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“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” What does the quote mean? What is its purpose? Why would this be considered an acceptable action? Is this justice? Warm-up:
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Mesopotamia Egypt India China Born near rivers Had cities, writing, law codes, divine kingship Not in the Western world (still cavemen) First Civilizations
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Ancient Mesopotamia
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City-states: cities which had control of the surrounding countryside Fought each other for control of resources (i.e. land and water) Flat land = vulnerable to invasion Fighting led to empire-building Ancient Mesopotamia
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Hammurabi 1792 B.C. – Empire of Hammurabi Well-disciplined army of foot soldiers Divide and conquer enemies “the sun of Babylon, the king who has made the four quarters of the world subservient” Built temples, defensive walls, irrigation canals Trade and economic revival Created the earliest law code that has been preserved
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Collection of 282 laws, based on strict justice Keep order, prevent conflict Severe penalties retaliation No equality of individuals Penalties differed among social classes Importance of family: arranged marriages, marriage contracts Patriarchal – dominated by men Obedience Covers almost every aspect of people’s lives Code of Hammurabi
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In groups, read your list of laws What are they regulating? Who are they written for? What are the consequences? Do they fit the crimes? Are the laws equal for all society? Check it out
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Egypt and Divine Kingship
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Founded along the Nile Floods often, built irrigation system 3 major periods of long-term stability: strong leadership, freedom from invasion, building of pyramids, great cultural activity Chaotic government and foreign invasion between the periods Old Kingdom: Pharaohs ruled through divine right, polytheistic Middle Kingdom: Hykosos invaded with horse-drawn chariots, learned to make bronze weapons and chariots New Kingdom: Empire Egypt and Divine Kingship
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New Centers of Civilization: The Israelites
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The spiritual heritage of the Israelites is a basic pillar of Western civilization Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam King Solomon rules as Israelites took over Palestine, Jerusalem became the capital Israel split into Israel and Judah Jews practicing Judaism Jews became stateless Religion helped maintain their identity when they didn’t have a state The Israelites
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Monotheistic one god called Yahweh, creator and ruler of the world Above everyone in nature Watched over his creature Punished for wrongdoing, but merciful Sin Jewish beliefs are markers of Western tradition: Humans are separate from and struggle against nature Have a particular relationship to a Supreme Being, who watches over them Covenant (contract with Moses), law (social justice) and the prophets (religious teachers) Gives all people access to God’s wishes The Israelites
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Ancient India
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Established in the Indus River valley Aryans dominated by creating a distinct social structure Ranks people from high to low into varnas (“color”) discrimination
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Based on occupation and family networks Beliefs about religious purity Higher caste = greater religious purity Remain in same caste for life Untouchables not part of caste system Given menial tasks, like collecting trash and handling dead bodies Gave a sense of order during chaotic times Caste System
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Single force, or ultimate reality in the universe, the Brahman If the individual self, the Atman, seeks to know the Brahman in this life, the self would merge with the Brahman after death Reincarnation, after death the soul is reborn in another form Achieve union after many deaths Karma, what a person does in one life affects their future life, moving closer to the Brahman Support the caste system Hinduism
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Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama tried to achieve wisdom by seeing the world in a new way Known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”
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Ancient China
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Zhou Dynasty laid the foundations for today’s China “Mandate from Heaven” political belief that a ruler was the ruler because Heaven gave him a mandate Mandate command, authorization Family is the core of society Patriarchal Devotion to family and one’s ancestors Stable, yet conservative, society Han Dynasty extended Chinese borders Ancient China
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Philosopher who traveled all throughout China How do we restore order to our society? (chaotic times) Wanted to know how to act morally in the real world People are naturally good, and can acquire knowledge and virtue Need virtuous leaders to show the way Obedience to superiors Sayings influence Chinese culture Confucius
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