Download Schedule Unit 3 Week 2

Honors Humanities
Class Schedule: 9/19-9/23
Reminders:
 Wednesday, 10/5— Map quiz—continue learning the map—this is a pretty long map list!! This quiz is only over the
modern physical and political maps and that includes the “zoom” map. It will NOT include the historical map or the timeline.
 Thursday, 10/13—Day of Empire—You will have to turn in notes (based on detailed directions—see the separate post
regarding this) and take a quiz on the introduction, preface, and first chapter of Day of Empire in class on 10/13. You can
either buy a copy or get a copy of the relevant readings from Schoology.
Monday 9/19 Topic for Class Discussion—Mesopotamia and Sumer
Tuesday 9/20: Topic for Class Discussion—Early Empires in the Fertile Crescent
 Reading—Read the excerpt from the Sumerian epic Gilgamesh. Download the “Gilgamesh” file from Schoology and use the
“Questions for Analysis” to guide your notes. Make sure to also read the background information.

We will do the reading below in class and discuss it on Wednesday:
1. Read p. 32-34 out of the textbook (starting at the red heading “The First Empire Builders”).
 Take thorough notes on this brief reading and make sure you address the following questions in those notes:
o What was innovative about the state created by Sargon and the Akkadians? Why was this innovation
important to future historical developments?
o What was the most important achievement of Hammurabi, the leader of the Amorites (aka the Babylonians)
and why did he create it? Describe it in detail.
2. Also download the file “Hammurabi’s Code.” from Schoology. Read it carefully and answer the questions below. Be
prepared to discuss your answers:
o What is the value of a written legal code?
o What evidence is there of social stratification within the laws?
o How would you describe the status of women outlined in the legal code?
o What do these laws reveal about the basic values and ideals of this society?
Wednesday 9/21- Friday 9/23: Topic for Class Discussion—Old Kingdom Egypt
 Reading—to be completed before class on Wednesday 9/21—
 Read from the textbook Ch. 2.2, pages 35-41. Take thorough notes making sure those notes address the following:
o What was the “gift of the Nile”? Fully explain how the Egyptians benefitted from the Nile River. How was
the Nile different from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia?
o Describe upper and lower Egypt. Where was each located?
o How does the reading describe the government of Egypt? Why was the pharaoh so powerful?
o What was the purpose and significance of the Egyptian pyramids? Who actually built them? How were
they different from Mesopotamian ziggurats?
o Discuss the religious beliefs and practices of the Egyptians.
o Describe the hierarchy of Egyptian society. How did it change in later times?
o How was the status of women in Egyptian society similar to that of women in Sumerian society?
o What is the significance of the Rosetta Stone?
o Discuss the scientific and technological achievements of the Egyptians.
o What were some of the achievements of the Middle Kingdom Egyptians?
o What happened to Middle Kingdom Egypt?