Ancient World Ancient World HistoryHistory

Chapter 2Chapter 2

First Civilization: First Civilization:

Africa and AsiaAfrica and Asia

Geography of the Nile Geography of the Nile ValleyValley

► ““Egypt is wholly the gift of the Nile”Egypt is wholly the gift of the Nile” Greek Historian HerodotusGreek Historian Herodotus

► Nile gave life, while the desert around Nile gave life, while the desert around them protected Egypt from invasionsthem protected Egypt from invasions

► Yearly FloodsYearly Floods Every Spring, origins of the Nile would become Every Spring, origins of the Nile would become

flooded with rainsflooded with rains Flooded down river, depositing silt over Flooded down river, depositing silt over

Egyptian farmlandsEgyptian farmlands► Rich layer of soilRich layer of soil

Egyptians eagerly anticipated floodsEgyptians eagerly anticipated floods

Geography of the Nile Valley Geography of the Nile Valley (Con’t)(Con’t)

► Uniting the LandUniting the Land Two regions of EgyptTwo regions of Egypt

► Upper EgyptUpper Egypt Located near the first cataract, waterfall, of the Nile, Located near the first cataract, waterfall, of the Nile,

Northward to within 100 miles of MediterraneanNorthward to within 100 miles of Mediterranean► Lower EgyptLower Egypt

Covered Delta region of the NileCovered Delta region of the Nile Triangular area of marshland formed by deposits of silt Triangular area of marshland formed by deposits of silt

at the mouth of most riversat the mouth of most rivers

Upper Egypt King, MenesUpper Egypt King, Menes► About 3100 B.C., united the two regions of EgyptAbout 3100 B.C., united the two regions of Egypt

Used Nile extensivelyUsed Nile extensively

The Old Kingdom (2700-The Old Kingdom (2700-2200 B.C.)2200 B.C.)

► Pharaohs, Egyptian rulers, organized Pharaohs, Egyptian rulers, organized a strong, centralized statea strong, centralized state

Considered GodsConsidered Gods Depended on vizier, chief minister to:Depended on vizier, chief minister to:

► Collect taxesCollect taxes► Control farmingControl farming► Organize irrigation systemOrganize irrigation system

The Old Kingdom (2700-The Old Kingdom (2700-2200 B.C.) (Con’t)2200 B.C.) (Con’t)

► PyramidsPyramids Built during Old KingdomBuilt during Old Kingdom Preserved bodies, along with every they Preserved bodies, along with every they

needed in pyramidsneeded in pyramids Built with two ton limestone blocksBuilt with two ton limestone blocks Took decades to buildTook decades to build

► Power Struggles, crop failures, and Power Struggles, crop failures, and cost of pyramids brought end of Old cost of pyramids brought end of Old KingdomKingdom

The Middle KingdomThe Middle Kingdom

► Turbulent Period of Egyptian HistoryTurbulent Period of Egyptian History Irregularity of Nile floodingIrregularity of Nile flooding Corruption and rebellions commonCorruption and rebellions common

► Delta taken over by Hyskos in 1700 Delta taken over by Hyskos in 1700 B.C.B.C.

Egyptians learned about the horse Egyptians learned about the horse drawn fightersdrawn fighters

► Began trading with Middle EastBegan trading with Middle East

The New KingdomThe New Kingdom

► Powerful RulersPowerful Rulers Ramses II most powerful from 1290-Ramses II most powerful from 1290-

1224 B.C.1224 B.C.► Pushed boundary of Egyptian empire to the Pushed boundary of Egyptian empire to the

Euphrates RiverEuphrates River

► DeclineDecline Outstretched army and loss of political Outstretched army and loss of political

powerpower Foreign armies began invading as wellForeign armies began invading as well

Egypt and NubiaEgypt and Nubia

► Trade and fighting between Egypt Trade and fighting between Egypt and Nubia very common during each and Nubia very common during each of the three kingdomsof the three kingdoms

Nubia traded ivory, cattle, slaves and Nubia traded ivory, cattle, slaves and gold to Egyptgold to Egypt

Influenced art and culture as wellInfluenced art and culture as well

Section 2Section 2

►Egyptian CivilizationEgyptian Civilization

Egyptian ReligionEgyptian Religion

Chief Gods and GoddessesChief Gods and Goddesses► Amon ReAmon Re

Chief GodChief God Sun GodSun God

► OsirisOsiris Ruled the underworld and God of the NileRuled the underworld and God of the Nile

► IsisIsis Taught women to grind corn, spin flax, weave cloth Taught women to grind corn, spin flax, weave cloth

and care for childrenand care for children

Religious RebellionReligious Rebellion► About 1380 B.C. Pharaoh Akhenanton challenged About 1380 B.C. Pharaoh Akhenanton challenged

priest of Amon Repriest of Amon Re Wanted to serve God AtonWanted to serve God Aton

► Preist ultimately returned to Amon Re after Preist ultimately returned to Amon Re after Akhenton diedAkhenton died

Egyptian Religion (Con’t)Egyptian Religion (Con’t)

► Belief in AfterlifeBelief in Afterlife Fateful TestFateful Test Must pass test to win eternal lifeMust pass test to win eternal life

► Osiris would test the heart of the dead to Osiris would test the heart of the dead to the feather of truththe feather of truth

People lived according to the People lived according to the Book of Book of the Deadthe Dead

► MummificationMummification Preservation of the deadPreservation of the dead

► Done so the soul would have a body in the Done so the soul would have a body in the afterlifeafterlife

Evidence of the Tomb of Evidence of the Tomb of TutankhamenTutankhamen

► Most pharaohs were buried in the Most pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the KingsValley of the Kings

Treasures were stripped from tombs Treasures were stripped from tombs over the centuriesover the centuries

► Except for Tutankhamen’s tombExcept for Tutankhamen’s tomb Son-in-law of AkhentonSon-in-law of Akhenton

► Tomb filled with vast treasuresTomb filled with vast treasures Not found till 1922Not found till 1922

Egyptian SocietyEgyptian Society

►Life of the FarmerLife of the Farmer Most were slavesMost were slaves Work soil, repairing dikes and building Work soil, repairing dikes and building

lavish buildings for the pharaohslavish buildings for the pharaohs

►Social ChangeSocial Change New Kingdom trade brought more riches New Kingdom trade brought more riches

to merchants and artisansto merchants and artisans►The merchant class grew slightly strongerThe merchant class grew slightly stronger

Egyptian Society (Con’t)Egyptian Society (Con’t)

► WomenWomen Enjoyed generally greater independence Enjoyed generally greater independence

than other civilizationsthan other civilizations Women could:Women could:

► Inherit landInherit land► Enter business dealsEnter business deals► Obtain divorces, etc.Obtain divorces, etc.

Jobs were still separated by GendersJobs were still separated by Genders

Egyptian LearningEgyptian Learning

► Scribes kept recordings for high classesScribes kept recordings for high classes► Written recordsWritten records

HieroglyphicsHieroglyphics► Pictures writingPictures writing

Eventually involved ideogramsEventually involved ideograms► Pictures symbolizes action for ideasPictures symbolizes action for ideas

Eventually developed demoticEventually developed demotic► Simpler form of writingSimpler form of writing

Wrote on papyrusWrote on papyrus► Paper not created in Africa yetPaper not created in Africa yet

Egyptian Learning (Con’t)Egyptian Learning (Con’t)

► Rosetta StoneRosetta Stone Eventually hieroglyphic meanings were Eventually hieroglyphic meanings were

forgottenforgotten A flat black stone with the same A flat black stone with the same

message written in three different message written in three different languageslanguages► Hieroglyphics, Demotic, and GreekHieroglyphics, Demotic, and Greek

Used to learn hieroglyphic languageUsed to learn hieroglyphic language

Egyptian Learning (Con’t)Egyptian Learning (Con’t)

► Advances in Medicine and ScienceAdvances in Medicine and Science Contained vast knowledge in medicine, Contained vast knowledge in medicine,

astronomy, and mathematicsastronomy, and mathematics MedicineMedicine

► Human body knowledge from mummificationHuman body knowledge from mummification

AstronomersAstronomers► Map the planets and developed a form of 12 month Map the planets and developed a form of 12 month

calendarcalendar

MathematicsMathematics► Used in engineering for building projects- GeometryUsed in engineering for building projects- Geometry

Arts and LiteratureArts and Literature

► Paintings and SculpturesPaintings and Sculptures Very little artistic change in 1,000 yearsVery little artistic change in 1,000 years Statues were stiff-standard formsStatues were stiff-standard forms SphinxSphinx

► Pharaoh displayed as a fierce lionPharaoh displayed as a fierce lion

Later influenced the RomansLater influenced the Romans

► LiteratureLiterature Hymns, poems and prayers to the GodsHymns, poems and prayers to the Gods

Looking AheadLooking Ahead

► After Egyptian Empire fell, the area After Egyptian Empire fell, the area remained as an economic and remained as an economic and cultural centercultural center

Section 3Section 3

►City States of Ancient SumerCity States of Ancient Sumer

Geography of the Fertile Geography of the Fertile CrescentCrescent

► Lies between the Tigris and Euphrates RiverLies between the Tigris and Euphrates River Also known as MesopotamiaAlso known as Mesopotamia

► Floods and IrrigationFloods and Irrigation Floods were very violentFloods were very violent Many dikes and irrigation ditches were used to Many dikes and irrigation ditches were used to

control the riverscontrol the rivers► The Epic of GilgameshThe Epic of Gilgamesh

► The First CitiesThe First Cities Sumerians were the first to buildSumerians were the first to build

► Built Ur and ErechBuilt Ur and Erech

► Mesopotamia was a very trade oriented Mesopotamia was a very trade oriented regionregion

Sumerian CivilizationSumerian Civilization

► Government and SocietyGovernment and Society The ruler was in charge of city maintenanceThe ruler was in charge of city maintenance Also often seen as servant of GodsAlso often seen as servant of Gods

► Had social hierarchiesHad social hierarchies System of ranksSystem of ranks

► Women had selective rightsWomen had selective rights

► Sumerian ReligionSumerian Religion PolytheisticPolytheistic

► Gods in control of all aspects of LifeGods in control of all aspects of Life Peoples highest duty to keep God’s happyPeoples highest duty to keep God’s happy Built ZigguratsBuilt Ziggurats

► Stepped pyramid templesStepped pyramid temples Offered sacrifices to please God’sOffered sacrifices to please God’s

Advances in LearningAdvances in Learning

► Developed CuneiformDeveloped Cuneiform Possible earliest form of writingPossible earliest form of writing

► Developed basic algebra and Developed basic algebra and geometrygeometry

Based number system on 6Based number system on 6

Looking AheadLooking Ahead

► As a trading center, conquered by As a trading center, conquered by many other city-statesmany other city-states

► Passed on their own culture each Passed on their own culture each time a new city-state conquered time a new city-state conquered MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Section 4Section 4

►Invaders, Traders and Empire Invaders, Traders and Empire BuildersBuilders

Ruling a Large EmpireRuling a Large Empire

► Invasion and Conquest very commonInvasion and Conquest very common► The First Empire Builder (2300 B.C.)The First Empire Builder (2300 B.C.)

Sargon, leader of Akkad, invaded SumerSargon, leader of Akkad, invaded Sumer Ruled till his deathRuled till his death

► Hammurabi the Law GiverHammurabi the Law Giver King of Babylon, which united King of Babylon, which united

MesopotamiaMesopotamia Also codified, or wrote down, all the laws Also codified, or wrote down, all the laws

which became known as the which became known as the Code of Code of HammurabiHammurabi

Ruling a Large Empire Ruling a Large Empire (Con’t)(Con’t)

► Crime and PunishmentCrime and Punishment Codified Criminal lawCodified Criminal law

► Offenses against another personOffenses against another person► Also specified punishmentsAlso specified punishments

““an eye for an eye”an eye for an eye”

Codified Civil LawCodified Civil Law► Laws over private rights and mattersLaws over private rights and matters

Contracts, taxes, marriage, etc.Contracts, taxes, marriage, etc.

Warfare and Spread of Warfare and Spread of IdeasIdeas

► Secrets of IronworkingSecrets of Ironworking Hittites learned to extract iron from oreHittites learned to extract iron from ore Ore plentiful and iron stronger than bronze or Ore plentiful and iron stronger than bronze or

coppercopper► Assyrian WarriorsAssyrian Warriors

Lived on Upper TigrisLived on Upper Tigris Possessed knowledge of IronPossessed knowledge of Iron

► Considered fierce warriorsConsidered fierce warriors Took over MesopotamiaTook over Mesopotamia

► Built NinevehBuilt Nineveh Possibly built the biggest city of that timePossibly built the biggest city of that time

Built First libraryBuilt First library

Warfare and Spread of Ideas Warfare and Spread of Ideas (Con’t)(Con’t)

► Babylon Revived (612 B.C.)Babylon Revived (612 B.C.) Nebuchadnezzar defeated Assyrians and Nebuchadnezzar defeated Assyrians and

expanded Babylon Empireexpanded Babylon Empire► Expanded knowledge of starsExpanded knowledge of stars

Built famous Hanging GardensBuilt famous Hanging Gardens

Persian Empire (539 B.C.)Persian Empire (539 B.C.)

► Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered BabyloniansBabylonians

Persians practiced tolerance, or Persians practiced tolerance, or acceptance of conquered culturesacceptance of conquered cultures

► Uniting Many Peoples (522-486 B.C.)Uniting Many Peoples (522-486 B.C.) United Persia under DariusUnited Persia under Darius

► Set up provinces, with a governor called satrapSet up provinces, with a governor called satrap► Set up a code of lawsSet up a code of laws► Repaired or built hundreds of miles of roadsRepaired or built hundreds of miles of roads

Persian Empire (539 B.C.) Persian Empire (539 B.C.) (Con’t)(Con’t)

► Economic LifeEconomic Life Set up common weights and measuresSet up common weights and measures Used coinsUsed coins

► Many still used barter system howeverMany still used barter system however Trading goods for anotherTrading goods for another

► Coins did begin a form of money economy Coins did begin a form of money economy in Mesopotamiain Mesopotamia

New ReligionNew Religion► Zoroaster stressed monotheismZoroaster stressed monotheism

Belief in one GodBelief in one God Also stressed the idea of evil vs. Good, and idea Also stressed the idea of evil vs. Good, and idea

of Heaven, hell and final judgmentof Heaven, hell and final judgment

Phoenician Sea TradersPhoenician Sea Traders

► Gained fame as sailors and tradersGained fame as sailors and traders► Manufacturing and tradeManufacturing and trade

Created glass from coastal sandCreated glass from coastal sand Developed words Bible and bibliography Developed words Bible and bibliography

from the city of Byblosfrom the city of Byblos

► Setup coloniesSetup colonies Territory controlled from afarTerritory controlled from afar

Phoenician Sea Traders Phoenician Sea Traders (Con’t)(Con’t)

► AlphabetAlphabet Developed a system of 22 symbols for Developed a system of 22 symbols for

consonant soundsconsonant sounds Later Greeks adapted the system and Later Greeks adapted the system and

added symbols for vowelsadded symbols for vowels► Thus 26 letters in our alphabetThus 26 letters in our alphabet

Section 5Section 5

►The Roots of JudaismThe Roots of Judaism

Early History of the Early History of the IsraelitesIsraelites

► Also known as HebrewsAlso known as Hebrews► Believed a Single God took a hand in Believed a Single God took a hand in

their lives and wrote the Torahtheir lives and wrote the Torah First five books of today’s bibleFirst five books of today’s bible

► A Nomadic PeopleA Nomadic People Father of the Hebrews is AbrahamFather of the Hebrews is Abraham Eventually went to CanaanEventually went to Canaan Genesis tells of famine, which forced many Genesis tells of famine, which forced many

Israelites to migrate to EgyptIsraelites to migrate to Egypt► Joseph and his brothersJoseph and his brothers

Later Moses led them out of Egypt (Passover)Later Moses led them out of Egypt (Passover)

The Kingdom of Israel (1000 The Kingdom of Israel (1000 B.C.)B.C.)

► David unites Israel into one nationDavid unites Israel into one nation► Son Solomon expands Israel’s influence and Son Solomon expands Israel’s influence and

powerpower Also built the Temple of GodAlso built the Temple of God

► Division and ConquestDivision and Conquest After Solomon’s death, Israel North and Judah to the After Solomon’s death, Israel North and Judah to the

SouthSouth► Both parts fall to conquerorsBoth parts fall to conquerors► Judah taken by BabyloniansJudah taken by Babylonians

Many psalms written during the Babylonian CaptivityMany psalms written during the Babylonian Captivity Hebrews began being called JewsHebrews began being called Jews

Under Cyrus of Persia, Hebrews were released to Under Cyrus of Persia, Hebrews were released to CanaanCanaan► Book of NehemiahBook of Nehemiah

A Covenant With GodA Covenant With God

► One true GodOne true God► Israelites were monotheisticIsraelites were monotheistic

Belief in one GodBelief in one God Believed in an Omnipresent and OmnipotentBelieved in an Omnipresent and Omnipotent

► The Chosen PeopleThe Chosen People Abraham believed he had a covenant with GodAbraham believed he had a covenant with God

► Binding AgreementBinding Agreement► Gen. 12:2-3Gen. 12:2-3

Moses renewed this covenant after the ExodusMoses renewed this covenant after the Exodus

Teachings on Law and Teachings on Law and MoralityMorality

► Torah spells out the laws for IsraelTorah spells out the laws for Israel► Patriarchal SocietyPatriarchal Society

Men held greater legal and moral authorityMen held greater legal and moral authority

► The Ten CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments Included keeping Sabbath as a holy day of Included keeping Sabbath as a holy day of

restrest

► An Ethical World ViewAn Ethical World View Prophets were the guiding pulse for HebrewsProphets were the guiding pulse for Hebrews

► Such as Isaiah and JeremiahSuch as Isaiah and Jeremiah

Believed in strong ethicsBelieved in strong ethics Rulers were humans bound to God’s law as Rulers were humans bound to God’s law as

wellwell