Early Civilizations

I. Civilization

Permanent settlements, such as Catal Huyuk, led to emergence of civilization Societies that rely on agriculture, produce food surpluses Have formal political organization, other long-lasting

institutions Characterized by groups of non-farming elites, merchant

and manufacturing groups, other specialized workers Writing

Essential to civilization for communication, record keeping, establishment of law and order

Cuneiform – first known system of writing, emerged in Middle East (Sumer) around 3500 B.C.E.

II. Tigris-Euphrates Rivers

Located in modern-day Iraq Often called Mesopotamia (“land between the rivers”)

First example of human civilizationBegan 4000 - 3500 B.C.E.Complex religious beliefs

Sumerians erected shrines and massive monuments/towers, called ziggurats, to honor gods

Some ideas (gods’ creation of earth, floods) can be found in various proto-religions

Judaism – earliest monotheistic religion

II. continued…

Highly organized Relied on city-states – small, autonomous regions ruled

by a king, with developed urban center Developed strict class systems – kings, noble class,

priests controlled most land Regulated system of laws and courts

Babylonian leader, Hammurabi, set early code of law in stone

II. Nile River

Located in northern Africa, modern-day EgyptBegan around 3000 B.C.E.Ruled by a pharaoh, or god-king

Considered to be directly descended from the gods Complex religious and political rituals

Polytheistic Theocracy – ruled through laws based on religious

beliefs/through religious leadersDevelopment of writing

Hieroglyphics – comes from Greek words meaning “sacred carving” More complex than cuneiform

Used papyrus reeds to make a paper-like writing surface

IV. Indus River

Located in modern-day Pakistan, near India’s borderBegan around 2500 B.C.E.Known for its advanced cities

Sophisticated city planning (grid-like patterns), running water Harappa, Mohenjo Daro

Limited trade with Mesopotamia, but developed independently

Developed system of writing, but never been translated

Thought to be a theocracy, religion a precursor to Hinduism

Environment and invasions a factor in disappearance Monsoons, floods Nomadic invaders took over, abandoned cities

V. Huanghe (Yellow River)

Located in northern half of modern-day ChinaBegan about 2000 B.C.E.Developed independently from other civilizations

Largely cut off from contact with outside world by geography (desert, mountains, ocean)

Developed sophisticated irrigations systems Controlled flooding of Yellow River

Early pioneers in science and weapon/tool-making Developed unique written language based on ideographic symbols

Early religious beliefs based on spirits, centered around respect for elders

Social classes divided society Established system of feudalism – nobles owned all the land that

peasants workedRigid political system develops – paves way for dynasty

system Shang dynasty was earliest – 1500 B.C.E.