CRADLES OF CIVILIZATION

Definition:=Higher level of culture=Refinement of Culture=Fusion or combination of 2 old cultures

Description:

CIVILIZATION: Definition and Description

1. WRITING SYSTEM2. INFRASTRUCTURE3. GOVERNMENT AND LAWS4. ART AND ARCHITECTURE5. SOCIAL CLASS6. ORGANIZED RELIGION7. JOB SPECIALIZATION OR DIVISION OF LABOR8. DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES

8 Basic Features of a Civilization

1. MESOPOTAMIA2. EGYPT3. INDIA4. CHINA

THE FOUR CRADLES OF CIVILIZATION

River-Valley CivilizationIt refers to the civilizations developed in the fertile river valley

Rivers played a great role in the birth of the earliest civilizations that began in Asia and in Africa. The ancient people built their settlements along the riverbanks for several reasons.

River-Valley CivilizationFirst, rivers are great sources of food and fresh water.

Second, crop planting and livestock raising are best in the river valleys.

Each time the river is flooded, fertile soils are deposited in the planting field. Also, pastoral animals are herded along the river banks where they enjoy the moderate climate.

Lastly, rivers were the great centers of ancient trade.

The easy access to water routes speeded up the trading activities by different groups of people. Thus the most prosperous settlements were those built along the rivers and other coastal waters.

River-Valley Civilization

MESOPOTAMIA

MESOPOTAMIAIt lies in the Fertile Crescent=It is an arc of fertile land from the Persian Gulf up to the Mediterranean Sea

=It has 2 parts:Mesopotamia – Eastern partLevantine Coast – Western part

MESOPOTAMIA

MESOPOTAMIAEtymologically, it comes from the Greek

words “meso” which means “between” and “potamus” or “river”.

Literally means land between two rivers:Tigris – eastern partEuphrates – western part=water of the two rivers comes from

the Caucasus Mt. to the north and it flows southward to the Persian Gulf. The two rivers joined together at the so called Shatt al-Arab before it exits to the Persian Gulf.

MESOPOTAMIAN

CIVILIZATIONSS

LOCATION TITLES IMPORTANT LEADERS

SUMER SOUTHERN PART OF

MESOPOTAMIA

FIRST CIVILIZATIO

N OF THE WORLD

UR – NAMMU

AKKAD SOUTHERN PART OF

MESOPOTAMIA

FIRST EMPIRE OF THE WORLD

SARGON I

BABYLONIA CENTRAL PART OF

MESOPOTAMIA

OLD BABYLONIAN

EMPIRE

HAMMURABI

ASSYRIA NORTHERN PART OF

MESOPOTAMIA

SCOURGE OF GODS

ASSURNASIRPALASHURBANIPAL

CHALDEA CENTRAL PART OF

MESOPOTAMIA

NEW BABYLONIAN

EMPIRE

NEBUCHADNEZZAR

SUMERIt was the first civilization in the world.

Because it was the first to have/acquire the 8 salient features of a civilization.

SUMER

SUMERCity-state = is a city with estates or farmlands and has its own

governmentKnown city-states of Sumer-Adab -Eridu -Isin -Kish-Rulash -Lagash -Madashar-Larsa-Nippur -Uruk -UrCity-states were independent from one another

Most Famous =City-state of Ur

SUMER

SUMER

SUMERCuneiform=world’s first known writing=started as a pictogram (cylinder seal or stone

seal)=then, into ideogram that uses signs or symbols=from the Greek words “cuneus” and “forma”=meaning “wedge-shaped writing”=they used a reed with a triangular tip (stylus)

so the writings were formed by a stroke in the shape of a wedge

SUMER

SUMERClay tablet=the first written records of manCuneiform on clay tablets was

deciphered or able to read when Henry Rawlinson in 1847 disovered the so-called Behistun Rock. It served as the key for experts to decipher the system of writing of the Sumerians and to know/determine the culture and history of Sumer and of the latter civilizations of Mesopotamia.

SUMER

SUMER

SUMEREach city-state is being administered

by a priest –king called patesi or lugal.

Theocracy=It is a government wherein the

leader is both head of religion and head of state.

SUMER

SUMERUr-Nammu Code was the first written laws in the

world.It was made when Ur was considered as the

supreme power over other city states that comprised the Confederation of Ur.

It was made through the order of the great king, Ur-Nammu, to solidify his stature as the head of the confederation and to guide the people for an orderly and peaceful living.

Its main feature was the casuistic form For every crime there is an equivalent

punishment.

SUMER

SUMER

SUMER

SUMERSumerian arts consists of toy making, pottery,

metallurgy and etc.In metallurgy, copper was the first metal used

then bronze.Most of the toys of the Sumerian had wheel.

And in pottery, potter’s wheel was created through the invention first of the wheel.

Wheel is the most important contribution of Sumerians to the world.

Wheel was first used for manufacturing before it was used for transportation.

SUMER

Ziggurat is a step-pyramid temple of the Sumerians.

It literally means “to build high” because it was constructed to reach the sky so that the priest-ruler who resides in it could talk to the gods (who lived in heaven/sky).

It is a school, storage area, observatory, temple and government building in one.

SUMER

SUMER

Sumerian society consists of the following groups:

-Nobles-Commoners

-Slaves

SUMER

Sumerians had a polytheistic religion or religion that has many gods and goddesses.

The gods are anthropomorphic gods who have a man-like attitudes and characteristics.

Ashur Ea Enlil IshtarMarduk Nabu Nergal NinhursagNinnurta Shamash Nanna Tiamat

SUMER

SUMER

Farming was the main economic activity of the Sumerians. They improve farming through irrigation system and they built:

DamsDikesCanalsLevees

SUMER

World’s First EmpireUnder the able and good leadership of Sargon I, the Kingdom of Akkad invaded and annexed the Sumerian city states.

Empire means a state or kingdom that has dominion, power or control over other sates or kingdoms.

AKKAD

AKKAD

AKKAD

BABYLONIA

BABYLONIA

BabylonIt means god’s gates Because of the numerous monumental gates for gods and goddesses. The gates were constructed to please the gods.

BABYLONIA

BABYLONIA

Its greatest king was Hammurabi

Known for the 2nd code of law in the world

Hammurabi CodeLex TalionesHarsh Casuistic formEye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

BABYLONIA

I f a man destroys the eye of another man, they shall destroy his eye.

If a man knocks out a tooth of a mn of his own rank, they shall knocks out his tooth..

BABYLONIA

BABYLONIAThere were over 300 laws and they differentiated among nobles, commoners, slaves and women. The aristocrat got a lot more rights and the slaves and women nearly nothing at all.

The punishments discouraged people from committing crimes thus leading to an orderly society.

BABYLONIA

BABYLONIA

ASSYRIA

ASSYRIA

ASSYRIAAt first the capital was Assur but when it

became an empire Nineveh was made capital.Nineveh Symbol of Assyrian cruelty and harshness.Prisoners were put and executed in Nineveh.

Treasure grabbed from other lands were deposited in

the city of Nineveh.

ASSYRIA

ASSYRIA

ASSYRIAAshurbanipalWas the last great ruler of Assyria.He was a harsh ruler like his

predecessor but he contributed to the world the first library.

The first library has more or less 20,000 clay tablets that came from different parts of Mesopotamia and nearby lands conquered by the Assyrians

ASSYRIA

ASSYRIA

ASSYRIA

CHALDEAAlso called Neo-Babylonian Empire

As it wanted to revive the glory of the Old Babylonian Empire.

Its greatest extent and prosperity was attained during the time of Nebuchadnezzar.

CHALDEA

CHALDEA

CHALDEA

CHALDEA

CHALDEA

CHALDEA

CHALDEA

Summary of Mesopotamian History

Civilizations in Mesopotamia started as a farming settlement.

The rise of Mesopotamian civilization was manifested by the development of farming settlements in to cities.

They rose due to strong rulers.

Summary of Mesopotamian History

Civilizations in Mesopotamia expanded through conquering of other lands.

Their expansion were manifested by the establishment of an empire.

Civilizations in Mesopotamia had many contributions.

Mesopotamians fell due to weak and ineffective rulers and due to the invasion of other groups of people.

Summary of MesopotamianHistory

1. Mesopotamian civilizations were made stronger by the rise and fall cycle.

Ups and downs of life make us stronger and better person.

2. After the fall of one civilization another civilization will rise.

If we fail/fall, we need to rise/stand up to continuously make our life bette.r

Values that we can get from Mesopotamia

3. Civilizations in Mesopotamia rose and fell due to strong and weak rulers respectively.

In choosing the right leader we should use our mind and based our predicaments on the ability and not on popularity.

4 .Mesopotamians were able to contribute to the world in spite of limitations in technology due to cooperation.

We also have limitations so what we could offer to the world is cooperation and unity to make this world a better place to live in.

Values that we can get from Mesopotamia

EGYPT

World’s second cradle of civilization

First civilization established in Africa

Egypt developed an advance way of life that was the first in Africa

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT Slightly younger than MesopotamiaEgyptian civilization emerged at a time when

Sumerian city states already had several hundred years of development behind them.

The world’s longest lasting civilizationCompared to Mesopotamia, Egyptian

civilization was more durable and survived for 3000 years.

Ancient Egypt was transformed into a state by 3100 BCE and persisted for almost 3 millennia.

However, China is the second longest lasting civilization but the oldest existing civilization.

EGYPT

EGYPT Egypt was cut off from its

neighbors. These made Egypt difficult to invade and lasted for a long time.

To the east were the big deserts of Libya, the west held the Red Sea, to the north was the Mediterranean Sea, and in the south, the mountainous jungle.

The only successful route was the desert near the isthmus of Suez.

EGYPT

EGYPT The Nile River is the longest river in the

world, covering nearly 7,000 kilometers or stretching for about 4,160 miles and flows from south to north.

It originates from Central Africa particularly Lake Victoria and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

It crosses the countries of Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

It traverses the country of Egypt from south to north.

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT Egypt is given the title “Gift of the Nile”.

EGYPT Because without the Nile River, Egypt

would be desert and very few people could live on it.

Deserts comprise a large part of Egypt. Only the Nile River supplies its water needs because rainfall is scant.

Because of the Nile, Egypt’s land becomes fertile. The regular rising of the Nile every July enriched the soil and advanced agriculture.

The annual flooding only ceased to occur in 1970 when the Aswan dam was constructed in order to provide electricity and regulate the supply of water.

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT Egypt’s old name was KemetBlack land/Dark landBecause the fertility of the Egyptian land was due to the black loess or silt or soil or mud that the Nile River left after the flood receded.

EGYPT

EGYPT Geographically, Egypt is divided into two

regions:=Upper Egypt-Situated in the southern part where most

of the stone cliffs and deserts are found=Lower Egypt-Situated in the northern part, also called

the Nile Delta Region. The most fertile region of Egypt. Lower Egypt is so named because it is the lower part of the River Nile emptying itself into the Mediterranean Sea.

EGYPT

EGYPT Egyptian civilization existed for 3000

years with 30 dynasties.DIVISION OF EGYPTIAN HISTORY

-Pre-dynastic Period-Archaic Period-Historic Period

-Old Kingdom-Middle Kingdom-New Kingdom

EGYPT Pre-dynastic PeriodEgyptian civilization started as a farming settlement like most of the civilizations.

Then , 2 kingdoms appeared:Upper KingdomLower Kingdom

EGYPT

EGYPT Upper Kingdom Lower Kingdom

Can be found on the southern part of Egypt

( Upper Egypt)

Can be found on the northern part of Egypt

(Lower Egypt)

Higher Altitude Lower Altitude

Thebes Memphis

More fertile due to Nile Delta

EGYPT

EGYPT Archaic PeriodFirst and Second Dynasties of EgyptFounded by King Menes (king of Lower Kingdom)

Unification of the 2 kingdoms, Upper and Lower, under King Menes and the capital was Memphis.

EGYPT Historic Period

Kingdom Dynasty Founder Title

Old 8 (3rd-10th) Djoser/Zoser

Age of Pharaoh

and Pyramid

Middle 7 (11th-17th) Amenemhet Age of Foreign

Rule

New 13 (18th-30th)

Ahmose Age of Empire

EGYPT Old Kingdom is called Age of Pharaoh:Because this was the first time when

the Egyptians were ruled by a central government.

And the central government was headed by an absolute ruler called pharaoh.

Which means ‘Great House”The Egyptians honored their rulers or

kings as gods.

EGYPT Old Kingdom is called Age of Pyramid:Because in this time Egyptians started

to regard so much their pharaohs even in time of death of a pharaoh.

Pharaohs were buried in pyramids in which the brilliance of ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering are embodied.

EGYPT Middle Kingdom is called Age of

Feudalism:Because in this time, pharaoh started to

appoint officials who will rule the provinces.

Feudalism is a political system wherein the ruler appoints/grants land to the landlord in return of the allegiance/loyalty of the landlords to the king.

EGYPT Middle Kingdom is also called Age of

Foreign Rule:Because during this time, Egypt was

invaded, administered and governed by the Hyksos.

Hyksos were from Asia and it literally means “princes from foreign lands”.

Hyksos were believed to be the reason why the Hebrew people then were given the privilege to live and settle in Egypt. Because they were cousins, the Hebrews and Hyksos.

EGYPT New Kingdom is called Age of Empire:

Because it was a period of aggressive expansion of Egyptian lands at the hands of powerful Pharaohs

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT

EGYPT Contributions to the World

1. Mummification- Preservation of dead bodies. It has 2 stages: embalming and wrapping. Dead pharaohs were the ones being mummified in Ancient Egypt. Because the Egyptians believed that Pharaohs are gods and for the soul of the pharaoh to go back to heaven as one of the gods, his body on earth must not rot.

2. Pyramid-making - Pyramids serve as tombs of the deceased

pharaohs. Egyptians willing fully participated in the pyramid making because they believed that it is one of their holy duties to their pharaoh-god. Only simple tools and strengths of the laborers were used in pyramid construction. Pyramid making shows mastery of the Egyptians in the field of geometry and mathematics (fractions and square roots)

EGYPT

3. Theocratic government headed by a pharaoh.

4.Religion – polytheistic - monotheistic

5. Book of the Dead – first book in the world. It contains spell and chants for the easy passage of soul to the afterlife.

EGYPT

6. Materia Medica – first book on medicine about illness and diseases and their cure or treatment. It also contains the processes of mummification.

7. Hieroglyphics – the 2nd known writing system in the world. A pictograwriting system. A greek word, literally means sacred writing.

EGYPT