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Ancient Empires An Introduction to Eight Imperial Civilizations of the Ancient World Overview * * * * * The Evolution of Civilization Anthropology and Archaeology in Historical Analysis The Rise and Characteristics of Empires Cities and Technologies Timelines The Evolution of Civilizations * Definition: Civilization * a culture that builds cities and has achievements in art, literature, science, and technology * Civilizations don’t rise alone * End product of evolution of culture within a geographic area Archaeology - Definition * The study of human activity in the past, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind. Anthropology - Definition * The study of humans, past and present, that draws and builds upon the knowledge from the social sciences and biological sciences as well as the humanities and natural sciences. Ancient Empire Introduction Page 1 The Importance of Archaeology * * Art of History * Written records: • political, military, economic * Bias toward rich & powerful Science of Archaeology * Adds accurate detail about daily life of ordinary people * Changed modern view of history Key to History * * History is a gift * Recreated in each generation * Human mind has not changed in 200,000 years • Evolution of homo sapiens is cultural Archaeology * Takes time, money * Started in Europe • Heinrich Schliemann – Wealthy German businessman – Excavated Troy 1870’s Archaeology and Anthropology * * Science of Anthropology * Archaeology * Cultural anthropology * Linguistics * Physical anthropology Cultural history * Archaeologist is anthropologist Ancient Empire Introduction Page 2 * Seeing society whole • All social groups and functions • more accurate, meaningful interpretation of ancient cultures Hunter-Gatherers * * Big game hunting • Nomadic, migratory herds of land & sea mammals • Focus on one or two species First settlements * River valleys on migration routes * Extraction of unearned resources • Energy from other biomes • Larger families possible * Archaic adaptation: scheduled collecting of seasonal foods The Agricultural Revolution * * * Developed in semi-arid areas adjacent to river valleys * Need to store collected cereals Impact of agriculture * Stored surplus food • Geometric increase in population * Dependence on nonfood resources • Water, fuel, stone, metal, etc. * Transportation & trade • Moving scarce resources between settled villages Urbanization, industrialization * Overpopulation, overexploitation of resources, pollution Phases of Cultural Development Ancient Empire Introduction Page 3 • • • Hunting & gathering Agriculture * Domestic plants * Domestic animals Towns & Cities * Population increase * Urbanization * Specialization * Competition Life in the Ancient World * * Populations small * Local farms, villages * Little change over time Hard lives * Unvaried foods * No medical services * Poor sanitation * High infant mortality * Simple joys * Family and friends * Games, songs, stories * Faith Cultural Growth * * Theory of Diffusion * Culture and technologies originate with one culture and are diffused by contact with other cultures. Theory of Correspondence * All humans have same mental & physical capabilities, Ancient Empire Introduction Page 4 thus invent similar culture and technology in similar environments Birthplace of Empires * * River valleys * Life-giving * Godlike Human innovations * Development of crop species * Irrigation systems • Mesopotamia * Calendars • Nile Valley flooding The Rise of Cities * * Ecological richness of valley attracts people Cities * Centre of richness * Expanded areas of control * Walled for protection • Repelled invaders • Attracted immigrants * Emblems of Empire The Rise of Empires * * Rich & fertile valleys * Examples: Nile, Indus, Huang Ho Regional Cultures Ancient Empire Introduction Page 5 * Centred around cities * Shared trade, culture * Military dominance leads to empire Imperial Cities * * * * Dense population Urbanization processes Cultural innovation Driven by * Commerce * Cultural interaction The Elements of Empire * * Elements * Peoples * Goods * Ideas Existence & dynamism of elements depend on * Movement * Exchange City As Symbol of Wealth * * * Struggle for control of cities Richness: ability to produce surplus goods and services * agriculture * pottery, metalworking * commerce Supported * nobility, administrative class, army Ancient Empire Introduction Page 6 * Increased wealth, population by immigration Civilization to Empire * * * City * Agriculture means larger towns * Specialized buildings, occupations City-State * Metropolis and hinterland • Interaction of towns and cities State * Equality of cities e.g. Italy in Roman Republic * Empire * Subject states e.g. Aztec Empire Culture and Expansion * The Stay-at-Homes * China, Egypt, Maya * Little knowledge of other empires beyond their boundaries * The Expansionists * Rome, Greece * Pursuit of trade or conquest * Limited by • Natural obstacles • Opposing forces The Polynesian Case * Polynesian seafarers * 3000 BC on * Sailed and colonized Pacific Ancient Empire Introduction Page 7 • Northwest Coast • Easter Island * No empire, colonies isolated * The Record Factor * Key is permanent records • Written language • Maps * Example: Greek knowledge of Mediterranean world Timelines * Framework for understanding * Time sequence of development of culture * Marked by dynasties, technological progress * Rise-and-fall image • Spengler’s view of history Ancient Empire Introduction Page 8