Indo-Europeans

Setting the Stage “In India and in Mesopotamia, civilizations first developed along lush river valleys. Even as large cities such as Mohenjo- Daro and Harappa declined, agriculture and small urban communities flourished. These wealthy river valleys attracted nomadic tribes. These peoples may have left their own homelands because of warfare or changes in the environment.”

Indo-Europeans  Nomadic peoples  From Steppes (dry grasslands that stretched north of the Caucasus)  Herders (cattle, sheep, goats, horses)  Two-wheeled chariots  Spoke a language called Indo-European

Indo-European Language Family English Spanish Persian Hindi German Sanskrit See page 61 Orange-countries with majority of IE languages Yellow-countries with an IE minority language

Migrations Between 1700 and 1200 BC the Indo-European nomads began to migrate in waves over a long period of time. WHY did they migrate? What does it mean to say that Indo-Europeans migrated in waves? TWO of these were the HITTITES ARYANS

Hittites From steppes By 2000 BC occupied Anatolia (Asia Minor or Turkey) Occupied Babylon Fought the Egyptians—signed peace treaty (top right) Significance? Adopted and adapted culture of the Babylonians Literature, art, politics, and law, Language (Akkadian for international use) Iron (stronger than bronze) Two wheeled chariots Fell to invaders in 1190 BC

Hittite War Chariots Its axle was attached to the middle of the chariot, while the axle of the Egyptian chariot was attached to the rear. This placement made the Hittite chariot stronger and easier to maneuver in combat. Hittites used iron in their chariots. Why was the change from bronze to iron technology important? What materials are needed to smelt iron? Iron ore and wood to make charcoal This chariot could carry one more warrior.

Picture of a Hittite god P. 85 What does the fact that the statue is made of gold tell you about how the owner viewed it?

Aryans Another group of Indo-European nomads Came to Indus River Valley in India Vedas Sacred literature Aryan hymns, or prayers, magical spells and instructions for rituals Most important is the Rig Veda Passed down orally and then eventually written in Sanskrit Sacred and classical language of India

Aryans VS. Non-Aryans AryansNon-Aryans Tall Fair Herders Count wealth in cows No writing Nature gods Indo- European Short Dark Villages Farmers Writing Shiva, mother goddess, cows Non-IndoEuropean

Caste system Develops  Castes or social Classes: (see page 64)  Hundreds of subdivisions later  Born into caste for life  Determined whom you could marry, what work you did

When they (the gods) divided the Man, Into how many parts did they divide him? What was his mouth, what were his arms, What were his thighs and feet called? The Brahman was his mouth, Of his arms was made the warrior, His thighs became the vaisya Of his feet the sudra was born.

Why might the caste of the Brahmins (priests) have been associated with the mouth? What effects would a rigid caste system have on a society?

Untouchables Outside the Caste System Considered most impure because of their work: Butchers Gravediggers Collectors of trash Those who wash clothes “polluted” by blood or human waste Leatherworker Clean latrines Remove dead animals from roads Sweep gutters Cremate dead There are 160 million Untouchables in India today or 1 out of every 6 Indians. (National Geographic June 2003)

Aryans Kingdoms Arise Aryans extend settlements to other river valleys Small kingdoms arise Epic Mahabharata Indian epic of war, princely honor, love, and social duty Reflects struggles of Aryan s they try to control lands Story of a great war between cousins in Aryan society for control of the kingdom 106,000 verses 10x longer than Iliad and Odyssey Most famous part is the Bhagavad Gita

“He who thinks this Self [eternal spirit] to be a slayer, and he who thinks this Self to be slain, are both without discernment; the Soul slays not, neither is it slain.... But if you will not wage this lawful battle, then will you fail your own [caste] law and your honor, and incur sin.... The people will name you with dishonor; and to a man of fame dishonor is worse than death.” KRISHNA, speaking in the Bhagavad Gita