🏰World History – Before 1500 Unit 3 – Early Civilizations and Urban Societies

Key Civilizations and Their Locations

• Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) one of the earliest civilizations, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
• Ancient Egypt developed along the Nile River in northeastern Africa, benefiting from the river's fertile floodplains
• Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan and India) flourished in the Indus River basin, known for its advanced urban planning and sanitation systems
• Ancient China emerged along the Yellow River (Huang He) in East Asia, with the Shang and Zhou dynasties establishing strong foundations for Chinese civilization
• Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, developed in present-day Mexico and Central America
  • Olmec civilization (1500-400 BCE) considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, known for their colossal stone heads and influence on later civilizations
• Andean civilizations, including the Chavín and Inca, thrived in the Andean regions of South America (modern-day Peru, Bolivia, and Chile)
• Ancient Greece emerged on the Balkan Peninsula and the islands of the Aegean Sea, with city-states like Athens and Sparta becoming major centers of culture and power

Timeline of Major Developments

• Neolithic Revolution (c. 10,000 BCE) marked the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities
• Rise of the first cities (c. 4000-3000 BCE) in Mesopotamia (Uruk) and Egypt (Memphis)
• Invention of writing systems (c. 3500-3000 BCE)
  • Cuneiform in Mesopotamia
  • Hieroglyphs in Egypt
• Bronze Age (c. 3300-1200 BCE) characterized by the widespread use of bronze tools and weapons, as well as the development of complex societies and long-distance trade
• Emergence of the first empires (c. 2300-1000 BCE)
  • Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia
  • Old Kingdom in Egypt
  • Shang Dynasty in China
• Iron Age (c. 1200-500 BCE) marked by the increasing use of iron tools and weapons, leading to significant changes in warfare and social structures
• Classical Period (c. 500 BCE-500 CE) witnessed the rise of major empires and the flourishing of art, literature, philosophy, and science in various regions (Greece, Rome, Persia, India, China)
• Axial Age (c. 800-200 BCE) a time of significant intellectual and spiritual development, with the emergence of major philosophical and religious traditions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Greek philosophy)

Social Structures and Hierarchies

• Mesopotamian society divided into distinct social classes
  • Upper class consisted of rulers, priests, and wealthy landowners
  • Lower class included farmers, artisans, and slaves
• Egyptian society characterized by a strong hierarchical structure with the pharaoh at the top, followed by nobles, priests, scribes, and commoners
• Caste system in ancient India divided society into four main varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) based on occupation and social status
• Chinese society during the Shang and Zhou dynasties organized around the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, with the emperor at the top and a complex bureaucracy managing the state
• Mesoamerican societies (Maya, Aztec) had a stratified social structure with rulers, nobles, priests, warriors, artisans, farmers, and slaves
• Ancient Greek society divided into three main classes: citizens (male property owners), metics (foreign residents), and slaves
  • Spartan society unique in its focus on military training and the equal status of women
• Roman society hierarchical with patricians (aristocrats) at the top, followed by plebeians (common citizens), and slaves at the bottom
  • Social mobility possible through wealth, military service, or manumission (freeing of slaves)

Technological Advancements

• Development of agriculture and irrigation techniques
  • Mesopotamians used canals and levees to control the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for irrigation
  • Egyptians developed the shaduf, a counterweight system for lifting water from the Nile for irrigation
• Invention of the wheel (c. 3500 BCE) revolutionized transportation and facilitated the development of trade and commerce
• Metalworking advancements
  • Bronze Age (c. 3300-1200 BCE) characterized by the use of bronze for tools, weapons, and decorative objects
  • Iron Age (c. 1200-500 BCE) marked by the increasing use of iron, which was stronger and more durable than bronze
• Innovations in architecture and construction
  • Ziggurats in Mesopotamia, pyramids in Egypt, and planned cities in the Indus Valley
  • Arch and dome construction in ancient Rome
• Development of writing systems
  • Cuneiform in Mesopotamia, hieroglyphs in Egypt, and oracle bone script in China
  • Alphabetic writing systems in Phoenicia and Greece
• Advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and timekeeping
  • Babylonians developed a base-60 number system and accurate astronomical observations
  • Mayans created a sophisticated calendar system and made precise astronomical calculations

Cultural and Religious Practices

• Polytheistic religions were common in early civilizations, with each civilization having its own pantheon of gods and goddesses
  • Mesopotamian religion centered around the worship of deities like Enlil, Enki, and Inanna
  • Ancient Egyptian religion focused on the worship of gods such as Ra, Osiris, and Isis
• Monotheistic religions emerged during the Axial Age (c. 800-200 BCE)
  • Zoroastrianism in Persia
  • Judaism in the Levant
• Belief in the afterlife and elaborate burial practices
  • Egyptian mummification and the construction of pyramids and tombs
  • Chinese practice of ancestor worship
• Development of writing allowed for the recording of religious texts, myths, and legends
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh in Mesopotamia
  • The Book of the Dead in ancient Egypt
  • The Vedas in ancient India
• Festivals and rituals played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of early civilizations
  • Akitu festival in Mesopotamia celebrating the new year and the victory of Marduk over Tiamat
  • Opet Festival in ancient Egypt honoring the god Amun and the pharaoh
• Art and architecture often served religious purposes
  • Ziggurats in Mesopotamia were believed to be dwelling places for the gods
  • Temples and pyramids in ancient Egypt were designed for the worship of gods and the afterlife of pharaohs
  • Olmec colossal heads in Mesoamerica may have represented rulers or deities

Economic Systems and Trade

• Agriculture formed the basis of most early civilizations' economies
  • Mesopotamia and Egypt relied on the fertile floodplains of the Tigris, Euphrates, and Nile rivers
  • Indus Valley Civilization developed advanced irrigation and water management systems
• Development of specialized crafts and industries
  • Pottery, metalworking, and textile production in Mesopotamia
  • Papermaking and silk production in ancient China
• Long-distance trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies
  • Silk Roads connected China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe
  • Indian Ocean trade linked civilizations in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa
• Currency systems emerged to facilitate trade and commerce
  • Clay tokens and silver shekels in Mesopotamia
  • Cowrie shells and metal coins in ancient China
• Tribute systems and taxation were used to support the ruling class and finance public works
  • The Aztec Empire required conquered city-states to pay tribute in the form of goods and labor
  • The Roman Empire imposed taxes on its provinces to fund military campaigns and infrastructure projects
• Slavery played a significant role in the economies of many early civilizations
  • Slaves were used for labor in agriculture, mining, and construction
  • Slave trade was a major component of the economy in ancient Greece and Rome

Political Organizations and Governance

• Early civilizations developed various forms of government and political organization
  • City-states in Mesopotamia and ancient Greece
  • Centralized monarchies in ancient Egypt, China, and Persia
  • Theocracies in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, where rulers were believed to have divine authority
• Concept of the "divine right" of kings legitimized the rule of monarchs in many early civilizations
  • Pharaohs in ancient Egypt were considered living gods
  • Chinese emperors were believed to have the Mandate of Heaven
• Development of legal codes and systems of justice
  • Code of Hammurabi in Mesopotamia
  • Twelve Tables in ancient Rome
• Expansion and conquest led to the formation of empires
  • Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia
  • Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great
  • Alexander the Great's Macedonian Empire
  • Roman Empire
• Diplomacy and alliances played a crucial role in the political landscape of early civilizations
  • Amarna letters provide insight into diplomatic relations between Egypt and other Near Eastern powers
  • Delian League in ancient Greece, led by Athens
• Bureaucracies and administrative systems were developed to manage complex societies
  • Egyptian scribes and the vizier
  • Chinese Confucian bureaucracy and the civil service examination system

Legacy and Historical Significance

• Early civilizations laid the foundations for the development of writing, art, architecture, and technology
  • Cuneiform and hieroglyphs as the basis for later writing systems
  • Monumental architecture like ziggurats, pyramids, and temples
  • Innovations in agriculture, metallurgy, and transportation
• Religious and philosophical traditions that emerged in early civilizations continue to influence the world today
  • Zoroastrianism's impact on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
  • Greek philosophy's influence on Western thought
  • Confucianism and Taoism in East Asian cultures
• Political and legal systems of early civilizations served as models for later societies
  • Athenian democracy as an early example of representative government
  • Roman law as the basis for many modern legal systems
• Cultural exchanges and interactions between early civilizations shaped the development of art, literature, and science
  • Hellenistic culture as a fusion of Greek, Persian, and Egyptian influences
  • Spread of Buddhism from India to Central and East Asia
• Early civilizations' achievements and legacies continue to inspire and fascinate people worldwide
  • Archaeological sites like the pyramids of Giza and the ruins of Machu Picchu attract millions of visitors each year
  • Museums and cultural institutions preserve and display the art, artifacts, and knowledge of early civilizations
• Studying early civilizations provides valuable insights into the human experience and the development of complex societies
  • Understanding the rise and fall of empires
  • Examining the interplay between environment, technology, and social organization
  • Analyzing the role of religion, culture, and trade in shaping human history