Download NA and ME Early History

Topic:
Early History of the Middle
East
River Valley Civilizations
The first great civilizations in the world developed
along the banks of rivers. [Historians believe there
were 4 cradles of civilizations… 2 here, and also in
India and China]
One was in Egypt, in the Nile Valley. The other was in
Mesopotamia (Iraq today) between the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers.
Conditions in the area favored agriculture. The great
rivers annually overflowed their banks, depositing a
rich layer of soil – produced abundant harvests…
increased population and cities and villages arose.
These areas developed rules – the early ones dealt with
irrigation and cooperation among the villages dealing
with the systems of dams and canals.
Trade and commerce developed because the people
produced more food than they needed.
Ancient Egyptians
Dates back to 5,000 B.C. (7000 years)
Most people were farmers.
Several industries (copper mining, glass blowing,
weaving, tanning, metal working) in urban areas.
Had a god-king called pharaoh.
Religion… immortality of the soul, mummifying the
corpse to preserve the body for the “after life.”
Developed the art of writing hieroglyphics (picture
writing).
Believed they developed the first calendar (12 months,
30 days each).
Advanced in mathematics (built pyramids, precise land
measurement, also understood geometry and
algebra).
People of the Mesopotamia (also
called the Fertile Crescent)
Equally important with Egypt, advances were being
made in the area between the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers – no natural barriers to protect
them from constant warfare.
Sumerians – first to use wheel, number system
based on 60 (60 minutes and 360°) first system
of writing (cuneiform, 350 symbols)
Babylonians – Code of Hammurabi
Hittites – used iron
Phoenicians – developed an alphabet
Hebrews – religion (monotheism)
Persians – built great roads
Contributions of the Muslims
The luxury and wealth that existed in the Muslim
lands was unknown in Europe.
Advances in medicine… described measles and
small pox, published medical encyclopedias, built
hospitals, druggists/doctors had to pass tests.
Progress in algebra and Arabic numbers.
Great geographers and printed maps.
Built beautiful mosques for worship.