CHAPTER 1 - The Ancient Near East: The First Civilizations Flashcards
(The First Humans)
How did the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages differ, and
how did the Neolithic Revolution affect the lives of men and women?
The Paleolithic Age is characterised by a hunting and gathering way of life and the use of stone tools. In contrast, the Neolithic Age, which began around 10,000 BCE, was characterised by the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals. This revolution in human society allowed for the emergence of towns and cities, the growth of trade and commerce, and the development of art and technology. In terms of gender roles, the Neolithic Revolution had a significant impact on the lives of men and women. Women played a crucial role in the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals, which provided a more reliable food supply and allowed human populations to grow. As food production became more important, gender roles became more stratified, with men gradually taking on more of the work of hunting and warfare. At the same time, women remained primarily responsible for domestic tasks and child-rearing. This gender division of labour persisted for many thousands of years until the rise of industrial society allowed for greater gender equality.
(The Emergence of Civilization)
What are the characteristics of civilization, and what
are some explanations for why early civilizations emerged?
The characteristics of civilization include the development of cities, government, social classes, specialized labour, formal religion, writing, and art. Early civilizations emerged due to several factors, including favourable environmental conditions, access to resources such as water and fertile land, surplus food production, and improved technology. In addition, the emergence of civilization may have been linked to the need for social organization and the development of complex social systems. New ideas and technologies often arise in areas where people live close together and have access to a wide range of resources and new experiences. Finally, early civilizations may have been shaped by factors such as war, trade, and political competition, and by the influence of elites who sought to control resources and exert social and political power.
(Civilization in Mesopotamia)
How are the chief characteristics of civilization evident in ancient Mesopotamia?
Ancient Mesopotamia was home to one of the world’s first civilizations, and it exhibited many of the characteristics of civilization. For example, it had several cities that were centres of political and economic power, such as Eridu, Ur, Uruk, Umma, and Lagash. These cities had complex systems of government, with rulers who exercised political and military control over the surrounding territory. Additionally, there were social classes in Mesopotamia, including an elite class of priests and officials, as well as a large population of farmers and labourers.
Mesopotamia also had a developed system of writing, which was used to record laws, histories, and religious beliefs. This system of writing allowed for the development of formal education systems and the growth of scholarship. The people of Mesopotamia also had a complex religious system, with a pantheon of deities who controlled various aspects of life, such as the weather, seasons, and natural disasters. Finally, Mesopotamia had a thriving artistic and cultural scene, with advancements in architecture, sculpture, and literature.
(Egyptian Civilization: “The Gift of the Nile”)
What are the basic features of the three major periods
of Egyptian history? What elements of continuity are there in the three periods? What are their major differences?
Egyptian history is often divided into three major periods: the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.
The Old Kingdom began around 2575 BCE and lasted until 2125 BCE. It was characterized by strong monarchical authority, competent bureaucracy, stability, and significant cultural and intellectual activity, including the construction of the greatest and largest pyramids in Egypt’s history. The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2055 BCE to 1650 BCE and is often considered an era of political, economic, and cultural rebirth. It was characterized by the development of a strong central government, the construction of public works, and the use of new kinds of art and literature. The New Kingdom, which began in 1550 BCE and lasted until 1070 BCE, was a period of great prosperity and empire-building. It saw the creation of enormous temples, the use of new art forms, and a significant military expansion.
Despite these differences, there are also several elements of continuity that run throughout all three periods. One of the most important was the centrality of the divine king in Egyptian society. The idea of the pharaoh as a god-king remained constant throughout these periods, as did the central role of religion and the use of writing, art, and architecture to express religious beliefs. Additionally, the climate, geography, and agricultural practices of the area remained largely consistent throughout these periods and helped to shape Egyptian society and culture.
(On the Fringes of Civilization)
What is the significance of the Indo-European-speaking peoples?
The Indo-European-speaking peoples played a significant role in the development of early civilizations. Because their language family was so, these peoples were able to migrate over thousands of years and establish cultural and linguistic connections across vast regions of Europe and Asia. They left their mark on the history of the ancient Mediterranean world through their contributions to Greek, Roman, and Germanic cultures, which would come to dominate Western Europe. The spread of the Indo-European language family also allowed for the exchange of ideas and cultural practices between societies over long distances and laid the foundation for the development of many modern European and Asian languages. In addition, the Indo-European-speaking peoples played a critical role in the development of agriculture, technology, and trade, with their early innovations laying the groundwork for many of the scientific and technological advancements of later civilizations.
(CRITICAL THINKING)
In what ways were the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt alike? In what ways were they different?
There were several similarities between Mesopotamia and Egypt. Both were among the world’s first civilizations and were located in the Middle East and North Africa, respectively. Both Mesopotamia and Egypt were riverine societies, with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers playing a central role in the development of Mesopotamian civilization and the Nile River being the heart of Egyptian civilization. Both civilizations developed systems of writing and had a complex religious system with many deities.
However, there were also significant differences between the two civilizations. For example, Mesopotamia was characterized by a more militaristic and aggressive culture than Egypt, which was more focused on religion, reflective thought, and stability. The geography of the two regions was also quite different, with Mesopotamia’s flat terrain leaving it vulnerable to invasion and conquest, while Egypt’s natural barriers helped it to maintain a largely independent existence. Mesopotamia was organized around city-states, while Egypt was united under a unifying pharaonic rule. Additionally, Mesopotamia was not as monotheistic as Egypt during certain periods. Mesopotamian writing was generally written on clay tablets and was more utilitarian, while Egyptian writing was often more ornate and written on papyrus scrolls.
(CONNECTIONS TO TODAY)
What lessons can you learn from the decline and
fall of early civilizations, and how do those lessons apply to today’s civilizations?
The decline and fall of early civilizations offer several lessons for contemporary civilizations. One of the most important is that environmental factors, such as climate change, resource shortages, and natural disasters, can have a profound impact on the survival and well-being of a society. For example, the decline of the Mayan civilization is thought to be in large part because of drought, deforestation, and soil exhaustion. This emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change and protecting the environment.
Another lesson is the importance of political stability, economic growth, and social justice. When a society becomes too unequal and ruled by elitist interests, discontent among the lower classes may lead to social unrest. Similarly, corrupt or inefficient governments can stifle innovation and the creative endeavours that keep a society resilient and viable. Therefore, it is important for governments to be responsive to the needs of citizens, to provide opportunities for economic growth and social mobility, and to ensure that justice is served fairly.
Lastly, the examples of early civilizations highlight the importance of maintaining a strong cultural identity while adapting to changing circumstances. Societies that are malleable and willing to change alongside new technologies and shifting social dynamics have a better chance of surviving and thriving over the long term.
Overall, there are several important lessons to be learned from the decline and fall of early civilizations, including the importance of environmental protection, political stability, economic growth, social justice, and cultural identity. These lessons are just as relevant for contemporary societies as they were for ancient ones.
Earliest human-like creatures (who, where, and when?)
Hominids, Africa, 3-4 million years ago
First group using simple stone tools
Australopithecines
“Wise human beings” (who and when?)
Homo sapiens, 250,000 years ago
Shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture (what and when?)
Neolithic Revolution (10,000-4,000 b.c.e.)
Discovery of Fire (When?)
500,000 b.c.e. (What discovery?)
One of the first settlements
Catal Huyuk
(With a tail on the c and two dots over both u’s..)
Consequences of Neolithic Revolution:
(Not all bad ones, 4 of them)
Begins Trade, Rift between women and men in status, Development of writing, and nomadic groups to camps..
(what causes this?)
Bronze Age (when, and what is it used for)
3000-1200 BCE, copper was the first, used for weapons
Civilization (6 main points)
- Urban Focus (cities were the main location)
- Religious (always a main structure)
- Military and political organization (Priest and kings on top)
- Class System (by wealth)
- Writing (only in the high class so far)
- Artistic and Intellectual (Religious symbols were created)
