Chapter One: The Beginnings of

Civilization

Chapter One: The Beginnings of

Civilization

Defining “Civilized”Defining “Civilized”

• Urban life: permanent constructions

• System of regulatory government• Class distinction (wealth and

occupation)• Tools/skills --> production/trade• Written communication• Shared system of religious belief

** Not a value judgment! **

• Urban life: permanent constructions

• System of regulatory government• Class distinction (wealth and

occupation)• Tools/skills --> production/trade• Written communication• Shared system of religious belief

** Not a value judgment! **

Origins of Western Civilization

Origins of Western Civilization

• Paleolithic World View (Old Stone Age)• Art• Religion

• Neolithic Civilizations (Late Stone Age)• Domestication of animals• Cultivation of vegetation• Community• War / Weaponry

• Paleolithic World View (Old Stone Age)• Art• Religion

• Neolithic Civilizations (Late Stone Age)• Domestication of animals• Cultivation of vegetation• Community• War / Weaponry

The Bronze Age (3000-1000 B.C.E.)

The Bronze Age (3000-1000 B.C.E.)

• Mesopotamia• Sumerian (3500-2350 B.C.E.)• Semitic (2350-612 B.C.E.)

• Egypt• Aegean Cultures

• Mesopotamia• Sumerian (3500-2350 B.C.E.)• Semitic (2350-612 B.C.E.)

• Egypt• Aegean Cultures

Sumerian CultureSumerian Culture

• Agricultural/Urban settlements• “Fertile Crescent”

• Writing/record-keeping: Cuneiform• Shared system of religious belief• Civil ruler / Religious rulers

• Agricultural/Urban settlements• “Fertile Crescent”

• Writing/record-keeping: Cuneiform• Shared system of religious belief• Civil ruler / Religious rulers

Epic of GilgameshEpic of Gilgamesh

• Gilgamesh ruled at Uruk c. 2700 B.C.E.

• Composed in Sumerian (2000 B.C.E.) on cuneiform tablets

• Introspective work• Asserts universal questions about

human existence

• Gilgamesh ruled at Uruk c. 2700 B.C.E.

• Composed in Sumerian (2000 B.C.E.) on cuneiform tablets

• Introspective work• Asserts universal questions about

human existence

Semitic CultureSemitic Culture

• Akkadian Period• King Sargon and descendants (2350-

2150 B.C.E.)

• Focus on HUMAN achievement• Heroic Code

• Babylonian Legacy• King Hammurabi

• Assyrians• Culmination of Mesopotamian culture

• Akkadian Period• King Sargon and descendants (2350-

2150 B.C.E.)

• Focus on HUMAN achievement• Heroic Code

• Babylonian Legacy• King Hammurabi

• Assyrians• Culmination of Mesopotamian culture

Fall of MesopotamiaFall of Mesopotamia

• Medes• Nomadic warriors• Conquered Nineveh in 612 B.C.E.• Conquered and absorbed by Persians

• Persians• Nomadic warriors• Conquered by Alexander the Great

(330 B.C.E.)

• Medes• Nomadic warriors• Conquered Nineveh in 612 B.C.E.• Conquered and absorbed by Persians

• Persians• Nomadic warriors• Conquered by Alexander the Great

(330 B.C.E.)

Poll: What is another name for a Paleolithic s...

Poll: What are the two most important factors ...

Poll: Are Homo sapiens sapiens the only specie...

Poll: Were cave paintings were used in religio...

Poll: Which country has the best examples of c...

Poll: Gilgamesh ruled which Sumerian city?

Poll: Which goddess did Gilgamesh rebuff?

Poll: What did Gilgamesh and Enkidu kill?

Poll: What did the hero Utnapishtim survive?

Poll: What Biblical story does Utnapishtim's t...

Poll: Any questions?