Chapter 2 –Early River Valley Civilizations

3500 B.C. to 450 B.C.

Section 1 – City States in MesopotamiaMain Idea The earliest civilization in Asia

arose in Mesopotamia and organized into city-states.

This is important today because the creation of city- states is a pattern scene throughout history.

The Fertile Crescent

Land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

The Rivers flow southeastern to the Persian Gulf

These Rivers flooded the valley between them once a year and left behind silt (a very fertile soil)

The Sumerians-Came to area around 3500 B.C.Problems Found in area:

1. Rivers unpredictable (floods and droughts)

2. Defense (lived in an open plain in huts)

3. Very Few natural resources (very little stone, wood, and metal)

Solutions:1. Irrigation – digging ditches

to hold water and carry it to fields of crops

2. Built mud walls to surrounded cities (to protect villagers)

3. Create trade network – traded their grain and cloth for wood, metal, and stone

4. Invented the sail, wheel, and plow to aid in their labors

Sumerians create city-states

Because of the growing trade – laws and organizations needed to be created

City states – are like countries today. A city and the surrounding countryside were controlled by government officials or rulers.

Priests- early government was controlled by the temple.Monarchs – During war, priests did not control the cities. At first

they only ruled during war but by 3000 B.C. war became to frequent monarchs were given permanent control.

This system of government became popular amongst Sumerian cities and cultural diffusion occurred.

Sumerian Culture

Polytheist – belief in many gods. Had gods for clouds, air, water, fire, etc. Sumerians worked very hard in their life so

they would be protected by their gods. It is estimated they believed in more than

3,000 gods.

God King

Ancient Sumerian Gods

Sumerian Hierarchy

Priests and Kings Wealthy Merchants Farmers and those who work with their hands Slaves

Slaves could be foreigners or Sumerian children sold into slaveryto pay off their poor parents’ debts.

The First Empire Builders

From 3000 to 2000 B.C. Sumerians were in constant war with each other.

• This allowed outsiders to invade and conquer:

• Sargon of Akkad – conquered Sumer. Akkadians were a Semitic people. (Spoke a language similar to Arabic and Hebrew)

Akkadians conquered other neighboring city-states and created the first empire.

Babylonian Empire

• Came into the fertile crescent about 2000 B.C.

• They were called Amorites another Semitic group

• We call them Babylonians because they established their empire’s capital at Babylon.

Hammurabi – Most famous of the Mesopotamian Emperors and his code of laws

Called the Codex of Hammurabi or the Code of Hammurabi written as a set of laws to unify the empire. These laws would

govern the diverse groups under one universal set of laws.

Section 2 – Pyramids of the NileMain Idea Along the Nile River, civilization

emerged in Egypt and became united into a kingdom ruled by pharaohs.

This is important today because the monuments are still seen today and are a testament to their highly advanced ancient civilization.

The Nile River

Runs north from Lake Victoria and empties in the Mediterranean Sea

The Nile is a lot easier to predict and dependable in this way.

The desert that surrounds it creates a barrier between cultures but also protected ancient Egyptians from invasion.

Egypt unites into a kingdom

Pharaohs – god-king Pharaohs were god on earth for the people of

Egypt and ruled as a king Pharaoh was the center of religion,

government, and the army. Pyramids – were the tombs of pharaohs.

They would rule the afterlife from their pyramid palaces.

Egyptian Culture

Like the Mesopotamians, Egyptians were polytheistic.

They had Ra (the sun god), Horus (the god of light, and Isis (the goddess that represented motherhood and the wife)

The Egyptians worshipped 2,000 gods and goddesses. Special temples were made for the major deities.

Unlike the Mesopotamians however, Egyptians believes in a beautiful afterlife for the worthy.

Egyptian Hierarchy

Kings, queens, and royal families Wealthy Landowners, priests, government

officials, and army commanders Middle classes –merchants and artisans Lower classes – unskilled laborers and

peasant farmers Slavery * Was not introduced until later

periods of Egyptian history

Egyptian Technology

Hieroglyphics – form of writing Advanced mathematics – counting system

and geometry First to use stone columns in houses and

palaces Medicine – used splints for repairing broken

bones and had effective remedies for fever and wounds

Section 3 – Planned Cities on the IndusMain Idea The first Indian Civilization built well

planned cities on the banks of the Indus River.

This is important today because India has roots in this ancient culture.

South Asia

Protected by huge mountains (Himalayas and Hindu Kush Mountains)

Indus Valley – Two Great rivers the Ganges and the Indus Rivers

Monsoons – Great winds that bring heavy rains to make the land fertile

Most important Achievements City planning*

1. Used a precise grid system

2. Featured a fortified part of city called a citadel. In the citadel were the most important buildings

3. Early plumbing and sewage systems

4. Made oven-baked bricks cut into standard sizes

Mysterious End

Around 1750 B.C. the quality of the building declined.

May have overused the land

Maybe the Indus River changed its course.

Aryans, a nomadic tribe came into area and maybe wiped them out.

Section 4 – River Dynasties in ChinaMain Idea The early rulers introduced ideas

about government and society that shaped Chinese civilization.

This is important today because ancient Chinese culture still shape Chinese culture today.

China’s Heartland

To the east the Pacific To the west Taklimakan desert and the Plateau of

Tibet To the southwest the Himalaya Mountains To the north Gobi Desert and Mongolian Plateau Between all these barriers a fertile plain with two

major Rivers the Huang He (Yellow River) and the Yangtze (Chang Jiang River)

Civilization Emerges in Shang Times 2000 B.C. – First dynasty appears called Xia

(shyah) Its leader was Yu and he introduced flood control

and irrigation project.

The Shang Dynasty Arose and lasted from 1532 to 1027 B.C. .

They introduced the first written records. Unlike the other river civilizations Shang built with

wood.

Social Hierarchy in Shang

Sharp division between lower and upper class At the top ruling class of warriors and their families

owned land Everyone else worked for them

The population was 95% peasant and 5% elite Shang.

Chinese culture

Respect for one’s parents was very strong. Eldest males controlled family property and

made decisions. Family closely linked to religion. Ancestors

could bring good fortune or ruin to a family.

Oracle bones

Oracle bones – made of tortoise shell and animal bones

Kings consulted these bones for knowledge of their fortune

Priest would scratch questions on a bone

Then apply red hot poker to it to make it crack.

Cracks were read to determine the gods answer.

Zhou take over and IntroduceThe Mandate of Heaven

Dynastic CycleIn China

Zhou Contributes to Chinese Culture Started Feudalism –

political system in which nobles or lords are granted use of lands that legally belong to king. Protectors of their lands and the people on that land.

Improve trade, roads, and canals.

Use of Iron for weapons

Zhou fall victim to their Mandate of Heaven First 300 years marked by peace and

prosperity 771 B.C. start to get invaded by people of the

north. Lords pick fights with other lords. Harmony and peace most valued by the

Chinese lost; later will be replaced for a new dynasty who will restore these values.

Zhou Dynasty artifacts