Key Terms in Ancient Civilizations

Key Terms & Concepts

Incarnation: The Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ. This concept is also relevant to the Old Testament, as God revealed Himself to the Israelites in specific times and places.
Fertile Crescent: A region of fertile land in the ancient Near East, encompassing Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, and Egypt. This region played a vital role in the development of early civilizations due to its agricultural potential.
Neolithic Age: The period (around 7000 BC) when ancient Mesopotamians began cultivating plants, domesticating animals, and adopting agriculture, marking a significant shift in human society.
Cuneiform: A writing system invented by the Sumerians around 3100 BC, utilizing wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay or inscribed on other materials.
Hieroglyphs: An early form of writing system, particularly used in ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh: The God-king of ancient Egypt, seen as having divine authority and responsible for the Nile River's annual flooding, essential for agriculture.
Levant: The eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, serving as a crossroads for trade and travel in the ancient world.
Rift: A geological feature, a large fissure in the Earth's surface, stretching from the Sea of Galilee through the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, influencing the region's landscape and development.
Via Maris: An international road running along the Levant coast, used throughout the biblical period, connecting major cities and facilitating trade.
Vulgate: A Latin translation of the Bible, rendering Isaiah's phrase as "Via Maris", referencing the network of roads extending from Egypt through Syria-Palestine into Mesopotamia.
Paleolithic Age: The Early Stone Age, predating cave culture.
Mesolithic Age: The Middle Stone Age, characterized by the development of cave culture.
Chalcolithic Age: The Copper-Stone Age, where metal tools and weapons began replacing stone tools.
Bronze Age: Beginning around 3300 BC, marked by the spread of bronze technology in the ancient Near East, leading to advancements in toolmaking and weapons.
Iron Age: Beginning around 1200 BC, marked by the increasing use of iron due to its superior qualities, leading to further technological advancements.
Early Bronze Age: (3300-2000 BC) witnessed the invention of writing and the emergence of human history as we know it.
Middle Bronze Age: (2000-1550 BC) saw the movement of ethnic groups, rise of new empires, and displacement of older powers, including the arrival of Amorites in Mesopotamia and the establishment of the Old Babylonian Empire and Egyptian Middle Kingdom.
Covenant: A Hebrew term signifying a binding relationship, whether between individuals or between God and humankind.
Late Bronze Age: (1550-1200 BC) saw international trade and a balance of power, with Syria-Palestine located strategically in the middle.
New Kingdom: A period of great political strength and expansion for the Egyptians.
Lingua Franca: A common language used for trade and communication by people speaking different languages. Akkadian, particularly the Babylonian dialect, served as a lingua franca during the Late Bronze Age.
Amarna Letters: Hundreds of clay tablets written in Akkadian, discovered at Akhenaten's capital city in Egypt, reflecting the politics of the mid-fourteenth century BC and the relationships between Egypt and its vassal-kings in Syria-Palestine.
Sea Peoples: Groups of people, possibly survivors from the fall of Troy and Mycenaean civilization, who fled by sea across the Mediterranean, disrupting major powers in the ancient world.
Mosaic Jahwism: The worship of Yahweh as the one true God, based on the covenant established with Israel, emphasizing the Law given to Moses at Mount Sinai. This form of worship saw a merging with Canaanite Baalism during the divided monarchy period to enhance political control.
Canaanite Baalism: The religion of the Canaanites, worshipping the god Baal, which conflicted with the Hebrew faith and was particularly prevalent during the reign of Ahab.

Study Questions & Answers

How is the Old Testament "incarnational"?
- The Old Testament, like the New Testament, is "incarnational" in the sense that God's revelation is presented within a specific time, place, and to a particular group of people, namely the Israelites.
Why was the location of Israel strategic in ancient times?
- Israel, though small, was strategically important as a bridge connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. This location made it a coveted territory for trade and transportation, resulting in many nations vying for control over the region.
The text highlights the importance of geographical location. Identify some major geographical features in the ancient Near East.
- Fertile Crescent: A region of fertile land important for agriculture and the rise of civilization.
- Levant: The eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, a strategic crossroads for trade.
- Via Maris: An important trade route running along the Levant coast.
- Rift: A geological feature, a large fissure stretching from the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea, causing a natural barrier and influencing the landscape.
**Explain the difference between "Mosaic Jahwism," and "Canaanite Baalism." **
Mosaic Jahwism focuses on Yahweh as the one true God, emphasizing the Law received by Moses at Mount Sinai. It's a strict monotheistic form of worship.
Canaanite Baalism is a polytheistic religion that worships Baal, the god of the Canaanites, and was a conflicting force with Hebrew faith.
How did the "Sea Peoples" impact the ancient world?
- The Sea Peoples, possibly survivors of the fall of Troy and other Greek city-states, fled across the Mediterranean Sea, disrupting major powers in the region, impacting the balance of power and causing political instability during the Late Bronze Age.
Explain the significance of the "Amarna Letters."
These clay tablets written in Akkadian, found at Akhenaten’s capital, provide insights into the politics of the mid-fourteenth century BC and the relationships between Egypt and its vassal-kings in Syria-Palestine.