What does it mean to be civilized? civilized Are Humans confused????Humans

EARLY RIVER CIV’S 3500B.C B.C. Chapters 2&3

THE 5 TRAITS THAT DEFINE A CIVILIZATION Growth of cities- by 3000b.c. Sumerians built a dozen fairly functional cities (Uruk, Lagash, and Umma-most pop.) Specialized workers- Artisans, Scribes, Priests, Potters, Metalworkers, and Weavers were most prominent Writing- Cuneiform (Q-NAY-I-FORM) originally used by priests to keep track of merchandise that was later adopted amidst the region. Advanced Technology- The Wheel, Plow, & Sailboat all propelled Sumerian civilization. (oldest wheel carbon dated at 5500 years) Metal working- copper and bronze used for tools and weaponry. Complex Institutions- Government and religion (1 st to set up formal Government with officials and laws

THE FERTILE CRESCENT Best farming land in S.W. Asia Fed by-Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Created great flood plain

Mesopotamia “Land between two rivers” (Greek origin) Sumerians were those who actually lived in the region. Not 1 st settlement but 1 st where 5 traits together…. WHAT COULD BE SOME POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IN THIS REGION?

Quick review The two major rivers that fed Mesopotamia were…. Tigris & Euphrates The name “Mesopotamia” is Greek in origin, meaning… Land between two rivers…

Class Structure/Downfall Kings and Priests= highest Wealthy merchants Workshop and field hands Slaves=lowest Many cities having inner battles Lack of unification of major cities created a weakened region Outsiders use Sumer’s inner battles against them and attacked most cities leaving them in ruins!

Religion of the region Poly-theistic (belief in many gods) –Sumerians viewed gods as “life like” and imitating human life.

“Peculiar” monotheism Monotheism= belief in one god Zoroastrianism- one of first monotheistic belief systems (Persia) Jews (Hebrews) “Yahweh” was their god of protection –drought drove migrations to Egypt for Nile Egyptians originally temperate of the newcomers but began resenting them (RELIGION) and later enslavement. Moses led Jews out of Egypt around 1300b.c. –10 Commandments on Mt Sinai is code of Moral Conduct for the Faith.

Quick review Was it more common for people of this time period to believe in one or many gods? Many Gods –POLYTHEISM

Phoenicians Neighbors of the Sumerians –Known as “Carriers of the Culture”… Byblos, Sidon and *Tyre were in great competition for the trading of the region –* The Alpha city…. Cedar- used/traded for shipbuilding Snails were crushed for their purple dye…Murex snails= Tyrian Purple 10,000 snails to dye a robe

Writing Phoenicians needed simple way to keep records Cuneiform symbols reached 600….to many Phoenicians simplified into 22 working symbols ?connection? Greeks & Romans (+ 4) symbols creating modern day alphabet… –ABCDEF……Z –Also known as “Phonetic Alphabet” Simplified writing made understanding easier for masses

Quick review Phoenicians were known as… –“Carriers of the culture” Our modern day alphabet is known as the _____________ alphabet derived from the Phoenicians… –Phonetic Alphabet

Iron Age b.c.- Bronze widely used ~1200b.c. Hittites (Anatolia) –iron into its purest form for weaponry (smelting). Iron harder than Bronze/more common/Cheaper This use of iron paved the way for “ Age of Empires”

Transitional Monday we will begin on the other river valley civilizations…. What are the 5 traits to define a civilization? The Fertile Crescent can be named by other names. _________ & _________ Since todays focus was writing and communication, take an opportunity to write your name in the Glyphs of Egypt.