2.0 -River Valley Civilizations Flashcards
2.1 - River Valley =
Importance of River Valleys
(Major Civilizations)
River Valley = low-lying land formed by flowing water.
-Offers fresh water for drinking.
-Source of food.
-Fertile soil for farming.
-Easily defended location.
Stimulated agriculture – led to the first civilizations
2.1 - What is the Fertile Crescent
Major Civilizations
= Arc of farmable land from Persian Gulf to Mediterranean Sea.
-Hebrews = between Mediterranean and Jordan River Valley.
-Phoenicians = Mediterranean Coast
Mesopotamia = Tigris and Euphrates River Valleys.
-Part of Fertile Crescent
2.1 - Where are the civilizations located?
Major Civilizations
Egypt = Nile River Valley and Delta
India = Indus River Valley
China = Huang He (Yellow) River Valley
2.1 - When did most of these civilizations exist?
Major Civilizations
Most of these early civilizations existed between 3500 BC and 500 BC.
2.2 - Location
Mesopotamia
Between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
It is in modern day Iraq.
2.2 - Who were the Sumerians?
(Government)
(Mesopotamia)
They were an ancient civilization that lived in independent city-states.
2.2 - Who was Sargon of Akkad?
(Government)
(Mesopotamia)
Sargon of Akkad was the first ruler of united Mesopotamia.
Hammurabi of Babylon = Created first written law code.
Assyrians and Chaldeans - extended empires throughout all of Fertile Crescent and parts of Egypt
2.2 - What is polytheism?
What are Ziggurats?
(Religion)
(Mesopotamia)
Poltheism = believed in many gods
-Believed it was their duty to keep gods happy
-Ceremonies, rituals, animal sacrifices
Ziggurats = temples built for the gods
-Most important building in city
-Homes of gods
-Only priests allowed inside - cared for gods
2.2 - Contributions
Mesopotamia
Sumerians = first written language (Cuneiform)
-Based on symbols and pictograms
-Carved in to clay tablets with stylus
-Scribes learned to read and write
First to put wheels on carts
Math system based on 60
-Divided a circle into 360 degrees
-Divided a year into 12 months
Babylonians: first written law code (Code of Hammurabi)
2.3 - Location
Phoenicians
Originated in Phoenicia
Established colonies around Mediterranean
2.3 - Contributions
Phoenicians
Expert sailors and shipbuilders
Great trade network
-Ivory carvings, glass bottles and beads
-Purple dye
-Lumber
First letter alphabet – 22 letters
Spread culture and alphabet through trade
2.4 - Who was Abraham?
The Hebrews
= FIrst leader of Hebrews
-“Father of Judaism”
2.4 - Hebrews in Slavery
The Hebrews
The Hebrews migrated to Egypt to escape famine. They were then forced into slavery.
2.4 - Moses
The Hebrews
Moses led the Hebrews on exodus from Egypt. They later settled in Canaan (Fertile Crescent).
2.4 - What is the Capital?
Hebrew
The capital is Jerusalem.
2.4 - What is Diaspora?
Judaism
Diaspora is the scattering of Jewish people from their homeland.
2.4 - Major Beliefs of Judaism
Judaism
Monotheistic = believed in ONE god
Covenant = agreement between God and Hebrews
Holy book = Torah
Law Code = Ten Commandments
-Given to Moses by God
-Established high standard of morality
2.4 - Major Beliefs of Judaism
Judaism
Language = Hebrew
Spread by exile and Diaspora
2.5 - Location
Egypt
Nile River Valley and Delta
Delta = area of fertile land at the mouth of the river
2.5 - Government
Egypt
Pharaoh = Egyptian ruler
-God-Kings (human forms of gods)
Pyramids = Tombs for pharaohs and their families
2.5 - Religion
Egypt
Polytheistic = believed in many gods
-Closely tied to daily life
-Amon-Ra (God of the Sun) = most powerful god
Believed in afterlife – exactly like life on earth
-Mummified bodies to preserve for afterlife
2.5 - Contributions
Egypt
Written language = Hieroglyphics
-Written on papyrus scrolls
Rosetta Stone helped us translate Egyptian writing
Obelisks = tall pointed pillars
-Carved with hieroglyphics and pictures
Math = system of weights and measurements (cubits)
2.6 - Social Pattern
Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations
Hereditary rulers (kings, pharaohs)
Rigid class structure
-Slavery was accepted2.6 - Political Patterns
Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations
First states (city-states, kingdoms, empires)
Centralized governments
-Based on religious authority
Written law codes
-Code of Hammurabi (Babylon)
-Ten Commandments (Hebrews)2.6 - Economic Patterns
Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations
Use of metal = better tools and weapons
-Led to an agricultural surplus
Increased trade led to development of cities and slavery
2.6 - Religious Patterns
Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations
Most early civilizations were polytheistic (many gods)
Hebrews = only monotheistic group (Judaism)
2.6 - Language & Writing
Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations
Pictograms = earliest written symbols
-Pictures and symbols that represent words and sounds
Cuneiform (Sumer)
Hieroglyphics (Egypt)
Alphabet (Phoenicians)
