Existed between 3300 BCE and 2000 BCE

Spread citiesOvercame lack of water- had irrigation systemEpic of GilgameshArithmetic/GeometryArchitecture- arches, columns, ramps, pyramidsCuneiform

Earliest governments were controlled by temple priestsIn times of war- toughest fighters would take control of government

Polytheistic religion- usually each city prayed to a particular godHad class system1) Kings, priests, landholders2) Wealthy merchants3) Ordinary Farmers4) Slaves

Old Kingdom- existed from about 3200 BCE to 2180 BCE

Pyramid BuildingWriting- HieroglyphicsWrote on papyrusWritten numbers- very interested in geometry

Developed calendar- only 6 hrs. off!MedicineUsed heart rateTreated broken bones (casting)Treated cuts and feversAlso used make-up!!!

Pharaohs= god-kingsControlled religion, government, armyHad absolute power

Polytheistic- two most important gods were sun god and god of deadBuilt huge temples to honor deadBelieved in afterlife- mummification

Social Classes1) King/queen/royal family2) Wealthy landowners, government officials, priests, army commanders3) Merchants/artisans4) Farmers/laborers5) Slaves

Lasted from 2500 BCE to about 1750 BCE, possibly as long as 1500 BCE or 1350 BCE, depending on sourceIt is a great mystery what happened to the Indus Valley Civilization

Planned cities- grid systemUsed oven baked bricks for housesSophisticated plumbing and sewage systemWritten languageSophisticated trade- long-range communicationCreated cotton cloth

Thought to be a theocracy, but little factually is known

Uniform religion and cultureLeisure time was importantBelieved animals were importantReligion- most important god was the mother goddess, many images of pregnant women

Lasted from about 1700 BCE to 1027 BCE

Built wood cities with massive earthen wallsBuilt and used horse drawn chariotsDeveloped more modern written languageOne character per syllable

Used dynastic system (will last in China until 1911!!!!)Ruled by line of Shang rulers

Two main values: family and warRespect for parents was given the utmost importanceFamily greatly linked to religionOracle bones

Nobles (landowners) vs. Peasants (those who worked on the landNo middle class!