THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS Chapter 1, Section 1 Glencoe World History Modern Times
Ancient Mesopotamia Main Idea: In ancient Mesopotamia, city-states elaborated the concept of the law code and divine kingship First civilizations were born near rivers in four areas Mesopotamia Egypt India China What makes a civilization? (Much debate!) Geography Population Tradition/customs Food/Goods Surplus (trade) State Systems Urban Centers Social Stratification Accumulated learning State Religion Monumental Art Specialized Occupations The city-states of Mesopotamia Cities which had control of surrounding countryside Topography made city-states vulnerable to invasion Some fought over resources & others merged to form empires
Q1 Empire of Hammurabi Based in Babylon Gained empire through divide & conquer by well-disciplined army Claimed himself sun of Babylon, the king who made the four corners of the world subservient Creator of earliest law code that is preserved Code of Hammurabi 282 laws Strict justice with severe consequences No account of motive or accidental circumstances eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth Penalties differed among classes Many laws focused on family Arranged marriages that were contractual Patriarchal Women s duties were in the home Husband could divorce or harshly punish wife Father could rule children severely
Egypt & Divine Kingship Main idea: The divinity of the pharaoh and religious belief contributed to the long life of Egyptian culture One of the oldest civilizations in the world, built on the Nile River Nile flooded at regular intervals Farmers could plan Provided irrigation for crops Led to security and stability Egypt s Three Kingdoms Old Kingdom Monarchs of many titles, most common was pharaoh Kingship thought to be divine & pharaoh was equal to deities Part of universal order Obedience to Pharaoh helped maintain prosperity Something to think about.. If obedience to Pharaoh helped maintain prosperity, then who was blamed when times were bad?
Middle Kingdom Ended around 1652 BC by invasion Hyksos people drove horse-drawn chariots Egyptians possessed donkey carts Egyptians learned to make war chariots & bronze weapons Drove Hyksos out, leading to New Kingdom Built empire Considered most powerful state in Southwest Asia Grew too big and could not maintain frontiers Collapsed from invading Sea Peoples (Aegean Sea) 1085BC Q2
The Israelites Main idea: Key beliefs of Judaism that became important to the West developed during ancient times History of the Israelites Israel Established under King David Capital was Jerusalem Solomon expanded government and building the temple Symbol for their religion and the kingdom itself Tribes of Solomon divided after his death Israel Judah Both experienced invasion, those of Judah survived Became known as Jews Judaism became term for their religion Survived as a people without a state Maintained identity through faith
Spiritual Dimensions of Israel- Identity of the Jews, Foundation for Western beliefs Monotheistic Yahweh Creator & Ruler of the world All people were His servants, whether or not it was/is understood Above everything in nature, rather than in nature Differed from other religions Markers of the Western tradition Humans are separate from nature & must struggle against it Humans have particular relationship to a Supreme Being These beliefs not prominent in Eastern civilizations Jewish ideas can be traced in 3 aspects of their religion Covenant Law Given to Moses God would guide them if contract was followed Prophets Religious teachers 900-500BC Provided ideals for social justice Q3
Ancient India Main idea: Hinduism became a conservative force in Indian society that has lasted to this day This civilization developed in fertile Indus River valley Known as Indus or Harappan civilization Advanced Well planned cities w/piped water supply & bathrooms Bathing & washing important to religion Believed to have ended via internal problems/perhaps flood Aryans -1500 BC Dominated most of the subcontinent Use of metal tipped spears Used distinct social hierarchies called the Four Varnas Priestly class, the Brahmins (highest class) Warriors, Kshatriyas (ku-sha-tree-yuhs) Commoners, Vaisyas (VYSH-yuhz) Peasants, Sudras (SHOO-druhz)
Ancient India- The Caste System Social and religious discrimination Based on occupation and extended family networks Born into social station Difficult to escape due to belief about religious purity Higher castes had higher religious purity Lower castes considered polluted Untouchables were seen as most polluted and not included in caste Given menial, degrading tasks that were not accepted by other Indians Required to tap 2 sticks together so others could move away from them Benefit is considered sense of order in chaotic time Modern government trying to eliminate, old tradition difficult to penetrate-esp. in rural areas Q4
Hinduism India was home to two world religions Hinduism Derived from Aryan religion, but included many other beliefs Stressed the Brahman Single force, ultimate reality If individual self, Atman, sought to know Brahman, then he would merge with Brahman after death Reincarnation 6 th Century Reborn into another form after death Karma refers to belief in what one does in this life affects future life Justifies caste system
Buddhism Siddhartha Gautama A.K.A. Buddha Thousands of devoted followers, still practiced Claimed to be awakened Concepts Dukkha Suffering: caused by the clinging & craving of things of this life Can be overcome through Nirvana Rebirth Liberation State of awakening, bliss
Ancient China Main idea: The lessons of Confucius influenced basic Chinese attitudes of deference and loyalty to family Zhou Dynasty Political belief that a ruler was ruler because Heaven had given him a mandate Mandate from Heaven Invasion or economic crisis could allow people to doubt mandate & withdraw support Family core of society Father head of household with high position Devotion to family and ancestors resulted in stable society Confucius- Confucuianism Philosopher who traveled length of China Lived during time of great confusion rival armies constantly fighting Sought to answer moral question: How do we restore order to our society? Acting morally, people naturally good Every person could acquire knowledge & virtue Obedience to superiors