Chapter 1 Legacy of the Ancient World

The First Civilizations Section 1

Question Why is religion important in society? Why is religion important in society?

1. Ancient Mesopotamia A. First four civilizations A. First four civilizations –Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China –built near rivers –had cities, writing, and laws –European civilizations still live in caves and hunt B. Civilization B. Civilization –Ancient civilizations had law codes –Also created the idea of Divine kingship

C. The City-States of Mesopotamia C. The City-States of Mesopotamia –Cities which controlled the surrounding countryside –Iraq is one of the oldest –3000 B.C. Sumerian city states fighting over resources

D. The Empire of Hammurabi D. The Empire of Hammurabi –1792 B.C., Babylonians ruled Mesopotamia –Hammurabi was their leader –Created the oldest written law code –282 laws –Penalties for crimes differed between classes –Mesopotamia was a patriarchal society

2. Egypt and Divine Kingship A. The Nile River A. The Nile River – –Allowed for crops – –Developed irrigation B. Divine Kingship –Ruled by Pharoah –people thought they were gods on earth

3. The New Centers of Civilization: The Israelites A. History of the Israelites A. History of the Israelites –Semitic-speaking people –Their legacy was the religion of Judaism which later influenced Xianty –King Solomon  United all tribes of Israel into one kingdom  Built a temple in Jerusalem

B. The Spiritual Dimensions of Israel B. The Spiritual Dimensions of Israel – Jews are Monotheistic –Three aspects of Jewish law: –The Covenant: contract made between Abraham and God –As long as the Israelites abided by God’s laws, He would watch over them –The Law: given to Moses on Mount Sinai the Jews were supposed to follow –The Prophets: Religious people that God spoke through –Equal Access to God

4. Ancient India A. Indus River Valley A. Indus River Valley –Harrapan or Indus Civilizations –Had a piped water supply and bathrooms –1500, B.C the Aryans began to dominate the area –They created the caste system that exists in India today

B. Caste System B. Caste System –Ranked people from high to low –Brahmins at the top (Priests) –Kshatriyas next (warriors) –Vaisyas (commoners) –Sudras (peasants) –The Untouchables (undesirables) –No social mobility

C. Hinduism and Buddhism C. Hinduism and Buddhism Hinduism Hinduism -taught reincarnation -taught reincarnation -believed in Karma -believed in Karma Buddhism Buddhism -Developed in India as well -Developed in India as well -Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) -Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) -taught peace and respect for all living things -taught peace and respect for all living things

4. Ancient China A. Confucianism A. Confucianism Confucius was a teacher to hundreds of students in China Confucius was a teacher to hundreds of students in China 1) concentrated on the idea that people were naturally good 1) concentrated on the idea that people were naturally good 2) Concentrated not on the supernatural world but on the real world 2) Concentrated not on the supernatural world but on the real world 3) Obedience to leaders was very important 3) Obedience to leaders was very important