CHAPTER 2: The First Civilizations
Ancient Kingdoms of the
A. Predynastic
1. 3100 B.C. King Menes of
Upper Egypt united land from capital at
B. The
1. All power centered in pharaoh, god figure
2. God status led to building of pyramids
3. Ended under exhaustion from building projects/crop failure/increased taxes
C. The Middle Kingdom, c. 2050-1800 B.C.
1. Pharaohs promoted welfare of common people, wealth spent on public works
2. Civil wars led to invasion of
Semitic Hyksos from
D. The
1. Hatshepsut first
woman ruler of
2. Religion power struggle during reign of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton)
Egyptian Life and Culture
A. Sculpture and Painting
1.
B. Writing and Literature
1. Pictographic writing (hieroglyphics) used to show ideas, syllables
2. Literature evolved:
C. Mathematics and Science
1. Developed addition, subtraction, simple algebra, geometry
2. Produced first known 365-day solar calendar
D. Egyptian Religion
1. Gods: Amon, Apep/Ra, Ba and Ka, Nut and Geb, Osiris, Seth, Ptah/Apis
2. Book of the Dead contained prayers and formulas to ensure a favorable afterlife
E. Egyptian Society and Economy
1. Stratified society; peasants did forced labor, rise in rank through service to the pharaoh
2. Scribes assumed positions as priests, doctors, engineers
3. Pharaoh dominated economy; state-controlled production, commerce
Sumerian Civilization
A. The Emergence of Civilization in
1. Sumerians’ origins unknown, spoke non-Semitic, non-Indo-European language
2. Strong food producing sector supported cities
a. Specialized labor, commerce, ziggurat, scribes
b. Sumerians developed cuneiform system of writing
3. Theocracies saw High priests (ensis) dominate
a. Enlil, Sin, An, Shamash
b. Lugals took control of clan lands, power over ensis
Empires of the
A. The Akkadian Period, c. 2300-2150 B.C.
1. Dominated by Semites
a.
Sargon I power extended from
Persian Gulf to
B. The Old Babylonian Period, c. 2000-1600 B.C.
1. Hammurabi, major ruler, known for law code
2. inherited Sumerians’ literature/religion: Marduk, Shamash, Ellil, Sin, Anu
C. The Hittite Empire c. 1450-1200 B.C.
1. Indo-European-speaking group with iron-based military and chariots
2. Used cuneiform script, Babylonian literary themes, Hammurabi Code
D. The Assyrian Empire c. 2000-650 B.C.
1. Built powerful empire, dominated entire region, and maintained superior army
2. Two languages Akkadian (cuneiform on clay tablets) Aramaic (leather or papyrus)
3. Two religions Ashurism (name of Ashur-chief god) and Christianity (similar to)
E. The Chaldean (Neo-Babylonian) Empire
1. Nebuchadnezzar defeated
Hebrews, rebuilt
F. The
1. Persians under Cyrus conquered Near East
2. Religion based on humane teachings of Zoroaster, monotheistic
a. Persians adopted dualism, competing good and evil; conflict between Ahura-Mazda/Ahriman
b. The Avesta (“The Law”), holy book, includes concepts of resurrection and last judgment
The Phoenicians and the Lydians
A. The Phoenicians
1. Lived in present-day
2. Home cities (
3. Purple dyed cloth, furniture from cedars trees, alphabet with 22 consonants
B. The Lydians and the Medes
1. Lydians invented coined money; their king Croesus symbolized wealth
Origins of Judaism
A. The Hebrew Kingdoms
1. Bible relates major historical events; not always proved with archaeology
a. Migration of Hebrews to Canaan/Palestine under Abraham, c.1800 B.C.
b.
Exodus from
c. Saul (1020-1000 B.C.), David (1000-961 B.C.), Solomon (961-922 B.C.)
d.
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed
B. Hebrew Religion
1. Showed ethical concerns with Ten Commandments, Torah, Mosaic Law
2. Sinai Covenant expressed
relationship between Hebrews and God Yahweh (Jehovah)