The Spread of Civilization:The Spread of Civilization:The Great River ValleysThe Great River Valleys

Slideshow #3Slideshow #3

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

Earliest large populationsEarliest large populations Vertical (allegiances) and horizontal (class) Vertical (allegiances) and horizontal (class)

organization of societyorganization of society Development of monumental architecture:Development of monumental architecture:

Ziggurats (Mesompotamia), Pyramids (Egypt), Brick Ziggurats (Mesompotamia), Pyramids (Egypt), Brick constructed cities (Indus Valley), Palace/Tombs (China)constructed cities (Indus Valley), Palace/Tombs (China)

Defensive fortifications: walled cities, citadels Defensive fortifications: walled cities, citadels Development of writingDevelopment of writing

Social/economic relationships can be better understoodSocial/economic relationships can be better understood Religious beliefsReligious beliefs Political/legal systems become clearerPolitical/legal systems become clearer Different systems: Cuneiform, Hieroglyphic Different systems: Cuneiform, Hieroglyphic

stone/papyrus, cylinder seals, oracle bonesstone/papyrus, cylinder seals, oracle bones

Ziggurat of UrZiggurat of Ur

Pyramids at Giza, EgyptPyramids at Giza, Egypt

Ecologies of Regional River SystemsEcologies of Regional River Systems Nile

Regular annual flood, black earthRegular annual flood, black earth Abundant sunshine, few stormsAbundant sunshine, few storms Natural boundariesNatural boundaries

Tigris and Euphrates Irregular flooding, carries rich soil from ArmeniaIrregular flooding, carries rich soil from Armenia Violent, unpredictable stormsViolent, unpredictable storms Region open to invadersRegion open to invaders

Indus and Saraswati Two periods of flooding annually, two crops Two periods of flooding annually, two crops

possiblepossible Monsoon, productive/destructive aspectsMonsoon, productive/destructive aspects Natural boundaries, large expanse (half million Natural boundaries, large expanse (half million

square miles)square miles) Yellow and Yangtze Rivers

Irregular floods, devastatingIrregular floods, devastating Loess (silty sediment) in river replenishes soilLoess (silty sediment) in river replenishes soil Isolation -- desert and mountain boundariesIsolation -- desert and mountain boundaries Diversity of millet and grain crops (Yellow River) Diversity of millet and grain crops (Yellow River)

and rice (Yangtze River)and rice (Yangtze 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 specialization Farmers, craftsmen, priests, rulers, scribes, merchantsFarmers, craftsmen, priests, rulers, scribes, merchants

Technological development:Technological development: Metallurgy: agricultural implements, tools, weapons, jewelryMetallurgy: agricultural implements, tools, weapons, jewelry Food processing, storageFood processing, storage Trade: writing & accounting Trade: writing & accounting Travel: ships, early wheeled chariotsTravel: ships, early wheeled chariots Architecture: early temple complexesArchitecture: early temple complexes Systems to sustain large populations: hydraulic, markets, Systems to sustain large populations: hydraulic, markets,

residential centersresidential centers Need for Need for uniformityuniformity

Cultural developmentsCultural developments Food customs: (importance of bread, beer in Mesopotamia, Food customs: (importance of bread, beer in Mesopotamia,

Egypt, Mideast)Egypt, Mideast) Religious, ceremonial customs & ritualsReligious, ceremonial customs & rituals Literature: myths & history: Literature: myths & history: Epic of GilgameshEpic of Gilgamesh Art: bronze, gold sculpture, jewelryArt: bronze, gold sculpture, jewelry

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

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

or “cartouche”.or “cartouche”.

Chinese oracle Chinese oracle bone writing, bone writing,

Shang Dynasty,Shang Dynasty,2000-1000 BCE2000-1000 BCE

Cylinder seal, MesopotamiaCylinder seal, Mesopotamia

Indus Valley Script

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

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

Connections Between Ecology and Connections Between Ecology and CultureCulture

Egypt God-kings, population spread along Nile River, wealthy from God-kings, population spread along Nile River, wealthy from

trade, developed writing and literature, rigid social/economic trade, developed writing and literature, rigid social/economic classes, no written laws (moral codes), belief in afterlifeclasses, no written laws (moral codes), belief in afterlife

Stable culture, governmentStable culture, government Regular changes in government and cultureRegular changes in government and culture

Mesopotamia Kings govern rigidly stratified urban societies, developed writing Kings govern rigidly stratified urban societies, developed writing

and literature, wealth from trade (but need for imported goods), and literature, wealth from trade (but need for imported goods), written laws, belief that afterlife is badwritten laws, belief that afterlife is bad

Indus Valley Political organization unknown, writing undeciphered, urban Political organization unknown, writing undeciphered, urban

societies (independent city-states?), religious beliefs(?), trade with societies (independent city-states?), religious beliefs(?), trade with Mesopotamia, highly organized cities with social stratification Mesopotamia, highly organized cities with social stratification

Cities collapsed in early 2000-1700 B.C.E.Cities collapsed in early 2000-1700 B.C.E. China

Kings control religion/rituals, developed writing, feudal control Kings control religion/rituals, developed writing, feudal control over expanding territory, internal trade and wealth from abundant over expanding territory, internal trade and wealth from abundant agriculture, social stratificationagriculture, social stratification

Stable culture, governmentStable culture, government

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

Tutankhamun reigned 1333-1323 BCEDetail of throne

EgyptEgypt

Hammurabi receives Hammurabi receives law code from god law code from god

Shamash, Shamash, c. 1750s BCEc. 1750s BCE

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

environment and the diverse cultures that environment and the diverse cultures that developed during developed during

the 3the 3rdrd to 2 to 2ndnd millenniums, B.C.E.? millenniums, B.C.E.? What characteristics helped maintain What characteristics helped maintain stability, and what led to instabilitystability, and what led to instability??

Consider: the effects of agriculture, irrigation, herding in transforming the environment the role of leaders-rulers, governments in transforming the environment the role of religion and priests/ritual experts the role of environmental catastrophes: droughts, floods, earthquakes, storms, etc. in different regions the role of climate and weather patterns

Thematic Question:Thematic Question:

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

Consider Consider Hierarchy in early complex societies responded to deficiencies in Hierarchy in early complex societies responded to deficiencies in

communications technology and from differential control of scarce communications technology and from differential control of scarce resources.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 together.link everyone together. Modern political theory vests sovereignty in “the people” and Modern political theory vests sovereignty in “the people” and

respects the rights of all individuals.respects the rights of all individuals.

Have we created the conditions in which it is possible to put modern Have we created the conditions in which it is possible to put modern theory into practice and do away with hierarchical leadership?theory into 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 restrict Can we at least make access to leadership more equitable and restrict the abuse of power more effectively?the abuse of power more effectively?

Mesopotamian & Egyptian Mesopotamian & Egyptian Epic/MythsEpic/Myths

Gilgamesh Gilgamesh (Mesopotamia) & (Mesopotamia) & Isis & Osiris: Isis & Osiris: As Leaders/ExemplarsAs Leaders/Exemplars Role of Gods, humans, semi-divine beings (see introduction, pp. xxxvii and after)Role of Gods, humans, semi-divine beings (see introduction, pp. xxxvii and after) Gilgamesh--1/3rd man, 2/3rds god--father Lugalbanda, mother--Ninsun, goddessGilgamesh--1/3rd man, 2/3rds god--father Lugalbanda, mother--Ninsun, goddess Gender roles: men and women, divine/mortal beingsGender roles: men and women, divine/mortal beings Humans and nature:Humans and nature:

Relationship of gods to nature: nature functions to feed/sustain the godsRelationship of gods to nature: nature functions to feed/sustain the gods Relationship of humans to nature: humans work, produce food and goods to sustain Relationship of humans to nature: humans work, produce food and goods to sustain

godsgods Role of magic, supernatural: to interpret dreams, omens, through which the gods Role of magic, supernatural: to interpret dreams, omens, through which the gods

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

Role in History and Literature:Role in History and Literature: Gilgamesh Gilgamesh -cuneiform tablets, found in ruins of royal library of Ninevah (near -cuneiform tablets, found in ruins of royal library of Ninevah (near

Mosul, Iraq), from Assyrian Empire ruled by King Ashurbanipal Mosul, Iraq), from Assyrian Empire ruled by King Ashurbanipal Written in Akkadian--Babylonian Written in Akkadian--Babylonian 73 manuscript versions survive73 manuscript versions survive Gradual transformation of story: “Surpassing All Kings…” to “He Who Saw the Deep”Gradual transformation of story: “Surpassing All Kings…” to “He Who Saw the Deep” Most versions date from 1000-700 BCE with early versions dating to 2500 BCEMost versions date from 1000-700 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 sarcophagi & inscriptions on Palermo Stone, Pyramid texts (also inscribed on sarcophagi &

pyramids for use of pharaoh only)pyramids for use of pharaoh only) Central importance of Isis/Osiris festivals in Egypt, ritualsCentral importance of Isis/Osiris festivals in Egypt, rituals Connection to Greek & Roman mythology, cultsConnection to Greek & Roman mythology, cults

Gilgamesh, the story --content and Gilgamesh, the story --content and themesthemes

Main characters: Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Shamhat, Ninsun, Main characters: Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Shamhat, Ninsun, Humbaba, Shamash, Ishtar, Shiduri, Ur-shanabi, Uta-napishitiHumbaba, Shamash, Ishtar, Shiduri, Ur-shanabi, Uta-napishiti

Location: Uruk, a city-state in Sumeria, the Forest of CedarLocation: Uruk, a city-state in Sumeria, the Forest of Cedar Topics: (see glossary, p. 222 for explanation of terms)Topics: (see glossary, p. 222 for explanation of terms)

ongoing battle between humans, gods, nature (involving Gilgamesh, ongoing battle between humans, gods, nature (involving Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Ishtar, Humbaba, Bull of Heaven)Enkidu, Ishtar, Humbaba, Bull of Heaven)

quest for immortality by Gilgamesh, coming to terms with mortalityquest for immortality by Gilgamesh, coming to terms with mortality The 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, the central importance of serving the gods through sacrifice,

obedienceobedience The gods role in creating kings/priests to civilize humans, teach The gods role in creating kings/priests to civilize humans, teach

them skills, arts, craftsthem skills, arts, crafts The responsibility of kings/leaders to their communities: p. xliii & The responsibility of kings/leaders to their communities: p. xliii &

following pagesfollowing pages Uta-napishti’s advice to Gilgamesh : on the proper role and behavior Uta-napishti’s advice to Gilgamesh : on the proper role and behavior

of kings: “…let him wear royal robes, the dress fitting his dignity!” of kings: “…let him wear royal robes, the dress fitting his dignity!” see also p. 85 where he contrasts Gilgamesh with a fool.see also p. 85 where he contrasts Gilgamesh with a fool.

Mesopotamia, Egypt & the Mideast Cultural and Economic Development

Egypt, Middle Kingdom 204-1640 BCE

Indus Indus Valley Valley

CivilizatioCivilizationn