First Complex Societies In The Eastern Mediterranean
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First Complex Societies in the Eastern Mediterranean 1. What does the excerpt from the Epic of Gilgamesh say happened to Enkidu? Why is that specific story pertinent to this chapter? 2. How did the use of irrigation help foster civilization in Mesopotamia? 3. What is a city-state? Think later how this is different from a nation-state. 4. Why did all these early civilizations form along rivers that flooded? (Big note here is that neither Mesopotamia nor Egypt receives much rainfall at all, if any) 5. Why is using bronze such a technological improvement? 6. Who invented writing? What was its original purpose, supposedly? 7. Who created the world’s first empire? 8. What was significant about the Hammurabi Code? 9. Who is credited with the unification of Egypt? 10. What was ka and how does that relate to the images that we relate to Ancient Egypt of the mummy and the pyramids? 11. Make note here that the fertility of Egypt would later be coveted by the Greeks and Romans in the Classical Age. 12. Describe the Dynastic/rulership troubles that marked the Beginning of the New Kingdom, specifically the 18th dynasty? What new ideas were being introduced? Who were the main players in this period? What happened at the end, as in what ideas prevailed? What was happening in the larger world in relation to Egypt at this time? 13. Who were the Hittites? What technological innovations, more specifically military innovations, did they bring to the world scene? What does Indo-European mean? Why is that even a term in the book? 14. Why was a very small kingdom such as Israel, which was just a pawn between Egypt and the greater Mesopotamian empires, important in World History? 15. What are your reactions to reading two different, but so similar accounts of a Great Flood? Have you seen either before? Why are they so similar?
Ancient India and the Rise of Buddhism 1. What is Dharma? Is there a similar notion in what you have learned in any kind of religious study you have had in life, i.e. Sunday School, Catechism, civics course? 2. What was a political difference in Ancient India than the other civilizations that you have read about so far? 3. What modern country encompasses the Indus River Valley today? The Ganges? 4. What have archeologists used as evidence of social stratification? 5. What was the religion of the ancient Indians? What modern religion did it form the basis of? 6. How was religion used to justify the caste system? What is a Varna? A Jati? 7. What are the ancient epic writings that have been passed down to us from this period? 8. What ancient epic writings do we, I mean we as in modern Westerners, look to in order to see ancient wisdom? 9. What is the literal translation of Buddha? What was his real name? Why was he renamed? 10. What is the First Noble Truth of Buddhism? (hint: You will need to look this up in a different source than the book. That is ok. Learn to use alternate sources of information throughout your education career and even afterwards in order to be an informed/educated person.) 11. What are the differences between the Vedic religions and the teachings of the Buddha? (Hint: There is a nice explanation on page 54.) 12. What were two effects of Ashoka adopting the teachings of the Buddha as a state religion? 13. What two innovations allowed the Indians to trade with East Asia?
Blueprint for Empire Building: China, 1200BCE-220CE 1. Why did the authors pick those dates to start and stop the discussion on China in this period? (Hint: What events happened that signified a change at 1200BCE and as 220CE in China? Answering this kind of question on each chapter will always help you in history classes and figuring out why any chapter is titled like it is will help you figure out what any author wants you to walk away with after reading the chapter. That goes with any book/chapter/author.) 2. What Chinese river valley did civilization develop? How was similar to the Tigris/Euphrates, the Nile and Indus river valleys? 3. What grains were grown in the north? What grain was grown in the south? 4. What significant development tells archeologists that a group of people becomes “Chinese”? 5. What is the evidence that we have of writing in China? When did it develop? What was its purpose? 6. What is the most significant religious difference between Chinese culture and the other civilizations that have been covered? 7. What concept of rulership did the Zhou dynasty introduce? (This concept continue to influence Chinese history all the way to the twentieth century) 8. What technological changes brought on the Warring Period in China? 9. What philosopher came about because of the turmoil of the Warring Period? Why would a new philosophy appeal to people in something like the troubled times in China during the seventh and sixth centuries BCE? 10. What is filial piety? (Hint: You will need to use a different source than the textbook to find this answer.) 11. The chapter calls Confucianism an ethical system and not a religion. I want to reiterate that same idea. Understand that there are no supernatural beings or concepts in Confucianism. No magic, no deities, no ghosts or demons, etc. It does highlight the earlier practice of ancestor worship but that is due to the cornerstone concept of Filial Piety. It is all about how to live one’s life. · Confucius specifies the five important relationships that an individual is a part of. If he maintains each of those relationships dutifully, the society will stabilize and prosper automatically. King to subject Father to son Husband to wife Older brother to younger brother Friend to friend If we observe them, each of these relationships is like a chain that binds individuals in a society. The range of these relationships connects everybody in one single unit. If all these chains are strong, the fabric of a society is a strong. From 1. What are the significant differences between Confucianism and Daoism? As with Confucianism, why would a philosophical concept like Daoism be attractive to people during the times of turmoil? 2. What are our major primary sources for China during this period?
Paper For Above instruction
The excerpt from the Epic of Gilgamesh recounts the death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh's loyal companion, emphasizing the themes of mortality and human limitation. This story is significant to the chapter because it reflects early ideas about mortality, heroism, and the divine placing humans within a moral and existential framework, which are fundamental in understanding early civilizations' worldview and spiritual beliefs.
Irrigation was crucial in fostering civilization in Mesopotamia because it allowed for reliable water supply, enabling agriculture to flourish in an otherwise arid environment. This technological advancement led to surplus food production, population growth, and the development of complex societies, including the formation of city-states.
A city-state is an independent political entity consisting of a city and its surrounding territory, functioning as a sovereign state. Unlike a nation-state, which is typically larger and unified under a single government over a broader area, city-states are often small and self-governing, emphasizing local governance and autonomy.
All early civilizations along rivers that flooded, such as the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, and Indus, formed because these environments provided fertile land and reliable water sources essential for agriculture. Flooding deposited nutrient-rich silt on the banks, which facilitated crop cultivation, supporting dense populations and the growth of civilizations, despite minimal rainfall in regions like Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The use of bronze marked a significant technological improvement because it was harder and more durable than copper, enabling the creation of better tools, weapons, and ceremonial items. Bronze metallurgy facilitated advances in agriculture, warfare, and art, contributing to more sophisticated societies.
Writing was invented by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, primarily for record-keeping purposes such as trade, laws, and administration. Its original purpose was likely practical, to manage economic transactions and governance, which eventually evolved into a means of recording stories, laws, and historical events.
The first empire is credited to Sargon of Akkad, who united various city-states in Mesopotamia around 2334 BCE and established the Akkadian Empire, thereby creating the world's first known empire with centralized authority over diverse peoples.
The Hammurabi Code was significant because it was one of the earliest and most comprehensive legal codes. It established strict justice principles and the rule of law, influencing later legal systems and providing social order in Babylonian society.
King Narmer is credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt around 3100 BCE, marking the beginning of a centralized and unified Egyptian state.
The concept of 'ka' in Egyptian religion refers to the life force or spiritual essence of a person. It is closely linked to mummification and the pyramids because it represents the immortal aspect of an individual that the statues and tombs are designed to sustain and honor.
Egypt’s fertile lands and predictable flooding made it highly desirable to the Greeks and Romans, who admired its abundant natural resources and agricultural productivity, further emphasizing Egypt’s lasting importance in history.
During the beginning of the New Kingdom, specifically the 18th dynasty, Egypt faced internal conflicts and political instability, including disputes over succession and external threats. New ideas such as the expansion of empire, increased centralization, and religious reforms were introduced. Key figures like Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Hatshepsut played prominent roles. As the dynasty progressed, ideas of divine kingship and monumental building projects persisted, with Egypt remaining a powerful civilization amid global interactions.
The Hittites, originating from Anatolia, brought innovative military technologies, including chariots and ironworking, which transformed warfare. They were Indo-European speakers, a linguistic term referring to the shared origins of certain European and Asian peoples. Their advancements marked a significant step in military history and influenced subsequent civilizations across Eurasia.
Israel, a small kingdom situated between Egypt and the Mesopotamian empires, held considerable historical importance because it served as a religious and cultural bridge. Its strategic position led to unique cultural developments and influenced later religious traditions, making it a key player in world history despite its size.
Reading two similar accounts of the Great Flood reveals common themes of divine justice and human morality, highlighting how different cultures adapted and shared mythic narratives. These stories resonate because they address universal concerns about morality, divine authority, and human existence, and similar flood narratives are found in Mesopotamian, Indian, and other traditions.
In ancient India, Dharma signifies righteousness, moral law, and duty, shaping individual behavior and social order. It parallels concepts from other religious traditions, emphasizing ethical conduct and law.
Politically, ancient India differed from other civilizations because of its decentralized political structure, with city-states and regional kingdoms rather than centralized empires dominating the landscape.
The modern countries that encompass the Indus River Valley are Pakistan and northwest India, while the Ganges encompasses northern India and Bangladesh.
Archaeologists find evidence of social stratification in burial sites, distinct housing, and differentiated grave goods, indicating social rankings and class distinctions.
The religion of ancient Indians was Vedic, based on the early texts called the Vedas. It laid the foundation for Hinduism, which remains a major religion today.
The Vedic religion justified the caste system through its religious doctrines, which stratified society into Varna (social classes) and Jati (subcastes), based on birth and occupational roles.
The ancient epics from India include the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which contain stories, morals, and spiritual teachings that have been passed down through generations.
Modern Westerners often look to the Mahabharata and Ramayana as sources of wisdom and cultural insight into ancient Indian thought and society.
The translation of Buddha is "The Enlightened One." His real name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was renamed 'Buddha,' meaning "The Enlightened One," after attaining enlightenment, to reflect his spiritual awakening.
The First Noble Truth of Buddhism is that life involves suffering (dukkha). It teaches that suffering is an inherent part of existence, and understanding this is the first step toward liberation.
The Vedic religions emphasized rituals, sacrifices, and the authority of the priestly class, while Buddhism focused on personal spiritual development and the path to liberation from suffering. Buddhism rejected the caste system and prioritized ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom.
Two effects of Ashoka adopting Buddhism as a state religion were the widespread dissemination of Buddhist teachings across Asia and the promotion of non-violence and religious tolerance within the empire.
Innovations that facilitated trade between India and East Asia included advancements in shipbuilding, navigation, and the development of trade routes like the Silk Road, which enabled cultural and commercial exchange.
The authors selected those dates for China because around 1200 BCE, significant political consolidation and cultural developments like the fall of the Shang dynasty occurred, while 220 CE marked the end of the Han dynasty and a period of political fragmentation, setting the stage for future developments.
Civilization in China developed along the Yellow River (Huang He), similar to the Nile, Tigris/Euphrates, and Indus river valleys, as rivers supplied fertile land and supported early agriculture and complex societies.
In the north, millet was primarily grown, whereas rice was cultivated in the south, reflecting climatic differences and distinct agricultural practices.
Archaeologists consider the development of Chinese writing, specifically oracle bone inscriptions, as the significant marker of becoming "Chinese," as it indicates organized political and religious structure.
The earliest evidence of writing in China dates to around 1200 BCE, primarily used for divination, record-keeping, and ritual purposes.
Religiously, Chinese culture differed from others because of the Chinese emphasis on ancestor worship and Confucian ethics, rather than a focus on gods or divine kings.
The Zhou dynasty introduced the concept of the "Mandate of Heaven," which justified ruler's legitimacy based on their virtue and ability to govern well, influencing Chinese political thought for centuries.
The Warring States period, involving intense warfare and technological innovation like iron tools and advanced weaponry, created instability and fueled philosophical responses.
Philosopher Confucius emerged during this period, proposing ethical living based on relationships and social harmony, appealing during times of chaos as a way to restore order and moral virtue.
Filial piety in Chinese thought emphasizes respect, obedience, and care for one’s parents and ancestors, reinforcing social stability and moral conduct.
Confucianism is an ethical system emphasizing social harmony through proper conduct and relationships, with no focus on supernatural beings, contrasting with Daoism’s focus on harmony with nature and the Dao.
Daoism, founded by Laozi, was attractive during turmoil because it advocated simplicity, harmony with nature, and non-interference, offering an alternative to the rigid social hierarchy of Confucianism.
Primary sources for China's ancient period include oracle bones, classical texts like the Analects, and archaeological findings such as tombs and artifacts, providing insights into societal beliefs and practices.
References
- Ancient Civilizations of China. Oxford University Press.