The History of Western The History of Western Civilization Civilization

An IntroductionAn Introduction

Key QuestionsKey Questions

What is history?What is history? When did history begin?When did history begin? What tools do historians use to study the past? What tools do historians use to study the past? What can we learn from the study of history?What can we learn from the study of history? How is the sovereignty and plan of God seen How is the sovereignty and plan of God seen

throughout history?throughout history?

Tools historians use to explore historyTools historians use to explore history

AnthropologyAnthropology- the study of culture/people- the study of culture/people ArcheologyArcheology- the study of artifacts- physical - the study of artifacts- physical

objects objects Geography studies- Geography studies- the study of place and its the study of place and its

impact on history and culture impact on history and culture Primary source Primary source literature, documents, art, etc. literature, documents, art, etc. Scientific toolsScientific tools

– Example- DNA analysis, computer tools, etc. Example- DNA analysis, computer tools, etc.

Two Major Views of HistoryTwo Major Views of History

Linear view Linear view – history has a beginning and endhistory has a beginning and end

– history has purpose and ultimate meaning history has purpose and ultimate meaning

– human beings have an important role to play human beings have an important role to play in historyin history

– associated with western (Judeo-Christian) associated with western (Judeo-Christian) civilization and culture civilization and culture

Linear ViewLinear View

Cyclical View Cyclical View

history is the repetition of eventshistory is the repetition of eventshuman action has little if any real human action has little if any real

meaning or purposemeaning or purposeassociated more with eastern cultures associated more with eastern cultures

(Asia) (Asia) - Hinduism and Buddhism - Hinduism and Buddhism

Cyclical ViewCyclical View

Historical DivisionsHistorical Divisionsused in Western Culture used in Western Culture

Two Major Divisions Two Major Divisions

BCBC- before the time of Jesus Christ- before the time of Jesus Christ– BCE- Before the Common Era -BCE- Before the Common Era -

secular term secular term AD- Anno Domini AD- Anno Domini – Latin for “the – Latin for “the

year of our Lord” - after the life of year of our Lord” - after the life of Christ Christ – CE- Common Era – secular term CE- Common Era – secular term

PrehistoryPrehistoryBefore Before written recordwritten record

? to @5000 BC? to @5000 BC

Prehistoric World Prehistoric World

Dinosaur Track Dinosaur Track

Woolly Mammoth found in Woolly Mammoth found in Siberia Siberia

Pre-historic cave paintings- Pre-historic cave paintings- France France

Ancient HistoryAncient History @5000 BC-@500 AD@5000 BC-@500 AD Rise of civilizations in the Near East Rise of civilizations in the Near East

(Mesopotamia)- Fertile Crescent(Mesopotamia)- Fertile Crescent Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt Ancient Hebrews (Jews) Ancient Hebrews (Jews) Ancient GreeceAncient Greece Ancient RomeAncient Rome

Middle Ages (Medieval Period)Middle Ages (Medieval Period)

@500 AD – @1400 AD@500 AD – @1400 AD Dominated by a Christian worldviewDominated by a Christian worldview Extremely powerful Roman Catholic Church Extremely powerful Roman Catholic Church

and papacy and papacy Feudalism: social and political orderFeudalism: social and political order Crusades: Crusades:

– campaign to recapture the Holy Landcampaign to recapture the Holy Land

Gothic art and architectureGothic art and architecture

Modern PeriodModern Period

@1400 – to present@1400 – to presentBegins with the Begins with the RenaissanceRenaissance

– Age of ExplorationAge of Exploration

– Protestant ReformationProtestant Reformation

– Rise of the modern nation-stateRise of the modern nation-state

– Rise of modern scienceRise of modern science

What is a civilization?What is a civilization?

8 8 Characteristics Characteristics of a Civilizationof a Civilization

Cities (Urbanization)Cities (Urbanization)

WrittenWritten language language

Complex ReligionComplex Religion

Social ClassesSocial Classes

Job SpecializationJob Specialization

Public WorksPublic Works

Roads Roads

Aqueducts to bring waterAqueducts to bring water

Art and ArchitectureArt and Architecture

Sumerian Ziggurat Sumerian Ziggurat

US troops climbing the Ziggurat of UR in Iraq US troops climbing the Ziggurat of UR in Iraq

Organized Government Organized Government

Law Codes Law Codes

Code of Hammurabi- oldest Code of Hammurabi- oldest written law code written law code

What role did geography play in the What role did geography play in the development of civilization?development of civilization?

access to water- rivers were key access to water- rivers were key – farmingfarming

– trade and commercetrade and commerce mild climate mild climate not too mountainousnot too mountainous rich land for farmingrich land for farming raw materials availableraw materials available

The Cradle of CivilizationThe Cradle of CivilizationMesopotamia- Mesopotamia- land between the riversland between the rivers

The Ancient Near EastThe Ancient Near East

Fertile Crescent Fertile Crescent

Middle East Today Middle East Today