doctors used splints, bandages, and compresses when treating fractures, wounds, and diseases.

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.

India

India’s 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.

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.

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

India

Contributions

Seals to make contracts.

Straight streets

Ditches for irrigation

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

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.”

Taoism

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

China

Contributions to Society

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

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.

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.

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,)

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. 15:1) A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth

invites a beating. (Prov. 18:6)

Hammurabi’s 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.

Mesopotamia

Contributions to Society Dams and Canals Wagon wheel Potter’s wheel Sun dial - to keep time 12 month calendar based on the cycles of

the moon Metal plow

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.

The Hebrews

Beliefs

God determines right and wrong.

People should deal justly with each other.

People should accept moral responsibility

for their actions.

The Hebrews

History - recorded in the Old Testament.

Abraham Moved from Mesopotamia to Canaan at God’s

command. (1900 B.C.) God made a covenant (agreement): God would

bless Abraham and his descendants if they would remain faithful to God.

Jacob (Israel) Abraham’s 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 God’s laws, the most important-The Ten Commandments.

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.

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.

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

God’s will to the Israelites, who became known as Jews after the Babylonian exile.

Prophets were preachers who interpreted God’s will to the Israelites, who became known as Jews after the Babylonian exile.

ANCIENT GREECE

Geography

Located in the southern part of Europe’s 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)

World Map

Map of ancient Greece

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

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.

Palace of Knossos

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.

The Citadel

Lions Gate

Grave Circle

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.

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.

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

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

Greek Deities

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The Acropolis at Athens

Classical Architecture

Balance SymmetryPediment

FriezeColumns

Columns

Elgin Marbles

Porch of the Maidens

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spartan Culture people were exceptional athletes, always

winning the Olympic Games. they lagged behind intellectually, and in

trade and manufacturing.

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

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.

Solon-improved economic conditions. He canceled all debts and freed debtors from slavery in Draco’s 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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.