Chapters 1-4 Ancient Civilizations SSWH1 THE STUDENT WILL ANALYZE THE ORIGINS, STRUCTURES, AND INTERACTIONS OF COMPLEX SOCIETIES IN THE ANCIENT Eastern Mediterranean from 3500 BC to 500 BC

MESOPOTAMIA

THE EARLIEST RIVER CIVILIZATIONS

STANDARD 1 . DESCRIBE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MESOPOTAMIAN SOCIETIES INCLUDING THE RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL FACETS OF SOCIETY INCLUDING HAMMURABI’S LAW CODE; ***** Mesopotamia means “land between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates), and today this land area is called Iraq. People settled here (4500-3300 B.C.) because of the fertile soil for farming purposes Economics- People like the Sumerians had grain, cloth, and crafted tools which they traded with others for resources and materials they did not have. Culture and Religion- Most people during this time were polytheistic Migration- villages combined through migration or through force of war and the result was cultural diffusion and assimilation. Governments- Many early governments were controlled by priests. Later on, military leaders became government leaders. These military leaders eventually passed on their rule to their sons and this led to the formation of dynasties.

THE FIRST LAWS The first laws (1800 B.C.) were God’s laws represented by His covenant( agreement or pact) with Abraham. This was the beginning of the religion of Judaism. This covenant was a set of 600 + laws that regulated every aspect of life and acted as a guide to proper living. Around 1796 B.C. Hammurabi’s Code developed. Hammurabi was a Babylonian king who developed a uniform system of laws to unify the diverse groups within his empire; 282 specific laws dealing with every aspect of life. Even though the code applied to everyone, it set different punishments for the rich and poor, men and women. Around 1200 B.C. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments and these served as the basis for religious and civil laws of Judaism

Importance of Writing Cave paintings Earliest form of writing Primarily based on religion Recorded events of daily life Recorded history Kept accurate record of taxes

Importance of Writing Hieroglyphics Egypt Symbols stand for words or sounds Rosetta Stone

Importance of Writing Cuneiform Syrians and Babylonians “wedge”- shaped tool used on soft clay Few artifacts have survived

Importance of Writing Phoenician alphabet Symbols represent sounds Easier to learn- increased literacy Adopted by the Greeks Later the Arabic (our alphabet)

Importance of Writing Phoenician alphabet Symbols represent sounds Easier to learn- increased literacy Adopted by the Greeks Later the Arabic (our alphabet)

RELIGION AND DEVELOPMENT Most villages and civilizations in ancient times were polytheistic; for example, the Egyptians whose pharaohs were considered god-kings and had all political and religious authority. Around 1900 B.C. God made a covenant with Abraham and this is the beginning of the religion called Judaism. Abraham is considered “the Father” of Judaism. On God’s command, Abraham moved to Canaan which is present day Israel. The Jewish sacred text is called “The Torah” which is the first 5 books of the Old Testament. Followers of Judaism try to live a strict moral life adhering to the 10 Commandments and the covenant with Abraham

Zoroaster- Persian philosopher ? = Why should so much pain and suffering exist in the world? Zoroastrianism- monotheistic religion Earth is a battle ground between good and evil People take place in the struggle Their god will judge people at the end of time Ideas of Satan and angels are found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Some in Iran and India still follow this faith

INDUS RIVER CIVILIZATIONS Natural barriers for protection Largest Mountains (Himalayan Mountains ) to the north Large desert to the east River Valleys Ganges flows into the Bay of Bengal and the Indus flows into the Arabian Sea Carry water for irrigation and silt for fertilization

Indus Valley Maps This is it! Ganges River FertileRiver Valley Indus River

More about the Indus Valley Sometimes called Harappan civilizations Very advanced cities (grid plans, raised land, plumbing system) Language= over 400 symbols- hard to decipher Trade and religion are believed to have been important Probably ended due to drought or damaged soil and Aryan invasions

The Indo-Europeans Nomads from between the Black and Caspian seas- Horses, Chariots, animal herders Divided into different language groups English, Sanskrit, Persian, Spanish, German Why might they have migrated???

Aryans: The Caste/Varna System Social structure Very strict- no upward movement Three original social classes Brahmins- priests Warriors Peasants and traders Interaction with others led to more Shudras- laborers who did work the Aryans did not want to do Varna= skin color

ARYAN CASTE SYSTEM

Hinduism Moksha- Hindu belief in release from this world Reincarnation- rebirth of a soul or spirit until moksha is achieved Karma- good or bad deeds

Terms to know about Buddhism Buddha- Enlightened one Enlightenment- wisdom Nirvana- release of selfishness and pain Four Noble Truths Suffering and sorrow Selfish desires cause the suffering End desires will end suffering Follow the eight fold path

India’s First Empire Mauryan Ancient India- area was divided into small kingdoms Chandragupta Maurya was a great military general who seized power and began the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta fought the Greek general Seleucus I (Alexander’s general who inherited this land) and defeated him.

India’s First Empire Mauryan Ancient India- area was divided into small kingdoms Chandragupta Maurya was a great military general who seized power and began the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta fought the Greek general Seleucus I (Alexander’s general who inherited this land) and defeated him.

Trade Spreads Indian Religions and Culture Buddhism Focus in past= strive for Nirvana Buddha did not desire to be worshipped- this was after his death New focus= good works in place of Nirvan- this offered salvation to all Hinduism Focus in past= polytheism, priests had contact with the gods New focus= trend toward monotheism, which helped it have growth and more appeal

Chinese River Civilizations Unification, Culture, Dynasties and Empires

CHINA: FIRST CIVILIZATIONS DEVELOPED AROUND THE YELLOW RIVER SHANG DYNASTY – 1700 B.C.-1027B.C. FAMILY WAS CENTRAL TO CHINESE SOCIETY 2 SOCIAL CLASSES : NOBLES AND PEASANTS RELIGION: BELIEVED THAT THE SPIRITS OF ANCESTORS HAD THE POWER TO BRING GOOD FORTUNE OR DISASTER; CONSULTED THE GODS THROUGH THE USE OF ORACLE BONES-ANIMAL BONES AND TORTOISE SHELLS ZHOU DYNASTY; 1027-256 B.C. INNOVATED A ROAD AND CANAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY NEEDED THEM FOR TRADE

Ancient Chinese Culture Writing= 50,000 characters Family= center of Chinese society Society was divided into nobles and peasants Ancestor worship= ancestors could bring good fortune or disaster to the family

Governmental Organization Mandate of Heaven= belief that a ruler had the right to rule granted by the gods (divine approval), unless he did something evil or wicked Dynastic cycle= used to justify conquests or overthrow of poor leaders when they lost the mandate Feudalism= king gives some leadership to nobles in areas as a way to control and unify the large empire

The Unification of China Confucius- ALL LIFE IS BASED ON RELATIONSHIPS lived during the decline of the Zhou dynasty (disorder and violence) Desired a return to peace and morality Social order, harmony and government could exist if society was organized and regulated by a code of conduct between: Ruler and subject Father and son Husband and wife Older and younger brothers Friend and friend

CONFUCIUS AND CONFUCIANISM

More about Confucianism and other systems Filial Piety= respect for parents or ancestors- devoting self to parents for your lifetime Legalism- believed that order could be restored by a highly efficient and powerful government Believed in controlling ideas and actions Stressed rewards for obedient followers and harsh punishment for the disobedient Yin and Yang- search for harmony in nature and relationships Yin- cold, dark, soft and mysterious Yang- warm, bright, hard and clear

Qin Dynasty Emerged and used legalism to subdue warring states and control nobles Government Autocracy- government with unlimited power that uses it in an arbitrary manner forced noble families to serve in the government and seizing their land Completed the Great Wall of China- forced labor!

Down fall of the Quin Dynasty Beliefs Strengthen the trunk, weaken the branches under the Qin Confucian ideals were crushed, millions of their followers were murdered, books were burned Weaknesses Fell to the Han (peasants) who revolted due to the hatred they had because of the forced labor required by the dynasty on the Great Wall of China

Confucius and the Government Why: 130,000 govt employees What: “Gentlemen should practice, reverence, respect, generosity, truthfulness, diligence and kindness.” How: To apply for a job you had to pass a test about Confucius’ teachings To pass you had to study Confucius Anyone could do this- stayed in effect until 1912!

EXPLAIN HOW THE GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA AND CHINA AFFECTED ITS TRADE AND CULTURE INDIA AND CHINA ARE SEPARATED BY THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS WHICH ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. THESE MTNS. MADE DIRECT EXCHANGE OF GOODS AND IDEAS DIFFICULT. TRADE WAS ALSO MADE DIFFICULT WITH DESERTS IN THE NORTH AND SEAS IN THE SOUTH EVENTUALLY, THE SILK ROADS WOULD CONNECT THE EMPIRES OF INDIA AND CHINA. CHINA ENJOYED ITS ISOLATION AND HAS CONTINUED TO KEEP ITS CULTURE PURE AND ISOLATED FROM WESTERN INFLUENCES

THE SILK ROAD CONNECTING INDIA AND CHINA FOR TRADE

Han Technology Main invention- paper around 105 AD Results of paper= improved education, more books, accurate govt records Agriculture- important b/c of population Collar harness- horse became more productive Double-bladed plow Other stuff: wheelbarrow, hydro-power mills to grind corn

Han Commerce & Culture Government created monopolies Salt mining, forging iron, minting coins, brewing alcohol Silk mills- most valuable commodity was SILK Silk Roads- started in China- went through Asia to India- went on to Rome. Role of Women- Devoted to families, mostly uneducated- some wealthy women did receive educations, others became nuns

The Fall of the Han Dynasty The Han ruled for 200 years, had a brief interruption for 23 years then ruled for another 200 years. Reasons for the fall: Political instability- the poor were overtaxed and overworked Political instability- the people were trying to gain power Economic instability- large land owners had to pay little taxes- land was divided up among generations. The empire broke into three rival kingdoms

Prosperity and Innovation During the Tang and Song Dynasties Science & Technology- Block printing (Tang) then movable type (Song), gunpowder- first used to scare away evil spirits, magnetic compass- allowed for more sea trade, porcelain Agriculture- rice cultivation (two crops each year) Trade and Foreign Contacts- Guarded silk roads, built large port cities, and influenced other groups Poetry & Art- paintings of nature Acupuncture Paper Currency

Changes in Society A new upper class, gentry, emerged who achieved status through education and civil service Status and role of women Were always subservient to men Treatment was worse in cities Custom of foot binding- display of wealth and status

China: The Han Emperors Unrest, ineffective leaders and civil war- small kingdoms trying to get more land and power Military leader: Liu Bang came to power and restored order and began the Han Dynasty that lasted more than 400 years. The most influential dynasty in china- today some people call themselves: People of the Han.