Who are the 6 Civilizations?

Babylonians of the Fertile Crescent (written bw BCE) Indo-Aryans of Ancient India (Rigveda, 600 BCE) Israelites (first read 444 BCE) Zhou of China (Yijing 1000 BCE) though part we read is in warring states period (300 BCE) Maya (written down before classical period in 250 CE, though our translation is from after colonial contact) Japanese (Kojiki 712 CE)

Big Themes Connection between Religious Authority and Political Authority – As political power increased (from localized to dynastic states), we see political power associated with religious beliefs and practices The Power of Writing – The ability to read and write gave scribes status and power. – Writing has power because a scribe the ability to mold together oral traditions Important religious texts reflect and inform religious beliefs/worldview

Babylonians Intro to Babylonian Writing and Culture Background of Mesopotamian Religion – Urban Gods – Gods and Empires – Politics/Religion Intertwine – More on Mesop belief system to come…

Indo-Aryans Aryan Migration/Invastion Oral Traditions Vedic Texts The Caste System Brahmanism

Indo-Aryans Aryan Migration/Invastion Oral Traditions Vedic Texts The Caste System Brahmanism

Priests Warriors/Rulers Merchants Peasants

China Shang/Zhou China Shang  Zhou Religion Divination Writing and Power

Hebrews Who are the Jews? Hebrew Language What’s in the Torah? Oral Tradition and the Authorship of the Torah Themes – A book that creates identity – Move towards Monotheism – A focus on Ethics

Maya Background on Maya Civilization – Shift to Agriculture – Group of City-States – Classical Period Mayan Religion – Cosmology/Worldview – Gods – Religion and Political Power – Popular Beliefs – Blood

Maya, Continued Mayan Ball Game – Enclosures found in Mayan Cities – Entertainment? Religious? – Winners and Losers – Reenactment of Myth Writing System – Combo of Ideographic/Pictographic – Status of Scribes – Remnants – Popul Vuh

Japanese Background on Shinto: Indigenous Religion of Japan – Animism – Kami – Shamans Political Structure and Shinto – Initially Divided – Consolidation of Power – Power of Emperor Kojiki – Oral tradition – Korean/Chinese Influence – Substance

Big Themes Connection between Religious Authority and Political Authority – As political power increased (from localized to dynastic states), we see political power associated with religious beliefs and practices The Power of Writing – The ability to read and write gave scribes status and power. – Writing has power because a scribe the ability to mold together oral traditions Important religious texts reflect and inform religious beliefs/worldview