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Ancient Civilizations Chris Anderson Randolph-Henry High School • Most ancient civilizations developed along rivers or in river valleys • Theses early civilizations made many important contributions to the world Ancient Egyptians • What do you think of when you hear Egypt? Ancient Egyptians • The ancient Egyptians built their civilization along the Nile River • The river flows from South to North • The river starts in the mountains of central Africa and empties into the Mediterranean Sea • A large delta exists at the mouth of the river Ancient Egyptians • Gifts of the Nile • The Nile River valley is lush and green—a sharp contrast to the desert around the Nile • The river banks are covered with rich, fertile soil • The Nile floods predictably, leaving behind rich silt on the river banks • The river is also home to water fowl, fish, and useful plants (papyrus) Ancient Egyptians • Menes (Narmer) united Upper and Lower Egypt, creating Egypt’s first dynasty around 3000 BC • From this beginning, 30 dynasties will ruled Egypt over the next 2700 years • This 2700 year period has been divided into 3 sub-categories • Old Kingdom • Middle Kingdom • New Kingdom Ancient Egyptians • Egyptian kings were the political leader and religious leader— making Egypt a theocracy • Kings also used a bureaucracy to help handle other tasks • Tax collection • Trade • Construction projects Ancient Egyptians • Old Kingdom • Lasted from 2700-2200 BC • Pyramids built during the Old Kingdom • Burial tombs for kings • Started as simple rectangular burial tombs called mastabas • Later kings wanted their tombs to be even more elaborate—built a mastaba on top of another mastaba—creating step pyramids Ancient Egyptians Ancient Egyptians • Eventually, the architects wanted to create smoother pyramids • The first attempts were not perfect Ancient Egyptians • They did get it right in the end—the Pyramids of Giza Ancient Egyptians • Old Kingdom Egyptians started the tradition of mummification • At first, only reserved for royalty and the wealthy • The process lasted 40 days • Involved removing organs to help remove water from the body • Spices and salts were used to dry the body • The preserved body was wrapped in linen and placed in a sarcophagus (stone coffin) • The body was placed in its tomb with the deceased worldly possessions. Ancient Egyptians Ancient Egyptians • Middle Kingdom • 2200 BC—Egyptian kings began losing power—the kingdom started to crumble • 2050 BC—a new dynasty took power— ushering in the Middle Kingdom • The middle kingdom ran from 2050 until 1800 BC Ancient Egyptians • The new kings made many improvements: • Expanded the kingdom into parts of Syria • Cleared more land for agriculture • Constructed more irrigation systems Ancient Egyptians • But the dynasty will only be short lived • Noble wanted power—causing a civil war • The civil war allowed an outside group to take over Egypt—the Hyksos • The Hyksos were able to conquer the Egyptians because they had better weapons— made of bronze • Hyksos ruled Egypt for 110 years Ancient Egyptians • New Kingdom • 1600 BC—Ahmose (an Egyptian Prince) led a revolt against the Hyksos, driving them out of Egypt • The Egyptians used the Hyksos’ bronze weapons and fighting style to drive the Hyksos out of Egypt • Ahmose established a new dynasty— ushering in the New Kingdom • All kings after Ahmose were called pharaoh Ancient Egyptians • 1480 BC—Egypt had its first female pharaoh—Hatshepsut • 1370 BC—pharaoh Amenhotep IV and his wife Nefertit attempted to change the religion Egypt into a monotheistic design— worshipping only 1 god • Their attempts nearly destroyed Egypt • 1200 BC—the great Ramses II became pharaoh and ruled for 67 years • By 945 BC—Egypt was weak and fell to the Lybians and Kush Ancient Egyptians • Egyptian Culture • The Egyptians were polytheists— worshipped lots of gods • Gods were part animal and part human • Believed in an afterlife Ancient Egyptians Ancient Egyptians • Egyptians developed a writing system called hieroglyphics—picture writing Ancient Egyptians • The discovery of the Rosetta Stone allowed historians to decode the hieroglyphics The Fertile Crescent • While the Egyptians were building their civilization, people were creating civilizations in the Fertile Crescent – The area stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf – Included the modern nations of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent • Most people settled in one particular area of the Fertile Crescent—Mesopotamia – Mesopotamia literally means “land between 2 rivers” – Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent • The Two Rivers • Both rivers start in Eastern Turkey and run, nearly parallel, to the Persian Gulf • The rivers flood, but unpredictably—very dangerous for the people living in the area – Early Mesopotamian villages worked together to tame the rivers • Built dams and canals The Fertile Crescent • #1. Sumerians • 3500 BC—Sumerians migrated into Mesopotamia and created a civilization called Sumer • Sumer is known as the birthplace of the 1st cities • The Sumerians created city-states—a city and all of the surrounding land with its own, independent government Sumer The Fertile Crescent • Each Sumerian city-state was politically independent of the others • Yet, each city-state shared common cultural attributes – Language – Religion – Ziggurats—stone temples The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent • Sumerians also created a writing system— cuneiform – Started as pictograms, but evolved a type of script – Marks were made on wet clay with a sharp, wedge-tipped reed The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent • Only scribes could read and write the cuneiform • They learned their craft in eddubas-schools The Fertile Crescent • Sumerian Culture • Sumerians were polytheists • Sumerian were inventors—they invented: – – – – – – – Wagon wheel Arch Potter’s wheel Sundial 12 month calendar Bronze Metal plow The Fertile Crescent • #2. Akkadians • The Akkadians took over the Sumerian city-states in the 2000s BC • The Akkadians were led by a powerful king—Sargon I The Fertile Crescent • Sargon expanded the kingdom of Akkad – He united all of Mesopotamia under his rule • He also expanded trade in his empire • After his death, the kingdom was unable to sustain itself & gradually fell apart The Fertile Crescent • #3. Babylonians • The Babylonian civilization was established by the Amorites • The most powerful Babylonian king was Hammurabi The Fertile Crescent • Hammurabi made many accomplishments: – United all of Mesopotamia under his rule – Turned Babylon into an international center of trade – He is most famous for his set of written laws— Hammurabi’s Code • 282 sections covering all aspects of life • Very strict—”an eye for an eye” Trading Civilizations The Egyptians and Mesopotamian peoples had great influence over other civilizations of the Middle Eastern region Trading civilizations developed and traded with the Egyptians and Mesopotamian civilizations Aramaeans Phoenicians Lydians Trading Civilizations 1.) Aramaeans 1200 BC—settled in central Syria Created capital at Damascus Spoke a Aramaic Politically and militarily weak Constant feuding between the ruling classes Very active in the land trade in the Middle East Controlled the land trade between Egypt and Mesopotamia Became very rich because of trade Trading Civilizations 2.) Phoenicians 3000 BC—the Phoenicians settled in Canaan (Lebanon, Israel, Jordan) Sea Traders—traded goods to get food that they could not grow Built ships out of cedar wood that grew in Canaan Built many port cities along the Mediterranean coast Expert seamen and navigators Trading Civilizations The Phoenicians’ major contribution was an alphabet Developed around 1100 BC Developed to keep up with trade transactions Contained 22 characters—all consonants, no vowels The alphabet was easy to learn, allowing more people to be able to read and write—no need for scribes Trading Civilizations The Phoenician alphabet became the basis for the Greek alphabet and all western alphabets Trading Civilizations 3.) Lydians Settle on the peninsula of Asia Minor— modern day Turkey They were rich because of the rich gold deposits around their homes Lydians introduced the money system to the world—they were the 1st to produce coins Hebrews The Hebrews introduced monotheism— the belief in one God—to the world The Bible is the main source for information on the Hebrews Abraham—father of the Hebrews 1900 BC—Abraham led his family from Sumer into Canaan, along side the Phoenicians and Philistines Hebrews The Hebrews had to deal with harsh conditions in Canaan—a desert region Most Hebrews herded animals—sheep and goats Abraham’s grandson—Jacob—had 12 sons Each of Jacob’s sons headed a different Hebrew tribe These tribes became known as the 12 Tribes of Israel Hebrews A drought in Canaan caused the different Hebrew tribes to look in different areas for suitable places to farm The Hebrews were invited into Egypt to share Egypt’s surplus of food The Hebrews and Egyptians lived peacefully at first Egyptians, eventually turned the Hebrews into slaves Hebrews Hebrew slaves had a difficult life They prayed for a deliverer 1200s BC—Moses was able to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt—The Exodus Moses led the Hebrews into the Sinai Desert The 10 Commandments were created Joshua—Moses’ successor—led the Hebrews back into Canaan Hebrews Life back in Canaan was very difficult The 12 Tribes had to fight with the Philistines and Canaanites for land The Hebrews fought for 200 years with little success—the tribes could not unite against their enemies Hebrews The Hebrews will unite under King Saul (1020-1012 BC) Saul was unable to defeat the Philistines He lost popularity with the people Hebrews The Hebrews turned their hopes on a hero of the wars—David (1012-973 BC) David had shown his bravery by slaying Goliath David created his capital at Jerusalem He built a large temple in his capital Hebrews David’s son—Solomon (973-922 BC)— ascended the Hebrew throne in 973 He built lots of cities He heavily taxed the people He was hated by the people After his death in 922 BC, the Hebrews split into 2 separate kingdoms Israel—North Judah—South Judah and Israel Hebrews Each kingdom was politically independent—but independence was short lived 722 BC—a group called the Assyrians took Israel 586 BC—the Chaldeans captured Judah The Hebrews were forced out of their homeland The Hebrew temple at Jerusalem was destroyed During this time of foreign occupation, the Hebrews became known as the Jews Hebrews 539 BC—the Hebrews were allowed back into their homeland by the Persians 400’s BC—Ezra gathered Jewish holy writings into a holy book called the Torah The Torah was composed of 5 books Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Hebrews The Hebrews blazed the path for future monotheistic religions Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all are based on the Hebrew ideas of monotheism Powerful Kingdoms ►3 very powerful kingdoms will emerge in Asia and conquer most of the Fertile Crescent Region Assyrians Chaldeans Persians Assyrians ► Assyrians lived in the hills of Mesopotamia ► At first, they were weak and constantly attacked by their neighbors ► By 900 BC—the Assyrians had defend themselves and attack others ► They developed a very powerful and organized military system Foot soldiers Charioteers cavalry Used iron weapons Assyrians ► The Assyrians were very cruel to those they conquered Burned entire cities to the ground Tortured prisoners Relocated entire cities and kingdoms Heavily taxed the people Assyrians ► 650 BC—the Assyrians had a very large empire ► Stretched from the Persian Gulf to Egypt and parts of Turkey ► Built roads to increase communication Assyrians ► 612 BC—the people of the empire rebelled against their Assyrian captors ► The civil war allowed an outside group— Chaldeans—to conquer the Assyrians Chaldeans ► Chaldeans had very powerful kings ► King Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC) He expanded the empire into Canaan He made Babylon into the largest city of the ancient world Chaldeans ► Babylon housed 2 of the world’s great wonders Hanging Gardens of Babylon Wall of Babylon Chaldeans ► No king after Nebuchadnezzar would have his power ► The empire slowly fell apart because of weak kings ► 539 BC—Persians conquered Babylon and the Chaldean Empire Persians ► Persians settled in modern day Iran ► Persian had many powerful kings Cyrus 540s BC—Cyrus conquered much of the known world ►Mesopotamia ►Syria ►Canaan ►Phoenicia ►Lydia ►Greek city-states in Turkey Persians ► Cambyses ► Cyrus’ son ► He increased the Persian’s holdings by capturing Egypt ► The empire stretch for over 3000 miles— from the Nile River to the Indus River ► 50 million people in the empire Persians ► Darius I (522-486) ► Divided the large empire into provinces with individual governors for each province ► Very tolerant ► Had the Royal Road constructed 1500 miles long A rest stop was placed on the road every 14 miles Persians Persians ► Xerxes ► Darius’ son ► 480 BC—he attempted to take over the Greeks ► His failure caused the empire to lose power and begin to crumble Persians ► Persian Culture ► Polytheists—worshipped many gods ► Zoroaster tried to change Persian religion Said the world was controlled by 2 gods 1.) Ahura Mazda—the good 2.) Ahriman—the evil