Book 1 Shorter, Chapter 2, Set 2 Flashcards
What occurred after Egypt’s New Kingdom up until the Saite Dynasty? Why was the Saite Dynasty important? (page 65)
The Third Intermediate Period (c. 1069 - 664 BCE) spanned dynasties 21 to 25 and saw a mixture of foreign control and Egyptian independence. Native pharaohs in Upper Egypt gave way to a period of Libyan control while Lower Egypt split into many separate regions. By the 25th dynasty, at the end of the Third Intermediate Period, Kushite rulers from Nubia, notably Piye (c. 747 - 716 BCE) controlled both Lower and Upper Egypt and thus reunified Egypt. Kushite rule ended with the reigns of Taharqa and Tantamani (c. 690 - 656 BCE). The Assyrians occupied Egypt for a decade at the end of the Third Intermediate Period. Afterwards, there was a brief Egyptian renaissance under the Saite Dynasty.
Describe the life and accomplishments of Ramses II. (pages 66 and 67)
The greatest pharaoh of the New Kingdom era (c. 1550 - 1069 BCE), Ramses II was a great military, diplomatic, and imperial leader of Egypt for the 70 years of his reign. He skillfully used diplomacy, propaganda and military strategy to promote his own rule and the prosperity of Egypt. He fought and then eventually made peace with the hostile Hittite Empire in northern Anatolia. This first peace treaty was perhaps the first written treaty and record of international diplomacy. Ramses II was also famed for his monumental constructions, including the new capital at Per-Ramses in the Nile delta, along with giant statues and images of himself. Other constructions include his famous temples to himself and his wife, Neferati, at Abu Simbel, along with four massive statues of himself at Abu Simbel. Another important site was the Ramesseum, his mortuary temple on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes. A palace, religious and political center, and a seat of learning all combined, the Ramasseum would inspire Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias”.
When was the first pyramid built and which one was it? (page 72)
The Step Pyramid was built c. 2667 - 2648 BCE for pharaoh Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the Egyptian genius Imhotep.
What is a corvee laborer and why were corvee laborers so important for ancient monumental construction? (page 73)
An unskilled laborer who worked on state architecture for a set amount of time each year either instead of or in addition to paying taxes in the form of food or money. This form of labor was crucial to building monuments like the pyramids of Egypt and the ziggurats of Mesopotamia.
When did the first real signs of advanced civilization appear in Mesoamerica? What was this first advanced civilization? (page 74)
The Olmecs emerged between 1500 BCE and 900 BCE. The Olmecs established themselves in the lowlands of south Mexico, and their culture was flourishing by about 1200 BCE.
What was the first important center of Olmec culture? Describe this center. (page 74 and 75)
The first important Olmec center was San Lorenzo on a plateau above the Coatzacoalcos River in the southern Mexican state of Veracruz. San Lorenzo was at its height from 1200 to 900 BCE. It was most likely a chiefdom than a city-state, with a hierarchical society. The population may have been around only 1000.
What were some of the Olmec’s most famous constructions? (page 74)
The Olmecs were famous for their giant stone heads measuring up to several yards tall and about 20 tons in weight. They also made giant stone carvings of seated figures and depictions of various wild animals, especially the jaguar.
What might have caused the downfall of San Lorenzo? (page 74)
Damage to monuments suggests that there might have been uprisings or invasions, while others think that environmental factors may have been the cause of San Lorenzo’s decline.
Aside from San Lorenzo, what was the other major center of the Olmec civilization? Describe it. (page 74)
La Venta was another major Olmec site near the border of the modern Tabasco and Veracruz states. It was much more populous than San Lorenzo and thrived from 900 to 400 BCE. La Venta essentially took over as the Olmec’s major center after San Lorenzo’s decline. Characteristic Olmec giant stone heads and jaguar figures were found at La Venta along with temple-ceremonial complexes, including a giant pyramid. The major buildings were all precisely aligned, perhaps indicating ideas about astronomy.
Describe Olmec art. (page 74)
Olmec stone carving is especially accomplished, including many small jade figurines. Skilled relief carvings have been found at La Venta, along with other Olmec artifacts. Notably, iron-ore mirrors have been found that were worn around the neck. These mirrors could have started fires and even projected images, so leaders may have used them to demonstrate “special” powers.
Describe the Chavin of South America? When did their civilization exist? (page 75)
The Peruvian culture of the Chavin began to develop in the Andes region around 1000 BCE, and then spread along a great strip of the Peruvian coast.
What was the major excavated site of the Chavin culture? Describe it. (page 75)
Chavin de Huantar may have been the birthplace of the Chavin culture, but was certainly a very important Chavin site, possibly housing a population of 3,000. At the heart of this settlement was a ceremonial complex made of stone blocks and decorated with impressive relief carving.
Describe Chavin art. What was its possible religious significance? (page 75)
Chavin art often shows figures combining both human and animal features. At the center of the Old Temple at Chavin de Huantar is a sculpture showing the great Chavin god, El Lanzon, with a human body, a catlike head, and serpentine hair. Such depictions may be “transformation” images associated with religious ritual, perhaps signifying that priests could transform themselves into deities.
Describe the architectural and engineering feats of the Olmecs, Chavin, and other civilizations in their area of the world. (page 75)
Flat terracing had to be built to build the Old Temple at Chavin de Huantar, just as the Olmecs had to reshape the plateau at San Lorenzo, and the later Zapotecs would build Monte Alban on top of an artificially leveled mountain.
When is the earliest evidence of Minoan civilization? (page 76)
c. 3000 BCE.
What was the Phaistos Disk? (page 76)
The Phaistos Disk is a clay disk imprinted with symbols arranged in a spiral starting from its center. The script is unique and undeciphered, but since it seems to provide an entire set of reusable stamps, it is sometimes argued that it is the first instance of movable type. It is dated from between 1850 to 1350 BCE.
Describe the origins of Minoan civilization. (page 76)
Dating back to 6500 BCE, the Neolithic people of Crete probably originated in Asia Minor and reared livestock, grew crops, and made basic pottery. During the 3rd millennium BCE, Cretan trading towns on the coast expanded.
During what times did the Minoan civilization flourish? (page 76)
c. 3000 to 1400 BCE, peaking around 1600 BCE.
What was the name of the Minoan written language? (page 76)
It is known as Linear A and is not fully decoded.
What was the main method that the Minoans acquired goods? (page 76)
The Minoans had limited space on the island of Crete, so trade across the Mediterranean was vital. The Minoans are credited with having the first real “navy”, although they probably used it for trade rather than warfare. The Minoans became skilled seafarers, giving them influence and trading partners across the Mediterranean.
Describe Minoan political life and their main form of government. (pages 76 and 77)
The Minoans lived in urban settlements dominated by palaces that served as the houses of the rulers but also as religious, political, cultural, and trading centers. Many believe that the various cities were city-states like in later Greece.
What was the importance of crafts to the Minoan civilization? (page 77)
The Minoans are famed for their gold jewelry and for their distinctive pottery. Evidence shows that a large portion of the people were craftspeople, meaning that they would have been wealthy compared to other people from their period of history.
What is significant about Minoan women? (page 77)
Minoan women played a much more important role in society than women in most other societies of the time. The gods were all women, and the most famous is the often-depicted “Snake Goddess”. Women had equal access to all of the occupations, including sometimes being the “bull-leapers” that are depicted on Minoan art. There is even evidence that Minoan society was matrilineal.
Describe the decline of the Minoan civilization. (page 77)
The Minoans began to decline around 1500 BCE, but their complete decline took hundreds of years. The Thera eruption in 1600 BCE may have wiped out the Minoan fleet, possibly making Crete more susceptible to outside powers and influence, as well as destroying trade networks, causing “ripple-effect” damage throughout the region. By 1500 BCE, the Mycenaeans, a late Bronze Age people from mainland Greece, had arrived on Crete. By 1400 BCE, the Mycenaeans controlled Crete and the Aegean. Their takeover may have been aided by an earthquake sometime in the 1400s, which partially destroyed some Minoan cities. A joint Minoan-Mycenaean culture thrived for a while until 1200 BCE, when the Greek Dorian people moved in. The increasing usage of iron instead of the Minoans’ bronze may have quickened their decline.
