Unit One: Lecture 1.4 Ancient Religions

Elaborate/Explain: Why war and conflict are important throughout World History. A.C.E.S QUESTION

 What is a Government?  What is a Republic?  What is Anarchy?  What is the relationship between the Dynastic Cycle and the Mandate of Heaven?  Define Religion in your own words? KNIGHT’S CHARGE

WEIRD DISNEY FACT OF THE DAY! Snow White was 14 years old (yeah, your age) when she met her prince and lived “happily ever after.” So cute. Yeah…He was 26.

Polytheism: The belief in TWO or MORE gods. Poly = Many THE 2 MAIN TYPES OF RELIGION

Monotheism: The belief in ONE god. Mono = One THE 2 MAIN TYPES OF RELIGION

We know that people began to believe in religion at the point where they began to bury their dead. This, at least, indicated a belief in some sort of “afterlife.” START?

The earliest known religion that scholars can agree on is called Animism. Animism = The belief that spirits reside inside of objects, animals, and dreams….Spooky…. Often, each village would have a “main spirit” represented by some sort of animal Began in Central Africa. EARLY RELIGIONS

Religion then spread rapidly into North Africa…Especially Egypt. Egyptians were Polytheistic and believed in MANY gods. In fact, they believed that there was a god that represented most natural event. EARLY RELIGIONS

Egyptians took human burial a step further with mummification. Mummification – The process of preserving a dead body, which keeps it from rotting. This is a VERY HIGH form of respect. EARLY RELIGIONS

The idea of mummification was that it would prepare the deceased for the afterlife. They would “bury” (sometimes in the ground, sometimes in tombs) them with their belongings (possessions, animals, slaves, friends, …family) EARLY RELIGIONS

The Pharaohs and very rich were buried in…. EARLY RELIGIONS

The Pyramids EGYPTIAN BURIAL BELIEFS

Religion showed up in a very different way in India. Hinduism (Polytheist) was created and left a lasting mark on the world. EARLY RELIGIONS

Brahman – Spiritual power that surpassed the other gods and resided in all things. Everyone needs to reach their essential self, or Atman, by achieving Moksha. Moksha – The ultimate goal, union, or becoming one with Brahman. HINDUISM

Most people cannot do this in one lifetime. Thus, Hindu’s believe in reincarnation. Reincarnation – The process of rebirth. HINDUISM

Karma – The natural force that binds the universe (what goes around comes around). Dharma – Religious rules and duties of people. One can come closer to Moksha by following the laws of Karma. To have good Karma, you must practice Dharma – your religious rules and moral duties. HINDUISM

 Dharma was based on a Caste System  A Caste System is a social hierarchy.  Levels:  1. Brahmins – Priests  2. Kshatriyas – Warriors  3. Vaisyas – herders, artisans, merchants  4. Sudras – Farmers, servants  5. Dalits (untouchables) – did the work no one else would do CASTE SYSTEM

Buddhism would also rise out of India! Buddhism was started by a living man named Siddhartha Gautama. He was an Indian prince that ran away from his family to live a life of poverty. BUDDHISM

Buddhism emphasizes: -Meditation -Poverty -Ahimsa = Non Violence -Nirvana = Enlightenment, the ultimate goal Buddhism is neither Polytheistic or Monotheistic. They do not believe in gods, but rather becoming one with the universe and achieving Nirvana. BUDDHISM

Following the EIGHTFOLD PATH: 1.Right views 2.Right aspirations 3.Right speech 4.Right conduct 5.Right livelihood 6.Right effort 7.Right mindfulness 8.Right contemplation BUDDHISM

Ancient China would also create a religion called Confucianism. Confucius was a government worker in China who created a religion based on duties in society. He believed in the Five Relationships and in Filial Piety. Filial Piety – Respect for your parents! Yin/Yang – Delicate balance between good and evil. CONFUCIANISM

Five Relationships: 1.Ruler and Subject 2.Father and Son 3.Elder brother and Younger brother 4.Husband and Wife 5.Friend and Friend If any of these relationships break down or “forget their place” then society begins to fall apart. CONFUCIANISM

Developed their own Polytheistic religions. These religions had many gods and myths that were used to explain natural phenomenon (instead of science) Why did it storm? A god is pissed. Later…..Christianity will also start in Rome…but that is for another day. GREECE AND ROME