ancient civilizations chris anderson randolph-henry high school

Ancient CivilizationsAncient Civilizations

Chris AndersonChris Anderson

Randolph-Henry High SchoolRandolph-Henry High School

• Most ancient civilizations developed along rivers or in river valleys

• Theses early civilizations made many important contributions to the world

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• What do you think of when you hear

Egypt?

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• The ancient Egyptians

built their civilization along the Nile RiverNile River

• The river flows from SouthSouth to NorthNorth• 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 EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Gifts of the NileGifts 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 EgyptiansAncient 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 EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Egyptian kings were

the political leader and religious leader—making Egypt a theocracytheocracy

• Kings also used a bureaucracy to help handle other tasks• Tax collection

• Trade

• Construction projects

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Old KingdomOld 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 EgyptiansAncient Egyptians

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Eventually, the architects wanted to create

smoother pyramids• The first attempts were not perfect

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• They did get it right in the end—the

Pyramids of Giza

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Old Kingdom Egyptians started the

tradition of mummificationmummification• 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 EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Middle KingdomMiddle 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


• The new kings made many improvements:• Expanded the kingdom into parts of Syria• Cleared more land for agriculture• Constructed more irrigation systems

Ancient EgyptiansAncient 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 HyksosHyksos• The Hyksos were able to conquer the

Egyptians because they had better weapons—made of bronze

• Hyksos ruled Egypt for 110 years

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• New KingdomNew 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 pharaohpharaoh

Ancient EgyptiansAncient 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 EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Egyptian CultureEgyptian Culture

• The Egyptians were polytheists—worshipped lots of gods• Gods were part animal and part human

• Believed in an afterlife

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• Egyptians developed a writing system

called hieroglyphics—picture writing

Ancient EgyptiansAncient Egyptians• The discovery of the Rosetta Stone allowed

historians to decode the hieroglyphics

The Fertile CrescentThe Fertile Crescent

• While the Egyptians were building their civilization, people were creating civilizations in the Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent– The area stretched from the Mediterranean

Sea to the Persian Gulf– Included the modern nations of Israel, Jordan,

Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq


• Most people settled in one particular area of the Fertile Crescent—MesopotamiaMesopotamia– Mesopotamia literally means “land between 2

rivers”– Located between the Tigris and Euphrates

rivers


• The Two RiversThe 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


• #1. #1. SumeriansSumerians• 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

SumerSumer


• Each Sumerian city-state was politically independent of the others

• Yet, each city-state shared common cultural attributes– Language – Religion– Ziggurats—stone temples


• Sumerians also created a writing system—cuneiformcuneiform– Started as pictograms, but evolved a type of

script– Marks were made on wet clay with a sharp,

wedge-tipped reed


• Only scribes could read and write the cuneiform

• They learned their craft in eddubas--schools


• Sumerian CultureSumerian Culture• Sumerians were polytheists• Sumerian were inventors—they invented:

– Wagon wheel– Arch– Potter’s wheel– Sundial– 12 month calendar– Bronze– Metal plow


• #2.#2. AkkadiansAkkadians

• The Akkadians took over the Sumerian city-states in the 2000s BC

• The Akkadians were led by a powerful king—Sargon I


• 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


• #3. #3. BabyloniansBabylonians

• The Babylonian civilization was established by the Amorites

• The most powerful Babylonian king was Hammurabi


• 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 CodeHammurabi’s Code• 282 sections covering all aspects of life• Very strict—”an eye for an eye”

Trading CivilizationsTrading Civilizations

The Egyptians and Mesopotamian peoples The Egyptians and Mesopotamian peoples had great influence over other civilizations had great influence over other civilizations of the Middle Eastern regionof the Middle Eastern region

Trading civilizations developed and traded Trading civilizations developed and traded with the Egyptians and Mesopotamian with the Egyptians and Mesopotamian civilizationscivilizations AramaeansAramaeans PhoeniciansPhoenicians LydiansLydians


1.)1.) Aramaeans Aramaeans 1200 BC—settled in central Syria1200 BC—settled in central Syria Created capital at DamascusCreated capital at Damascus Spoke a AramaicSpoke a Aramaic Politically and militarily weakPolitically and militarily weak

Constant feuding between the ruling classes Constant feuding between the ruling classes

Very active in the Very active in the land trade land trade in the Middle Eastin the Middle East Controlled the land trade between Egypt and Controlled the land trade between Egypt and

MesopotamiaMesopotamia Became very rich because of tradeBecame very rich because of trade


2.)2.) Phoenicians Phoenicians 3000 BC—the Phoenicians settled in Canaan 3000 BC—the Phoenicians settled in Canaan

(Lebanon, Israel, Jordan)(Lebanon, Israel, Jordan) Sea TradersSea Traders—traded goods to get food that they —traded goods to get food that they

could not growcould not grow Built ships out of cedar wood that grew in CanaanBuilt ships out of cedar wood that grew in Canaan Built many port cities along the Mediterranean coastBuilt many port cities along the Mediterranean coast Expert seamen and navigatorsExpert seamen and navigators


The Phoenicians’ major contribution was The Phoenicians’ major contribution was an alphabetan alphabet Developed around 1100 BCDeveloped around 1100 BC Developed to keep up with trade transactionsDeveloped to keep up with trade transactions Contained 22 characters—all consonants, no Contained 22 characters—all consonants, no

vowelsvowels The alphabet was easy to learn, allowing The alphabet was easy to learn, allowing

more people to be able to read and write—no more people to be able to read and write—no need for scribesneed for scribes


The Phoenician alphabet became the The Phoenician alphabet became the basis for the Greek alphabet and all basis for the Greek alphabet and all western alphabetswestern alphabets


3.)3.) Lydians Lydians Settle on the peninsula of Asia Minor—Settle on the peninsula of Asia Minor—

modern day Turkeymodern day Turkey They were rich because of the rich gold They were rich because of the rich gold

deposits around their homesdeposits around their homes Lydians introduced the money system to Lydians introduced the money system to

the world—they were the 1the world—they were the 1stst to produce to produce coinscoins

HebrewsHebrews

The Hebrews introduced The Hebrews introduced monotheismmonotheism——the belief in one God—to the worldthe belief in one God—to the world

The The BibleBible is the main source for is the main source for information on the Hebrewsinformation on the Hebrews

AbrahamAbraham—father of the Hebrews—father of the Hebrews1900 BC—Abraham led his family from Sumer 1900 BC—Abraham led his family from Sumer

into Canaan, along side the Phoenicians and into Canaan, along side the Phoenicians and PhilistinesPhilistines

HebrewsHebrews

The Hebrews had to deal with harsh The Hebrews had to deal with harsh conditions in Canaan—a desert regionconditions in Canaan—a desert region

Most Hebrews herded animals—sheep Most Hebrews herded animals—sheep and goatsand goats

Abraham’s grandson—Jacob—had 12 Abraham’s grandson—Jacob—had 12 sonssonsEach of Jacob’s sons headed a different Each of Jacob’s sons headed a different

Hebrew tribeHebrew tribeThese tribes became known as the 12 Tribes These tribes became known as the 12 Tribes

of Israelof Israel

HebrewsHebrews

A drought in Canaan caused the different A drought in Canaan caused the different Hebrew tribes to look in different areas for Hebrew tribes to look in different areas for suitable places to farmsuitable places to farm

The Hebrews were invited into Egypt to The Hebrews were invited into Egypt to share Egypt’s surplus of foodshare Egypt’s surplus of foodThe Hebrews and Egyptians lived peacefully The Hebrews and Egyptians lived peacefully

at firstat firstEgyptians, eventually turned the Hebrews into Egyptians, eventually turned the Hebrews into

slavesslaves

HebrewsHebrews

Hebrew slaves had a difficult lifeHebrew slaves had a difficult lifeThey prayed for a delivererThey prayed for a deliverer1200s BC—Moses was able to lead the 1200s BC—Moses was able to lead the

Hebrews out of Egypt—Hebrews out of Egypt—The ExodusThe ExodusMoses led the Hebrews into the Sinai DesertMoses led the Hebrews into the Sinai DesertThe 10 Commandments were createdThe 10 Commandments were createdJoshua—Moses’ successor—led the Hebrews Joshua—Moses’ successor—led the Hebrews

back into Canaanback into Canaan

HebrewsHebrews

Life back in Canaan was very difficultLife back in Canaan was very difficultThe 12 Tribes had to fight with the Philistines The 12 Tribes had to fight with the Philistines

and Canaanites for landand Canaanites for landThe Hebrews fought for 200 years with little The Hebrews fought for 200 years with little

success—the tribes could not unite against success—the tribes could not unite against their enemiestheir enemies

HebrewsHebrews

The Hebrews will The Hebrews will unite under unite under King King Saul (1020-1012 BC)Saul (1020-1012 BC)

Saul was unable to Saul was unable to defeat the Philistinesdefeat the Philistines

He lost popularity with He lost popularity with the peoplethe people

HebrewsHebrews

The Hebrews turned The Hebrews turned their hopes on a hero their hopes on a hero of the wars—of the wars—David David (1012-973 BC)(1012-973 BC) David had shown his David had shown his

bravery by slaying bravery by slaying GoliathGoliath

David created his David created his capital at capital at JerusalemJerusalem He built a large temple He built a large temple

in his capitalin his capital

HebrewsHebrews

David’s son—Solomon (973-922 BC)—David’s son—Solomon (973-922 BC)—ascended the Hebrew throne in 973ascended the Hebrew throne in 973

He built lots of citiesHe built lots of citiesHe heavily taxed the peopleHe heavily taxed the peopleHe was hated by the peopleHe was hated by the peopleAfter his death in 922 BC, the Hebrews After his death in 922 BC, the Hebrews

split into 2 separate kingdomssplit into 2 separate kingdoms Israel—NorthIsrael—NorthJudah—SouthJudah—South

Judah and IsraelJudah and Israel

HebrewsHebrews

Each kingdom was politically independentEach kingdom was politically independent—but independence was short lived—but independence was short lived722 BC—a group called the Assyrians took 722 BC—a group called the Assyrians took

IsraelIsrael586 BC—the Chaldeans captured Judah586 BC—the Chaldeans captured Judah

The Hebrews were forced out of their homelandThe Hebrews were forced out of their homelandThe Hebrew temple at Jerusalem was destroyedThe Hebrew temple at Jerusalem was destroyedDuring this time of foreign occupation, the During this time of foreign occupation, the

Hebrews became known as the JewsHebrews became known as the Jews

HebrewsHebrews

539 BC—the Hebrews were allowed back 539 BC—the Hebrews were allowed back into their homeland by the Persiansinto their homeland by the Persians

400’s BC—400’s BC—EzraEzra gathered Jewish holy gathered Jewish holy writings into a holy book called the writings into a holy book called the TorahTorahThe The TorahTorah was composed of 5 books was composed of 5 books

GenesisGenesisExodusExodusLeviticusLeviticusNumbersNumbersDeuteronomyDeuteronomy

HebrewsHebrews

The Hebrews blazed the path for future The Hebrews blazed the path for future monotheistic religionsmonotheistic religions

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all are Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all are based on the Hebrew ideas of based on the Hebrew ideas of monotheismmonotheism

Powerful KingdomsPowerful Kingdoms

►3 very powerful kingdoms will emerge 3 very powerful kingdoms will emerge in Asia and conquer most of the Fertile in Asia and conquer most of the Fertile Crescent RegionCrescent Region AssyriansAssyrians ChaldeansChaldeans PersiansPersians

AssyriansAssyrians

► Assyrians lived in the hills of MesopotamiaAssyrians lived in the hills of Mesopotamia► At first, they were weak and constantly At first, they were weak and constantly

attacked by their neighborsattacked by their neighbors► By 900 BC—the Assyrians had defend By 900 BC—the Assyrians had defend

themselves and attack othersthemselves and attack others► They developed a very powerful and They developed a very powerful and

organized military systemorganized military system Foot soldiersFoot soldiers CharioteersCharioteers cavalrycavalry Used Used ironiron weapons weapons

AssyriansAssyrians

►The Assyrians were very cruel to those The Assyrians were very cruel to those they conqueredthey conquered Burned entire cities to the groundBurned entire cities to the ground Tortured prisonersTortured prisoners Relocated entire cities and kingdomsRelocated entire cities and kingdoms Heavily taxed the peopleHeavily taxed the people

AssyriansAssyrians

► 650 BC—the 650 BC—the Assyrians had a Assyrians had a very large empirevery large empire

► Stretched from the Stretched from the Persian Gulf to Persian Gulf to Egypt and parts of Egypt and parts of TurkeyTurkey

► Built roads to Built roads to increase increase communicationcommunication

AssyriansAssyrians

►612 BC—the people of the empire 612 BC—the people of the empire rebelled against their Assyrian captorsrebelled against their Assyrian captors

►The civil war allowed an outside groupThe civil war allowed an outside group—Chaldeans—to conquer the Assyrians—Chaldeans—to conquer the Assyrians

ChaldeansChaldeans

►Chaldeans had very powerful kingsChaldeans had very powerful kings►King NebuchadnezzarKing Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC) (605-562 BC)

He expanded the empire into CanaanHe expanded the empire into Canaan He made Babylon into the largest city of He made Babylon into the largest city of

the ancient worldthe ancient world

ChaldeansChaldeans

► Babylon housed 2 of Babylon housed 2 of the world’s great the world’s great wonderswonders Hanging Gardens of Hanging Gardens of

BabylonBabylon Wall of BabylonWall of Babylon

ChaldeansChaldeans

►No king after Nebuchadnezzar would No king after Nebuchadnezzar would have his powerhave his power

►The empire slowly fell apart because of The empire slowly fell apart because of weak kingsweak kings

►539 BC—Persians conquered Babylon 539 BC—Persians conquered Babylon and the Chaldean Empireand the Chaldean Empire

PersiansPersians

►Persians settled in modern day IranPersians settled in modern day Iran►Persian had many powerful kingsPersian had many powerful kings

CyrusCyrus 540s BC—Cyrus conquered much of the 540s BC—Cyrus conquered much of the

known worldknown world►MesopotamiaMesopotamia►SyriaSyria►CanaanCanaan►PhoeniciaPhoenicia►LydiaLydia►Greek city-states in TurkeyGreek city-states in Turkey

PersiansPersians

►CambysesCambyses►Cyrus’ sonCyrus’ son►He increased the Persian’s holdings by He increased the Persian’s holdings by

capturing Egyptcapturing Egypt►The empire stretch for over 3000 milesThe empire stretch for over 3000 miles

—from the Nile River to the Indus River—from the Nile River to the Indus River►50 million people in the empire50 million people in the empire

PersiansPersians

►Darius I (522-486)Darius I (522-486)►Divided the large empire into provinces Divided the large empire into provinces

with individual governors for each with individual governors for each provinceprovince

►Very tolerantVery tolerant►Had the Had the Royal RoadRoyal Road constructed constructed

1500 miles long1500 miles long A rest stop was placed on the road every 14 A rest stop was placed on the road every 14

milesmiles

PersiansPersians

PersiansPersians

►XerxesXerxes►Darius’ sonDarius’ son►480 BC—he attempted to take over 480 BC—he attempted to take over

the Greeksthe Greeks►His failure caused the empire to lose His failure caused the empire to lose

power and begin to crumblepower and begin to crumble

PersiansPersians

►Persian CulturePersian Culture►Polytheists—worshipped many godsPolytheists—worshipped many gods►ZoroasterZoroaster tried to change Persian tried to change Persian

religionreligion Said the world was controlled by 2 godsSaid the world was controlled by 2 gods 1.) Ahura Mazda—the good1.) Ahura Mazda—the good 2.) Ahriman—the evil2.) Ahriman—the evil

ancient civilizations chris anderson randolph-henry high school

Documents

river banksthe river

norththe river

new kingdomall kings

nilethe river banks

nilethe nile river valley

mastabaslater kings

nile riverthe river

lower egypt