The West - C.1 Flashcards
Discuss the significance of the food-producing revolution of the Neolithic era in the emergence of civilization.
The food-producing revolution of the Neolithic era was significant in the emergence of civilization as it allowed human societies to develop mechanisms to produce surplus food. This surplus enabled economic specialization, fostering the growth of social, political, and religious hierarchies. With the mastery of food production, communities could not only feed themselves but also engage in trade, leading to the development of complex societies. The surplus food production was a fundamental shift from hunting and gathering, providing stability and enabling the growth of settlements and civilizations.
Compare and contrast the social hierarchy in ancient Egypt with that of Mesopotamia.
In ancient Egypt, the social hierarchy was structured with the king at the top, considered a god on Earth, possessing absolute authority. Below the king were skilled artisans, peasants, and slaves. Free Egyptian women had rights and were regarded as equals in marriage. Craftsmen served privileged classes, while peasants worked on public projects. Slaves occupied the lowest rung.
In Mesopotamia, the social hierarchy included kings, priests, nobility, scribes, craftsmen, peasants, and slaves. Kings were considered divine and had absolute authority. Priests held significant power. Craftsmen served nobility, while peasant and slaves performed labor-intensive tasks.
Discuss the impact of the Code of Hammurabi on Babylonian society and its influence on Western jurisprudence.
The Code of Hammurabi was a comprehensive set of laws that governed Babylonian society, emphasizing social values and regulating various aspects of life. It introduced the concept that punishment should fit the crime, influencing Western jurisprudence. The code addressed economic matters, family issues, and legal distinction between classes. It reinforced social hierarchy, regulated commercial transactions, and highlighted patriarchal structures. The principle of ‘an eye for an eye’ from the code shaped legal thought in southwest Asia for centuries, impacting subsequent legal systems in the world.
Explain the significance of the Nile River in the development of ancient Egyptian civilization.
The Nile River played a crucial role in the development of ancient Egyptian civilization. Egypt’s survival depended on the Nile, the world’s longest river, which provided fertile soil through annual flooding. The predictable flooding allowed Egyptians to engage in agriculture, leading to the growth of settlements along the riverbanks. The Nile’s bounty sustained the population, enabling economic activities, trade, and the emergence of social structures. The river also served as a natural barrier, protecting Egypt from foreign invasions. The Nile’s influence on agriculture, transportation, and defense shaped the stability and prosperity of ancient Egypt, making it a unique and enduring civilization.
What is the Neolithic Age?
The New Stone Age, marked by revolutionary change: the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals, which allowed humans to settle into communities.
What major change marked the end of the Neolithic Age and the start of the Bronze Age?
The ability to mine and manipulate metal, which led to more complex societies with distinct social hierarchies and economic interactions.
What was the first region where civilization developed?
Mesopotamia and Egypt, both in the Middle East.
Define civilization according to archaeologists.
An urban culture with distinct levels of wealth, occupation, and power, often centered around cities with religious, economic, and political control.
What role did trade play in early civilizations?
Trade facilitated the spread of ideas and technology between settled communities, helping foster civilization.
What was Sumer known for in ancient Mesopotamia?
The first major civilization, known for developing around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers through water management and building the first cities like Uruk.
What was the Akkadian Empire, and who founded it?
The first empire in history, founded by Sargon of Akkad around 2340 BCE. It unified Sumerian city-states and established a standardized administration and trade network.
What is a ziggurat?
A monumental stepped temple in ancient Mesopotamia, symbolizing the connection between a city and its gods.
What is polytheism?
The belief in many gods, a practice common in both Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures.
What was the purpose of divination in Mesopotamian society?
To read the future by interpreting messages from nature, such as the entrails of animals or natural phenomena, used to guide decisions.
What did the Code of Hammurabi establish?
A set of 282 laws focusing on justice, particularly the principle of “an eye for an eye”, which emphasized proportional punishment.
Define redistributive economy.
An economic system where a central authority (king or priests) controlled agricultural resources and redistributed them, common in Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies.
What geographic advantage did Egypt have over Mesopotamia?
Egypt’s position between two deserts provided natural protection from invasion, while the Nile River’s predictable flooding contributed to political stability.
