Ancient River Valley Civilizations

Neolithic Revolution Last stage of pre-historic cultural evolution Stone tools Domestication of plants and animals (farming) Permanent settlements Invention of the wheel Development of social hierarchy

Important Definitions City-state A city that forms an independent state Ex. Monaco, Vatican City, Hong Kong Dynasty Series of rulers from a single family Ex. British monarchy Cultural Diffusion The process in which a new idea or product spreads from one culture to another Ex. Rubio’s, El Charro, Michelangelo’s, Panda Express Polytheism Belief in more than one god Ex. Ancient Greeks- Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, etc.

Egypt Founded along the Nile River Valley Located in Northeast Africa Isolated from most other societies Separated into Upper and Lower Egypt Lower Egypt was by the Nile Delta (where the river branches off) Upper Egypt was higher in elevation Divided is when U.E. descends in into L.E.- river turns into rapids for stretch and it difficult to navigate

Egypt Old Kingdom - early Egyptian history before the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt (when the pyramids were built) Middle Kingdom - 1 st period of history when Egypt is unified under one Pharaoh Capital of empire at Memphis, where the two kingdoms meet Theocracy - type of government in which rule is based on religious authority Developed solar calendar, geometry, and papyrus New Kingdom - 2 nd period of history when Egypt is unified Egypt was briefly taken over by nomadic invaders During this time they extended their borders farther than any other time period in Egyptian history

Mesopotamia Also known as “Fertile Crescent” Established between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers Advantages: Unlimited natural resources Easy to harvest after flood season Access to trade routes Disadvantages: Scarce building materials Unpredictable weather patterns No natural barriers for protection

MesopotamiaSumerians Earliest Mesopotamian civilizations Numerous city-states Shared same culture Established own governments with separate rulers Invented the wheel, sail, and plow Babylon World’s first empire Brings together people, nations, and independent states under the control of one ruler Hammurabi’s Code Uniform set of laws that extended throughout the empire, used as basis for future law codes

India Founded along the Indus River Located in along modern day India- Pakistan borders In the Himalayas (Everest) and Karakorum (K2) Natural protection of the mountains led to settlements developing and sophisticated city planning How would their geography affect their city planning? “Harappan” Civilization Name of one of the largest cities built so the name spread and stuck to characteristics of culture- very little known about them Theocratic Trade along Indus River Minimal conflicts outside civilizations

China Established around the Huang-He (“Yellow”) and Yangtze Rivers Very isolated from other civilizations so minimal interactions Minimal natural protection from invaders Ruled by dynasties- long list of dynasties that have ruled China throughout history Shang- one of the earliest and most prosperous, among the first early civilizations to keep written record of history Mandate of Heaven - divine approval for a Chinese ruler Bestowed by the “spirits” and could be taken away at anytime Society controlled by feudalism