Foundations of Civilization

The origins, development, and achievements of early human beings will influence the establishment of civilization.

The Peopling of the World 2 million BC Hunting-Gathering Bands 8000 BC Growth of Villages 3000 BC Rise of Cities

Hunting-Gathering Bands Key Achievements: Invention of tools Mastery over fire Development of language Creation of art

Neolithic Revolution Far-reaching changes in human life resulting from the beginning of farming One of the great breakthroughs in history

Growth of Villages Key Achievements: Breakthroughs in farming technology Development of agriculture Domestication of animals Food surpluses

Rise of Cities Key Achievements: Specialized workers Record keeping Complex institutions Advanced technology

Culture The way of life of a group of people Includes: Common practices Clothing, food, sports, social customs Shard understandings Language, symbols, values, religious beliefs Social Organization Family, class structure, economic system, view of authority Culture is learned: Observation and imitation Direct teaching (spoken or written language)

After the Neolithic Revolution shifted humans from nomadic to more sedentary life, early peoples organized their societies and built advanced civilizations.

Characteristics of Civilizations Advanced Cities Centers of political, economic, and religious life Specialized Workers Food surpluses allowed people to specialize in jobs outside of agriculture Artisans, traders, soldiers Complex Institutions Law codes, religion, economy Organized, untied, and helped civilizations to prosper Record Keeping and Writing Record laws, write down religious dates and rituals, record transactions Advanced Technology Metals, pottery, calendars

Sumer Environment: Tigris and Euphrates flooding unpredictable No natural barriers Limited natural resources

Sumer Power and Authority: Independent city-states governed by monarchs City-states united into first empires

Sumer Science and Technology: Cuneiform Irrigation Bronze Wheel, sail, plow

Egypt Environment: Nile flooding predictable Natural barriers: deserts Nile and easy transportation link

Egypt Power and Authority: Pharaohs rule kingdom as gods Pharaohs built pyramids

Egypt Science and Technology: Hieroglyphics Pyramids Mathematics, geometry Medicine

Indus Valley Environment: Indus flooding unpredictable Natural barriers: mountains, deserts Monsoon winds

Indus Valley Power and Authority: Strong centralized government Planned cities

Indus Valley Science and Technology: Writing (not yet deciphered) Cities built on precise grid Plumbing and sewage systems

China Environment: Huang He flooding unpredictable Natural barriers: mountains, deserts Geographically isolated

China Power and Authority: Community and family important Sharp social divisions Mandate of Heaven Dynastic Cycle

China Science and Technology: Writing Silk Coined money Cast iron

Migration and trade spread goods and cultural ideas throughout the ancient world. Cultural Diffusion The spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another

Indo-European Migrations

Three major religions develop and spread as people migrated. Hinduism Buddhism Judaism

Hinduism Number of Gods Many gods, all faces of Brahman Holy Books Vedas; Upanishads, Mahabharata, and others Moral Law Karma Leaders Brahmins Final Goal Moksha

Buddhism Number of Gods Originally, no gods Holy Books Books on the teachings and life of the Buddha Moral Law Eightfold Path Leaders Monks Final Goal Enlightenment, Nirvana

Judaism Number of Gods One God Holy Books The Torah and other books of the Hebrew Bible Moral Law Ten Commandments Leaders Priests, judges, kings, prophets Final Goal A moral life through obedience to God’s law

Seafaring Trade Mediterranean Sea- Minoans and Phoenicians South and East Asia Land routes connect to Central Asia Trade networks ensured the exchange of products and information- CULTURAL DIFFUSION

First Age of Empires The first large empires develop in Africa and Asia between 1570 BC and 200 BC

Egypt (1570 – 1075 BC) Pharaohs set up a professional army Pharaohs invaded territories in Africa and Southwest Asia Egypt drew vast wealth from the lands it controlled

Nubia (751 BC – 350 AD) Nubia and Egypt interacted and spread their culture through trade The kings of Nubia conquered Egypt and maintained the Egyptian way of life Nubia established trade among Africa, Arabia, and India

Assyria (850-612 BC) Assyria used a sophisticated military organization to conquer an empire The empire engaged in brutal treatment of its conquered peoples Kings used harsh taxes to control conquered peoples

Persia (550-330 BC) Persian kings were tolerant Kings permitted a high degree of local self-government The empire was divided into 20 provinces

China (221-202 BC) Ethical systems laid the groundwork for a strong central government The Qin Dynasty defeated invaders, crushed internal resistance, and united China China initiated a sweeping program of centralization