Early Civilizations: Mesopotamia & Egypt Unit 1, SSWH 1 a and b

Civilization’s 5 Characteristics 1.Advanced Cities 2.Specialized Workers 3.Complex Institutions 4.Record Keeping (scribe & Cuneiform) 5.Improved Technology p.19-20

Mesopotamia Location: Modern day Iraq & Iran Means: Land between 2 rivers (Tigris & Euphrates)…is located in the Fertile Cressant Ziggurat—tiered, pyramid like structure that served as the center of community (more than a temple) p

Culture: Cuneiform—Wedge Shapes…this was the writing system Epic of Gilgamesh—recorded stories of history Economy: Bartering system Cultural Diffusion—Spreading culture through trade (Obsidian Jewlery)

Politics: Priests 1 st leaders Dynasties—Lengthy ruling families City States—City which dominates region Law: Hammurabi’s Code – 282 written laws, created to unify the community (govt responsible for society) p

Religion: Foundation of Society The people worship many gods (Polytheism) Each City had its primary God of worship but all were given respect A dark bleak outlook on the afterlife…they did not make elaborate preparations

Egypt: Religion Polytheistic: believed in 2,000 + gods Ra (sun god) & Osiris (god of the dead): IMPORTANT Afterlife: prepared for it (saved money, food, clothes, etc. Pyramids: Tombs built for Pharaoh Pharaoh believed they were a god

Egypt: Politics Pharaoh: ruler of Egypt, a king Theocracy: govt based on religious belief…Pharaoh is a god & ran the country p

Monotheism, Trade, & Writing Unit 1, SSWH 1 c, d, and e

Monotheism: Belief in 1 god Founder of Judaism: Abraham Key Beliefs Hebrews: worshiped Yahweh (God) Monotheism Created a covenant (promise) Exodus from slavery (Egypt)

Sacred Writings 10 Commandments (rules that regulate behavior, influenced laws) Torah: Jewish sacred writings p Impact on Society Ethical Monotheism—moral system of belief that established norms within society

Zoroastrianism Founder: Zoroaster p. 42 Worship Ahura Mazda Earth is a battle ground, fight between good & bad Judged on how well you fought (all fight) Believe in good & bad, afterlife – similar to Christianity, Judaism, & Islam

Trade Spreads Culture Mediterranean trade connected people from all over (sea & land routes) Minoans “Good Sailors” – lived on Crete, loved the outdoors p Traded pottery, weapons, metal, art, architecture, & figurines Influenced Greece & Rome

Phoenicians “Best Sailors” – no country, lived all over (created cities where they traded) 1 st people to sail out of Med. Sea Greatest Legacy: Phonetic Alphabet/Symbols p. 34

Writing Pre-history: time period before the invention of writing Pictures: 1 st type of writing Invented to keep records (Mesopotamia) Cuneiform, Hieroglyphics, & Phonetic Symbols – early forms of writing p.33,34,54

CUNEIFORMHIEROGLYP HICS PHOENICIA N ALPHABET WHEREMESOPOT AMIA EGYPTALL OVER WHAT WRITING MATERIALS MOIST CLAY TABLETS & REEDS PAPYRUS WHY KEEP RECORDS HOW WRITING TYPES SYMBOLS – WEDGE SHAPED PICTURES REPRESENTED SOUNDS SYMBOLS REPRESENTED SOUNDS (LETTERS

Indian Leaders and Religions Unit 1, SSWH 2 a and b

Maurya Empire Chandragupta Maurya killed the king He creates empire (2,000+ miles), united north India – divided empire into 4 provinces Cruel to subjects p

Emperor Asoka Ruled for 37yrs., greatest ruler Warrior King with Army of Elephants Massacre at Kalinga causes him to convert to Buddhism Buddhist, ruled “peace to all beings” Improved road system (increased trade, communication, & travel)

Subjects treated fairly: toleration, nonviolence Fall of Empire: after his death, people fought for land & power p

Gupta Empire Created through marriage, expands through war Chandra Gupta I marries & takes title “King of Kings” creating the Empire

Chandra Gupta II expands territory and rules during the “Golden Age” of the Empire Peace Agreements are made, Trade Increase, Art and Religion flourish Hinduism primary religion Empire declines, invasions p

Hinduism No founder, collection of different beliefs Moksha (liberation from desires) Reincarnation: reborn to new lives Karma: soul’s good or bad deeds, determines new life Upanishads (text): how to achieve moksha Caste System (social class): strengthened by religion p.76-78

Pictures of Hindu Gods an_cultures/2006_plans/esnyder/h_practice_l esson_one.html an_cultures/2006_plans/esnyder/h_practice_l esson_one.html

Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama Enlightenment (wisdom): escape human suffering Reincarnation used to gain nirvana Nirvana: perfect understanding, no pain, no more reincarnations Jatakas (text): about Buddha Rejects Caste System & multiple gods of Hinduism p.79-82

Chinese Dynasties & Beliefs Unit 1, SSWH 2 c and d

Zhou Dynasty Heaven told Zhou to overthrow Shang p Controlled masses with feudalism (given land in return for loyalty) Landlords = greedy, fighting starts Lots of Technology = improved living: coined $, cast iron, roads, WRITING (allowed all people to communicate)

Qin Dynasty: Overthrow Zhou Shi Huandgi stopped fighting & invaders p All nobles forced to live in the capital Very harsh & repressive, murdered opposition Autocracy: govt based on unlimited power Created Great Wall (work or die)

Mandate of Heaven Divine approval p. 94 Heaven told Zhou to overthrow the “bad” Shang leaders Leader used it to explain why things happened: floods, rebellions, war, new dynasties

Confucius Philosopher/educator who helped fix China’s problems To restore order and harmony: need 5 basic relationships Education: Key to success – helped improve govt Created Bureaucracy: govt based on trained people p

Family Civilization based on the group, not individual Loyalty goes to family 1 st, family is the center of society Filial Piety needed: respect for parents & ancestors p.97

Greek and Roman Governments Unit 1, SSWH 3 a and b

Similarities In Greece —Social status determines participation in govt p —Early Gov’t was strong monarchies In Rome —voting Rights: Land owning male citizens —Early Gov’t was strong monarchies

Greek Polis Polis: Greek city-state fundamental political unit Origins: City-state: Greeks were isolated Early History from Homer’s Epics Trojan War—Defines Society Persian War—Unites Greeks

Greek Govt Structure: Acropolis: citizens gathered to discuss govt issues Different types of govt Athenian govt (most famous): direct democracy Democracy: a govt where the citizens control it

End of Golden Age Greece and democracy ended because of constant military defeats p Peloponnesian War—Sparta v. Athens Macedonian King invades—Phillip II (his son is Alexander)

Roman Govt Republic: govt in which power rests with citizens who have the right vote (representatives) Origins 12 Tables: written law code: all free citizens (males) were protected by the law p. 151 – 154, 165

Structure: Senate composed of Patricains (land owners) 2 Consuls (executive branch of Gov’t) 1 st Triumvirate (Crassus, Pompey, & Caesar) Triumvirate declined: Caesar & Pompey went to war Caesar becomes Dictator of Rome

Greek Philosophers Socrates: Believed that absolute standards did exist for truth & justice Wanted people to think about their values & actions p.131

Plato: Student of Socrates Believed in a perfectly governed society p. 131

Aristotle: Student of Plato Questioned the natural world, human belief, thought, & knowledge Developed: rules of logic (scientific method) Teacher of Alexander the Great p.131

Political Leaders Alexander the Great: Student of Aristotle: taught him all about Greece Conquered a large empire Established several Hellenistic (blended) societies Encouraged learning

Julius Caesar: 1 st Triumvirate (Crassus, Pompey, & Caesar) Triumvirate declined: Caesar & Pompey went to war Dictator of Rome Assassinated by Senators: Caesar had to much power p. 158

Augustus Caesar (Octavian): August means “exalted one” Avenged Julius Caesar’s death 2 nd Triumvirate (Lepidus, Mark Antony, Octavian) Most able ruler: stabilized the republic, beautified the city, enduring govt Pax Romana: peace & prosperity – 207 yrs. p

Hellenistic, Greek, & Roman Cultures Unit 1, SSWH 3 c and d p

Hellenistic Blending of cultures: Greek plus Persia, India, & Egypt (Greek PIE) Alexandria, Egypt: #1 place for trade & commerce, art, architecture, & education Science discoveries: Sun larger than Earth, planets revolve around Sun (Heliocentric), old thought Earth center of universe (Geocentric), circumference of the Earth

Greeks Law—Democracy Language—Koine (Common Greek) becomes the international Language Religion-VERY IMPORTANT, taboo if you didn’t worship/Greek gods: Lifelike (love, hate) Zeus, Hera, Athena (main gods) Legacy-foundation of Greco-Roman Culture

Romans Strength, performance, & solidarity Law: innocent, equal treatment, burden of proof accuser, punishment for actions, law flexible for interpretation Language: from Latin Gender: women had few rights, little education Legacy of Rome: Engineering, architecture, law, & language

Religions in Rome VERY IMPORTANT, taboo if you didn’t worship Roman gods: govt & religion were linked, Jupiter, Juno, Minerva (main gods)

Christianity Gospels: main source of info on Jesus (founder) Apostles spread Jesus teachings: all people embraced, hope to the powerless, promised eternal life, & offered personal relationship Good roads (open communication) helped spread message p

Fall of the Roman Empire Unit 1, SSWH 3 e p

Factors of the Collapse Economy Weak: slavery down, disrupted trade, lack of resources, high taxes, & inflation Military: Less disciplined & loyal, hired mercenaries Politics: didn’t care about the empire, lack of patriotism

Roman Empire Divided Diocletian, emperor, can’t rule the massive empire by himself Divides empire to make ruling more efficient Socially: East: wealthy Greek (Byzantium) West: poor Latin/Roman

Western Empire Collapses Germanic tribes pushed into Roman lands to flee the attack from Mongolian Huns Military wasn’t strong nor loyal enough to defend attacks