The Spread of Civilization:The Spread of Civilization:The Great RiverThe Great River ValleysValleys

Focus QuestionsFocus Questions

WHY DID intensified agriculture lead to cultural differences?WHERE DID the first great river-valley civilizations develop?HOW CAN we account for the similarities and differences in political institutions, social structure, and ways of life in the four great river valleys?HOW DID the river-valley states expand?IS WRITING a defining characteristic of civilization?WHY IS cultural divergence one of the main themes of human history since the beginning of agriculture?

Why focus on Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Why focus on Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and China?and China?

Earliest large populationsEarliest large populationsVertical (allegiances) and horizontal (class) organization of soVertical (allegiances) and horizontal (class) organization of societyciety

Development of monumental architecture:Development of monumental architecture:Ziggurats (Ziggurats (MesompotamiaMesompotamia),), Pyramids (Egypt),Pyramids (Egypt), Brick constructed Brick constructed cities (Indus Valley), Palace/Tombs (China)cities (Indus Valley), Palace/Tombs (China)Defensive fortifications:Defensive fortifications: walled cities, citadels walled cities, citadels

Development of writingDevelopment of writingSocial/economic relationships can be better understoodSocial/economic relationships can be better understoodReligious beliefsReligious beliefsPolitical/legal systems become clearerPolitical/legal systems become clearerDifferentDifferent systems: Cuneiform, Hieroglyphic stone/papyrus,systems: Cuneiform, Hieroglyphic stone/papyrus,cylinder seals, oracle bonescylinder seals, oracle bones

Ziggurat of UrZiggurat of Ur

Pyramids at Pyramids at GizaGiza, Egypt, Egypt

Ecologies of Regional River SystemsEcologies of Regional River Systems

NileRegular annual flood, black earthRegular annual flood, black earthAbundant sunshine, few stormsAbundant sunshine, few stormsNatural boundariesNatural boundaries

Tigris and EuphratesIrregular flooding, carriesIrregular flooding, carries rich soil from Armeniarich soil from ArmeniaViolent, unpredictable stormsViolent, unpredictable stormsRegion open to invadersRegion open to invaders

Indus and SaraswatiTwo periods of flooding annually, two crops possibleTwo periods of flooding annually, two crops possibleMonsoon, productive/destructive aspectsMonsoon, productive/destructive aspectsNatural boundaries, large expanse (half million square miles)Natural boundaries, large expanse (half million square miles)

Yellow and Yangtze RiversIrregular floods, devastatingIrregular floods, devastatingLoess (Loess (silty silty sediment) in river replenishes soilsediment) in river replenishes soilIsolation Isolation ---- desert and mountain boundariesdesert and mountain boundariesDiversity of millet and grain crops (Yellow River) and rice (YanDiversity of millet and grain crops (Yellow River) and rice (Yangtze gtze River)River)

Tigris/EuphratesTigris/Euphrates

Nile River, AswanNile River, Aswan

Indus River PanoramaIndus River Panorama

Yellow River Plateau, ChinaYellow River Plateau, China

Characteristics of New SocietiesCharacteristics of New Societies

Economic, occupational specializationEconomic, occupational specializationFarmers, craftsmen, priests, rulers, scribes, merchantsFarmers, craftsmen, priests, rulers, scribes, merchants

Technological development:Technological development:Metallurgy: agricultural implements, tools, weapons, jewelryMetallurgy: agricultural implements, tools, weapons, jewelryFood processing, storageFood processing, storageTrade: writing & accounting Trade: writing & accounting Travel: ships, early wheeled chariotsTravel: ships, early wheeled chariotsArchitecture: early temple complexesArchitecture: early temple complexesSystems to sustain large populations: hydraulic, markets, resideSystems to sustain large populations: hydraulic, markets, residential centersntial centersNeed for Need for uniformityuniformity

Cultural developmentsCultural developmentsFood customs: (importance of bread, beer in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Food customs: (importance of bread, beer in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Mideast)Mideast)Religious, ceremonial customs & ritualsReligious, ceremonial customs & ritualsLiterature: myths & history: Literature: myths & history: Epic of GilgameshEpic of GilgameshArt: bronze, gold sculpture, jewelryArt: bronze, gold sculpture, jewelry

““CuneiformCuneiform”” was a script whose was a script whose name derives from the wedges name derives from the wedges ((““cuneicunei”” in Latin) impressed into in Latin) impressed into soft clay tablets to form characters. soft clay tablets to form characters. The clay was then fired, and the The clay was then fired, and the result was the earliest known form of result was the earliest known form of writing in the world. The example writing in the world. The example here, from ancient Sumer, about 2039 here, from ancient Sumer, about 2039 BCEBCE, concerns the wages due to , concerns the wages due to supervisors of day laborers.supervisors of day laborers.

Drawings of obelisks found Drawings of obelisks found at Cairo, Egypt, inscribed at Cairo, Egypt, inscribed with hieroglyphics. The with hieroglyphics. The names of the pharaohs are names of the pharaohs are inscribed in a circle, inscribed in a circle, or or ““cartouchecartouche””..

Chinese oracle bone Chinese oracle bone writing, Shang Dynasty,writing, Shang Dynasty,

20002000--1000 BCE1000 BCE

Cylinder seal, MesopotamiaCylinder seal, Mesopotamia

Indus Valley Script

What do we mean by What do we mean by ““cultural divergencecultural divergence””??

Differences in political structure, religion, trade, Differences in political structure, religion, trade, writing, social structurewriting, social structure

Connections Between Ecology and CultureConnections Between Ecology and Culture

EgyptGodGod--kings, population spread along Nile River, wealthy from trade, dkings, population spread along Nile River, wealthy from trade, developed eveloped writing and literature, rigid social/economic classes, no writtewriting and literature, rigid social/economic classes, no written laws (moral n laws (moral codes), belief in afterlifecodes), belief in afterlifeStable culture, governmentStable culture, governmentRegular changes in government and cultureRegular changes in government and culture

MesopotamiaKings govern rigidly stratified urban societies, developed writiKings govern rigidly stratified urban societies, developed writing and literature, ng and literature, wealth from trade (but need for imported goods), written laws, bwealth from trade (but need for imported goods), written laws, belief that afterlife elief that afterlife is badis bad

Indus ValleyPolitical organization unknown, writing Political organization unknown, writing undecipheredundeciphered, urban societies , urban societies (independent city(independent city--states?), religious beliefs(?), trade with Mesopotamia, highly states?), religious beliefs(?), trade with Mesopotamia, highly organized cities with social stratification organized cities with social stratification Cities collapsed in early 2000Cities collapsed in early 2000--1700 B.C.E.1700 B.C.E.

ChinaKings control religion/rituals, developed writing, feudal controKings control religion/rituals, developed writing, feudal control over expanding l over expanding territory, internal trade and wealth from abundant agriculture, territory, internal trade and wealth from abundant agriculture, social stratificationsocial stratificationStable culture, governmentStable culture, government

One panel of an object known as the One panel of an object known as the ““Royal Standard of UrRoyal Standard of Ur””, created in Sumer around 2750 , created in Sumer around 2750 BCE.BCE. The object The object is composed of two mosaic panels, made from lapis lazuli, limestis composed of two mosaic panels, made from lapis lazuli, limestone, and shell. These mosaics are generally one, and shell. These mosaics are generally known as known as ““WarWar”” and and ““PeacePeace””. Shown here is the . Shown here is the ““PeacePeace”” panel. The king is the seated figure on the top panel. The king is the seated figure on the top right. Guests enjoy libations and music while below servants briright. Guests enjoy libations and music while below servants bring various livestock to be slaughtered and ng various livestock to be slaughtered and consumed.consumed.

Tutankhamun reigned 1333-1323 BCEDetail of throne

EgyptEgypt

Hammurabi receives law Hammurabi receives law code from god Shamash, code from god Shamash,

c. 1750s BCEc. 1750s BCE

Thematic Question:Thematic Question:What connections can we make between environment What connections can we make between environment

and the diverse cultures that developed during and the diverse cultures that developed during the 3the 3rdrd to 2to 2ndnd millenniums, B.C.E.? millenniums, B.C.E.?

What characteristics helped maintain stability, and What characteristics helped maintain stability, and what led to instabilitywhat led to instability??

Consider: the effects of agriculture, irrigation, herding in transforming the environmentthe role of leaders-rulers, governments in transforming the environmentthe role of religion and priests/ritual experts the role of environmental catastrophes: droughts, floods, earthquakes,

storms, etc. in different regionsthe role of climate and weather patterns

Thematic Question:Thematic Question:

Is hierarchy necessary in complex human societies?Is hierarchy necessary in complex human societies?

Consider Consider Hierarchy in early complex societies responded to deficiencies iHierarchy in early complex societies responded to deficiencies in communications n communications technology and from differential control of scarce resources.technology and from differential control of scarce resources.Today, productive resources are sufficient to overcome scarcity.Today, productive resources are sufficient to overcome scarcity.Today, global communications via the Internet can theoretically Today, global communications via the Internet can theoretically link everyone link everyone together.together.Modern political theory vests sovereignty in Modern political theory vests sovereignty in ““the peoplethe people”” and respects the rights of and respects the rights of all individuals.all individuals.

Have we created the conditions in which it is possible to put moHave we created the conditions in which it is possible to put modern theory into dern theory into practice and do away with hierarchical leadership?practice and do away with hierarchical leadership?

What useful functions do leaders still serve?What useful functions do leaders still serve?

Can we at least make access to leadership more equitable and resCan we at least make access to leadership more equitable and restrict the abuse of trict the abuse of power more effectively?power more effectively?

Mesopotamian & Egyptian Epic/MythsMesopotamian & Egyptian Epic/Myths

Gilgamesh Gilgamesh (Mesopotamia) & (Mesopotamia) & Isis & Osiris: Isis & Osiris: As Leaders/ExemplarsAs Leaders/ExemplarsRole of Gods, humans, semiRole of Gods, humans, semi--divine beings (see introduction, pp. xxxvii and after)divine beings (see introduction, pp. xxxvii and after)GilgameshGilgamesh----1/3rd man, 2/3rds god1/3rd man, 2/3rds god----father father LugalbandaLugalbanda, mother, mother----NinsunNinsun, goddess, goddessGender roles: men and women, divine/mortal beingsGender roles: men and women, divine/mortal beingsHumans and nature:Humans and nature:

Relationship of gods to nature: nature functions to feed/sustaiRelationship of gods to nature: nature functions to feed/sustain the godsn the godsRelationship of humans to nature: humans work, produce food and Relationship of humans to nature: humans work, produce food and goods to sustain godsgoods to sustain godsRole of magic, supernatural: to interpret dreams, omens, throughRole of magic, supernatural: to interpret dreams, omens, through which the gods speakwhich the gods speak

Humans and gods: gods control forces which determine human fateHumans and gods: gods control forces which determine human fateCentral role of immortality in storiesCentral role of immortality in stories

Role in History and LiteratureRole in History and Literature::Gilgamesh Gilgamesh --cuneiform tablets, found in ruins of royal library of cuneiform tablets, found in ruins of royal library of NinevahNinevah (near Mosul, (near Mosul, Iraq), from Assyrian Empire ruled by King Ashurbanipal Iraq), from Assyrian Empire ruled by King Ashurbanipal

Written in Written in AkkadianAkkadian----Babylonian Babylonian 73 manuscript versions survive73 manuscript versions surviveGradual transformation of story: Gradual transformation of story: ““Surpassing All KingsSurpassing All Kings…”…” to to ““He Who Saw the DeepHe Who Saw the Deep””Most versions date from 1000Most versions date from 1000--700 BCE with early versions dating to 2500 BCE700 BCE with early versions dating to 2500 BCE

Isis and Osiris: Isis and Osiris: earliest versions dates from 2500 BCE, earliest versions dates from 2500 BCE, inscriptions on Palermo Stone, Pyramid texts (also inscribed on inscriptions on Palermo Stone, Pyramid texts (also inscribed on sarcophagi & pyramids for sarcophagi & pyramids for use of pharaoh only)use of pharaoh only)Central importance of Isis/Osiris festivals in Egypt, ritualsCentral importance of Isis/Osiris festivals in Egypt, ritualsConnection to Greek & Roman mythology, cultsConnection to Greek & Roman mythology, cults

Gilgamesh, the story Gilgamesh, the story ----content and themescontent and themes

Main characters: Gilgamesh, Main characters: Gilgamesh, EnkiduEnkidu, , ShamhatShamhat, , NinsunNinsun, , HumbabaHumbaba, Shamash, , Shamash, Ishtar, Ishtar, ShiduriShiduri, Ur, Ur--shanabishanabi, , UtaUta--napishitinapishitiLocation: Ur, a cityLocation: Ur, a city--state in state in SumeriaSumeria, the Forest of Cedar, the Forest of CedarTopics: (see glossary, p. 222 for explanation of terms)Topics: (see glossary, p. 222 for explanation of terms)

ongoing battle between humans, gods, nature (involving Gilgameshongoing battle between humans, gods, nature (involving Gilgamesh, , EnkiduEnkidu, Ishtar, , Ishtar, HumbabaHumbaba, Bull of Heaven), Bull of Heaven)quest for immortality by Gilgamesh, coming to terms with mortaliquest for immortality by Gilgamesh, coming to terms with mortalitytyThe gods role limit human lifespan after the flood (p. xliv)The gods role limit human lifespan after the flood (p. xliv)the central importance of serving the gods through sacrifice, obthe central importance of serving the gods through sacrifice, obedienceedienceThe gods role in creating kings/priests to civilize humans, teacThe gods role in creating kings/priests to civilize humans, teach them skills, arts, h them skills, arts, craftscraftsThe responsibility of kings/leaders to their communities: p. xliThe responsibility of kings/leaders to their communities: p. xliii & following pagesii & following pagesUtaUta--napishtinapishti’’ss advice to Gilgamesh : on the proper role and behavior of kingsadvice to Gilgamesh : on the proper role and behavior of kings: : “…“…let him wear royal robes, the dress fitting his dignity!let him wear royal robes, the dress fitting his dignity!”” see also p. 85 where he see also p. 85 where he contrasts Gilgamesh with a fool.contrasts Gilgamesh with a fool.

Mesopotamia, Egypt & the Mideast Cultural and Economic Development

Egypt, Middle Kingdom 204-1640 BCE

Indus Valley Indus Valley CivilizationCivilization