SSWH 1 The student will analyze the origins, structures, and interactions of complex societies in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean from 3500 BCE to 500 BCE

What is Civilization? A complex culture with 5 characteristics: 1. advanced cities 2. specialized workers 3. complex institutions 4. record keeping 5. advanced technology

Why did Civilizations Form? Humans changed from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agriculture-based lifestyle. Neolithic Revolution

River Valley Systems

Why Settle in a River Valley? Seasonal flooding leaves rich soil for agriculture Irrigation provided continuous water, even in dry seasons Some river systems are great for transportation

Tigris-Euphrates River Valleys Mesopotamia Eastern part of the Fertile Crescent- strip of fertile land that stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.

Who lived in Mesopotamia? Sumerians (3000 B.C.E.) City-States City & the surrounding land.

Sumerian Government Each city-state had its own gov’t. Theocracy Religious leader and political leader the same person. Rulers seen as a representative of the gods.

Believed in an unhappy afterlife. Sumerian Religion Polytheism Belief in MANY gods Believed in an unhappy afterlife. River flooding

Mesopotamian Empire Empire- Babylonian Empire Political unit in which a number of peoples or countries are controlled by one ruler. Babylonian Empire Capital at Babylon on Euphrates River. Relied on trade b/c lack of natural resources

Sumerian Writing Cuneiform Wedge shapes pressed into wet clay.

Hammurabi’s Code Organized Mesopotamian laws into a uniform code.

Nile River Valley Egypt Trade up and down Nile easily River flooded regularly

Egyptian Government Theocracy Pyramids Kings WERE gods. Pharaohs Built as tombs for the pharaohs.

Egyptian Religion Polytheistic Believed in a positive afterlife. Mummification

Egyptian Empire Bronze weapons and chariots = conquerors conquer more lands = stimulates trade and cultural diffusion

Egyptian Writing Hieroglyphics Picture symbols

Egyptian Writing Rosetta Stone Found 1799 allowed scientists to decipher hieroglyphics.

Let’s Compare Mesopotamia and Egypt Similarities Differences

Phoenicians Sea traders on the Mediterranean Sea Traded all around continent of Africa Alphabet Needed a way to record transactions used and adopted by those that traded with them (cultural diffusion) Alphabet was phonetic each symbol represents a sound

Zoroastrianism Persian prophet named Zoroaster Monotheistic Belief in ONE god: Ahura Mazda Earth seen as battleground between good & evil A person was judged on how one fought for good

Ahura Mazda

Judaism Hebrews, or Jews, originate in Mesopotamia Abraham Monotheistic- Yahweh Torah Sacred text that contains stories and ethical laws of Judaism 10 Commandments

Judaism Center of Religion Personal relationship with God (covenant). Goal Go to Heaven after death Social issues Men head of household Women had few legal rights

Judaism Prayer 3x a day (individual or communal) Sabbath (Holy Day) Sundown Friday night until dark Saturday night