Aim: What was the relationship between “civilizations” and pastoralists? Pastoralists as a motive force in history

What is the connection between the countryside and “civilization?” Cities “are” civilization Countryside: –What are the benefits of civilization? –Otherwise: taxation and tribute; empowerment of elite landholders –What do peasants want most of all? Land - thus, peasant rebellions “Encounters with strangers and neighbors were only occasional and seldom brought anything new to local attention that required or invited changes in existing habits.”

What is the connection between pastoralist nomads and civilization? “The pure nomad is the poor nomad.” Pastoralists want stuff – through trade, plunder, conquest Pastoral peoples in contact with areas of civilization – trade of animal products for craft goods, conduits of information Kings placate pastoralists through trade, by buying them off and by shows of strength.

What is the connection between pastoralist nomads and civilization? When kings are weak or climate is bad for grazing, pastoralists plunder and run away When things get even worse, they plunder and then conquer

Climactic disruptions of the early 2nd Millenium BCE leads to… Egypt – the Hyksos Mesopotamia – the Babylonians India – the Aryans Exception: Shang China – not a pastoral group, as far as we know This will be a constant theme until the 16 th or 17 th century CE – why?

Pastoralist invasion will be a constant theme until the 16 th or 17 th century CE – why? Pastoralists have horses – makes them dangerous; every pastoralist is a potential soldier Pastoralists want stuff – through trade, plunder, conquest What problems do pastoralists face once they have conquered?

What is the “skill set” necessary to conquer a kingdom to rule a kingdom?

Climactic disruptions of the late 2nd Millenium BCE + a technological revolution leads to… Egypt – the Sea People Mesopotamia – the Assyrians and later, the Persians China – the Zhou

window.html?pid=822 The Iron Age

Results of Iron Age Conquests “Democratizes” agriculture, industry, war; commoners could acquire plows, tools, weapons Empires grow in size as larger armies become possible “Political unification creates intercourse (interaction)” A “universal” language of trade: Aramaic (later: Latin, Arabic, Mandarin, French, English)