Prehistory and Ancient Civilizations

Prehistory

• Period of time before written records (circa 2.5 million years ago to 3500 BCE)
• Characterized by nomadic hunter-gatherer societies
• Development of stone tools, agriculture, and early settlements

Ancient Civilizations

• Mesopotamia (3500 BCE - 539 CE):
  • Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians
  • Inventions: writing (cuneiform), wheel, and irrigation
• Ancient Egypt (3100 BCE - 30 BCE):
  • Pharaonic dynasties, pyramids, and mummification
  • Hieroglyphic writing and papyrus
• Ancient Greece (8th century BCE - 146 CE):
  • City-states: Athens and Sparta
  • Contributions: democracy, philosophy, theater, and Olympics
• Ancient Rome (8th century BCE - 476 CE):
  • Republic and Empire periods
  • Contributions: law, architecture, and governance

Middle Ages

• Period of time between ancient and modern civilizations (500 - 1500 CE)
• Characterized by:
  • Feudalism and chivalry
  • Rise of Christianity and Islamic empires
  • Limited scientific progress and cultural achievements

Early Modern Period

• Renaissance (14th - 17th centuries):
  • Revival of classical learning and cultural achievements
  • Emergence of humanism and individualism
• Age of Exploration (15th - 17th centuries):
  • European discovery and colonization of the Americas
  • Establishment of trade routes and global connections

Modern Period

• Industrial Revolution (18th - 19th centuries):
  • Transition from manual labor to machine-based manufacturing
  • Development of capitalism and urbanization
• Nationalism and Imperialism (19th - early 20th centuries):
  • Rise of nation-states and colonial empires
  • Competition for resources and global influence

Contemporary Period

• World War I and II (20th century):
  • Global conflicts and rise of superpowers
  • Establishment of international organizations and global governance
• Cold War and Decolonization (mid-20th century):
  • Bipolar world order and proxy wars
  • Independence movements and emergence of new nation-states

Prehistory

• Lasted from circa 2.5 million years ago to 3500 BCE
• Characterized by nomadic hunter-gatherer societies
• Development of stone tools and early settlements
• Agriculture emerged, marking significant shift in human society

Ancient Civilizations

• Mesopotamia (3500 BCE - 539 CE):
  • Home to Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians
  • Invented writing (cuneiform), wheel, and irrigation systems
  • Developed city-states, with complex governance systems
• Ancient Egypt (3100 BCE - 30 BCE):
  • Pharaonic dynasties built pyramids, developed mummification
  • Hieroglyphic writing and papyrus production flourished
  • Achieved significant architectural and engineering feats
• Ancient Greece (8th century BCE - 146 CE):
  • City-states Athens and Sparta emerged as cultural hubs
  • Contributions: democracy, philosophy, theater, and Olympic Games
  • Famous philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
• Ancient Rome (8th century BCE - 476 CE):
  • Republic and Empire periods saw significant expansion
  • Contributions: law, architecture, and governance systems
  • Developed aqueducts, roads, and public buildings

Middle Ages

• Lasted from 500 to 1500 CE
• Characterized by:
  • Feudalism and chivalry dominant social structures
  • Rise of Christianity and Islamic empires
  • Limited scientific progress, cultural achievements stagnant
  • Black Death pandemic had significant impact on population

Early Modern Period

• Renaissance (14th - 17th centuries):
  • Revival of classical learning and cultural achievements
  • Emergence of humanism and individualism
  • Artistic innovations, such as Leonardo da Vinci's works
• Age of Exploration (15th - 17th centuries):
  • European discovery and colonization of the Americas
  • Establishment of trade routes and global connections
  • Explorers like Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Magellan

Modern Period

• Industrial Revolution (18th - 19th centuries):
  • Transition from manual labor to machine-based manufacturing
  • Development of capitalism and urbanization
  • Emergence of new social classes, industrial working class
• Nationalism and Imperialism (19th - early 20th centuries):
  • Rise of nation-states and colonial empires
  • Competition for resources and global influence
  • Emergence of new global powers, like USA and Japan

Contemporary Period

• World War I and II (20th century):
  • Global conflicts and rise of superpowers
  • Establishment of international organizations and global governance
  • League of Nations, then United Nations established
• Cold War and Decolonization (mid-20th century):
  • Bipolar world order and proxy wars
  • Independence movements and emergence of new nation-states
  • Emergence of global issues, like nuclear proliferation and environmentalism

Explore the early stages of human history, from the nomadic hunter-gatherer societies of prehistory to the development of ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.