1. Welcome to Western Civilization Welcome to Western Civilization

2. How did humans advance during the Paleolithic era?

3. Why are the discoveries of Jarmo, Jericho and Catal Huyuk of interest to historians?

4. Jarmo, circa 7000 BCE

5. Ancient Jericho

7. What makes “a way of life” a civilization? Writing system Organized economy Specialization of labor Social classes Legal code Advanced art Central government Several cities with monumental architecture Religion – the central force in primary civilizations

8. Marshland and swamps…

12. The Assyrian capital at Nineveh

13. Shalamaneser I – boasted of blinding 14,000 captives

14. One of the ancient monuments discovered in the ruins of ancient Assyria has this inscription by King Asshurizirpal (reign began in 883 BC.) of a conquered city: "Their men, young and old, I took as prisoners. Of some I cut off the feet and hands; of others I cut off the noses, ears, and lips; of the young men's ears I made a heap; of the old men's heads I built a minaret."

15. Ashurbanipal King of Assyria (669-631 BCE)

16. The Library at Nineveh, as envisioned in 1980's

17. Cuneiform tablet – “wedge-shaped” -writing on clay tablets with a reed stylus

25. Sir Henry Rawlinson, circa 1840's

26. The Behistun Rock

27. The Library at Nineveh, as envisioned in 1980's

28. Tablets of the Gilgamesh Epic

29. Mesopotamian Sumeria: the rise of civilization

30. The ancient Sumerians were very smart people: Cuneiform Law codes Literature Schools Numbering system Kiln-dried bricks & pottery Lunar calendar Potter’s wheel The wheel The wheelbarrow Sailboats Bronze tools and weapons The plow Frying pans Razors Cosmetic sets Shepherd’s pipes harps