Early Civilizations Matrix Using Your Readings And Outside S

Early Civilizations Matrixusing Your Readings And Outside Sources Com

Using your readings and outside sources, complete the following matrix. Be sure to address the following in your matrix: Provide names, titles, dates, brief descriptions of important events, and other details, as necessary. Note the details of key political, socioeconomic, technological, artistic, musical, architectural, philosophical, and literary developments for each civilization listed in the table, which were evidenced in the humanities. Use a list format of complete sentences rather than paragraphs. Do not copy and paste from outside resources.

The following are two examples of the level of detail and documentation expected for this assignment: Ancient Egyptian politics: The union of Upper and Lower Egypt by Narmer in 3150 B.C.E. is commemorated in a 2-foot high slate known as the palette of Narmer (Sayre, 2013, pp. 32–33). Ancient Greek architecture: Minoan society: The three-story palace at Knossos was a labyrinthine masonry structure with dozens of rooms and corridors built around a central courtyard (Sayre, 2013, pp. 43–44). Include a reference page if you are using sources other than the textbook.

Paper For Above instruction

The early civilizations of human history encompass profound developments in politics, society, technology, art, and philosophy. These civilizations laid the foundation for subsequent societal progress and cultural expression, marked by unique achievements and innovations across different regions and periods.

Ancient Egypt

• Politics: The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by Narmer circa 3150 B.C.E. established the first dynasty, centralizing authority through the pharaonic hierarchy (Sayre, 2013, pp. 32–33).
• Society and Economics: Egyptian society was stratified, with the Pharaoh at the top, supported by a class of nobles, scribes, artisans, and farmers who cultivated the Nile's resources; the economy was heavily dependent on agriculture and tribute from conquered territories.
• Technology: The development of papyrus for writing, advances in metallurgy with copper tools, and sophisticated irrigation systems facilitated agricultural efficiency (Wilkinson, 2000).
• Art: Art was highly symbolic, characterized by detailed reliefs, statues, and hieroglyphic inscriptions that depicted religious themes and daily life (Kemp, 2006).
• Architecture: Monumental architecture such as the pyramids at Giza and the temples of Karnak exemplifies Egyptian engineering mastery and religious devotion.
• Philosophy: Religious beliefs centered on the afterlife, with texts like the Book of the Dead providing guidance for spiritual practices (Assmann, 2005).
• Literature: Literary works included funerary texts, wisdom writings, and poetic compositions that reflect religious ideals and societal values.

Ancient Greece

• Politics: Democracy was pioneered in Athens during the 5th century B.C.E., with reforms by Cleisthenes establishing political participation for free male citizens (Ober, 2008).
• Society and Economics: Greek society was organized into city-states (poleis), with economies based on trade, agriculture, and colonies across the Mediterranean.
• Technology: Innovations included developments in shipbuilding, navigation, and military tactics, exemplified by trireme ships and the phalanx formation (Fleet, 2012).
• Art: Greek art advanced realism and proportion, seen in sculptures like Phidias’ statues and in pottery depicting mythological scenes.
• Architecture: The Parthenon exemplifies classical Greek architectural principles, emphasizing symmetry and harmony (Hurley, 2007).
• Philosophy: Philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle established rational inquiry and ethics, shaping Western philosophical thought.
• Literature: Epic poetry like Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey encapsulates heroic ideals, while tragedies by Sophocles and Euripides explore human suffering.

Ancient Rome

• Politics: The Roman Republic (509–27 B.C.E.) introduced a complex system of Senate, popular assemblies, and magistrates, transitioning eventually into an imperial system.
• Society and Economics: Roman society was heavily stratified, with slaves, freedmen, and citizens; economies thrived on agriculture, trade, and conquest, expanding Roman influence across Europe and beyond.
• Technology: Innovations included aqueducts for water supply, concrete for durable construction, and road networks facilitating troop movement and commerce (Laurence, 2009).
• Art: Roman art was influenced by Greek traditions but emphasized realism in portraiture and large-scale public monuments.
• Architecture: Architectural achievements include the Colosseum, triumphal arches, and basilicas, showcasing engineering prowess and grandeur.
• Philosophy: Stoicism and Epicureanism influenced Roman intellectual life, emphasizing virtue, reason, and the pursuit of happiness (Long, 2012).
• Literature: Cicero’s speeches, Virgil’s Aeneid, and Ovid’s Metamorphoses contributed to Latin literary heritage, emphasizing rhetoric and poetic storytelling.

China

• Politics: The Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.E.) unified China under centralized authority, initiating legalist reforms, and the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.) expanded governance and bureaucracy (Lewis, 2009).
• Society and Economics: Society was structured hierarchically with scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants; the economy was based on agriculture, silk production, and trade along the Silk Road.
• Technology: Innovations included papermaking, printing (woodblock), the compass, and advancements in metallurgy (Needham, 1986).
• Art: Chinese art emphasized calligraphy, landscape painting, and ceramics, reflecting philosophical ideals and aesthetic values.
• Architecture: The construction of the Great Wall and palaces like the Forbidden City exemplify Chinese architectural grandeur.
• Philosophy: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism influenced social harmony, morality, and governance (Fung, 2010).
• Literature: Classical texts such as Confucian classics, poetry, and historical chronicles like Sima Qian’s Records highlight Chinese intellectual tradition.

India

• Politics: The Mauryan Empire (c. 322–185 B.C.E.) established centralized authority with Ashoka the Great promoting Buddhism and Mauryan administration reforms (Thapar, 2002).
• Society and Economics: Society was organized into varnas (castes), with agriculture and trade forming the economic backbone, including extensive trade routes such as the Silk Road.
• Technology: Innovations included script development (Sanskrit), metallurgy, and urban planning exemplified by Mohenjo-Daro’s grid layout.
• Art: Art and sculpture, such as the Ashoka Pillar, depict religious themes and imperial authority.
• Architecture: Rock-cut caves, stupas, and temples like those at Mahabalipuram demonstrate religious devotion and architectural skill.
• Philosophy: Hindu philosophical texts like the Upanishads and Buddhist teachings shaped spiritual life and ethics (Doniger, 2009).
• Literature: Sacred texts, epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, and scholarly treatises reflect rich literary and philosophical traditions.

Judaism

• Politics: Early Judaic society was governed by tribal leaders; later, the establishment of kingship under Saul and David led to the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.
• Society and Economics: Jewish society was structured around religious and familial groups, with agriculture, trade, and temple offerings supporting the community.
• Technology: Contributions included the development of religious texts, legal codes, and textual copying techniques.
• Art: Religious art was minimal due to aniconic traditions, but manuscript illumination and architecture like the Second Temple showcased craftsmanship.
• Architecture: The Second Temple in Jerusalem was a central religious structure, rebuilt after destruction (Levine, 2014).
• Philosophy: Jewish thought emphasized monotheism, covenant, and law, with biblical texts serving as religious philosophy.
• Literature: The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) is the foundational literary and religious text of Judaism.

Early Christianity

• Politics: Christianity started as a sect within Judaism and was initially persecuted under Roman rule before becoming the state religion under Constantine in the 4th century CE.
• Society and Economics: Early Christian communities formed around shared faith, charity, and communal living, influencing social welfare practices.
• Technology: The spread of religious texts like the Bible, and the development of monastic scribal traditions facilitated dissemination.
• Art: Christian art early on was symbolic, with catacomb paintings, mosaics, and later, elaborate church architecture.
• Architecture: Early basilicas and later Gothic cathedrals exemplify Christian architectural evolution (Krautheimer, 1988).
• Philosophy: Christian theological ideas centered on salvation, faith, and divine revelation, influenced by earlier philosophical traditions.
• Literature: Religious texts, sermons, hagiographies, and theological treatises shaped Christian literary tradition.

Islam

• Politics: The Prophet Muhammad unified tribes in the Arabian Peninsula, establishing the Islamic community (Ummah) in the early 7th century CE.
• Society and Economics: Islamic society was organized around religious law (Shari’a), with trade, agriculture, and crafts fueling economic growth across the Caliphates.
• Technology: Advances included algebra, advancements in medicine, and innovations in navigation and engineering during the Islamic Golden Age.
• Art: Islamic art emphasized calligraphy, geometric patterns, and arabesques, avoiding figurative depiction in religious contexts.
• Architecture: Mosques like the Dome of the Rock and the Alhambra demonstrate Islamic architectural ingenuity.
• Philosophy: Islamic philosophy integrated Greek ideas through scholars like Avicenna and Averroes, emphasizing rational inquiry and theology (Nasr, 2006).
• Literature: The Quran, along with poetry, scientific writings, and philosophical works, constitute the rich literary heritage of Islam.

References

• Assmann, J. (2005). The mind of Egypt: History and meaning in the tombs of the Pharaohs. Harvard University Press.
• Doniger, W. (2009). The Hindus: An alternative history. Penguin Books.
• Fung, Y. (2010). The Chinese way of organizing: Public administration and political change. Harvard University Press.
• Hurley, P. (2007). The Parthenon. Harvard University Press.
• Kemp, B. (2006). Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a civilization. Routledge.
• Laurence, R. (2009). The geography of Romans: Political, economic, and cultural life in the Roman Empire. Routledge.
• Lewis, M. E. (2009). The manu of the Qin: Emperor, political system, and administration. Oxford University Press.
• Long, C. (2012). Stoic philosophy: An introduction and guide. Routledge.
• Needham, J. (1986). Science and civilizatio in China. Cambridge University Press.
• Ober, J. (2008). Democracy and knowledge: The educational foundations of Athens. Princeton University Press.