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Ancient EmpiresAncient Empires

An Introduction to An Introduction to Eight Imperial Eight Imperial

Civilizations of the Civilizations of the Ancient WorldAncient World

An Introduction to Eight An Introduction to Eight Imperial Civilizations of the Imperial Civilizations of the Ancient WorldAncient World

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OverviewOverviewThe Evolution of CivilizationAnthropology and Archaeology in Historical AnalysisThe Rise and Characteristics of EmpiresCities and TechnologiesTimelines

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The Evolution of The Evolution of CivilizationsCivilizations

Definition: Civilizationa culture that builds cities and has achievements in art, literature, science, and technology

Civilizations don’t rise alone

End product of evolution of culture within a geographic area

Rome 100 AD

Archaeology - DefinitionArchaeology - Definition

The study of human activity in the past, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind.

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Anthropology - DefinitionAnthropology - Definition

The study of humans, past and present, that draws and builds upon the knowledge from the social sciences and biological sciences as well as the humanities and natural sciences.

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The Importance of The Importance of ArchaeologyArchaeology

Art of HistoryWritten records:

• political, military, economic

Bias toward rich & powerful

Science of ArchaeologyAdds accurate detail about daily life of ordinary peopleChanged modern view of history

Maya glyphs

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Key to HistoryKey to HistoryHistory is a gift

Recreated in each generationHuman mind has not changed in 200,000 years

• Evolution of homo sapiens is cultural

ArchaeologyTakes time, moneyStarted in Europe

• Heinrich Schliemann– Wealthy German businessman– Excavated Troy 1870’s

ClovisHunter

HeinrichSchliemann

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Archaeology and Archaeology and AnthropologyAnthropologyScience of Anthropology

ArchaeologyCultural anthropologyLinguisticsPhysical anthropology

Cultural historyArchaeologist is anthropologistSeeing society whole

• All social groups and functions

• more accurate, meaningful interpretation of ancient cultures

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Hunter-GatherersHunter-GatherersBig game hunting

• Nomadic, migratory herds of land & sea mammals

• Focus on one or two species

First settlementsRiver valleys on migration routesExtraction of unearned resources

• Energy from other biomes• Larger families possible

Archaic adaptation: scheduled collecting of seasonal foods

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The Agricultural The Agricultural RevolutionRevolution

Developed in semi-arid areas adjacent to river valleys

Need to store collected cereals

Impact of agricultureStored surplus food

• Geometric increase in populationDependence on nonfood resources

• Water, fuel, stone, metal, etc.Transportation & trade

• Moving scarce resources between settled villages

Urbanization, industrializationOverpopulation, overexploitation of resources, pollution

Chaco granary

French traders in a Huron village

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Phases of Cultural Phases of Cultural DevelopmentDevelopment

1. Hunting & gathering2. Agriculture

Domestic plantsDomestic animals

3. Towns & CitiesPopulation increaseUrbanizationSpecializationCompetition

Egyptian agriculture

Mesoamerican urban centres

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Life in the Ancient WorldLife in the Ancient WorldPopulations small

Local farms, villagesLittle change over time

Hard livesUnvaried foodsNo medical servicesPoor sanitationHigh infant mortality

Simple joysFamily and friendsGames, songs, storiesFaith

Seneb the Dwarf& family

6th Dynasty Egypt

rice plowing

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Cultural GrowthCultural GrowthTheory of Diffusion

Culture and technologies originate with one culture and are diffused by contact with other cultures.

Theory of CorrespondenceAll humans have same mental & physical capabilities, thus invent similar culture and technology in similar environments

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Birthplace of EmpiresBirthplace of EmpiresRiver valleys

Life-givingGodlike

Human innovationsDevelopment of crop speciesIrrigation systems

• Mesopotamia

Calendars• Nile Valley flooding

Nile farming

Egyptian scribe

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The Rise of CitiesThe Rise of CitiesEcological richness of valley attracts peopleCities

Centre of richnessExpanded areas of controlWalled for protection• Repelled invaders• Attracted immigrants

Emblems of EmpireMohenjo Daro - walls and citadel

Indus Valley Civilization

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The Rise of EmpiresThe Rise of Empires

Rich & fertile valleysExamples: Nile, Indus, Huang Ho

Regional CulturesCentred around citiesShared trade, cultureMilitary dominance leads to empire

Alexander the Great

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Imperial CitiesImperial Cities

Dense populationUrbanization processesCultural innovationDriven by

CommerceCultural interaction

The Agora - Athens

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The Elements of EmpireThe Elements of Empire

ElementsPeoplesGoodsIdeas

Existence & dynamism of elements depend on

MovementExchange

Longshan pottery

Egyptian mural - transporting the grain

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City As Symbol of WealthCity As Symbol of Wealth

Struggle for control of citiesRichness: ability to produce surplus goods and services

agriculturepottery, metalworkingcommerce

Supportednobility, administrative class, army

Increased wealth, population by immigration

rice harrowing - China

First Emperor’s terracotta army

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Civilization to EmpireCivilization to EmpireCity

Agriculture means larger townsSpecialized buildings, occupations

City-StateMetropolis and hinterland

• Interaction of towns and cities

StateEquality of cities e.g. Italy in Roman Republic

EmpireSubject states e.g. Aztec Empire

ImperialItaly

Aztec Empire

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Culture and ExpansionCulture and ExpansionThe Stay-at-Homes

China, Egypt, MayaLittle knowledge of other empires beyond their boundaries

The ExpansionistsRome, GreecePursuit of trade or conquestLimited by

• Natural obstacles• Opposing forces Greek colonies

China- relief

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The Polynesian CaseThe Polynesian CasePolynesian seafarers

3000 BC onSailed and colonized Pacific

• Northwest Coast• Easter Island

No empire, colonies isolated

The Record FactorKey is permanent records

• Written language• Maps

Example: Greek knowledge of Mediterranean world

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Timelines

Framework for understanding

Time sequence of development of cultureMarked by dynasties, technological progressRise-and-fall image

• Spengler’s view of history

Timeline of Ancient Egypt