Early CIvilizations--Test Flashcards
Early Man, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome
Which civilization is the “Land between two rivers”?
Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates)
Which civilizations were in the Fertile Crescent?
Mesopotamia and Egypt
How did the Sumerians lay the foundations of a flourishing civilization in the harsh land of Mesopotamia?
Irrigation led to increase in agriculture which led to increased population which led to growth of cities.
What are examples of “Fundamental and Powerful Concepts”?
The Shaping Power of Geography and Environment and The Unifying Power of Religion and Government
How does the geography in Mesopotamia affect the religion in that society?
Harsh environment including unpredictable and violent rivers = Unpredictable, Violent Gods
GODS must be appeased through sacrifice and offerings but EVEN THEN, they may not listen
How does the geography of Mesopotamia affect the structure of government in that society?
Unstable, City-State Rivalry, Competition
History of Region is series of wars and counter-rebellions
What are three signs of a CIVILIZATION that we see in Mesopotamia?
Urban areas (ex. city-states) monumental architecture (ex. ziggurat) writing (cuneiform)
What was the name of the famous ziggurat at Ur? What was its function?
Mount of the Gods–a temple.
What kind of writing did Mesopotamia have?
Ideo-grammatical–not an alphabet. Ideas are depicted–gradually become simplified. Called cuneiform. Produced with a stylus on clay tablets.
Why is writing the MOST IMPORTANT of the cultural developments in Mesopotamia?
It created an intellectual and technical explosion of knowledge. Epics could be written and laws could be shared with society.
What is an epic and what is a famous example from Mesopotamia?
An epic is a work of literature which deals with a culture’s religious principles and cultural identify. Epic of Gilgamesh–he searches for eternal life.
What was the role of the scribes in Mesopotamia?
Trained in “tablet houses” they controlled information in society.
How were Mesopotamian numbers different from our own?
They did not have the concept of zero.
Why were images of the bull important in Mesopotamian culture?
The bull was used in statues and other imagery. It represented masculinity and vigor, which were important in a patriarchal society.
What are some key points in the structure of Mesopotamian religion?
Polytheism–more than one god.
Anthropomorphic and sometimes zoomorphic–gods looked like humans or animals.
Contractual–men appease gods and maybe gods will act favorably.
Humans act on a cosmic stage–Transcendence–there is something larger than every day life
What was important about life under King Hammurabi in Mesopotamia?
He brought stability, unity, and order for a brief time.
What was an important tool King Hammurabi used to bring about order during his rule?
Code of Hammurabi–a set of laws that were strict but also ensured people would be treated fairly in society “Eye for an eye”.
What is an important characteristic of Babylonian culture that is revealed in the Code of Hammurabi.
The code reveals the hierarchical nature of society. Punishments were based on one’s position in society. King nobles priests free commoners clients slaves
How did geography enable the Egyptians easily to form a prosperous society?
Nile River was predictable and its annual floods allowed the Egyptians to develop agriculture. The Great Provider of Social and Economic Stability
The environment is PREDICTABLE and thus…The society becomes Stable and Predictable as well
How do the Egyptians compare in religious, cultural and political outlook relative to the Mesopotamians?
Geographically “tight” settlements along Nile allowed for greater control of society to develop. (As opposed to isolated city states in Mesopotamia.)The “Trustworthiness” of the River creates a POSITIVE and CONFIDENT social identity Whereas, the Mesopotamian outlook was PESSIMISTIC and FEARFUL and thus UNSTABLE. Egyptians saw afterworld as a continuation of prosperous life but Mesopotamians saw afterworld as a dark place (see Gilgamesh).
What were the major cities in Egypt?
Memphis, Giza, Thebes
What does the word Pharoah actually mean?
Great House
Who was the unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt and how did he achieve that?
Menes–successfully built a dam that controlled the flooding of the Nile.
What was the first capital of a unified Egypt?
Memphis
What was the Myth of the Pharoah?
The pharoah has power to control the Nile River.
What are some basic characteristics of Egyptian religion?
Polytheistic (many gods) anthropomorphic and zoomorphic–gods have human and animal characteristics. (Humans part of the cosmic drama–like the Mesopotamians’ beliefs.) Amon-Ra is central god–carries Ankh–cross of life. He has sun on his head.
What is the role of the pharoah in Egyptian religion?
He is a god on Earth. He embodies justice and harmony. He is a connection to the divine. Lord of the Living. He takes on the role of Horus when a human on Earth and then Osiris in the afterworld.
Why is the god Osiris depicted as green in Egyptian art? (What is the story behind that?)
Osiris ruled the earth but killed by his brother Seth. His wife Isis brings him back to life with help from Anubus. Green symbolizes life and rebirth. Horus is the son of Isis and Osiris and is associated with the falcon god–he is god of the living.
What is the role of Anubus and what form does he take?
Anubus looks like a jackal. He is the guide to the after world. He weighs your heart against a feather on a scale.
What is the role of the priestly caste in Egyptian religion?
They protect your KA–the human soul.
What is the major primary source that tells us about funeral practices, etc. in Egyptian society?
Book of the Dead
What is a popular invention of the Egyptians?
Beer (Wine was also important to them.)
What was life like for women in Egypt?
They had some mobility, could purchase things, wealthier women had luxury items such as perfumes and wigs.
