Ancient World: Civilizations and Religions 4000 BC – 500 AD Unit 1 Review Ancient World: Civilizations and Religions 4000 BC – 500 AD

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations Early People – Hungers/gatherers & the Neolithic Revolution Paleolithic people were hunter-gatherers. Had to travel to find food; this means that they were nomads. After the last Ice Age, people began to learn to grow crops (agriculture aka farming). Also learned to domesticate (or breed and control) animals. Results: people could stay in one place, villages and civilizations were created. This time period is the Neolithic Revolution. “Revolution” means change!

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations Ancient Egypt Rose around the Nile River, which made the land very fertile. Polytheistic, meaning they worshipped many gods. The most powerful people in society were pharaohs. Writing system = heiroglyphics, and they built temples, pyramids, and other monuments.

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations Mesopotamia (aka the Fertile Crescent) Means land between two rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates. Rivers allowed people to water crops, drink, feed animals, travel, etc. Most early civilizations developed in river valleys because the climate and geography favored agriculture.

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations Sumeria First civilization in Mesopotamia. People lived in city-states, raised cattle, and farmed. The Sumerians invented many things: The first written language, called cuneiform. The wheel, reservoirs to store water (IRRIGATION – watering crops), the library

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations Babylonia and Hammurabi Hammurabi = an important leader of the Babylonians, on the Euphrates River. He wrote Hammurabi’s Code Made it easy for people to understand the laws and punishments for breaking laws. Principle of retaliation – “an eye for an eye”, etc.

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations India Ancient Indian civilizations started in the Indus River Valley, which allowed the means for irrigation and transportation and had fertile soil. The two cities that developed in the Indus River Valley were Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Very advanced; built roads and temples. Urban planning: cities werecarefully planned in a grid pattern.

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations China Early civilizations developed in the Yellow River Valley (aka Huang He River Valley). Mountains and deserts naturally isolated it from other areas.

Unit 1, Section 1: Early Peoples & River Valley Civilizations Bantu Migration in Africa Largest movement of people in human history – mainly from North/West to South/East part of Africa Took place in phases over hundreds of years CAUSES: Find land for farming & grazing, population increased and put pressure on agriculture EFFECTS: different groups clashed, spread of Bantu language, cultures blending = cultural diffusion!

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations China – Dynastic cycle (Zhou, Han) Mandate of Heaven– rulers claimed that they got their power from the gods. **JUST LIKE DIVINE RIGHT OF EUROPEAN ABSOLUTE RULERS**. The rise and fall of dynasties is called the dynastic cycle. Qin Dynasty – united China, best known for building Great Wall of China, which was built to keep out invaders. Leader = Shi Huangdi. Han Dynasty – Confucianism was a model for proper behavior in society. People had to take civil service exams for government jobs. Built many roads like the Romans. Silk Road was used for trade with the West. Invented paper, the compass, and the junk (a ship).

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations India – Aryans and Mauryan Empire Around 1750 BC, nomadic warriors called Aryans conquered the Indus Valley. **The lasting impact of the Aryans was the CASTE SYSTEM**, a set of categories based on social class that determined a person’s job and on their position in society. Caste system = LACK OF SOCIAL MOBILITY (ability to move from one social class to another). Your position in society is based on what family you are BORN INTO. Ashoka = important ruler of Mauryan Empire (religious tolerance).

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations Ancient Greece Greece has an archipelago, which means it has a chain of islands. The land is very mountainous. This made travel and communication difficult in ancient times, so isolated city-states developed, each with their own culture. The climate is very nice, which promoted an outdoor lifestyle.

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations   ATHENS SPARTA GOVERNMENT Direct democracy (people participated in decision making) Oligarchy EDUCATION New ideas, prepare for role in government Military training, obedience to Sparta very important CULTURE Valued the arts, Philosophers, artists, scientists, encouraged thinking & expression All individual expression discouraged, did not value the arts **Alexander the Great – Spread Hellenistic culture, which was like Greek, but had new ideas. The blending of ideas and cultures is called cultural diffusion.

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations Rome Republican government – Twelve Tables was written legal code. Census aqueducts sewers Roads Amphitheatres Concrete

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations POLITICAL SOCIAL MILITARY ECONOMIC Military interference Empire divided into East and West   People not interested in public affairs Low confidence in empire Lack of patriotism Growing gap between rich and poor Threat from northern tribes Lack of funds Mercenaries No loyalty/ patriotism Pirates/hostile tribes Poor harvests Gap between rich and poor

Unit 1, Section 2 – Classical Civilizations Trade Routes The Silk Road was used to trade items from China, especially silk, with Middle Eastern and Western Civilizations like the Roman Empire. *Cultural diffusion!* The Mediterranean Sea was also an important trade route for Europe, Africa & Asia.

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Animism Belief that every living and nonliving thing has a spirit Belief system of very early people in some Chinese and African civilizations

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Shinto Worship of kami, or spirits found in all living and nonliving things (like animism!) Traditional Japanese religion

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Hinduism – Belief in the caste system! Polytheistic (many gods), but one unifying spirit – Brahman Reincarnation – rebirth of a soul into another form of life Karma – all the deeds in a person’s life that affect their existence in the next life Sacred text: Vedas, Mahabharata (Bhagavad Gita) Dharma – Moral and religious duties expected of a person

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Buddhism – Does not believe in caste system! Founder Siddhartha Gautama became the “Enlightened One”, or Buddha Central philosophy: Four Noble Truths There is suffering Cause of suffering is DESIRE Solution is to eliminate suffering To reach NIRVANA, follow the Eightfold Path

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Buddhism Ultimate goals is NIRVANA, or union with the universe and release from the cycle of reincarnation. Reach this by following the Eightfold Path. Nonviolence

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Belief Systems of China Confucianism – way of life and behavior taught by Confucius. The Five Relationships are a code of behavior that determined who had authority over the other person. Filial piety (duty and respect that children owed their parents). Harmony in society could be achieved if everyone behaved properly – “Do unto others…” like Golden Rule in Judaism/Christianity.

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Legalism – Authoritarian political philosophy that said that people were naturally bad and needed a strong ruler to keep them in line. Rejected Confucianism. Harsh laws. *Like Hammurabi’s Code!** Daoism – Philosophy – not a religion. Compassion, moderation, humility important. Goal is to become one with the Dao (force of universe) by letting nature take its course. Freedom for people, less government.

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems Major Monotheistic religions – all ask their followers to follow a code of behavior and ethical code of conduct.

Unit 1, Section 3 – Belief Systems