21 Questions
What enabled the growth of civilizations such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient China around 6000 to 8000 years ago?
The regular river floods that made for fertile soil and supplied fresh water for irrigation.
What was the significance of the Nile River to Ancient Egypt's development?
It provided the water critical for irrigating crops that fed the early Egyptians.
How did the geographical features of the Mediterranean region influence the development of early societies?
The geographical features were critical in influencing how early societies developed.
What was one benefit of the deserts surrounding Ancient Egypt?
They provided protection from enemy invaders because they were impossible to cross.
What skill(s) did the people of Ancient Egypt learn when they produced more food than needed?
Building, art, and writing.
Why was it difficult to grow crops or raise animals in most of Egypt?
Because most of Egypt is desert and too hot and dry.
What was the significance of the River Nile to Ancient Egypt's agriculture?
It supplied fresh water to irrigate crops.
How did the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea impact Ancient Egypt?
They provided barriers against invasion.
What are the common elements shared by a large number of human beings in a civilization?
A complex culture
What was the primary factor that allowed people to have surplus food and economic stability, leading to the development of early civilizations?
The rise of agriculture and trade
Where did the first known complex civilization develop?
Sumer, located in Mesopotamia
What is the earliest known form of writing that appeared in the cities around 3000 BCE?
Cuneiform script
What is one of the essential geographical features that early civilizations needed to thrive?
A water source
What is an example of a strong government that set rules or laws in ancient civilizations?
The Code of Hammurabi (c. 1776 BCE)
What is a characteristic of urban development in ancient civilizations?
Large cities
What is the core belief of Shamanism, and what is its purpose?
The core belief of Shamanism is that everything is connected, and its purpose is to commune with spirits.
What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, and how do they relate to the concept of suffering?
The Four Noble Truths are: Dukkha (suffering is a part of life), Samudaya (suffering is caused by desire), Nirodha (suffering can be avoided by lacking desire), and Marga (there is a path to ridding of desire). They relate to the concept of suffering by explaining its causes and offering a solution.
What is the significance of Tian in Chinese folk religions?
Tian is the source of morality and is home to many deities.
What is the concept of Jingzu in Chinese folk religions, and how does it relate to ancestral worship?
Jingzu is the worship of one's ancestors, and it involves honoring and respecting their memory and legacy.
What is the concept of Bao Ying in Chinese folk religions, and how does it relate to karma and fate?
Bao Ying is the concept of divine retribution, karma, and the effects on fate, implying that one's actions have consequences in this life and the next.
How many times has China unified under different dynasties, and what are the names of these dynasties?
China has unified about 6 times, under the Qin/Han, Sui/Tang, Northern Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Study Notes
What is a Civilisation?
- A complex culture shared by large numbers of humans with common elements.
- Characterised by different cities, cultural and technological development.
- Earliest civilizations developed between 4000 and 3000 BCE, with the rise of agriculture and trade.
Characteristics of a Civilisation
- Dominance over natural environment through agriculture.
- Urban development with large cities.
- Social structure with different social classes.
- Written or symbolic form of communication.
- Specialised labour with well-developed trade.
- Strong governments with rules or laws.
- Cultural or religious beliefs and practices.
- Architecture and artwork.
Early Civilisations
- Needed a water source to thrive, with rivers being a vital component.
- Civilisations born along rivers, including Ancient Egypt, Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Ancient China.
- Rivers provided fertile soil, fresh water, and irrigation for crops.
Ancient Egypt
- Developed around the Nile River, with the river being the lifeblood of the civilisation.
- Nile provided water for irrigation, and the deserts to the west and seas to the east and north provided protection from enemy invaders.
- Egypt would not have developed as a civilisation without the Nile.
- Chronology of Ancient Egypt: Produced surplus food, allowing for diverse professions and interests.
Chinese Folk Religions
- Contain elements of Tian (Heaven), Qi (energy), Jingzu (ancestral worship), and Bao Ying (divine retribution and karma).
- Shamanism: belief in connection with spirits.
- Totemism: belief in using totems to connect with spirits.
Buddhism
- Founded in India around 563BCE by Siddhartha Gautama.
- Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (suffering caused by desire), Nirodha (suffering can be avoided), and Marga (path to ridding of desire).
- Karma is the cycle of suffering, with good deeds leading to good and evil deeds leading to evil.
Ancient Chinese Trade and Warfare
- China has unified about 6 times in its history, under the Qin/Han, Sui/Tang, Northern Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
- Trade and warfare had significant impacts on Ancient China.
Learn about the characteristics of a civilisation, its development and the earliest civilisations. Discover how agriculture, trade, and economic stability contributed to the rise of civilisations.
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