Prehistory to 1500Foundations of Civilization

Ancient World History

Civilizations & TopicsNeolithic RevolutionCore CivilizationsFive Major World Religions

Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Islam

China: Qin and Han Empires India: Maurya and Gupta

EmpiresMesoamerica: Maya, Aztec,

Inca

Middle Asia: MongolsMiddle East: Muslim

EmpiresSouth/East Africa:

Great Zimbabwe, Swahili city-states

West Africa: Songhai, Mali, Ghana

Western/European: Ancient Greece & Roman Empires

One side 500BCE – 1450 CEOther side 1450CE - present

Notes: Timeline

Development of civilization, sources of powerDevelopment of world religionsRegional trade: Silk Roads, Mediterranean

Sea, Trans-Saharan, Indian Ocean sea lanesNew technologiesGrowth of bureaucracy/state practicesCross cultural interactions, technological and

cultural transfers

Themes from the Topics

Beginning about 10,000 years agoEmergence of permanent agricultureEmergence of pastoralism (domesticating animals)At different times, in:

MesopotamiaNile River Valley & Sub-Saharan AfricaIndus River ValleyYellow RiverPapua New GuineaMesoamericaAndes

Neolithic Revolution

Transformation of human societiesWork cooperatively for agriculture, more

food=more pplSpecialization of labor, new classes of artisans,

warriors, elites: Hierarchical social structuresImprovements in agriculture, trade,

transportation: PotteryPlowsWoven textilesMetallurgyWheels and wheeled vehicles

Neolithic Revolution

All civilizations have in common: Agricultural surpluses that allowed for specializationCitiesComplex institutions, like bureaucracies, armies, religionsSocial hierarchiesLong-distance trading relationships

What is a civilization?

5. Olmec: modern south-central Mexico6. Chavin: modern day Peru

Core and foundational civilizations

5.

6.

Maurya Empire: Chandragupta Maurya 303 BCE2000 miles, northern IndiaGrandson Asoka & his EdictsFell apart by 185 BCE

India: Maurya and Gupta Empires

Dharma is good, but what constitutes Dharma? (It includes) little evil, much good, kindness, generosity, truthfulness

and purity. Pilar Edict Nb2 (S. Dharmika)And noble deeds of Dharma and the practice of Dharma consist of

having kindness, generosity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness and goodness increase among the people. Rock Pilar Nb7 (S. Dharmika)

All religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart. Rock Edict Nb7 (S. Dhammika)

Here (in my domain) no living beings are to be slaughtered or offered in sacrifice. Rock Edict Nb1 (S. Dhammika)

Contact (between religions) is good. One should listen to and respect the doctrines professed by others. Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi, desires that all should be well-learned in the good doctrines of other religions. Rock Edict Nb12 (S. Dhammika)

Examples of Edicts

Chandra Gupta and two heirs3rd: Chandra Gupta II, 40 years of incredible achievementsClassical Age of Hindu and Buddhist art and literature, for example:

Author KalidasaKama SutraFirst base-10 numeral systemSun-centered astronomyPlastic surgery, cataract surgery

Gupta Empire, 320 - 550AD

Developed over centuries; pre-1500 BCE1 billion Hindus worldwide; 900 million in

IndiaCollection of different beliefs rather than

rigid rulesComplete freedom of beliefBasic precepts include: dharma, samara,

karma, moksha, BrahmanThousands of gods

ShivaBrahmaVishnu

Hinduism

Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha once he achieved enlightenment

Born about 563 BCE (Mauryan Empire)

Encompasses variety of traditions, precepts: ethical life, mindfullness

Approximately 350-500 million Buddhists in the world

Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), the Sangha (community)

Buddhism

Variety of Chinese dynasties rose and fell 2000BCS+

During time of turmoil, various philosophies arise: Confucius (551 BCE): 5 basic relationship

around which to organize society, filial pietyLaozi (~553BCE): Daoism – “the way” – finding

the natural order of thingsLegalism: strong, harsh leader necessary to

rule over pplYin and yang: 2 powers that represent natural

rhythms of life

China: Philosophies

Rises in 221 BCE, based on legalismEmperor Shi Huangdi unifies ChinaCentralizationGreat Wall of China: 1400 miles longEnds 206 BCE

Qin Dynasty

202 BCE – 225 CE, ruled thru mandate of heaven

Centralized gov’t, large bureaucracyCivil service : intellectual + literary jobs imptPaper invented 105 CE: more bureaucracy!Expanded thru assimilationChina’s Golden Age: today, Chinese refer to

themselves as ethically Han

Han Dynasty

800BCE to 146 BCE (when came under Roman rule)Iliad and Odyssey date from 800BCE776 BCE first OlympicsSapphoPythagoras

Ancient Greece

“Classical Greece”: 480-323BCE (until Alexander dies)HippocratesPlatoSocratesThucydides

Hellenistic Greece: 323-146BCEEuclidArchimedes

Ancient Greece

Alexander the Great

3 - 5 slide ppt on a trade route: Silk Roads: Harrison Mediterranean Sea trade routes: Ben Trans-Saharan trade routes: Jackie Indian Ocean sea lanes: Elliana Mongols: Zur x Swahili City-states: Lucas x Great Zimbabwe: Aaron x Aztec: Sophia Inca: Chloe x Maya: Rachel x Mali: Rebecca

When? Where? Who? Significance? What traded? Use maps and lots of images…

Email me your slides by Monday at noon: powerpoint ONLY (.ppt)

Homework for next class:

Village of Rome settled sometime in 8th century BCE

Roman Republic: 509 BCE – 27 BCE451 BCE Twelve Tables est. Roman Republic

lawsDominant people on Med. Sea by 200BCEJulius Caesar, First Triumvirate, then invaded,

dictator, assassinatedOctavian Second Triumvirate, then Emperor

Ancient Rome

Roman Empire: 27 BCE – 476CEGood emperors, bad emperors…lots of

emperors

Ancient Rome

Pax Romana: 27BCE-180CE (Pompeii?)Constantine (313CE): converts empire to

ChristianityEmpire divided into Eastern and Western:

395CEEnd of empire: 476CE when last Western

emperor dethroned by barbarian Huns

Roman Empire Byzantium

Abraham: father of Judaism, Christianity & IslamLived around ~1800BCEAbraham roamed Egypt/Canaan/Mesopotamia, made first

covenant with God for protection and obedienceMoses: around 1200BCE led Hebrews out of slavery in

Egypt, got 10 commandmentsNew covenant with godWandered, settled in Canaan (Palestine)

Kingdom of Israel est. 1020BCE, ups and downsFirst Temple destroyed 586 BCE, exile to Babylon for 70 yrs

Jews return, rebuild, various ups and downsRoman Empire conquers

Second Temple destroyed by Rome in 70CE, diaspora begins

(back up to) Judaism: 1800 BCE

MonotheisticGod all knowing, all powerfulSacred Text: Torah – generally, but also means:

Tanakh: is an acronym to include the Torah (Jewish “law”), the Nevi’im (“prophets” -- history of Israel), and Ketuvim (“writings”-- of faith and devotion)

Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Nevi’im: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and lesser

prophets Ketuvim: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations,

Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles Mishnah: around 100 CE Rabbi Judah brought together oral traditions of

discussions on the Torah in a written collection Talmud: Entire collection of oral sermons, stories and parables on the

Torah, a commentary on Jewish law that forms the backbone of a Jew’s scholarly and religious life (compiled in the Middle Ages)

Judaism

Jesus born 4 – 6 BCE, starting at age 30, miracles reported

Taught monotheism, personal relationship to God, based on 10 Commandments, gathered disciples

Gospels claim J rose after death=Messiah=eternal life for all, disciples spread teachings Pax Romanacommon languages excellent Roman roads

Christians persecuted until Constantine; by 380CE official religion of Roman Empire

Christianity

Great diversity in church, disciples write Gospels

Christian Bible: Hebrew Bible/”Old Testament” + Gospels/”New Testament”

Christianity

Roman capital moved to Constantinople 312 CE

Byzantine Empire: 395CE-1453CEEmperor Justinian

Connection to Western world, but (almost) in Eastern world

Byzantium

Schism in Christianity: 1054 CE divides Western Christianity (Pope, Catholic)

and Eastern Christianity (Patriarch, Eastern Orthodox—Greeks, Russians, etc.)

Constantinople center of Eastern Orthodox Church

Byzantium & the Church

Muhammad the Prophet: born 570CE, became convinced Gabriel spoke to him as last of the prophets Islam=submission to the will of AllahMuslim=one who has submitted

Ka’aba as house of worship for Abraham (and others) already in Mecca, but hostile to Muhammad

Went to Medina (“city of prophet”), showed good leadership, gained followers, battled Mecca, won 630CE : Muhammad dedicates Ka’aba to Allah

Muhammad dies two years later after nearly unifying Arabia under Islam

Islam: 613CE

Monotheistic, individual responsibilityHoly book: Qur’an (references J/C texts & origins)

Sunna=example Muhammad’s life; Qur’an+Sunna= shari’a: body of law for applying God’s will to daily life

Five Pillars: duties to demonstrate submission to GodFaith (Shahadah): "There is no God but Allah, and

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Prayer (Salat) Alms (Zakat)Fasting (Sawm): holy month of RamadanPilgrimage (Hajj)

Islam

Umayyads: 661 – 750CEbeginning of hereditary succession of caliphmoved capital to Damascus (trade center)Worldly life, excesses of wealth

Abbasids: 750 – 1258CEMoved capital to BaghdadBureaucracy, centralized gov’t, strongly

religiousVarious smaller indep Muslim states existed,

but all linked by religion, tradeGolden Age of learning: Baghdad House of

Wisdom, universities, arts, medicine, engineering: Renaissance

Muslim Empires

Kingdom of Zimbabwe: 1220CE – 1450CEControlled the Ivory and Gold tradeExpansive Empire with over 150

TributariesRigid 3-tiered social systemUntil modern times Great Zimbabwe was

the largest stone structure in Southern Africa

Great Zimbabwe

Trading states along the east coast of Africa, stretching from Kenya to Mozambique

Earliest Swahili culture formed in the 6th century BCE

Major cultural advances: 900 CEintroduction of organized

religion (Islam) unique language

Swahili City-States: 900CE-1400CE

Shirazi Era: 900CE-1400CE (approx)Golden age of expansion and

tradingTraded local resources, most

notably gold and ivory, other luxury items

Connected inner Africa with Indian Ocean trading networks

Fell in 1500s as Portuguese rose

Swahili City-States

~830CE-1235CEWith domestication of camel, trans-Saharan trade

in gold, salt & ivory routes enriched areaNo written history; origins of empire uncertain—

most info comes from merchantsPre-Islamic, monarchy, stable economy and

military (~200,000 soldiers)

West Africa: Ancient Ghana

Traveler wrote of king: He sits in audience or to hear grievances against officials in a domed pavilion around which stand ten horses covered with gold-embroidered materials. Behind the king stand ten pages holding shields and swords decorated with gold, and on his right are the sons of the kings of his country wearing splendid garments and their hair plaited with gold. The governor of the city sits on the ground before the king and around him are ministers seated likewise. At the door of the pavilion are dogs of excellent pedigree that hardly ever leave the place where the king is, guarding him. Around their necks they wear collars of gold and silver studded with a number of balls of the same metals

Ancient Ghana

1230CE – 1340CESundiata

West Africa: Mali

1340CE – 1591CEMuslim empire, conquered

MaliLargest African empire: 1.4

million sq kmTrans-Saharan trade based in

empireGold, ivory, salt

Clan system, universities, center of learning & commerce in Timbuktu

West Africa: Songhai

Established 2000BCE, lasts as a people and culture to present

Mayan Empire: 250CE – 900Ce

Trade crucial factor: type varied, from long-distance trading spanning the length of the region, to small trading between farm families

Each Region had exclusive resources: Highlands = granite and

obsidian. Lowlands = cotton, animal

skins, feathers, beeswax Northern Yucatan = salt Jade = eastern Guatemala Quetzal feathers = Highland

cloud forests Cocoa = west coast

Developed civilization: writing, cities, extensive religion, empire of millions

Mayan Empire

1438CE – 1533CEDeveloped civilization:

quipu, arts, religion, architecture

Extensive economy & trading: potatoes, maize, llamas, ducks, cotton, alpaca wool, silver, ceramics & especially gold

Inca Empire

Aztecs (Mexica): 1325CE – 1521CE

Tribute-based empire, complex mythology/religion (human sacrifice), calendar, architectural and artistic accomplishments—base of today’s Mexico culture

Triple Alliance: three cities Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), Texcoco and Tiacopan, Lead by Emperor Moctezuma

Merchants called pochtecaTraded gold, silver, cloth and cotton, animal

skins, agriculture, wild game, and woodwork

Aztecs

At various times the empire controlled modern day China, Korea, Mongolia, Iran, India, Turkestan, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, and Russia

Mongols: 1206CE – 1368CE

late 1100'sCE, Temujin, a Mongol chieftain later known as Genghis Khan, unified nomadic tribes into a superior fighting force

conquered largest geographical empire in history

Mongol armies ruthlessly eliminated any resistance in their conquest

Inflicted terror and destruction everywhere including the slaughter of entire city populations

Established roads connecting Russia and Persia with eastern Asia

Greatly increased contact between cultures and promoted trade, religiously tolerant

Brought printing, paper, gunpowder, and the compass from China to Europe

Began in Han Dynasty: 206BCE Extended 4000 milesNetworked Eurasian landmasses & connected

China with Europe & areas betweenDisintegrated after Mongols: 1360CELast shipped silk : 1400CEControlled by different empires at different

times and places

Trade routes: Silk Road

Goods traded: China (silk, perfume, spices, medicines)India (spices, ivory, textiles, gems, pepper)Roman Empire (gold, silver, wine, glassware)Other traded: religion & philosophies (Buddhism esp.),disease (Black Plague), technology (compass, gunpowder)

Trade has existed in Mediterranean Sea for millennia

Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims

Height: 1300s-1800s, Italian City-states (jump started Renaissance)

Traded: silk, spices, opium

Trade Routes: Mediterranean

Peak: 700CE-1400CEDominated by Muslim traders & West African empiresTraded: gold, salt, ivory, spicesLinked West African gold with Renaissance, linked Muslim world

together, contributed to creating civilizations in West Africa

Trade Routes: Trans-Saharan Trade

Always trade in Indian Ocean: based on monsoon season

Ancient Rome traded with India

Trade Routes: Indian Ocean Sea Lanes

Height: 800-1600CEIndians, Swahili city-states, Muslim Empires

controlledTraded gold, spices, gems, ivory, other luxury

items1600CE Portuguese took over; world focus

switches to Atlantic

Indian Ocean Trade

Early Middle Ages: 476 – 1000CEHigh Middle Ages: 1000CE – 1300CELate Middle Ages: 1300CE – 1453CEEarly Middle Ages: (“Dark Ages” if any are)

depopulation, deurbanization, and increased barbarians  

North Africa and Middle East become Islamic Towards 800CE, feudalism helps move away

from subsistence agriculture & urbanization of Northern and West Europe

Middle Ages in Europe

Religious art & architecture flourishedCrusadesNation buildingChivalry, courtly loveLaws: Justinian Code, mathematics of

Fibonacci, philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, paintings of Giotto, poetry of Dante and Chaucer, travels of Marco Polo, architecture of Gothic cathedrals like

High Middle Ages

Calamity: climate change=famine, up to 75 years of it

Black Death: toll as high as ½ of population in some places, towns hard hit

Prices of labor rose as laborers died, workers felt right to greater earnings=popular uprisings

Period of stress in society=creative social, economic and technological developments

Church divided against itself (1057CE Great Schism)

Further nation building

Late Middle Ages

Spread of Black Death