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Ancient Civs : From Agriculture to 1 st River Valley Civs (Chapter 1). Prehistory. Hunting and gathering societies dominated human history until 9000 B.C.E. These people helped propel migration over most of the lands on earth. Human Life Before Agriculture. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Prehistory• Hunting and gathering societies
dominated human history until 9000 B.C.E.
• These people helped propel migration over most of the lands on earth.
Human Life Before Agriculture• The nature of the human species
gradually changed during the Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age.
• Homo erectus: A less apelike species whose larger brain, erect stance, and opposable thumbs emerged btwn. 500,000 and 750,000 years ago.
• More advanced humans killed off competitors over time, and the newest human breed Homo sapiens originated c. 240,000 years ago in Africa.
• All humans in the world today are descendents of homo sapiens…….. Except Sasquatch, maybe.
Human Life Before Agriculture• The greatest achievement of Paleolithic people was
spreading the human species. • Mesolithic ppl. Domesticated cows, improving food
supply. • Neolithic ppl. Invented agriculture, and built the 1st
cities, foreshadowing civilization. • The invention of agriculture and the discover of metal
tools (Bronze Age, 4000 B.C.E.), moved the human species toward civilization.
• With agriculture, humans were able to settle in one spot and focus on particular economic, political, and religious goals and activities.
Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE
Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE
The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”
The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
Civilization• The word civilization comes from the Latin word for
city. • The first civilizations formed in Mesopotamia, Egypt,
the Indus River basin, China, and Central America. • The very 1st arose in the Middle East along the banks
of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. • Mesopotamian civilization is one of only a few cases
of a civilization developed completely from scratch, with no examples to imitate (& China, Olmecs).
Sumerians• 1st Mesopotamian Civ. 3500 B.C.E. • Developed cuneiform alphabet, 1st
known case of human writing. Scribes wrote on clay tablets.
• Devised syst. of #s based on units of 10, 60, and 360 that we still use in calculating circles and hours.
Sumerians• Ziggurats: 1st monumental architecture. Each
cit had one, devoted to patron god. • Sumerians polit. structures were organized
around city states, led by king. • Govt. regulated religion, provided a court
system, and kings were military leaders. • Land was worked by slaves, beginning long
tradition of slavery.
SumeriansSumerians
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Cuneiform WritingCuneiform Writing
Deciphering Cuneiform
Deciphering Cuneiform
The Importance of Writing• Most civilizations developed writing. Societies that
employ writing can organize more elaborate political structures, b/c it allows them to send messages and keep records.
• With writing, they could tax more efficiently, and make contracts and treaties.
• Societies with writing can generate a more intellectual climate b/c of their ability to record data and build on past, written wisdom.
• Becoming literate changes the way people think, encouraging them to consider the world as a place that can be understood rationally.
Sumerian Religion – Polytheistic
Government-Theocracy
Sumerian Religion – Polytheistic
Government-Theocracy
GilgameshGilgamesh
Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:Flood Story
Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:Flood Story
Ziggurat at UrZiggurat at Ur
Temple
“Mountain of the Gods”
Temple
“Mountain of the Gods”
Mesopotamian HarpMesopotamian Harp
Board Game From UrBoard Game From Ur
Akkadians, Babylonians, & Beyond
• Sumerians fell to the Akkadians, who contd. Much of Sumerian culture.
• Another period of decline was followed by the Babylonian conquest.
• The Akkadians and Babylonians spread civilization to other parts of the Mid. East. through conquest.
• Under the Babylonian rule of king Hammurabi, the 1st codified system of law was introduced.
• By 2100 B.C.E. invasions by Semitic peopes from the south brought Semitic language to the region.
• Btwn. 1200 and 900 B.C.E. the Assyrians and then the Persians created large empires in the Mid East.
Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire
[Akkadians]
Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire
[Akkadians]
The Babylonian Empires
The Babylonian Empires
Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] Code
Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] Code
Hammurabi, TheocracyHammurabi, Theocracy
Babylonian NumbersBabylonian Numbers
Babylonian MathBabylonian Math
Works Cited• Adas, M., Gilbert, M.J., Schwartz,
S.B., & Stearns, P.N. (2007). World civilizations: The global experience. (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Education.
• Images from Susan M. PojerHorace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY, http://www.pptpalooza.net/.