The First Civilizations

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” What does the quote mean? What is its

purpose? Why would this be considered an acceptable action? Is this justice?

Warm-up:

Mesopotamia Egypt India China

Born near rivers Had cities, writing, law codes, divine kingship Not in the Western world (still cavemen)

First Civilizations

Ancient Mesopotamia

City-states: cities which had control of the

surrounding countryside Fought each other for control of resources (i.e.

land and water) Flat land = vulnerable to invasion Fighting led to empire-building

Ancient Mesopotamia

Hammurabi

1792 B.C. – Empire of Hammurabi

Well-disciplined army of foot soldiers Divide and conquer enemies

“the sun of Babylon, the king who has made the four quarters of the world subservient”

Built temples, defensive walls, irrigation canals

Trade and economic revival Created the earliest law code

that has been preserved

Collection of 282 laws, based on strict justice Keep order, prevent conflict Severe penalties retaliation No equality of individuals

Penalties differed among social classes Importance of family:

arranged marriages, marriage contracts Patriarchal – dominated by men

Obedience Covers almost every aspect of people’s lives

Code of Hammurabi

In groups, read your list of laws What are they regulating? Who are they written for? What are the consequences? Do they fit the

crimes? Are the laws equal for all society?

Check it out

Egypt and Divine Kingship

Founded along the Nile

Floods often, built irrigation system 3 major periods of long-term stability: strong

leadership, freedom from invasion, building of pyramids, great cultural activity Chaotic government and foreign invasion between

the periods Old Kingdom: Pharaohs ruled through divine right,

polytheistic Middle Kingdom: Hykosos invaded with horse-

drawn chariots, learned to make bronze weapons and chariots

New Kingdom: Empire

Egypt and Divine Kingship

New Centers of Civilization: The Israelites

The spiritual heritage of the Israelites is a

basic pillar of Western civilization Judaism influenced Christianity and Islam King Solomon rules as Israelites took over

Palestine, Jerusalem became the capital Israel split into Israel and Judah Jews

practicing Judaism Jews became stateless Religion helped maintain their identity when

they didn’t have a state

The Israelites

Monotheistic one god called Yahweh, creator and

ruler of the world Above everyone in nature Watched over his creature Punished for wrongdoing, but merciful

Sin Jewish beliefs are markers of Western tradition:

Humans are separate from and struggle against nature Have a particular relationship to a Supreme Being, who

watches over them Covenant (contract with Moses), law (social justice)

and the prophets (religious teachers) Gives all people access to God’s wishes

The Israelites

Ancient India

Ancient India

Established in the Indus River valley

Aryans dominated by creating a distinct social structure Ranks people from high

to low into varnas (“color”) discrimination

Based on occupation and family networks

Beliefs about religious purity Higher caste = greater religious purity

Remain in same caste for life Untouchables not part of caste system

Given menial tasks, like collecting trash and handling dead bodies

Gave a sense of order during chaotic times

Caste System

Single force, or ultimate reality in the

universe, the Brahman If the individual self, the Atman, seeks

to know the Brahman in this life, the self would merge with the Brahman after death

Reincarnation, after death the soul is reborn in another form Achieve union after many deaths

Karma, what a person does in one life affects their future life, moving closer to the Brahman

Support the caste system

Hinduism

Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama tried to achieve wisdom by seeing the world in a new way

Known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One”

Ancient China

Zhou Dynasty laid the foundations for today’s

China “Mandate from Heaven” political belief that a

ruler was the ruler because Heaven gave him a mandate

Mandate command, authorization Family is the core of society

Patriarchal Devotion to family and one’s ancestors

Stable, yet conservative, society Han Dynasty extended Chinese borders

Ancient China

Philosopher who traveled all throughout China

How do we restore order to our society? (chaotic times)

Wanted to know how to act morally in the real world

People are naturally good, and can acquire knowledge and virtue Need virtuous leaders to show the way

Obedience to superiors Sayings influence Chinese culture

Confucius