Ancient Civilizations

Key points

Big Ideas in Early Civilizations

Generally developed same functions

Formal governmentWritingCitiesPatriarchal family structures

Three Kinds of Contact

Local or long-distance tradeMigration and invasionDirect trade, diplomatic relations, military activity

Local or long-distance trade

Learned about new technologies from contactDiffusionAgricultural techniques spreadNew crops

Migration and invasion

Both occurred frequently in the Middle EastChanges in languageSpread of technology through migration

Trade, diplomacy and military activity

Mesopotamia and Egypt had contact through all threeMesopotamia and Egypt probably interacted with GreeceSome trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus River Valley

Conclusions

Contact was not sustainedDiffusion responsible for social and economic shiftsNo major changes in religion, politics or science as a result of contact