Chapter One: The Beginnings of Civilization

Defining “Civilized” Urban life: permanent constructions System of regulatory government Class distinction (wealth and occupation) Tools/skills --> production/trade Written communication Shared system of religious belief ** Not a value judgment! ** Urban life: permanent constructions System of regulatory government Class distinction (wealth and occupation) Tools/skills --> production/trade Written communication Shared system of religious belief ** Not a value judgment! **

Origins of Western Civilization Paleolithic World View (Old Stone Age) Art Religion Neolithic Civilizations (Late Stone Age) Domestication of animals Cultivation of vegetation Community War / Weaponry Paleolithic World View (Old Stone Age) Art Religion Neolithic Civilizations (Late Stone Age) Domestication of animals Cultivation of vegetation Community War / Weaponry

The Bronze Age ( B.C.E.) Mesopotamia Sumerian ( B.C.E.) Semitic ( B.C.E.) Egypt Aegean Cultures Mesopotamia Sumerian ( B.C.E.) Semitic ( B.C.E.) Egypt Aegean Cultures

Sumerian Culture Agricultural/Urban settlements “Fertile Crescent” Writing/record-keeping: Cuneiform Shared system of religious belief Civil ruler / Religious rulers Agricultural/Urban settlements “Fertile Crescent” Writing/record-keeping: Cuneiform Shared system of religious belief Civil ruler / Religious rulers

Epic of Gilgamesh Gilgamesh ruled at Uruk c B.C.E. Composed in Sumerian (2000 B.C.E.) on cuneiform tablets Introspective work Asserts universal questions about human existence Gilgamesh ruled at Uruk c B.C.E. Composed in Sumerian (2000 B.C.E.) on cuneiform tablets Introspective work Asserts universal questions about human existence

Semitic Culture Akkadian Period King Sargon and descendants ( B.C.E.) Focus on HUMAN achievement Heroic Code Babylonian Legacy King Hammurabi Assyrians Culmination of Mesopotamian culture Akkadian Period King Sargon and descendants ( B.C.E.) Focus on HUMAN achievement Heroic Code Babylonian Legacy King Hammurabi Assyrians Culmination of Mesopotamian culture

Fall of Mesopotamia Medes Nomadic warriors Conquered Nineveh in 612 B.C.E. Conquered and absorbed by Persians Persians Nomadic warriors Conquered by Alexander the Great (330 B.C.E.) Medes Nomadic warriors Conquered Nineveh in 612 B.C.E. Conquered and absorbed by Persians Persians Nomadic warriors Conquered by Alexander the Great (330 B.C.E.)

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