Ancient Civilizations Study Guide PDF

Quizlet: Mauryan Empire: (321-185 BCE) This was the first centralized empire of India whose founder was Chandragupta Maurya, along Ganges River; Asoka converts to Buddhism; tolerant Han Dynasty: (202 BCE-220 CE) This dynasty continued the centralization of the Qin Dynasty, but focused on Confucianism and education instead of Legalism. Mandate of Heaven: the Chinese (Zhou) theory that Heaven gives the king a mandate to rule only as long as he rules in the interests of the people Caste System: a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person's occupation and economic potential, but also his or her position in society Hinduism:A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms. Polytheistic Buddhism: A religion founded in India by Siddhartha Gautama which teaches that the most important thing in life is to reach peace by ending suffering. Confucianism: A philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It shows the way to ensure a stable government and an orderly society in the present world and stresses a moral code of conduct. Daoism: Philosophy that teaches that everything should be left to the natural order; rejects many of the Confucian ideas but coexisted with Confucianism in China Legalism: Chinese philosophy developed by Hanfeizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws Silk Road: Connected China, India, and the Middle East. Traded goods and helped to spread culture. dynastic cycle: rise and fall of Chinese dynasties according to the Mandate of Heaven Filial Piety: Concept is stressed in Confucianism. Reflected the high significance of the family in Chinese history. karma: A Hindu and Buddhist concept that by doing good to others, good will happen to you (and vise versa) reincarnation: Hindu and Buddhist belief that souls are reborn into new bodies over and over. bureaucracy: A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials civil service system: the practice of hiring government workers on the basis of open, competitive examinations and merit Qin Dynasty: (221-207 BCE) The first centralized dynasty of China that used Legalism as its base of belief. Yin and Yang: In Daoist belief, complementary factors that help to maintain the equilibrium of the world. One is associated with masculine, light, and active qualities while the other with feminine, dark, and passive qualities. Monsoons: seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons Ganges River: Located in India, this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals. Ashoka: Leader of the Mauryan dynasty of India who conquered most of India but eventually gave up violence and converted to Buddhism. Asceticism: severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. Qin Shi Huangdi: the first emperor to rule a united China, from 221 to 210 B.C.E., instituted legalism, reinforced the Great Wall, standardized the Chinese written language. Sumer/Mesopotamia: The world's first civilization, founded in Mesopotamia, which existed for over 3,000 years. First to develop writing. Pharoah: god-king of Egypt Theocracy: A government controlled by religious leaders Hammurabi's Law Code: First set of defined laws within a civilization. Regulated relationships between social classes. Indus Civilization: civilization from 2600 BC-1900 BC; entire Indian subcontinent-peninsula; possibly had twin capitals called Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro; well organized government as evidenced by urban planning. Aryans in India: Invaded India from the North and created the religion of Brahmanism. Zigguraut: A sumerian temple. The symbolic heart of every Sumerian city state. The Great Happening: Chinese creation myth. Huang He River: Major river in China. Chinese civilization starts here. Also known as the “yellow river.” ### Study Guide for Ancient Civilizations, Philosophies, and Religions ### **Mauryan Empire (321-185 BCE)** - **Founder**: Chandragupta Maurya - **Significance**: First centralized empire in India, located along the **Ganges River**. - **Asoka**: After violent conquests, Asoka converts to **Buddhism**, promotes **tolerance**, and rules peacefully. **Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE)** - **Key Focus**: Continued centralization after the **Qin Dynasty**, but with a shift to **Confucianism** and **education** instead of **Legalism**. - **Legacy**: Development of a strong bureaucratic system, long-lasting influence on Chinese culture. **Mandate of Heaven** - **Definition**: The belief that **Heaven** grants the right to rule. If a ruler is just, the dynasty remains in power, but if they are corrupt, the dynasty will fall. **Social Systems and Beliefs** **Caste System (India)** - **Definition**: Rigid social hierarchy that determined a person’s job, economic status, and societal position. - **Impact**: Based on **birth**, not personal merit. **Hinduism** - **Core Beliefs**: Polytheistic, belief in **reincarnation**, and karma. - **Supreme Being**: Brahman, who takes many forms. **Buddhism** - **Founder**: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) - **Main Goal**: To reach **Nirvana** (peace) by ending suffering and desires through the **Eightfold Path**. ### **Confucianism** - **Founder**: Confucius - **Core Teachings**: Focus on moral conduct, social harmony, and relationships. Stresses **filial piety** and the importance of education. ### **Daoism** - **Philosophy**: Focuses on the natural order of the universe and advocates **wu wei** (non-action or effortless action). - **Yin and Yang**: Complementary forces that maintain balance in nature (light/dark, active/passive). ### **Legalism** - **Founder**: Hanfeizi - **Core Belief**: Humans are naturally evil, so strong laws and harsh punishments are necessary for social order. --- ### **Key Historical Concepts** ### **Silk Road** - **Definition**: Trade routes connecting **China**, **India**, and the **Middle East**, facilitating not only the exchange of goods but also ideas and culture. ### **Dynastic Cycle** - **Explanation**: The rise and fall of Chinese dynasties, linked to the **Mandate of Heaven**. A dynasty would lose the Mandate if it became corrupt, leading to rebellion and a new dynasty. ### **Filial Piety** - **Definition**: Respect for one's parents and ancestors, a key concept in **Confucianism**. --- ### **Important People** ### **Ashoka** - **Role**: Mauryan Emperor who expanded India but later converted to **Buddhism**, embracing peace and tolerance. ### **Qin Shi Huangdi** - **Significance**: First Emperor of China (Qin Dynasty), known for his **legalist** rule, the construction of the **Great Wall**, and standardization of language. --- ### **Ancient Civilizations** ### **Sumer/Mesopotamia** - **First Civilization**: Located between the **Tigris** and **Euphrates** Rivers, developed writing and the **Ziggurat** (temple). - **Hammurabi’s Law Code**: The first set of written laws, ensuring justice but also reinforcing class divides. ### **Indus Civilization** - **Timeframe**: 2600 BCE - 1900 BCE - **Key Sites**: **Harappa** and **Mohenjo-Daro**. Known for urban planning, advanced drainage, and the mystery of their script. ### **Ancient Egypt** - **Pharaoh**: King-god of Egypt, considered a divine ruler. - **Theocracy**: Egypt was ruled by religious leaders, with the **pharaoh** as both political and spiritual leader. ### **Aryans in India** - **Contribution**: Introduced **Brahmanism** (early form of **Hinduism**) and the Vedic texts. --- ### **Early Human Evolution** ### **Hominids** - **First Humans**: Evolved between 4-6 million years ago, with key species such as: - **Australopithecus Afarensis** ("Lucy") – 3.2 million years ago. - **Homo Erectus** – 2 million to 111,000 years ago. - **Homo Neanderthalensis** – 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. - **Homo Sapiens** – 300,000 years ago and onward. --- ### **Agricultural Revolution and Early Cities** - **Agriculture**: Began around 10,000 years ago, leading to the rise of **settlements** and eventually **cities** (around 5,000 years ago). - **Neolithic Transition**: Warming climate and the rise of agriculture, allowing surplus food and new social structures. ### **First Civilizations** - **Mesopotamia**: 4000 BC - **Egypt**: 3100 BC - **Indus Valley**: 3000 BC - **China**: 2500 BC (Huang He River) ---MESOPOTAMIA & EGYPT INDIA CHINESE CIVILIZATION & DYNASTIES ### **Memory Aids and Mnemonics** 1. **Mauryan Empire Mnemonic**: **C**handragupta **M**aurya **A**soka's **P**eaceful **R**eign **C**entralized **M**ilitary **A**nd **P**romotes **R**eligion (Buddhism) 2. **Han Dynasty Mnemonic**: **H**armony in **A**dministration, **N**urturing **D**ynasty (Han Dynasty = Focus on Confucianism, not Legalism) 3. **Mandate of Heaven Mnemonic**: **M**andate **H**olds **R**uler, **C**an **F**all (If the ruler loses virtue, the dynasty falls) 4. **Hinduism & Buddhism Mnemonic**: **H**induism – **R**eincarnation, **B**rahman **B**uddhism – **E**nding **S**uffering, **M**iddle **W**ay 5. **Filial Piety Mnemonic**: **F**amilies **I**nspire **L**ove, **I**nfluencing **A**ll **L**ives 6. **Silk Road Mnemonic**: **S**pread **I**deas, **L**ink **K**nowledge 7. **Dynastic Cycle Mnemonic**: **R**ise, **F**all, **R**eplace, **H**istory (Dynasties rise, fall, and are replaced due to Mandate of Heaven) 8. **Legalism Mnemonic**: **L**aws **E**nsure **G**overnment **A**uthority, **L**imiting **I**ndividuals **S**trictly **M**aintains **S**ocial **O**rder 9. **Qin Dynasty Mnemonic**: **Q**in **S**hapes **H**istory with **L**egalism 10. **Yin and Yang Mnemonic**: **Y**in = **Y**in = **N**ight **Y**ang = **Y**ang = **D**ay --- ### **Key Events & Ideas for Memorization** - **The Agricultural Revolution**: Began 10,000 years ago, transforming societies from hunter-gatherers to settled agriculturalists. - **The Rise of Cities**: Early civilizations like Mesopotamia (4000 BC), Egypt (3100 BC), and the Indus Valley (3000 BC) formed around river valleys. - **The Development of Writing**: Mesopotamians created the first written script, leading to greater record-keeping and communication. --- This study guide helps to connect the key concepts, people, and ideas from the various civilizations, religions, and philosophies. The mnemonics and memory aids are designed to help recall these details more easily. ### **Study Guide for Ancient Civilizations, Philosophies, Religions, and Key Events** --- ### **Mauryan Empire (321-185 BCE)** - **Founder**: **Chandragupta Maurya** - **Location**: Along the **Ganges River** - **Asoka**: Converted to **Buddhism**, embraced **non-violence**, and promoted **tolerance** after bloody conquests. - **Significance**: India’s first **centralized empire**. ### **Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE)** - **Key Focus**: Shifted from **Legalism** (as in the **Qin Dynasty**) to **Confucianism** and **education**. - **Legacy**: The **Silk Road** expanded, **bureaucracy** flourished, and **Confucianism** became central to Chinese society. ### **Mandate of Heaven** - **Definition**: A **Zhou** belief that rulers are granted power by **Heaven**. If a ruler fails to act justly, they lose the **Mandate** and a new dynasty rises. --- ### **Social Systems and Beliefs** ### **Caste System (India)** - **Definition**: A rigid hierarchical system determining a person’s **occupation**, **economic role**, and **social position** in society. ### **Hinduism** - **Core Beliefs**: Polytheistic, belief in **reincarnation**, **karma**, and a Supreme Being called **Brahman**. - **Key Concepts**: **Dharma** (moral duties), **Moksha** (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). ### **Buddhism** - **Founder**: **Siddhartha Gautama** (Buddha) - **Core Belief**: Suffering is caused by desire; to end suffering, one must follow the **Eightfold Path** and reach **Nirvana** (peace). ### **Confucianism** - **Founder**: **Confucius** - **Focus**: Ethical teachings on proper behavior, **filial piety**, and the importance of **education** and **morality** for a stable society. ### **Daoism** - **Philosophy**: Advocates living in harmony with **nature** (the **Dao**), and emphasizes the value of **non-action** (wu wei). - **Yin and Yang**: The balance between complementary forces (e.g., **light** and **dark**, **active** and **passive**). ### **Legalism** - **Founder**: **Hanfeizi** - **Core Belief**: Humans are inherently selfish and must be controlled through strict laws and harsh punishments. --- ### **Key Historical Concepts** ### **Silk Road** - **Definition**: A network of trade routes connecting **China**, **India**, and the **Middle East**, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas. ### **Dynastic Cycle** - **Concept**: The rise and fall of Chinese dynasties, linked to the **Mandate of Heaven**. Dynasties prosper when rulers are virtuous, but fall into corruption and rebellion when rulers become unjust. ### **Filial Piety** - **Definition**: The Confucian practice of showing respect and deference to one’s parents and elders. --- ### **Key Historical Figures** ### **Ashoka** - **Role**: Mauryan Emperor of India, who conquered most of India but later converted to **Buddhism**, promoting peace and tolerance. ### **Qin Shi Huangdi** - **First Emperor of China**: United China in 221 BCE, using **Legalism** to strengthen the state, and initiated the construction of the **Great Wall**. --- ### **Ancient Civilizations** ### **Sumer/Mesopotamia** - **Timeframe**: Established around **4000 BCE** in the region between the **Tigris** and **Euphrates** Rivers. - **Significance**: Developed the first **writing system** and built the **Ziggurat** (temple). - **Hammurabi’s Law Code**: One of the earliest legal codes, promoting justice but reinforcing class divisions. ### **Indus Civilization** - **Timeframe**: 2600 BCE - 1900 BCE - **Key Cities**: **Harappa** and **Mohenjo-Daro**, known for advanced **urban planning**, including drainage and grid systems. - **Mystery**: Their script remains undeciphered. ### **Ancient Egypt** - **Pharaoh**: The divine ruler of Egypt, considered both a **political** and **religious** leader. - **Theocracy**: Egypt was governed by religious leaders, with the pharaoh acting as the earthly representative of the gods. ### **Aryans in India** - **Contribution**: Introduced **Brahmanism** (early form of **Hinduism**) and the **Vedas**, which became the foundation for later Hindu beliefs. --- ### **Early Human Evolution** ### **Hominids** - **First Humans**: - **Australopithecus Afarensis**: "Lucy," 3.2 million years ago - **Homo Erectus**: Lived between **2 million and 111,000 years ago** - **Homo Neanderthalensis**: Lived from **400,000 - 40,000 years ago** - **Homo Sapiens**: Appeared around **300,000 years ago** --- ### **Agricultural Revolution and the Rise of Cities** - **Agriculture**: Began around **10,000 years ago**, allowing for **sedentary life** and the rise of early civilizations. - **Cities**: The first cities emerged around **5,000 years ago**. - **Neolithic Transition**: Shift from **hunter-gatherers** to **agricultural societies**; led to surplus food and the emergence of **social classes**. ### **First Civilizations** - **Mesopotamia** (4000 BCE) - **Egypt** (3100 BCE) - **Indus River Civilization** (3000 BCE) - **China** (2500 BCE, Huang He River) --- ### **Memory Aids and Mnemonics** 1. **Mauryan Empire Mnemonic**: **M**auryan **E**mpire, **P**eaceful **S**hifts, **A**soka’s **B**uddhist **C**onversion (Asoka's shift from violence to Buddhism) 2. **Han Dynasty Mnemonic**: **H**armonizing **A**ncient **N**ations, **E**ducating and **R**uling (Confucianism, bureaucracy, and education) 3. **Mandate of Heaven Mnemonic**: **M**andate **H**olds, **R**uler **F**alls (If rulers become corrupt, they lose the Mandate of Heaven) 4. **Hinduism and Buddhism Mnemonic**: **H**induism – **B**rahman, **R**eincarnation **B**uddhism – **E**ightfold **P**ath, **S**uffering Ends 5. **Confucianism Mnemonic**: **C**onducting **M**orally, **F**ilial **P**iety (Confucianism is about moral conduct and respect for elders) 6. **Daoism Mnemonic**: **D**aoism – **L**ive in **H**armony with **N**ature, **Y**in and **Y**ang (Daoism emphasizes living naturally, balancing forces) 7. **Legalism Mnemonic**: **L**aw and **E**xecution to **G**uide **A**uthority (Legalism is about strict laws and control) 8. **Dynastic Cycle Mnemonic**: **D**ynasties **R**ise, **F**all, **C**ycle **R**epeats (Dynasties cycle according to the Mandate of Heaven) 9. **Filial Piety Mnemonic**: **F**amily **I**s **L**ove, **I**nfluence **A**ll **L**ives (Confucian respect for elders and ancestors) 10. **The Agricultural Revolution Mnemonic**: **A**griculture **R**ises, **S**ocieties **B**loom (Agriculture allowed for settled societies and city growth) --- ### **Key Events & Ideas for Memorization** - **The Agricultural Revolution**: Began around **10,000 years ago**, fundamentally changing human societies. - **Rise of the First Civilizations**: Around **4000 BCE** in **Mesopotamia** and **3100 BCE** in **Egypt**. - **The Development of Writing**: **Cuneiform** (Mesopotamia) and **Hieroglyphs** (Egypt) are the first known writing systems. - **Trade and Culture**: The **Silk Road** facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas across **China**, **India**, and the **Middle East**. ### **1. The Major River Valley Civilizations** (For Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River Valley, and China) **Mnemonic**: **"Mighty Emperors Invited Celestial Harvests."** - **M**ighty = **Mesopotamia** (Tigris and Euphrates, 4000 BCE) - **E**mperors = **Egypt** (Nile River, 3100 BCE) - **I**nvited = **Indus River Valley** (Indus River, 3000 BCE) - **C**elestial = **China** (Huang He River, 2500 BCE) - **H**arvests = Agricultural development as the basis of civilization --- ### **2. The Four Major Religions/Philosophies** (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism) **Mnemonic**: **"Happy Buddhists Contemplate Daoist Life."** - **H**appy = **Hinduism** (Polytheistic, Reincarnation, Dharma) - **B**uddhists = **Buddhism** (End suffering, Eightfold Path, Nirvana) - **C**ontemplate = **Confucianism** (Respect, Filial Piety, Social harmony) - **D**aoist = **Daoism** (Balance, Yin and Yang, Natural order) - **L**ife = Key focus on personal and social harmony --- ### **3. Key Chinese Dynasties and Philosophies** (Qin, Han, Zhou) **Mnemonic**: **"Quiet, Helpful Zebras."** - **Q**uiet = **Qin Dynasty** (221-207 BCE, Legalism, first centralized state) - **H**elpful = **Han Dynasty** (202 BCE - 220 CE, Confucianism, Silk Road) - **Z**ebras = **Zhou Dynasty** (1046-256 BCE, Mandate of Heaven, Feudalism) --- ### **4. Important Ancient Indian Concepts** (Hinduism, Buddhism, Caste System) **Mnemonic**: **"Hindus Believe Caste Reigns."** - **H**indus = **Hinduism** (Reincarnation, Karma, Dharma) - **B**elieve = **Buddhism** (Suffering, Nirvana, Eightfold Path) - **C**aste = **Caste System** (Rigid social hierarchy in India) - **R**eigns = Importance of caste in Indian society --- ### **5. The Dynastic Cycle in China** (Mandate of Heaven) **Mnemonic**: **"Rulers Must Fall."** - **R**ulers = A dynasty’s rulers are considered to have the **Mandate of Heaven**. - **M**ust = The **Mandate of Heaven** ensures the ruler’s right to rule. - **F**all = When rulers become corrupt or unjust, the Mandate is lost, and a new dynasty takes over. --- ### **6. The Four Major Philosophies/Concepts in Ancient China** (Legalism, Confucianism, Daoism, Filial Piety) **Mnemonic**: **"Loving Children Do Feelings."** - **L**oving = **Legalism** (Strict laws, harsh punishments) - **C**hildren = **Confucianism** (Moral behavior, respect for elders) - **D**o = **Daoism** (Living in harmony with nature, Yin and Yang) - **F**eelings = **Filial Piety** (Respect for one’s parents and ancestors) --- ### **7. Major River Valley Civilizations' Contributions** (Writing, Law Codes, Religion, Architecture) **Mnemonic**: **"Wicked Leaders Really Act."** - **W**icked = **Writing** (Cuneiform in Mesopotamia, Hieroglyphs in Egypt) - **L**eaders = **Law Codes** (Hammurabi’s Code in Mesopotamia) - **R**eally = **Religion** (Polytheism, early religious beliefs) - **A**ct = **Architecture** (Pyramids in Egypt, Ziggurats in Mesopotamia) --- ### **8. The Major Beliefs of Hinduism** (Karma, Reincarnation, Dharma, Moksha) **Mnemonic**: **"Kindly Rabbits Don't Mention."** - **K**indly = **Karma** (What you do comes back to you) - **R**abbits = **Reincarnation** (Cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) - **D**on’t = **Dharma** (Moral duties or responsibilities) - **M**ention = **Moksha** (Liberation from the cycle of rebirth) --- ### **9. Ancient Egypt’s Key Concepts** (Pharaoh, Theocracy, Pyramids) **Mnemonic**: **"Pharaohs Think Pyramids."** - **P**haraohs = **Pharaoh** (The king-god of Egypt) - **T**hink = **Theocracy** (Rule by religious leaders, Pharaoh as divine) - **P**yramids = Massive tombs for the Pharaohs, symbolizing their divine power and afterlife --- ### **10. Important Concepts of the Silk Road** (Trade, Cultural Diffusion, China, India, Middle East) **Mnemonic**: **"Traders Carry Chinese Ideas Mostly."** - **T**raders = **Trade** (Silk, spices, precious goods) - **C**arry = **Cultural Diffusion** (Spread of ideas, religions, technology) - **C**hinese = **China** (Key hub of the Silk Road) - **I**deas = **India** (Spread of Buddhism, Indian goods) - **M**ostly = **Middle East** (Cultural exchange and trade center) --- ### **11. Early Human Evolution Timeline** (Homo Erectus, Homo Neanderthalensis, Homo Sapiens) **Mnemonic**: **"Early Neanderthals Sang Songs."** - **E**arly = **Homo Erectus** (2 million to 111,000 years ago) - **N**eanderthals = **Homo Neanderthalensis** (400,000 - 40,000 years ago) - **S**ang = **Homo Sapiens** (300,000 years ago to present) --- ### **12. Key Indian Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization** (Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro) **Mnemonic**: **"Harmless Mice Migrate."** - **H**armless = **Harappa** - **M**ice = **Mohenjo-Daro** - **M**igrate = Advanced urban planning and trade between the cities ### **1. The Major Ancient Empires** (Mauryan, Qin, Han, and Egypt) **Mnemonic**: **"Mighty Queens Have Empires."** - **M**ighty = **Mauryan Empire** (India, 321-185 BCE, centralized government, Asoka's conversion to Buddhism) - **Q**ueens = **Qin Dynasty** (China, 221-207 BCE, Legalism, Great Wall construction) - **H**ave = **Han Dynasty** (China, 202 BCE - 220 CE, Confucianism, expansion of the Silk Road) - **E**mpires = **Egypt** (Ancient Egypt, Pharaohs, theocracy, pyramids) --- ### **2. Major Rivers and Their Civilizations** (Tigris/Euphrates, Nile, Indus, Huang He) **Mnemonic**: **"The Nile Is Hot Everywhere."** - **T**he = **Tigris and Euphrates** (Mesopotamia) - **N**ile = **Nile River** (Egypt) - **I**s = **Indus River** (Indus Valley) - **H**ot = **Huang He (Yellow River)** (China) - **E**verywhere = Early civilizations formed along these rivers. --- ### **3. Ancient Philosophies of China** (Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism) **Mnemonic**: **"Crazy Dogs Lick."** - **C**razy = **Confucianism** (Respect, morality, social harmony) - **D**ogs = **Daoism** (Living in harmony with nature, balance, Yin and Yang) - **L**ick = **Legalism** (Strict laws, harsh punishments, central control) --- ### **4. The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism** (Suffering, Cause of Suffering, End of Suffering, Path to End Suffering) **Mnemonic**: **"Some Cats Eat Pies."** - **S**ome = **Suffering** (Life is suffering) - **C**ats = **Cause of Suffering** (Desire and attachment) - **E**at = **End of Suffering** (Nirvana, peace) - **P**ies = **Path to End Suffering** (The Eightfold Path) --- ### **5. The Four Vedas of Hinduism** (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda) **Mnemonic**: **"Rats Yell Songs At Night."** - **R**ats = **Rigveda** (Hymns, praises to gods) - **Y**ell = **Yajurveda** (Rituals and sacrifices) - **S**ongs = **Samaveda** (Chants, melodies) - **A**t = **Atharvaveda** (Spells, incantations for daily life) --- ### **6. The Development of Writing Systems** (Cuneiform, Hieroglyphs, Alphabet) **Mnemonic**: **"Creatures Have Articles."** - **C**reatures = **Cuneiform** (Mesopotamia, early form of writing) - **H**ave = **Hieroglyphs** (Egyptian writing system) - **A**rticles = **Alphabet** (Phoenician alphabet, influenced later writing systems) --- ### **7. Key Figures in Ancient India** (Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka, Siddhartha Gautama) **Mnemonic**: **"Charming Ancient Saints."** - **C**harming = **Chandragupta Maurya** (Founder of the Mauryan Empire) - **A**ncient = **Asoka** (Mauryan ruler, converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War) - **S**aints = **Siddhartha Gautama** (Buddha, founder of Buddhism) --- ### **8. The Main Beliefs of Confucianism** (Moral Conduct, Respect for Elders, Social Harmony) **Mnemonic**: **"Moral Respect Secures Harmony."** - **M**oral = **Moral Conduct** (Proper behavior, virtue) - **R**espect = **Respect for Elders** (Filial Piety) - **S**ecures = **Social Harmony** (Order in society through proper roles) - **H**armony = **Harmony** (The ideal state for society) --- ### **9. The 8 Fold Path in Buddhism** (Understanding, Intention, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration) **Mnemonic**: **"Ugly Insects Seek Apple Lollipops Every Morning Calmly."** - **U**gly = **Right Understanding** (Comprehend the Four Noble Truths) - **I**nsects = **Right Intention** (Commitment to ethical action) - **S**eek = **Right Speech** (Avoid lying, gossip, and harsh speech) - **A**pple = **Right Action** (Act ethically, avoid harm) - **L**ollipops = **Right Livelihood** (Earn a living in a way that doesn't harm others) - **E**very = **Right Effort** (Cultivate good habits and avoid bad ones) - **M**orning = **Right Mindfulness** (Awareness of thoughts, feelings, actions) - **C**almly = **Right Concentration** (Focus and meditate to achieve Nirvana) ### **10. Major Achievements of the Mauryan Empire** (Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka’s Conversion to Buddhism, Spread of Buddhism) **Mnemonic**: **"Chandragupta and Asoka Spread."** - **C**handragupta = **Chandragupta Maurya** (Founded the Mauryan Empire) - **A**soka = **Asoka** (Converted to Buddhism, promoted peace) - **S**pread = **Spread of Buddhism** (Promoted across Asia after Asoka's conversion) ### **11. The Contributions of Ancient Mesopotamia** (Writing, Law Code, Agriculture, Religion) **Mnemonic**: **"Wolves Love Ancient Rain."** - **W**olves = **Writing** (Cuneiform, the earliest form of writing) - **L**ove = **Law Code** (Hammurabi’s Code, one of the first legal systems) - **A**ncient = **Agriculture** (First to use irrigation and develop farming) - **R**ain = **Religion** (Polytheistic, built ziggurats for gods) --- ### **12. The Characteristics of the Zhou Dynasty** (Mandate of Heaven, Feudalism, Strong Centralized Rule) **Mnemonic**: **"Many Farmers Seek Harmony."** - **M**any = **Mandate of Heaven** (Rulers must rule justly to keep Heaven’s favor) - **F**armers = **Feudalism** (Land was granted to lords in exchange for military service) - **S**eek = **Strong Centralized Rule** (Zhou dynasty initially consolidated power) Early Humans and the Birth of Civilization Chapter Reading this Week: Chapter 1: pg. 2 - 20 How long have humans been around? How long has civilization been around? Hominids: 4 - 6 Million Years ago Australopithecus Afarensis “Lucy” 3.2 million years old Homo Erectus Lived between 2 million and 111,000 Years ago “Turkana boy” Homo Neanderthalensis Lived from 400,000 - 40,000 years ago Homo Sapiens First arose around 300,000 year ago Advantages Relationships with Neanderthals Spread of Human Settlement Agricultural Revolution and Cities Cities - 5,000 years ago. Agriculture - 10,000 years ago. Homo Sapiens - 200,000 years. Slow developments. Paleolithic Era: 600,000 B.C.E Hunter Gatherers No Political organization Paleolithic Era: 600,000 B.C.E Few material possessions. Paleolithic Era ends with agriculture. First in 12,000 B.C.E Neolithic Transition Warming Climate Emergence of Agriculture Importance of a surplus Emergence of Agriculture Independently developed or borrowed? Develops sporadically around the world, with different crops and animals depending on region. Video: Hadza Hunter Gatherers in Tanzania Only 400 traditional Hadza hunter-gatherers left What is a Civilization? How do you define/describe it? Civilization (Definition) the process by which a society or place reaches an advanced stage of social and cultural development and organization. a highly developed culture, including its social organization, government, laws, and arts, or the culture of a social group or country at a particular time: First Civilizations River Valley Civilizations Mesopotamia: 4000 BC Egypt: 3100 BC Indus River Civilization: 3000 BC China on the Huang He (Yellow river): 2500 BC Second Generation Civilizations Greece: 1300 B.C. Olmecs, Middle America: 1200 B.C. Chavin culture, near Peru, 900 B.C. Development of Agriculture Begins in Uplands (Steppe) Problems with river agriculture “Slash and Burn” Development of Agriculture Sedentarization Effect of agriculture Surplus of food leads to inequality, class and status Effects of Agriculture Class Characterized by wealth and determined by control of productive resources, land. Example of Class 1. Large Landholders 2. Small land holders 3. Sharecroppers 4. Wage Laborers 5. Forced Laborers Effects of Agriculture Status Formal criteria of prestige to distinguish powerful/important people from commoners. Title: Ex. Dukes, lords Privileges Sumptuous Laws: Laws to keep status How to Improve Status Buy Land Buy Titles Intermarry with old money families Overlap of Class and Status Those with wealth (higher class), typically have a higher status. Exception: Wealthy Merchants Have wealth, but a very low status. Role of Religion Explains purpose of life, unexplained phenomena Justifies inequality “Work and Pray” Religious Cults Universal Phenomena Gods attributed to the Sun, planets, weather, etc. Local Phenomena Sacred local landscapes, mountains, rivers. Ancestor Worship Ancestors are messengers of gods Urbanization Cities exist in hierarchy cascading from a central place. Function of city centers Commercial: Market Place Military: Forts, walls Political: Palace, courthouse Religious: Temples Urbanization Hinterland: surrounding countryside. Supports the city with materials Food, construction materials, workers. Specialization and Innovation Surplus allows some not to become farmers. 80-90% employed in agriculture The rest focus on science and religion Monumental Architecture Temples, pyramids Found in center of cities Sometimes served as shrines for patron gods Provide shelter from flooding - for priests and nobility Ziggurats - Mesopotamia Ziggurat of Ur Ziggurats - Mesopotamia Ziggurat of Ur Pyramids - Egypt Great Pyramids of Giza Pyramids - Mesoamerica Chichen Itza Development of Writing Purpose: Political - Issuing orders, lawcodes, organizing gov’t/military Cultural - Passing on traditions/religion Scientific - Pass on ideas Hammurabi’s Code Developed around 1750 BCE in the Babylonian empire. Attempted to solidify Hammurabi as ruler. Created laws and specific punishments. Helped to organize society and the economy. Development of the Steppe/Sown frontier Sown = farmers, sedentary Steppe = Hunter-gatherers, nomads Competition between these groups dominates human development from 1500 BC to 1500 CE. Development of the Steppe/Sown frontier Sown = “Civilized” Steppe = “Barbarian Sedentary farmers Develop written languages. Organize law codes, write history. Occupy the best, fertile land. Pastoral nomads: looking for fields for animals to graze. Domestication of animals. Live in dry steppe lands. Military superiority. Raiding and trading. (Peace and violence) Nomads vs. Farmers in Africa Sahel region in Africa The “Great Green Wall” The “Great Green Wall” Early River Valley Civilizations Chinese Civilization Instructor: Mr. Ahlstrom China’s “One China” Policy Chinese Congress Jack Ma - Chinese Businessman North Korean Congress China: Overview Relative isolation due to geography. Gobi and Taklamakan deserts to the North and West. Himalayas to SW Tundras to the North China: Overview Southern seas allow contact to other people. China influences Japan, Korea, Vietnam - East Asia. Four Stage Model Agricultural Revolution Early Civilization Regional Kingdoms Universal Empires Four Stage Model in China Agricultural Revolution Develops independently in China Huang He (Yellow) river Food: wheat, millets, rice, chicken, pigs, cattle Huang He River Huang He and Yangtze Rivers Yangtze River Creation Myth - China The Great Happening Creation Myth - China “Before Heaven and Earth had taken form all was vague and amorphous. Therefore it was called the Great Beginning. The Great Beginning produced emptiness, and the emptiness produced the universe. The universe produced qi [vital force or energy], which had limits. That which was clear and light drifted up to become Heaven while that which was heavy and turbid solidified to become earth… the combined essences of Heaven and Earth became yin and yang.” Huainanzi - 3rd century B.C.E. Creation Myth - China Pan Gu “Heaven was exceedingly high, Earth exceedingly deep, and Pan Gu exceedingly tall” Creation Myth - China Pan Gu “His left eye became the sun, the right the moon” “His blood became rivers; his sinews became the geographic features” “...and the various worms in his body, touched by the wind, became the black-haired commoners.” Creation Myth - China Yin and Yang The Universe is in balance between opposite forces. Ex, light and dark, feminine and masculine Chinese Heaven - Gods Do not create things, only set them in motion The origin of the Universe is less important than correct orientation and balance. Problem Written sources of Chinese history do not always correspond neatly with the archaeological evidence. Four Stage Model in China 2. Early Civilization River Valley culture - Yangshao - 6,000 - 2,500 BCE Yangshao Culture Agricultural success Need for organization Is this the first dynasty of the Xia? Xia Dynasty - 2100 BCE First Dynasty of China - possibly mythical Heaven and Earth separate The “Yellow emperor” “The Five Emperors” Xia Dynasty begins after last emperor Xia Dynasty - 2100 BCE Agricultural Projects Hereditary Rule Metallurgy - Bronze Nomadic Pressure Creation of the Great Wall Militaristic and Cultural purpose “Inside Great Wall is Civilization” - Middle Kingdom Outside are barbarians “Yemanren” (raw people) - barbarians Nomadic Pressure Tribute System: Keep nomads out by paying them off Give them food, brides, imperial titles. Shang Dynasty - 1600 BCE - 1050 BCE First dominant regional kingdom Birth defines position: aristocrat, commoner, slave. Extreme Inequality Shang Dynasty - 1600 BCE - 1050 BCE Vassal System Vassal states have loyalty to central Shang ruler Shang Dynasty - 1600 BCE - 1050 BCE Oracle Bone inscriptions - Early religious ritual Text inscribed on animal bone Bones are heated over fire, cracks appear. Cracks determine the answer from the gods. Shang Dynasty - 1600 BCE - 1050 BCE Extreme inequality - Slavery Shang Dynasty overthrown by a slave rebellion joined by a vassal state. Zhou Dynasty 1050 BCE - 221 BCE Justify rebellion of Shang by saying they violated the Mandate of Heaven Dynastic Cycle: People have a right to rebel against unjust ruler. 43 Four Stage Model in China 3. Regional Kingdoms: Hereditary Kingship Shang Dynasty - North China, 1600 -1050 BCE Zhou Dynasty - 1050 - 221 BCE Four Stage Model in China 4. Universal Empires Qin Dynasty: 221 - 206 BCE Han Dynasty: 202 BCE - 220 CE China is unified for most of its history, unlike India. Legacy of Universal Empires Universal Dynasties leave a lasting legacy in China, unlike India Qin and Han Dynasties Zhou Dynasty 1050 BCE - 221 BCE Zhou Dynasty weakens Vassal States Vassal states fight amongst each other for power Known as Warring States Period Zhou Dynasty 1050 BCE - 221 BCE Hundred Schools of Philosophy emerges out of struggle Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism Qin Dynasty Ideal imperial unification Great Wall is built Universal writing system established: Classical Chinese - creates unity Abolition of feudalism and slavery Legalism Severe punishments for breaking the law. Han Dynasty Confucianism becomes state ideology Hierarchy - Relations between unequals Ex) Ruler and subject Ritual ancestor worship Han Dynasty Education: Study Confucian classics Civil Service Exam: Must take test for a government position. Must devote life to study. Merit based society All males eligible for examination Exam defines social structure. Han Dynasty Ever normal granary system Gov’t buys surplus grain, releases graine in famine. Paper making develops Allows better record keeping The Emergence of Imperial China 1 2 Zhou Dynasty 1050 BCE - 221 BCE Justify rebellion of Shang by saying they violated the Mandate of Heaven Shang were bad rulers, so the gods/ancestor turned on them. People have a right to rebel against unjust ruler. (Dynastic Cycle) Zhou Dynasty 1050 BCE - 221 BCE Zhou Dynasty weakens Vassal States Vassal states fight amongst each other for power Known as Warring States Period Hundred Schools of Philosophy emerges out of struggle Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism 5 WARRING STATES PERIOD Period of Civil War. 3 ideas emerge on how to bring stability to society. Confucianism Daoism Legalism 6 CONFUCIANISM Political philosophy created by Confucius during the Warring States Period. 7 CONFUCIANISM Attempted to bring order/stability Family is the basic unit of society. Order came from stable human relationships Hierarchy - Relations between unequals Ex) Ruler and subject 8 CONFUCIANISM Believed people should behave in a loving, selfless, and moral way Filial Piety Children should respect their parents. Importance of Rituals Patriarchal 5 Relationships of Confucius ruler and subject father and son elder brother and younger brother husband and wife friend and friend. 11 Daoism Undated painting of Laozi Founded by Laozi in 6th-5th century BCE. Main principle is the Dao, which means “the Way.” Wu Wei is the method of following the Dao. letting things take their natural course without interference. DAOISM Human society is part of nature Society prospers when government is least intrusive. CONFUCIANISM / DAOISM Human society is all important Active Reform Rationalism - Using reason/logic Used in good times more popular to youth Nature is the source of inspiration Passive reform mysticism/intuition used in bad times more popular to elderly. 16 LEGALISM Bring order to society through authoritarianism. Used by the Qin Dynasty after the Warring States Period. Emphasized agriculture, but shunned philosophy. 17 CONFUCIANISM / LEGALISM Good nature of people Inspire people through reward gov’t is for the people. values scholarship People are evil punishment needed to control people exist to benefit the state persecution of scholars 18 QIN DYNASTY (249 BCE - 206 BCE) Follows brutal period of warfare. Shi Huangdi: Leads Qin militarily to unify China. Totalitarianism Control actions and thoughts of citizens Led by Legalism 19 QIN DYNASTY (249 BCE - 206 BCE) Li Si: Legalist thinker People are evil, need punishment to keep in check. Secret police Intellectuals are a threat. Prosecute them, burn books. Recreate new society, destroy the old ways. 20 QIN DYNASTY LI SI “Through military victories, the state of Qin has, in the time of the last six kings, brought the feudal lords into submission. Now, with the might of Qin and the virtues of Your Highness [Shi Huangdi], at one stroke, like sweeping off the dust from a kitchen stove, the feudal lords can be annihilated , imperial rule can be established, and unification of the world can be brought about.” 21 Book Burning 22 Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution 23 Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution 24 QIN DYNASTY (249 BCE - 206 BCE) Li Si: Legalist thinker Force people to work for state (Public projects) Great Wall, Terracotta Army Makes government unpopular 25 Terracotta Army 26 Terracotta Army 27 Great Wall 28 Influence of Qin Dynasty today 29 Influence of Qin Dynasty today Internment Camps in Xinjiang 30 Great Wall Under Qin Dynasty 31 Great Wall Under HAn Dynasty 32 33 Review Qin Dynasty - Achievements Chinese Philosophy Daoism Confucianism Legalism 34 THE HAN DYNASTY (202 BCE) Greatly supported by people at first. Expands territory (Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam) Attempts to establish trade with the West 35 THE HAN DYNASTY (202 BCE) New Social Order Based on merit instead of birth Civil Service Exams determine social status. Open to all males. Exams take years of training. If you pass you can become gov’t official. Hierarchy: 1. Scholar Gentry 2. Commoners 36 THE HAN DYNASTY (202 BCE) Han adopt Confucianism as state ideology. Also contains legalist aspects, known as Imperial Confucianism. Patriarchy Confucianism is male dominant. Women seen as a burden, male children are coveted. 37 THE HAN DYNASTY (202 BCE) Status of Women Women can never be independent Girl —> Father Wife —> Husband Widows —> Male relative Footbinding Keeps feet small, very painful. Creates male control, inhibits ability to walk. 38 SILK ROADS Series of routes (land and sea) from Asia to the Middle East. Empires connect world for peaceful trade (200 BCE - 200 CE) Ex) Han, Romans, Kushans 39 SILK ROADS Goods (High Value) Silk, perfumes, spices, glassware Ideas/religion spreads on Silk roads Cities flourish from trade. 40 HAN COLLAPSE Internal Factors Landlords grow in strength. Factional infighting - Elites fight amongst each other. Indulgence: Elites care about wealth Leads to losses in tax revenue. 41 HAN COLLAPSE External Factors Xiongnu (Nomads from North) put pressure on China, fragment it temporarily. Buddhism spreads in China due to fragmentation 42 Fall of the Han Dynasty Rise of Warring States 220 – 589 44 581 – 618 CE Creation of the Sui Dynasty Emperor Yang Jian The Grand Canal: United northern and southern China. Increased internal trade The Grand Canal 48 The Grand Canal 49 The Grand Canal 50 Rebuilt the Great Wall Consequences of Rapid Development Ming Dynasty Walls 52 The Emperor declares that construction should be done on the Great Wall to help protect against invaders. However, hundreds of thousands of workers will need to be forced to do grueling work and taxes will need to be raised to fund the project. The emperor has asked you, his scholars, to debate whether expanding the Great wall would be worth it. 53 Rumors of a potential peasant rebellion are stirring after the Emperor raised taxes. The Emperor is unsure whether to lower the taxes, or use the military to strictly enforce the taxes and make an example of anyone who resists. How should the Emperor deal with the unhappy peasants? 54 The emperor is debating whether he should hold a massive festival in honor of himself. The festival would provide free food and festivities for the peasants, but would cost the empire a significant sum of gold. Should the emperor throw a festival for himself? 55 581 – 618 CE Late in the Tang Dynasty, Confucian thought became popular. It taught a code of behavior based on respect. Expanded and improved Grand Canal Great artists painted murals celebrating Buddhism. Sculpture and poetry also became popular. Empress Wu ruled with an iron fist in order to unify China and prevent disunion. Began to trade overland with foreigners. Trade with India in the west, and Korea, and Japan in the east. Products included silk, rice spices, tea, and jade. Chaos and disunion occurred as different kingdoms competed for power. Lasted 53 years Another Period of Disunion! { 960 – 1279 CE } Confucius had lived1500 years earlier; Confucianism had a resurgence during the Song period. Confucius taught that people should have respect for others (family, government and education) and follow appropriate customs and beliefs (proper behavior). Dragon’s backbone pump: scooped water from one place in order to dump in canal for crop irrigation. Fast-ripening rice increased food production. A merit system for government jobs - People became government officials by passing civil service examinations. If the examination was passed they became very respected scholar officials who worked for the government bureaucracy (government organization). Porcelain (China) was invented and traded with Europe and throughout Asia. As with silk, the Chinese protected this knowledge to ensure their control of the porcelain trade Which statement BEST describes an effect of the civil service system in China? only the sons of gentry could take the exam. the exam tested young men on their knowledge of mathematics, science, and history. he exam protected China from corrupt officials. the exam ensured that officials were qualified and shared Confucian values and traditions. It reunified China and launched military campaigns in central Asia and Korea.B)It imposed high taxes and compulsory labor services for construction of the Grand Canal.C)It brought about great prosperity in China and long-lived imperial rule.D)It only lasted a short period of time.E)The last emperor was assassinated, bringing the dynasty to an end. 67 Which statement is false about the Tang and Song Dynasties? Confucian thought became popular Government officials were selected through a merit system Trade prospered They were periods of relative decline It reunified China and launched military campaigns in central Asia and Korea.B)It imposed high taxes and compulsory labor services for construction of the Grand Canal.C)It brought about great prosperity in China and long-lived imperial rule.D)It only lasted a short period of time.E)The last emperor was assassinated, bringing the dynasty to an end. 68 (Mongol) { 1279 – 1368 CE } The Mongols were different than the Chinese – They spoke a different language, worshipped different gods, wore different clothing and had different customs – The Chinese thought the Mongols were rude and uncivilized. Mongols tolerated (accepted) Chinese traditions and philosophies. Many adopted Chinese ways. With taxes collected from the Chinese, they built new roads and palaces. Created a postal system. Built new capital, Dadu. Genghis Khan Organized a fierce army and started to attack China in the north. Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) declared himself Emperor of China. They heavily taxed the Chinese but allowed them to keep their own belief systems. Mongols traded by sea and by land, which increased contact with the West. The military protected overland trade routes, which made it safer for foreign traders. Marco Polo: Italian merchant who served under Kublai Khan’s court. He, determined that China was highly civilized and wrote a book about it. { 1368 - 1644 CE } Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism are still influential in beliefs and behaviors of the population of modern China. China is the country with the largest population of Buddhists, approximately 244 million, or 18.2% of its total population. All of the following religions and belief systems were practiced in Medieval China except Christianity Buddhism Daoism (Taoism) Confucianism They built the Forbidden City in Beijing. It had 9,000 rooms and government buildings. Only the upper class could go in. Restoration of the Great Wall – Expanded to over 2,000 miles long! They expelled (kicked out) the Mongols. Emperors became more powerful. Civil Service System was used again (had to pass examinations to become scholar officials). Sailor Zheng He: led many grand voyages all over Asia and Africa. He returned with representatives from over 30 nations to honor the Chinese king. Isolationism: Ming emperors concluded the West had little to offer, so they restricted trade and other interactions. China avoided outside contact and fell behind other countries in technology and military power. Marco Polo received a position in the court of the _________ Dynasty. Tang Song Yuan Ming India Geography of India Geography of India India Demographics Modi India Demographics India Demographics Problems: Overpopulation Problems: Overpopulation Problems: Air pollution Problems: Water Pollution Problems: Water Pollution Indus Valley River Civilization Indus Valley Civilization - 3,000 BCE Urban - Cities up to 40,000 people. Little is known of the Indus People Indus River destroyed archaeological sites. Indus Script: Not decipherable yet. Indus Script Characteristics of the Indus Shiva - God of Creation and Destruction Female Deities found Reincarnation Cattle Worship - Reincarnation of the Cow Fall of the Indus Theory: Aryans invade Indus. Some evidence found in later records. Theory: Shift in the course of the Indus River. Decline in rainfall led to desertification. Aryan Invasion of Indus Vedas: Sacred Texts Provides info on Aryans Religious impact Aryan male deities (Indra: God of War, Agni: God of Fire) mix with female deities of India. This mix forms Brahmanism. Establishes priests (Brahmin) as top class. Social Impact of Aryan Invasion Caste System Brahmins - Priests Kshatriyas: Ruler and Warriors (Ex. Rama) Vaishyas: Landowners, merchants Shudras: labourers Pariyas/outcastes : leatherworkers, sweepers, washermen. Social Impact of Aryan Invasion Hereditary occupation: adopt the skills of the father. Marriage partners: must marry in same group Violent system: Class tension. Castes become increasingly rigid. Classical India The Mauryan and Gupta Empires Hinduism Polytheistic Religion Moksha - Freedom from suffering, considered a state of perfect understanding. Reincarnation Karma Karma follows the soul through reincarnation. The Caste System Rigid set of social classes. Hinduism strengthened Caste system The Caste System Good Karma = would be reincarnated into a higher, wealthier, more powerful caste. If you were born poor, you had bad karma and therefore deserved to live in poverty. Lack of Social Mobility The Ramayana Sanskrit Epic Created over 400 years. 700 - 300 BCE Great cultural importance to the Indian people Rama, the protagonist, demonstrates model behavior of an Indian noble. LEARNING TARGET I can contextualize the setting of the Ramayana Buddhism - Origin Siddhartha Gautama - Founder Search for enlightenment Becoming Buddha. Goal: End human suffering Nirvana - freedom from selfishness and pain Asceticism - practice of self-discipline and self-denial Four Noble Truths Life is full of suffering Suffering comes from desire Suffering stops when desire stops To stop desire, follow the Eightfold path Eightfold Path Buddhism’s impact Buddhism did NOT support the Caste system Supported by the poor. Buddhist missionaries spread the religion over trade routes to China, Korea, and Japan. Never overtakes Hinduism in India. Mauryan Empire In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya united India and created the Mauryan Empire. Created highly bureaucratic government. divided empire into provinces and districts. appointed local officials to enforce the laws and collect taxes. Use of spies Mauryan Empire Ashoka led war campaigns to gain land. Battle of Kalindra began to rule according to the beliefs of Buddhism. Centralized bureaucracy. sovereignty and law derived from central gov’t. Central treasury Ashoka Erected stone pillars with the new ideas of peace around his empire Focused on infrastructure: building roads and other public works. He died in 232 BC and his empire began to fall apart despite his policies of nonviolence and toleration. Ashoka Effects of Ashoka’s rule India became more integrated. The economy and trade expanded. Government became stable and uniform across India. Edicts of Ashoka "On the roads...trees have been planted for the enjoyment of animals and men. I have had ponds dug and shelters erected along the roads. Everywhere I have had wells dug." "It is good to be obedient to one's mother and father, friends, and relatives. It is good not only to spend little, but to own the minimum of property." "My officers have been appointed for the welfare [safety] and happiness of the...people. I have given them... authority in judgment and punishment. But it is desirable that there should be uniformity in judicial [trial] procedure and punishment." Edicts of Ashoka "This... has been engraved so that the officials of the city should always see to it that no one is ever imprisoned or tortured without good cause. To ensure this I shall send out every five years on a tour of inspection officers." "Everywhere, I, Ashoka, King Priyadarsi, Beloved of the Gods, have arranged for two kinds of medical treatment: medical treatment for men and medical treatment for animals." "Men who are sentenced to death are to be given three days' respite. Thus their relations may plead for their lives, or men may make donations or undertake a fast for a better rebirth in the next life." Gupta Empire Five hundred years of chaos occurred after Ashoka died. Chandra Gupta began the second Indian empire, called the Gupta Empire. Gupta Empire During the early Gupta Empire, India had major growth in the arts, religion, and science. The use of Zero -- Allows for faster mathematical computing. Place value system It is much simpler to multiply 19 × 84, for example, than XIX × LXXXIV calculated the value of pi to 3.1416 and the length of the solar year to 365.3586805 days. India’s geography Indian Sub-Continent The land between the Indus and Ganges rivers is on a peninsula which sticks out into the Indian Ocean. The Deccan Plateau: high land, dry because the mountain blockages Monsoons seasonal winds called monsoons. During the summer and fall, winds full of rain blow in from the ocean, and the rain often causes flooding. flooding leaves behind nutrient-rich silt in the soil, making it good for farming. River Valley Civilizations and Early Empire Required Readings: The Emergence of Complex Societies in Southwest Asia and Encounters with Indo-European-Speaking Peoples 22 The Emergence of Complex Societies in Africa and the Bantu Migrations 46 The Emergence of Complex Societies in South Asia 70 The Emergence of Complex Society in Mainland East Asia 86 Progression of Political Community - Early Empire Four Stage Model Agricultural Revolution Early Civilization Regional Kingdom Universal Empire Universal Empires -Classical Age Examples Roman Empire Chinese Empire (Qin Dynasty) Gupta Empire (India) Most universal Empire collapse between 3rd to 6th Century CE Caused by “Great Migrations” of Nomadic People Puts pressure on states Collapse of early empires starts the Post Classical Age. MESOPOTAMIA THE FIRST CIVILIZATION Earliest Known human ancestor Lives in Africa 4,400,000 BC Neanderthals spread from Africa Into Europe and Asia 100,000 BC People begin to settle the Fertile Crescent 5,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Menes Unifies Egypt I. GEOGRAPHY A. Fertile Crescent - Curved area in middle east w/fertile land Sumer 3,000 B.C. Euphrates R. Tigris R. B. Mesopotamia,(land between 2 rivers) between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers. C. Flooding Rivers forced people to organize - Govts formed. D. Sumer formed 3,000BC - 1st Civilization Review Timeline with Students In the dry region of the Middle East lies an arc of land that provided some of the best farming in Southwest Asia. The region’s curved shape and the richness of its land led scholars to call it the Fertile Crescent. Around 5,000 B.C. migrants began to settle in the Fertile Crescent, which included parts of modern Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. Many settled in Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The two rivers sometimes flooded and swept away entire villages. So, early Mesopotamian villages cooperated to build dams, escape channels, canals and ditches. As they did, cities formed. The rivers would flood at least once a year, leaving behind silt that was very fertile for planting crops The large harvests led to room for expansion and cities Sumerians had to come up with solutions to deal with these disadvantages Dug irrigation ditches Built walled cities Opened trading with other peoples These projects took cooperation and good leadership Beginning of government AND civilization Sumer becomes the first civilization that we know of. It is the beginning. Earliest Known human ancestor Lives in Africa 4,400,000 BC Neanderthals spread from Africa Into Europe and Asia 100,000 BC People begin to settle the Fertile Crescent 5,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Menes Unifies Egypt E. City-state - City & surrounding area w/its own govt By 3000 B.C., the Sumerians had built a number of cities, each surrounded by fields of barley and wheat. Although these cities shared the same culture, they developed their own governments, each with its own rulers. Each city and the surrounding land it controlled formed a city-state. A city-state functioned much as an independent country does today. Sumerian city-states included Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Umma, and Ur. As in Ur. These city states had many of the characteristics of a civilization we looked at last chapter. Advanced cities Specialized workers, Complex institutions, Record keeping, technology. Sumerians created many city-states to serve as centers of government II. SUMERIAN SOCIETY 1. Kings, head officials, & high priests —————— 2. Middle class of priests, scribes, merchants & artisans ——————— 3. Peasant farmers, slaves. A. 3 Social Classes Sumer 3,000 B.C. In each city-state, the King was responsible for maintaining the city walls and the irrigation systems. He led its armies in war and enforced the laws. He used scribes -people who could read and write to carry out functions such as collecting taxes and keeping records. The king was seen as the chief servant of the gods and led ceremonies made to please them. Each Sumerian city-state had a distinct social hierarchy - or system of ranks. 1. The highest class included the ruling family, leading officials, and high priests. 2. A small middle class was made up of lesser priests and scribes. The middle class also included merchants and artisans. Artisans who practiced the same trade, such as weavers or carpenters, lived and worked in the same street. 3. At the base of society were the majority of people, peasant farmers. Some had their own land, but most worked land belonging to the king or temples. Sumerians also owned slaves. Most slaves had been captured in war. Some, though, had sold themselves into slavery to pay their debts. The role of women in Sumerian society changed over time. In the earliest Sumerian myths, a mother-goddess reflected the honored role of mothers in farming communities. As large city-states emerged with warrior-leaders at their heads, male gods replaced the mother-goddess. Still, in the early city-states, wives of rulers enjoyed special powers and duties. Some supervised palace workshops and ruled for the king when he was absent. Over time, as men gained more power and wealth, women became more dependent on men. Yet women continued to have legal rights. Well-to-do women engaged in trade and owned property. F. Sumerians are credited with numerous technological inventions, including the wagon wheel, the arch, the sundial and bronze. "the place where they live on dust, their food is mud,... and they see no light, living in blackness on the door and door-bolt, deeply settled dust." --The Epic of Gilgamesh III. SUMERIAN RELIGION 1. Polytheistic religion - belief in many gods - Gods looked like people - Controlled nature - Sacrificed food & animals to gods Like most ancient peoples, the Sumerians were polytheistic, worshiping many gods. These gods were thought to control every aspect of life, especially the forces of nature. Sumerians believed that gods and goddesses behaved like ordinary people. They ate, drank, married, and raised families. Although the gods favored truth and justice, they were also responsible for violence and suffering. They were also immortal. Afterlife - Analyze Excerpt - This is an excerpt from an ancient Mesopotamian text describing the afterlife. Have a student read it and the class interpret it. Is the afterlife a good place or a bad place? Afterlife was a dark place even for the good people III. SUMERIAN RELIGION C. Ziggurat - a pyramid temple used to sacrifice gifts to the Gods. - Ziggurat in every city To Sumerians, their highest duty was to keep these divine beings happy and thereby ensure the safety of their city-state. Each city built a ziggurat Ziggurat - a pyramid-temple that soared toward the heavens. At its top stood a shrine to the chief god or goddess of that city. To win the favor of the gods, the people prayed and offered sacrifices of animals, grain and wine. They also celebrated holy days with ceremonies and processions. In one ritual, the king went through a symbolic wedding to a goddess to ensure a prosperous new year. III. SUMERIAN RELIGION C. Ziggurat - a pyramid temple used to sacrifice gifts to the Gods. - Ziggurat in every city Ziggurat - a pyramid-temple that soared toward the heavens. At its top stood a shrine to the chief god or goddess of that city. To win the favor of the gods, the people prayed and offered sacrifices of animals, grain and wine. They also celebrated holy days with ceremonies and processions. In one ritual, the king went through a symbolic wedding to a goddess to ensure a prosperous new year. IV. ADVANCES IN LEARNING A. Cuneiform - system of writing invented by the Mesopotamians - evolved from pictograms began to keep accounts & documented commerce & trade. By 3200 b.c., the Sumerians had invented what may be the earliest known form of writing. This type of writing was later called cuneiform. Cuneiform grew out of a system of pictographs that priest used to record goods brought to temple storehouses. Later, priests developed symbols to represent more complicated thoughts. As their writing evolved, the Sumerians were able to use it to record not only grain harvests but also myths, prayers, laws, treaties, and business contracts. If you remember scribes are people who could officially read and write. Sumerian scribes had to go through years of difficult schooling to acquire their skills. Do you thinks American schools are strict? In Mesopotamia discipline was strict. Untidy copying or talking in class could be punished by “caning.” Gifted students went on to gain a wide range of knowledge about religion, medicine, mathematics, geography, astronomy, and literature. IV. ADVANCES IN LEARNING B. Inventions - wagon wheel - sundial - bronze - Plow - basic algebra - geometry Over the centuries, Sumerian scholars made advances in mathematics. Arithmetic and geometry In order to erect city walls and buildings, plan irrigation systems, and survey flooded fields, Sumerians needed arithmetic and geometry. They based their number system on six, dividing the hour into 60 minutes and the circle into 360 degrees, as we still do today. Priests studied the skies, recording the movement of heavenly bodies. This knowledge enabled them to make accurate calendars, which are so essential to a farming society. 1. AKKAD 2350 B.C.E. A. Sargon I, ruler of Akkad Sumerian city-states. B. Conquered & united Mesopotamia under one empire ****Created World’s First Empire Agriculture begins In various places 8,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Narmer Unifies Egypt 2,700 BC- 2,200 BC Beginning of the Old kingdom 2,050 BC- 1,800BC Beginning of the Middle kingdom 2,200 BC Akkad V. FIRST EMPIRE BUILDERS From 3000 to 2000 B.C., the city-states of Sumer were almost constantly at war with one another. The weakened city-states could no longer ward off attacks from the peoples of the surrounding deserts and hills. Although the Sumerians never recovered from the attacks on their cities, their civilization did not die. Succeeding sets of rulers adapted the basic ideas of Sumerian culture to meet their own needs. About 2350 B.C., a conqueror named Sargon defeated the city-states of Sumer. Sargon led his army from Akkad (AK ad), a city-state north of Sumer. Sargon’s conquests helped to spread that culture even farther, beyond the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. By taking control of both northern and southern Mesopotamia, Sargon created the world’s first empire. An empire brings together several peoples, nations, or previously independent states under the control of one ruler. At its height, the Akkadian Empire loosely controlled land from the Mediterranean Coast in the west to present-day Iran in the east. Sargon’s dynasty lasted only about 200 years, after which it declined due to internal fighting, invasions, and a famine. Fall of the Akkadian Empire Who was king? Who was not king? Irgigi the king; Nanum, the king; Imi the king; Ilulu, the king—the four of them were kings but reigned only three years. Dudu reigned 21 years; Shu-Turul, the son of Dudu, reigned 15 years.... Agade was defeated and its kingship carried off to Uruk. In Uruk, Ur-ningin reigned 7 years, Ur-gigir, son of Ur-ningin, reigned 6 years; Kuda reigned 6 years; Puzur-ili reigned 5 years, Ur-Utu reigned 6 years. Uruk was smitten with weapons and its kingship carried off by the Gutian hordes. V. FIRST EMPIRE BUILDERS 1. Babylonian Empire 1790 B.C.E A. Hammurabi, King of Babylon conquered & united Mesopotamia B. Biggest Achievement - Hammurabi’s Code - 1st set of written laws in the world. - assigned a specific punishment for each violation Sargon I built the first empire known to history. His huge achievement did not last long, however. Soon after his death, other invaders invaded Mesopotamia, destroying his empire. In time, the Sumerian city-states revived, and their power struggles resumed. Eventually, however, new conquerors came and unified Mesopotamia. Babylonian Empire In about 2000 B.C., nomadic warriors known as Amorites invaded Mesopotamia. Gradually, the Amorites overwhelmed the Sumerians and established their capital at Babylon, on the Euphrates River. The Babylonian Empire reached its peak during the reign of Hammurabi, from 1792 B.C. to 1750 B.C. Hammurabi’s most enduring legacy is the code of laws he put together. D. He wanted everyone in his empire to know the legal principles his government would follow. He had 282 laws carved on a stone pillar for all to see. On it he proclaimed that his goals were to "cause justice to prevail in the land/To destroy the wicked and evil/ That the strong may not oppress the weak." - If any one bring an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death. -If any one steal cattle or sheep, or an ass, or a pig or a goat, if it belong to a god or to the court, the thief shall pay thirtyfold; if they belonged to a freed man of the king he shall pay tenfold; if the thief has nothing with which to pay he shall be put to death. Antecedents to Monarchy Controlling the people can not be done with social conflict and religion alone. Monarchy helps to install order to society. Antecedents to Monarchy Conflict of steppe/sown Monarchy helps to organize against nomads Recruit, train, fund military construct defenses propaganda - justify expenses to the people and support troops. Formation of Monarchy What is a State? Permanence, continuity Dynasty, kingship, secession Regalia: symbols of royal power. Ex) crown, throne States have ultimate control over means of violence and justice. Territoriality: Boundaries Weaknesses of Monarchy King is dependent on officials for information and execution. Customs: King must respect tradition. Social contract between ruler and people. Distance Power is strongest in the capital ANCIENT EGYPT AND THE NILE VALLEY Africa I. EGYPTIAN RIVER VALLEY The Nile River is the worlds longest River - about 4,160 miles long. It begins in the south. The Nile receives it water from heavy tropical rains In the south as well as melting Mountain snow in East Africa. So in the Spring the Nile floods its banks and doesn’t recede until late fall. Upper Egypt AFRICA Delta Triangular area of marshland formed by deposits of silt at the mouth of some rivers Lower Egypt I. EGYPTIAN RIVER VALLEY If we take a closer look, we can see that the Nile is surrounded by desert. There really isn’t a lot of fertile land, But what happens in the spring? It floods and now all land by the Nile is flooded with water. When it recedes in the fall, it leaves behind a thick deposit of silt, perfect for farming. At the mouth of the Nile(one of the very few rivers in the world to flow North) you can see the Delta - This is the triangular area of marshland formed by deposits of silt at the mouth of some rivers. Again it is surrounded by desert. To what advantage does any civilization living there have because of the surrounding desert?.. Protected from foreign invasion. Uniting- And so now we have small settlements that dot all over this Nile valley. Eventually these small segments became united into several kingdoms. Again weaker kingdoms would give way to larger ones until by 4000 B.C, ancient Egypt consisted of two large kingdoms: Lower Egypt in the North In the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt in the South, in the Nile Valley. ---- Lower Egypt covered the delta region. What's a delta?... a triangular area of marshland formed by deposit of silt at the outh of some rivers. Earliest Known human ancestor Lives in Africa 4,400,000 BC Neanderthals spread from Africa Into Europe and Asia 100,000 BC Agriculture begins In various places 8,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Menses Unifies Egypt A. Little rainfall - Reliance on floods B. 3 Periods 1. Old Kingdom, 2. Middle Kingdom, 3. New Kingdom. Egypt C. King Menes(Narmer) - Unites upper and lower Egypt Memphis Nile Each July, the Nile would begin to Flood. At the end of October, the flood began to recede, leaving behind a deposit of silt as well as lagoons and streams that became reservoirs for fish. By April, the Nile was at its lowest level. Vegetation started to diminish, seasonal pools dried out, and game began to move south. Then in July, the Nile would rise again, and the cycle was repeated. What's silt? Soil - to control the flood, people had to work together to create dams, dikes, & irrigation ditches. Around 5,000 B.C. nomadic hunter Gatherers of Northeastern Africa began settling by the Nile. They take up farming regulated by the Nile’s seasonal rise and fall, growing cereal crops such as wheat and barley. They become secluded surrounded by the deserts to the east and west. Narmer/Menes By 3200 B.C., the villages of Egypt were under the rule of two separate kingdoms, Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Eventually the two kingdoms were united. There is conflicting historical evidence over who united Upper and Lower Egypt. C. What is a dynasty? It’s a succession of rulers from the same family. II.The Old Kingdom 2700 B.C. to 2200 B.C (In Green) Agriculture begins In various places 8,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Menses Unifies Egypt 2,700 BC- 2,200 BC Beginning of the Old kingdom 2,050 BC- 1,800BC Beginning of the Middle kingdom 2,200 BC A. Theocracy - Govt where the religious leader is the political leader Pharaoh - God King B. Bureaucracy - Govt where most decisions are made by govt officials rather than King C. Vizier controlled trade, tax collection, & building of infrastructure. To the Egyptians, kings were gods. The Egyptian god-kings, called pharaohs, were thought to be almost as splendid and powerful as the gods of the heavens. This type of government in which rule is based on religious authority is called a theocracy. Theocracies are when the same person serves as both the religious leader and the political leader. Egyptians regarded their leader as a God. It’s as if the president of the United States was also the Pope. Vizier is a chief minister that supervises the business of government. They supervised the business of government including taxes, farming irrigations systems. Egyptians believed that a king’s soul continued to guide the kingdom after death before entombing the king, the preserved the King’s body from decay by a procedure called embalming - mummy. Agriculture begins In various places 8,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Menses Unifies Egypt 2,700 BC- 2,200 BC Beginning of the Old kingdom 2,050 BC- 1,800BC Beginning of the Middle kingdom 2,200 BC D. Pyramids - Tombs that honored their god-kings & give them an eternal place of rest. During the Old Kingdom, the Egyptians built the pyramids that still stand at Giza today. The pyramids were tombs for eternity. Because Egyptians believed in an after- life, they preserved the bodies of their dead rulers and provided them with everything they would need in their new lives. To complete the pyramids, workers hauled and lifted millions of limestone blocks, some weighing two tons or more. The builders had no iron tools or wheeled vehicles. Workers quarried the stones by hand, pulled them on sleds to the site, and hoisted them up earthen ramps. Building a pyramid took so long that often a pharaoh would begin to build his tomb as soon as he inherited the throne. The pyramids suggest the strength of ancient Egyptian civilization. These expensive projects required enormous planning and organization. Thousands of farmers, who had to be fed each day, worked on the pyramids when not planting or harvesting crops. When finished, the pyramid was coated with limestone and topped with a gold capstone. II. THE MIDDLE KINGDOM 2200 B.C. to 1800 B.C a. Egypt conquered by the Hyksos. - ruled Egypt for 110 years - Introduced Chariots & Bronze weapons to Egypt ^ Around 2,200 B.C. the kings in Memphis began losing their power. Egypt began fighting with itself for power. There were also crop failures, and the cost of the pyramids also contributed to it's collapse. Finally a new dynasty reunited the kingdom. They conquered new land Egypt, including Syria. This marks the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. The Hyksos invaded Northern Egypt (the delta region). They had a couple secret weapons that the Egyptians had never even seen before. They were horse drawn chariots and Bronze weapons. For over a hundred years, they ruled over the Egyptians. - - This only made the Egyptians stronger. Their civilization learned from their captures how to make bronze weapons and chariots. What do we call that? Cultural diffusion A. Queen Hatshepsut came to power - Extensively built Egypt. - Egypt's Empire grows to it's largest height. 8,000 BC Cities develop Along the Tigris- Euphrates Rivers 3,500 BC 3,000 BC King Narmer Unifies Egypt 2,700 BC- 2,200 BC Beginning of the Old kingdom 2,050 BC- 1,800BC Beginning of the Middle kingdom 1,600 BC Beginning of the New kingdom 1,800 BC Queen Hatshepsut Before B. Ramses II - Egypt's most powerful pharaoh - signed the first known peace treaty w/Hittites. III. THE NEW KINGDOM Finally in 1600 BC, an Egyptian Prince named, Ahmosuh lead a rebellion against the Hyksos and drove them out. This marks the beginning of the New Kingdom. During the New Kingdom, powerful and ambitious pharaohs created a large empire. At its height, the Egyptian empire reached the Euphrates River. This age of conquest brought Egypt into greater contact with south-western Asia as well as with other parts of Africa. The Pharaohs Ahmousuh becomes the new pharaoh. Hatsheptsut first ruled with her husband and when he died, she crowned herself pharaoh. as the empire grew from the conquered territories, it also benefited from cultural diffusion. Picture of Hatsheptsut Before - Click. Picture of Hatshepsut after Ramses II, who ruled during the 1200s B.C., pushed Egyptian rule northward as far as Syria. He erected large statues of himself and built many temples and monuments. His wars was with the Hittites and finally I brokered the first know peace treaty in the world with them. He declared It declared that Egypt and the Hittites “shall be at peace and in brotherhood forever.” Ramses had 200 wives and hundreds children. Decline. After Ramses II, Egyptian power slowly declined. Invaders, such as the Assyrians and Persians, conquered the Nile region. Later, Greek and Roman armies came from the north. Egypt was valuable to the empires. Egypt’s fertile Nile Valley was fertile and could provide crops and food for their empires. - Followed by the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks & the Roman Empire A. Nubians - rivals from the south conquered Egypt (750 B.C.) Nubians adopted much of Egyptian Culture III. THE NEW KINGDOM Decline. After Ramses II, Egyptian power slowly declined. Invaders, such as the Assyrians and Persians, conquered the Nile region. Later, Greek and Roman armies came from the north. Egypt was valuable to the empires. Egypt’s fertile Nile Valley was fertile and could provide crops and food for their empires. A. Chief Deities - Polytheistic - 2,000 gods - Re - Sun God - Osiris - God of Death - Isis - Mother & Wife B. Afterlife - Osiris judged sinners - Book of the Dead - help Egyptians in the afterlife - help us understand Egyptian beliefs Judgement Day: Weighing Heart I. RELIGION A Fateful Test The Egyptians believed that each soul had to pass a test in order to win eternal life. According to Egyptian belief, the dead soul would be ferried across a lake of fire to the hall of Osiris. There, Osiris would weigh the dead person’s heart against the feather of truth. To win eternal life, the heart could be no heavier than a feather. If the heart tipped the scale, showing that it was heavy with sin, a beast known as the Devourer of Souls would pounce on the impure heart and gobble it up. But if the soul passed this test for purity and truth, it would live forever in the beautiful Other World. Worthy souls would enter the Happy Field of Food, where they would live forever in bliss. To survive the dangerous journey through the underworld, Egyptians relied on the Book of the Dead. It contained spells, charms, and formulas for the dead to use in the afterlife. The Book of the Dead includes a Negative Confession, which the dead soul could use to prove his or her worthiness to Osiris: Example “I have made no man to suffer hunger. I have made no one to weep. I have done no murder.... I have not encroached upon the fields of another. I have not added to the weights of the scales to cheat the seller.... I have not turned back water when it should flow.... I am pure. I am pure. I am pure.” —Book of the Dead The Book of the Dead was written on scrolls and placed in tombs. Today, these scrolls have given modern scholars a wealth of information about Egyptian beliefs and practices. I. RELIGION C. Mummification - preservation of the dead. - buried w/valuables for the afterlife D. King Tut’s Tomb Howard Carter – discovered Tut’s tomb -Significance: untouched for 3,000 yrs Egyptians believed that the afterlife would be much like life on Earth. As a result, they buried the dead with everything they would need for eternity. To give a soul use of its body in the afterlife, Egyptians perfected skills in mummification, the preservation of the dead. Skilled embalmers extracted the brain of the dead person through the nostrils and removed most of the internal organs. They filled the body cavity with spices, then later dried and wrapped the body in strips of linen. This costly process took months to complete. At first, mummification was a privilege reserved for rulers and nobles. Eventually, ordinary Egyptians also won the right to mummify their dead. King Tut. Tomb of Tutankhamen Many pharaohs were buried in the desolate Valley of the Kings. Their tombs, filled with fantastic riches, were a temptation to robbers in ancient times. As a result, most royal tombs were stripped of their treasures long ago. Then, in 1922, the British archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamen (too tahng kah muhn), the son-in-law of Akhenaton. It had remained almost untouched for more than 3,000 years. The tomb and its treasures have provided a wealth of evidence about Egyptian civilization. The body of the 18-year-old “King Tut” had been placed in a solid-gold coffin, nested within richly decorated outer coffins. Today, the dazzling array of objects found in the tomb fills several rooms in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. They include chariots, weapons, furniture, jewelry, toys, games, and food. Tutankhamen was only a minor king. We can only imagine what treasures must have filled the tombs of great pharaohs like Ramses II. A. Social Classes - Pharaoh Nobles - Officials, priest running govt. Scribes & Craftspeople Farmers, Servants & Slaves II. SOCIETY Egyptian society formed a pyramid. The king, queen, and royal family stood at the top. Below them were the other members of the upper class, which included wealthy landowners, government officials, priests, and army commanders. The next tier of the pyramid was the middle class, which included merchants and artisans. At the base of the pyramid was the lower class, by far the largest class. It consisted of peasant farmers and laborers. In the later periods of Egyptian history, slavery became a widespread source of labor. Slaves, usually captives from foreign wars, served in the homes of the rich or toiled endlessly in the gold mines of Upper Egypt. The Egyptians were not locked into their social classes. Lower-and middle-class Egyptians could gain higher status through marriage or success in their jobs. Even some slaves could hope to earn their freedom as a reward for their loyal service. To win the highest positions, people had to be able to read and write. Once a person had these skills, many careers were open in the army, the royal treasury, the priesthood, and the king’s court II. SOCIETY B. hieroglyphics - Egyptian writing - written in stone & - papyrus - plants that grown around the Nile used as paper C Rosetta Stone - Tablet found in 1800s used to decipher hieroglyphics Hieroglyphics Demotics Simple form of Hieroglyphics Greek Rosetta Stone. In 1799, near the delta village of Rosetta, some French soldiers found a polished black stone inscribed with a message in three languages. One version was written in hieroglyphics (top inset). A second version was in a simpler form of hieroglyphics, and the third was in Greek (both are shown in the bottom inset). Since ancient Greek was a well- known language, it provided clues to the meaning of the hieroglyphics. Still, deciphering the Rosetta Stone took many years. In 1822, a French scholar named Jean François Champollion (shahm paw LYAWN) finally broke the code of the hieroglyphics. Egyptian Calendar on Papyrus A. Science Astronomy for the Calendar - Accurate by 6 hours. Number system for taxes Mathematics & Geometry for surveying property, & engineering for building pyramids. III. ART AND SCIENCE Calendar. Egyptians developed a calendar to help them keep track of the time between floods and to plan their planting season. Egyptian priest-astronomers studied the stars, mapping constellations and charting the movements of the planets. Priests observed that the same star—Sirius—appeared above the eastern horizon just before the floods came. With this knowledge, they developed a calendar that had 12 months of 30 days each and 5 days added at the end of each year for holidays and feasting. This calendar was so accurate that it fell short of the true solar year by only six hours. With a few changes, this ancient Egyptian calendar became the basis for our modern calendar. Math. Egyptians developed a system of written numbers for counting, adding, and subtracting. The system would have helped to assess and collect taxes. Scribes used an early form of geometry to survey and reset property boundaries after the annual floods. Mathematical knowledge helped Egypt’s skillful engineers and architects make accurate measurements to construct their remarkable pyramids and palaces. Egyptian architects were the first to use stone columns in homes, palaces, and temples. Egyptian medicine was also famous in the ancient world. Egyptian doctors knew how to check a person’s heart rate by feeling for a pulse in different parts of the body. They set broken bones with splints and had effective treatments for wounds and fevers. They also used surgery to treat some conditions. B. Art Statues, paintings, poems, & stories statues w/animal heads for representing special qualities (Sphinx) II. SOCIETY The arts of ancient Egypt included statues, wall paintings in tombs, and carvings on temples. Some show everyday scenes of trade, farming, family life, or religious ceremonies. Others shows victories in battles. Painting styles remained almost unchanged for thousands of years. The pharaohs and gods were always much larger than any other human figures. Artists usually drew people with their heads and limbs in profile but their eyes and shoulders facing the viewer. Statues often depicted people in stiff, standard poses. Some human figures have animal heads that represent special qualities. The Great Sphinx that crouches near the pyramids at Giza portrays an early pharaoh as a powerful lion. Besides the pyramids, Egyptians erected other great buildings. The magnificent temple of Ramses II at Karnak contains a vast hall with tower- ing 80-foot columns. Much later, the Romans would adopt building techniques like those used at Karnak. Founding of Universal Empires Increased mobilization of resources. more goods to be taxed. Military Pacification Elimination of immediate rivals

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