BELLWORK1. Describe the characteristics of the Fertile Crescent.

2. List four advances the Sumerians made with regards to farming and agriculture.

3. Describe the Sumerian religious practices.

4. What is cuneiform?

5. Who was Hammurabi? Why is he important?

6. Who were the Assyrians? Why were they successful?

7. THINKER: In your opinion, what was the greatest achievement of Mesopotamia?

Hammurabi’s Code• As you know, Hammurabi’s Code was very

harsh, but it became one of the earliest attempts at law.

• You are now going to read over 25 laws within Hammurabi’s Code.

• You must pick 10 and translate them into modern language.

• We will do the first one as an example.

Indus River Valley Civilization• South Asian Civilization arose

in 2500B.C.• Mountain ranges: Hindu Kush

& Himalayas• Rivers: Indus & Ganges• Two major cities: Harappa &

Mohenjo-Daro• Two major groups: Harappan &

Aryan

Mohenjo-Daro

Harappa

Harappan Civilization• Urban centers were well planned

• Production of clay pots, bronze, jewelry, and cotton cloth

• Traded with people of Mesopotamia

• Indus Civilization collapsed by 1500 B.C.– Severe climate changes (heat & flooding)– Natural disasters (earthquake)– Violence (wars with invading nations)

The Aryans (1500-600 BC)• People from the North; settled where Harappa

used to be• Warriors – took over the area• Brought the Sanskrit language, their gods, and

domesticated horses. • Rise of Hinduism• Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, lived here and

started the faith of Buddhism 

The Caste System• The Aryans developed a social system consisting of four main

social classes or varnas.• Each varna had it’s own duties. 1. Brahman2. Kshatriyas3. Vaishyas4. Shudras5. Chandalas (Untouchables) • Based on their religious beliefs, if one had good karma, they

could be reincarnated into a higher caste. (does not apply to untouchables)

• Only men could go to school & teach• Women had no rights

•Create your own caste system diagram in

your notes!!!

Reading: The Harappan Disintegration• How and why did the Harappan civilization end?• For homework tonight, you will read about the Harappan

Disintegration and write an analysis on possible theories of disappearance.

• What is a theory? Why is evidence important to back up a theory?

• Part 1: Explain three theories for the disappearance of the Harappans with evidence to prove/disprove (can be a list)

• Part 2: Your own opinion as to why the Harappan civilization ended with justification to back up your points.

BELLWORK• Today, we will learn about ancient Chinese civilizations. During this time, two

major philosophies emerged that influenced life & culture – Confucianism & Daoism. To learn about these two belief systems, read “Chinese Philosophies” on pgs. 50-51 and answer the following:

1. Who was Confucius? What was his principal concern?2. Under Confucianism, how should individuals live?3. Under Confucianism, how should the government rule?4. How is Daoism different than Confucianism?5. What is the primary belief of Daoism?6. Explain the concept of yin and yang.7. THINKER: What is a hierarchy? In your opinion, is there a

social hierarchy in today’s society? Explain!

Chinese Civilizations• Formed along the

Huang River Valley.• Did not have contact

with outside civilizations

• Ancient China was ruled by dynasties

Chinese Civilizations• Ancient China was ruled by two dynasties:

– Shang dynasty: 1700BC – 1000BC – Zhou dynasty: 1000BC – 200BC

• You are now going to read about the achievements made by both Chinese dynasties.

• Read pgs. 49-50 and in your notes, write at least four important facts for each dynasty.

• Be ready to discuss!

Shang Dynasty• 1700BC – 1000BC• Used large armies, bronze weapons and chariots to

conquer territory• Ruled by the Mandate of Heaven• Priests had the authority to call upon the gods and

predict the future• Cultural achievements: writing using characters,

bronze objects, ivory, silk, pottery, and the creation of cities.

Zhou Dynasty• About 1000BC, Wu killed the Shang king and

established a new dynasty, the Zhou. (JOH)• Agricultural system: nobles owned the land and

peasants worked it. • Technological advances: roads, expanded foreign

trade, obtained horses, the cross-bow, iron plows, and flood-control systems.

• Under the Zhou, China became the most populated country in the world.

Venn Diagram: India vs. ChinaCHINESE

CIVILIZATIONINDIAN

CIVILIZATION

Four Corners Review: Ancient Civilizations• We are going to play a short review game over the four ancient

civilizations we’ve studied so far. (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus & China)

• Each corner is labeled with a letter A-D.• A multiple choice question will appear on the board and you

have 20 seconds to move to the corner that corresponds with the answer.

• If you get it right….yay! You’re still in the game. If you get it wrong…..yikes! You’re out!

• If everyone picks the same answer, you must then chose RED or BLACK, and your fate will be decided by luck of the draw!

1) Why is Narmer important to Egyptian Civilization?

A. For his works of architecture, like pyramids and tombs

B. For his creation of canals along the Nile River, which improved trade and travel

C. For unifying the Egyptian kingdoms under one leader

D. For restoring Egypt after it’s period of decline.

1) Why is Narmer important to Egyptian Civilization?

A. For his works of architecture, like pyramids and tombs

B. For his creation of canals along the Nile River, which improved trade and travel

C. For unifying the Egyptian kingdoms under one leader

D. For restoring Egypt after it’s period of decline.

2) Egypt went through a period of decline during the rule of Amenhotep IV……why?

A. He changed the religion to polytheism, even though everyone was monotheistic

B. He changed the religion to monotheism, even though everyone was polytheistic

C. He tried to take over Mesopotamia, and failed

D. He could not afford building projects, so he over-taxed his citizens

2) Egypt went through a period of decline during the rule of Amenhotep IV……why?

A. He changed the religion to polytheism, even though everyone was monotheistic

B. He changed the religion to monotheism, even though everyone was polytheistic

C. He tried to take over Mesopotamia, and failed

D. He could not afford building projects, so he over-taxed his citizens

3) Which of the following statements about the Assyrians is FALSE?

A. Invented ways to improve agriculture; like the plow and irrigation

B. Used a strong military to conquer neighboring civilizations

C. Under their rule, Mesopotamia reached it’s height with the largest empire

D. The Assyrians fell from power when they were conquered by the Persians

3) Which of the following statements about the Assyrians is FALSE?

A. Invented ways to improve agriculture; like the plow and irrigation

B. Used a strong military to conquer neighboring civilizations

C. Under their rule, Mesopotamia reached it’s height with the largest empire

D. The Assyrians fell from power when they were conquered by the Persians

4) Which of the following civilizations originated in the Indus

River Valley?A. Aryans and Sumerians

B. Harappans and Aryans

C. Harappans and Assyrians

D. Aryans and Assyrians

4) Which of the following civilizations originated in the Indus

River Valley?A. Aryans and Sumerians

B. Harappans and Aryans

C. Harappans and Assyrians

D. Aryans and Assyrians

5) All of the following are forms of writing used in ancient civilizations

EXCEPT: A. Cuneiform

B. Pictographs

C. Hieroglyphs

D. Ziggurats

5) All of the following are forms of writing used in ancient civilizations

EXCEPT: A. Cuneiform

B. Pictographs

C. Hieroglyphs

D. Ziggurats

6) All of the following are theories about the collapse of the Indus

River Valley Civilization EXCEPTA. Severe climate changes (heat and

flooding)

B. Spread of disease (small pox and influenza)

C. Natural disasters (earthquakes)

D. Violence (wars w/ neighbors)

6) All of the following are theories about the collapse of the Indus

River Valley Civilization EXCEPTA. Severe climate changes (heat and

flooding)

B. Spread of disease (small pox and influenza)

C. Natural disasters (earthquakes)

D. Violence (wars w/ neighbors)

7) Why is Hatshepsut important to Egyptian civilization?

A. For her works of architecture, like pyramids and tombs

B. For her creation of canals along the Nile River, which improved trade and travel

C. For unifying the Egyptian kingdoms under one leader

D. For restoring Egypt after it’s period of decline.

7) Why is Hatshepsut important to Egyptian civilization?

A. For her works of architecture, like pyramids and tombs

B. For her creation of canals along the Nile River, which improved trade and travel

C. For unifying the Egyptian kingdoms under one leader

D. For restoring Egypt after it’s period of decline.

8) Which of the following is NOT an achievement of the Shang

dynasty?A. Ivory

B. Silk

C. Pottery

D. Copper

8) Which of the following is NOT an achievement of the Shang

dynasty?A. Ivory

B. Silk

C. Pottery

D. Copper

9) Which of the following is NOT an achievement of the Zhou dynasty?

A. Sanskrit language

B. Cross Bow

C. Roads

D. Iron Plows

9) Which of the following is NOT an achievement of the Zhou dynasty?

A. Sanskrit language

B. Cross Bow

C. Roads

D. Iron Plows

10) Which group in India was the most powerful and at the top of the

Caste System?A. Vaishyas

B. Kshatriyas

C. Brahman

D. Shudras

10) Which group in India was the most powerful and at the top of the

Caste System?A. Vaishyas

B. Kshatriyas

C. Brahman

D. Shudras

11) All of the following were characteristics of the

“untouchables” EXCEPT

A. Were not allowed to live in cities

B. Could be reincarnated to a higher caste

C. Could only enter cities at night

D. Were responsible for the dirty jobs in society

11) All of the following were characteristics of the

“untouchables” EXCEPT

A. Were not allowed to live in cities

B. Could be reincarnated to a higher caste

C. Could only enter cities at night

D. Were responsible for the dirty jobs in society

12) Which event marked the transition of power from the Shang

dynasty to the Zhou dynasty?A. Shang soldiers revolted and overthrew the kingB. The Shang civilization collapsed due to natural

causes, and the Zhou took overC. Zhou soldiers invaded Eastern China and

overthrew the ShangD. Wu killed the Shang king and established his

own dynasty

12) Which event marked the transition of power from the Shang

dynasty to the Zhou dynasty?A. Shang soldiers revolted and overthrew the kingB. The Shang civilization collapsed due to natural

causes, and the Zhou took overC. Zhou soldiers invaded Eastern China and

overthrew the ShangD. Wu killed the Shang king and established his

own dynasty

13) What did all early civilizations have in common?

A. Production of their own food

B. Centered around rivers

C. Were polytheistic

D. Used bricks for construction

13) What did all early civilizations have in common?

A. Production of their own food

B. Centered around rivers

C. Were polytheistic

D. Used bricks for construction

14) Why is Ramses the Great important to Egyptian civilization?

A. For his works of architecture, like pyramids and tombs

B. For his creation of canals along the Nile River, which improved trade and travel

C. For unifying the Egyptian kingdoms under one leader

D. For restoring Egypt after it’s period of decline.

14) Why is Ramses the Great important to Egyptian civilization?

A. For his works of architecture, like pyramids and tombs

B. For his creation of canals along the Nile River, which improved trade and travel

C. For unifying the Egyptian kingdoms under one leader

D. For restoring Egypt after it’s period of decline.