First Civilizations Chapter 1 World History (B) Mr. Simmons

The First Humans 3-4 million years ago the hominid –first humanlike creature that walked upright, lived in Africa 3-4 million years ago the hominid –first humanlike creature that walked upright, lived in Africa 1.5 million years ago Homo erectus “upright human-being” 1.5 million years ago Homo erectus “upright human-being” 250,000 years ago homo sapiens appeared in two groups: Neanderthals and homo sapiens sapiens 250,000 years ago homo sapiens appeared in two groups: Neanderthals and homo sapiens sapiens

Paleolithic Age People used simple stone tools People used simple stone tools Nomadic people – means they moved from place to place hunting and gathering Nomadic people – means they moved from place to place hunting and gathering Sophisticated cave paitings Sophisticated cave paitings

Neolithic Revolution At the end of the last Ice Age around 8000 B.C. At the end of the last Ice Age around 8000 B.C. Shift from hunting/gathering to growing food on a regular basis or systematic agriculture Shift from hunting/gathering to growing food on a regular basis or systematic agriculture Domestication of animals Domestication of animals One of the most important developments in human history One of the most important developments in human history

Civilization Civilization – a complex culture in which several human beings share a number of common elements Civilization – a complex culture in which several human beings share a number of common elements Mesopotamia – valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers known as the Fertile Crescent Mesopotamia – valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers known as the Fertile Crescent City-states were formed to have political and economic control over larger areas City-states were formed to have political and economic control over larger areas

Rise of Empires Sumerian and Akkadians fought over control of city- states Akkadians defeated Sumerians under Sargon and built the first empire in world history (2340 BC) Sumerian and Akkadians fought over control of city- states Akkadians defeated Sumerians under Sargon and built the first empire in world history (2340 BC) Hammurabi came to power in the city-states of Akkad and Sumer.(1792 BC) Hammurabi came to power in the city-states of Akkad and Sumer.(1792 BC) Hammurabi code was a law code set up for strict justice, punishments were severe, and varied according to social class of the victim. Hammurabi code was a law code set up for strict justice, punishments were severe, and varied according to social class of the victim. Principal of “an eye for an eye” was fundamental part. Principal of “an eye for an eye” was fundamental part. Expressed the patriarchal nature of Mesopotamian society Expressed the patriarchal nature of Mesopotamian society

Discussion Question Throughout history empires have risen and fallen what nations today are empire building? Throughout history empires have risen and fallen what nations today are empire building? The code of Hammurabi involved punishment based on the social class of the victim, does social class matter today when law is applied? The code of Hammurabi involved punishment based on the social class of the victim, does social class matter today when law is applied?

Egyptian Empire The Nile river The Nile river Upper and Lower Egypt Upper and Lower Egypt Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom Old Kingdom ( BC) –divine kingship, building of the pyramids at Giza Old Kingdom ( BC) –divine kingship, building of the pyramids at Giza Middle Kingdom ( BC) – reforms, canals, irrigation Middle Kingdom ( BC) – reforms, canals, irrigation New Kingdom ( BC) became most powerful state in southwest Asia, New Kingdom ( BC) became most powerful state in southwest Asia,

Egyptian society Pyramid shaped class system at the top was the god-king. Pyramid shaped class system at the top was the god-king. Hieroglyphics used pictures and other abstract forms very complex (written language) Hieroglyphics used pictures and other abstract forms very complex (written language) Very advanced in mathematics (helped them build massive pyramids and monuments) Very advanced in mathematics (helped them build massive pyramids and monuments)

Other Civilizations Israelites – become known for their religion, King Solomon ( ) Judaism, Monotheistic - believed in one god. Israelites – become known for their religion, King Solomon ( ) Judaism, Monotheistic - believed in one god. Assyrian – used terror as instrument of war, very brutal people. Assyrian – used terror as instrument of war, very brutal people. Persian – Cyrus was their great ruler created the Royal Road Persian – Cyrus was their great ruler created the Royal Road

India’s early civilizations Civilization emerged in India in the Indus River Valley. ( BC) Civilization emerged in India in the Indus River Valley. ( BC) Natural Disasters caused the Indus civilization to vanish after thriving for hundreds of years. Natural Disasters caused the Indus civilization to vanish after thriving for hundreds of years. The Aryan people began to flourish in India on the Deccan Plateau The Aryan people began to flourish in India on the Deccan Plateau Eventually they would control all of India Eventually they would control all of India Silk Road was very important trade route Silk Road was very important trade route

Discussion Questions Why did Cyrus build the Royal Road in the Persian Empire? Why did Cyrus build the Royal Road in the Persian Empire? What can be compared to the Royal Road in today’s society? What can be compared to the Royal Road in today’s society?

Society in India Caste System consist of four classes or varna Caste System consist of four classes or varna Brahmans – priest Brahmans – priest Kshatriyas – warriors Kshatriyas – warriors Vaisyas – commoners, merchants Vaisyas – commoners, merchants Sudras – peasants, laborers Sudras – peasants, laborers

Society in India Religions – Hinduism and Buddhism Religions – Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism came from the beliefs of the Aryan people. Biggest idea of Hinduism is reincarnation or belief that soul is reborn in different form after death, also know what Karma is Hinduism came from the beliefs of the Aryan people. Biggest idea of Hinduism is reincarnation or belief that soul is reborn in different form after death, also know what Karma is Buddhism was created by Siddhartha Gautama or the “enlightened one” belief that people should let go of physical world to reach wisdom and nirvana Buddhism was created by Siddhartha Gautama or the “enlightened one” belief that people should let go of physical world to reach wisdom and nirvana

China The Dynasties The Dynasties Qin Dynasty – built the first great wall of China Qin Dynasty – built the first great wall of China Han Dynasty – expansion as far south as modern day Veitnam Han Dynasty – expansion as far south as modern day Veitnam Religion – Confucianism believed that universe was created in a way that if you lived in harmony you would prosper. Two principles: duty and humanity Religion – Confucianism believed that universe was created in a way that if you lived in harmony you would prosper. Two principles: duty and humanity

Questions Does America today have a trade route such as the silk road in India? Does America today have a trade route such as the silk road in India? Why do societies have the need to create systems of higher and lower class? Why do societies have the need to create systems of higher and lower class?