Unit 1 Overview and Discussion

The Calendar: Time B.C. – before Christ = B.C.E. – before the common era A.D. – anno domini = C.E-common era

Time Line 2000 B.C.E B.C.E. 500 B.C.E C.E C.E C.E. If something occurred in 2000 BCE, it took place 4012 years ago.

Neolithic revolution Agricultural societies emerge – Led to economic, social, and political organization – Rose independently throughout the world What was the effect of the revolution? Permanent settlement was formed to ensure dependable food supply Population boom

What is a civilization Society with high levels of culture and social organization – Formal states, writing, cities, trade, etc Where did the first civilization emerge? Began in the Middle East 10,000 BCE Along river valleys (3500 BCE) What contributes to the development of civilization? Specialization of labor (steady supply of food allows other people to build, invent, create tools, art, govt. etc

Birth of Civilization Prehistoric People

Evolution’s Theory…

Controversy… Evolution Vs Creation Charles Darwin’s Theory of evolution creates controversy! Why? Challenged human origin Many considered this to be offensive, atheistic, blasphemous

Ancient Civilizations The Fertile Crescent

MAPS

Fertile Crescent - “Crossroads to the world?” Also known as Mesopotamia Trade brought cultural diffusionTrade brought cultural diffusion

Mesopotamia Climate: Unpredictable flooding No geographical barriers

SOCIAL STRUCTURE There were three distinct classes: – the large landholders, royalty, priests, and merchants – dependent farmers (most people) and artisans and workmen – Slaves was not economically crucial not an inherited condition Men held authority over women and children Women had legal rights; some engaged in trade and owned property.

Economy Barter Economy - Example? Ziggurat Each had its own ziggurat? Very Important… - Its purpose? Resting place of the gods

Religion Believed gods controlled every aspect of life. Anthropomorphic - gods possess same characteristics as man Man at the mercy of the gods

GOVERNMENT Made up of City-states with hereditary rulers. Supported by priesthood and military Ruler led army in war and enforced laws.

Writing CuneiformCuneiform -Oldest in the World -Most important contribution

The Code of Hammurabi –first major collection of laws –282+ laws –“Eye for an eye, life for life” Hammurabi Babylonian Leader B.C.E

Egypt: “The Gift of the Nile” 4,160 miles longest river in the world Predictable floodingPredictable flooding carried rich deposits of silt along with it.carried rich deposits of silt along with it. primary means of communication and transportation.primary means of communication and transportation.

Pharaoh was god on earth Menes reigned for 62 years and was killed by a hippopotamus Menes: (C BCE) The First Pharaoh

Religion in the Lives of Ancient Egyptians Gods controlled nature, especially the weather and illnessGods controlled nature, especially the weather and illness Egyptian Priest

Most Honored Egyptian Gods Major Gods: -Amon-Re (ra) Osiris Major Gods: -Amon-Re (ra) was the sun god – Most Powerful God! -Osiris was the god of the underworld and of the Nile. Isis -Isis was the most powerful mother goddess worshiped all over Egypt

Mummification –Mummify to preserve a sound body for the Ka to return to –70 day process –Improper embalming leads to second true death

Mummification

A Fateful Test… The heart of the dead was weighed against a feather if the heart weighted less he was allowed to go on Those who were viewed as sinners were fed to the crocodile-shaped eater of the dead those who were viewed as worthy entered the happy field of food.

3 Kingdoms of Egypt Old Kingdom (2700 BCE BCE) – Pharaohs organized a strong central state – Policy of isolation – Pyramid Age Middle Kingdom (2050 BCE – 1800 BCE) – Corruption and rebellion were common – Hyksos invaded and occupied the delta region ( BCE) New Kingdom (1550 BCE – 1100 BCE) – The empire will extend to its greatest size (Syria and Nubia Nubian Kingdom Meroe took control of Egypt as the twenty-fifth dynasty ( BCE) – Driven out of Egypt by the Assyrians 332 BCE Alexander of Macedon conquered Egypt – Ptolemaic Egypt Ended in 51 BCE when the Romans conquered them

Great Leaders of the New Kingdom Ramses II: most effective leader. (1279 BCE – 1213 BCE) ---What is he famous for? Pharaoh of the Exodus? The most powerful pharaoh, Ramses II expanded Egypt to the height of its power Palestine to Syria Ramses II

The Early History of the Jews Also known as the Israelites and Hebrews Their history effects relations in the Middle East today!

Genealogy Judaism Heritage Chart

The Israelites were monotheistic, believing in one true God. The Israelites believed that they were God’s “chosen people.” Judaism

Teachings on Law and Morality The laws of the Torah address all aspects of life, from cleanliness and food preparation to criminal matters.

Judaism Abraham & Isaac Moses & the 10 Commandments Torah

then vanished without a trace.The earliest Indian civilization flourished for about 1,000 years, then vanished without a trace. Indus Valley Civilization 3300–1300 BCE

Indus Valley Civilization Well-organized government Carefully planned cities Modern plumbing and sewer system  Public Bath at Harappa

Indus Valley Writing Whose writing does the Indus peoples look the most like? How could that be?

Decline and Disappearance: Indus Valley Civilization No one knows for certain why the cities were abandoned or forgotten. Scholars have proposed a number of theories: Natural disasters: A devastating earthquake destroyed the region. A volcanic eruption caused the Indus to flood the city. Aryan invaders overran the region. The Indus valley climate grew significantly cooler and drier from about 1800 BCE. A crucial factor may have been the disappearance of substantial portions of the Ghaggar Hakra river system