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Existed between 3300 BCE and 2000 BCE
Spread citiesOvercame lack of water- had irrigation systemEpic of GilgameshArithmetic/GeometryArchitecture- arches, columns, ramps, pyramidsCuneiform
Earliest governments were controlled by temple priestsIn times of war- toughest fighters would take control of government
Polytheistic religion- usually each city prayed to a particular godHad class system1) Kings, priests, landholders2) Wealthy merchants3) Ordinary Farmers4) Slaves
Old Kingdom- existed from about 3200 BCE to 2180 BCE
Pyramid BuildingWriting- HieroglyphicsWrote on papyrusWritten numbers- very interested in geometry
Developed calendar- only 6 hrs. off!MedicineUsed heart rateTreated broken bones (casting)Treated cuts and feversAlso used make-up!!!
Pharaohs= god-kingsControlled religion, government, armyHad absolute power
Polytheistic- two most important gods were sun god and god of deadBuilt huge temples to honor deadBelieved in afterlife- mummification
Social Classes1) King/queen/royal family2) Wealthy landowners, government officials, priests, army commanders3) Merchants/artisans4) Farmers/laborers5) Slaves
Lasted from 2500 BCE to about 1750 BCE, possibly as long as 1500 BCE or 1350 BCE, depending on sourceIt is a great mystery what happened to the Indus Valley Civilization
Planned cities- grid systemUsed oven baked bricks for housesSophisticated plumbing and sewage systemWritten languageSophisticated trade- long-range communicationCreated cotton cloth
Thought to be a theocracy, but little factually is known
Uniform religion and cultureLeisure time was importantBelieved animals were importantReligion- most important god was the mother goddess, many images of pregnant women
Lasted from about 1700 BCE to 1027 BCE
Built wood cities with massive earthen wallsBuilt and used horse drawn chariotsDeveloped more modern written languageOne character per syllable
Used dynastic system (will last in China until 1911!!!!)Ruled by line of Shang rulers
Two main values: family and warRespect for parents was given the utmost importanceFamily greatly linked to religionOracle bones
Nobles (landowners) vs. Peasants (those who worked on the landNo middle class!