Ancient and Classical Civilizations

Chapters 1-3

Hailey Miranda and Mary Cosare

Humans before Civilizations

● Until 1400 years ago- only simple tool use● Homo sapiens sapiens originated about 120,000 years

ago in Africa -no major changes since then● Constraints- hunter/gatherer groups unable to support

large numbers, slow pop. growth● Developed rituals, cultures, and speech● Greatest achievement was the spread of humans● Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)- 12000 to 8000 BCE● Neolithic (New Stone Age)- agriculture (key), cities,

foreshadowing of civilization● Discovery of metal tools in 4000 BCE

River Valley Civilizations

Tigris- Euphrates (Mesopotamia)- located in between Tigris & Euphrates Rivers in the middle east- had rich soil and the flourish of crops to help sustain life which caused the majority of

mesopotamia's people to be farmers.ECONOMY

- Sumerian city- states were based on farming & trade.- industry became a vital factor- Traded their wool, metal goods, and wheat for copper, tin, & timber.- Famous for their metalwork, woolen textiles, & pottery.

SOCIAL STRUCTURES- 3 main social classes: nobles, commoners, and the slaves- ‘ziggurat- was a steeped temple were est. to worship their ‘dingir’ or gods- had early forms of writing in clay blocks

Nile River (Egyptian) 3000 B.C.E.GEOGRAPHY:

- its location was vital because it would flood annually in July- Nov.- provided new, rich soil and washed away waste- surrounding seas was used as a barrier against wars and diseases.

ECONOMY- heavily depended on farming- location allowed efficient watering of plants

SOCIAL STRUCTURE- King (pharaoh) Craftsmen Farmers Marginalized Groups

SlavesBUILDING STRUCTURES

- pyramids built for pharaohs, large boats for transport

Indus (India) 2500 B.C.E. Hwang He (China)- Major cities of Mohenjo Daro & Harappa- Invaded by Indo- Europeans that destructed its

original culture.ECONOMY (Agricultural)

Est. of extensive irrigation systems allowed indigenous population survival.

- Primary crops: Wheat & BarleySOCIAL STRUCTURE (Caste System)

- Bhramins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudra

BUILDINGS/ STRUCTURES- public bathhouse

RELIGONS:Hinduism (1700BCE-) Buddhism (365BCE-)

-developed in isolation- stressed the importance of family roles- silk road played a vital role in trading

CONNECTIONS & COMPARISONS- All river valley civilization’s survival, growth, and success of economy relied

on agriculture.- majority of population were farmers.- Interactive trade observed in Indus & Mesopotamian civilizations- Most river valley civis declines around 1200 B.C.E.

- Egyptian economy was more fully government- directed than Mesopotamia, however its science and alphabet was not as elaborate as Mesopotamias.

- Unlike other civilizations, the Hwang He civi. developed in isolation

Social Structures

-Classical China● 3 main social groups: 1. Aristocracy and Mandarins, 2. Laboring masses,

peasants, urban artisans, 3. Mean people● Considerable gap between upper and farmer-peasant class● Landlords- wealth and culture● Beneath the peasant-farmers were the mean people● status was inherited

-India● Brahmins-highest Untouchables-lowest● Described key features of social and economic life● Impacted daily life as well as the formal structure of society● Caste system was fixed at birth ● No moving up in system

Trade

Trade in Classical China- New technological and agricultural flourishing helped found trade- Most of these early forms of trade were internal, such as in classical China.- In China trade was centered on luxuries, such as silk, jewelry leather,

goods and furniture- food exchange between wheat and rice growing regions.- Merchants traveling to india and the facilitation of coins helped stimulate

trade

Trade in Classical India- India developed extensive internal and maritime trade.- India’s emphasis on trade was much greater than China’s- S. Indians traded: Cotton, silks, dyes, drugs, gold and ivory.- Brought back potter, wine, and metals from the M.E.- Caravan trade developed with China.