the early civilization in asia
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powerpoint presentation by kim zamar's groupTRANSCRIPT
THE EARLY CIVILIZATION IN ASIA
To be discussed by: Ferrer, Arnie
Almario, Maria MaricarCalma, Anna Tricia
David, Ma. AntonetteZamar, Kimberly M.
Of BSN 3-A
THE EARLY CIVILIZATION IN ASIA
Asia had a big role in the history of the world, this mark as the beginning of the world’s civilization. Its physical characteristics contributed to the development of the early civilizations and result to the conflict among people.
EARLIEST KNOWN CIVILIZATION1. Egypt2. Great river valleys of southwest3. Northwest India4. Northern China
Despite the differences, all were agricultural societies that depended on advanced social and political structures to maintain irrigation and flood control systems.
Raids by nomadic herders forced farmers to live in walled cities for defense and to entrust their protection to aristocratic leaders. The invention of plow about 3000 BC increased farm productivity and reduced the need for farm labor, freeing workers to become artisans. And increased agricultural yield and the work of the artisans provided trade goods that could be exchanged with people from other cultures.
MESOPOTAMIAAn ancient region located between the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers, which is part of the “Fertile Crescent”
Fertile Crescent is a wide expanse of area that ranges from the south-eastern tip of the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. It is often called “the cradle of civilization” where the early civilization of the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians and Chaldeans occurs. At present, Mesopotamia is covered by Iraq, South-eastern Turkey and Eastern Syria.
In 3000 BC Mesopotamia was the center of a sophisticated culture. The Sumerians irrigated their fields from precisely measured canals, used bronze and polished stone tools, made textiles and wheel-turned pottery, built temples and palaces, and travelled in wheeled carts and sailing ships.
They also use their calendars to know the seasons.
Cuneiform was their basic tool in writing and was use as their written communication throughout the Middle East for about 2,000 years.
They worship a “sun god” and lived by “written laws”.
SUMERIAN (4000-2500 BC)
The oldest civilization in the world. Hailed from the mountains of Caucasus, Elburz and
Zagros in Turkey. Settle in the fertile valley along the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers. Theocracy – one of the many autonomous city states. Ruled by a king with unlimited powers, who also is
acting as the priest. Cuneiform – was one of their contributions, which is
made of clay or mud. Stylus – this is a pointed stick and was used for
writing by the Akkadian, Babylonian, Semite and Assyrian.
MOUNTAIN OF ZAGROS
Example of CUNEIFORM
Example of STYLUS
AKKADIAN CIVILIZATION (2750-2590 BC)
Due to the scarcity of natural of natural barriers, Mesopotamia often fell prey to attacks from the outside. King Sargon Ian invader from the north of Mesopotamia, the city-states
became united. he founded an empire in the city Agade in northern Sumer,
also known as Akkadian Dynasty. Conquered all of Mesopotamia, which includes Sumer, parts
of northern Syria and Elam. He secured command of major trade routes by the use of
ship. Sargon’s empire lasted for 160 year. When he died, his grandson, Naramsin take over his throne
NaramsinIs a weak leaderAs a result, attackers easily conquer the Agade or
the Akkadian Dynasty
GutianFrom the Mountain of ZagrosHe destroyed the Akkadian Dynasty in 2000 BC
King UrukDrove away the Gutians hundred years after.As a result, Sumer and Akkad are once again
united.But with the attacks of Elamita and Amorite the
Kingdom was divided into “Tsin” under the Sumerians and “Laima” under the Amorites.
Palace of Sargon II
BABYLONIAN DYNASTY (1760 BC)In 1760 BC forces under Hammurabi defeated the Elamites
and united the whole of lower Mesopotamia.
Hammurabi The sixth Amorite king of Syria He chose Babylon as the capital of his empire, and the whole of
lower Mesopotamia was then known as “Babylonia”. He expanded his empire from the west until the Mediterranean,
and north reaching the Persian Gulf. He gave his attention to the cleaning of irrigation canals and
the insertion of an extra month into the calendar. He was an outstanding lawgiver and an inspiring religious
leader. His law, “The Code of Hammurabi” is one of the most
significant legal documents written in cuneiform in 18th century, which speaks about the protection of the poor against the abuse of the rich.
Upon his death, Babylonian suffered a serious decline in power and territory. Many different tribes attacked Hammurabi’s kingdom, one of which are the Hittites in 1595 BC, who ruled the fertile crescent that made the kingdom disorganized.
For a brief period Babylonia later fell under the rule of dynasty of the sea-land. Finally, in the middle of the 16th century BC, a Kassite ruler named Agum became master of Babylonia and extended its territory from the Euphrates River to the Zagros Mountain.
Are ancient people of Asia Minor and the Middle East Their origin is unknown People living here spoke an Indo – European language Cuneiform of the Sumerians and the Hieroglyphics of
the Egyptians were used as a system of their writing. They have formed laws which were humane Their beautiful architecture were acclaimed Their most important contribution in the
development of civilization was their knowledge in the use of iron, especially in making their weapons
They were the first to use a horse-drawn cart during wars
THE HITTITES (1600-1200 BC)
They are the fierce warriors:In 1600 BC they defeated BabylonIn 1550 BC they invaded JerusalemIn 1400 BC they were able to
control SyriaThey also seized Phoenicia from the
Egyptian pharaohs, which alarmed the pharaohs and sent its warriors to combat Hittites. This weakened both kingdoms of the Hittites and Egypt. In 1280 BC, they signed a truce that ended hostilities between the two.
In 1200 BC, the kingdom of the Hittites started to decline and Egypt’s powers eventually diminished. As a result, other smaller states had an opportunity to flourish, which includes the Phoenicia and Hebrew that marks the start of the next western civilization.
THE PHOENICIANS (1200-400 BC)
Are called “Sidonians” in the Old Testament and, “Phoenicians” by the Greek Poet Homer They settle in the Mediterranean coast about 2500
BC The Kingdom prospered from trade because of
theri ports, which connected those sailing in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
Hebrews (1025-700 BC)
Believed that Abraham was their ancestor They gained complete prominence under the
leadership of King Solomon.
Assyria and Chaldea were the next states that were developed.
AssyrianTraded in gold, silver and textileDevoted their time in training their soldiers.In 1000 BC they established a dynasty
whose capital was in Nineveh located in the upper part of the Tigris in Mesopotamia.
In 883 BC, the empire under the leadership of Assurnasirpal II became dominant in the Fertile Crescent.
Assurnasirpal
Lead the Assyrians in 883 BC Ordered a huge library built, a library
contained large stone tablets that contained information about mathematics and literature.
Tiglathpileser
In 729 BC Assyria under the leadership of Tiglathpileser invaded Babylonia.
Esarhaddon
In 722 BC Assyria under the leadership of Esarhaddon invaded Israel.
In 612 BC Nineveh was seized by Chaldeans and the Medes from Persia.
Chaldeans
Established the Chaldean empire by invading the fertile crescent under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Exhibited great knowledge in astronomy Preoccupied in the study of heavenly
bodies Used their knowledge in mathematics to
chart the movement of the sun, planets, and the stars.
King Nebuchadnezzar
Engaged in the beautification of Babylon He even had his palace surrounded by
gardens, known as the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon”
In 562 BC is the death of Nebuchadnezzar and the end of the Chaldean empire which then replaced by the Persian Empire.
Persian Empire
Lead by King Darius Its territory expanded immensely
King Darius
Was able to established an effective system of administering an empire that consisted of many different cultures
Four capitals namely; Susa, Estabana, Babylon and Persopalis, were set-up in the different parts of the empire and the entire empire was divided into districts.
Build roads to facilitate communication within the empire
In 311 BC, Alexander the Great invaded Persia. After this defeat, the Phoenicians gradually lost their separate identity, as they were absorbed into the Greco-Macedonian Empire and cities became Hellenized.
In 64 BC, Phoenician disappeared; their territory was made part of the Roman province of Syria.
INDIAN CIVILIZATION
In 1920’s the British Archaeologist, Sir John Marshall had an excavation in “Mohenjo-Daro”, which is 80 hectares, a major city and commercial city during the bronze age and the largest Indus Valley settlement.
This was important in tracing Indian History because it shows a sign of civilization 4000 up to 2500 BC, almost at the same period of Sumerian and Egyptian civilization.
It shows that by 2300 BC an advanced civilization in the Indus Valley and southern Pakistan traded its cotton and textiles with Mesopotamia.
According to A.L Basham a known Indian Scholar said that Indian traders lived in Sumer,
this is supported by the stones found in Sumer that is believed to have originated from India.
Seals were made from soft stones known as “steatite” was found in Harappa and Mohejo-Daro. Seals served as a talisman or a symbol of one’s social status.
Fossils found in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa indicates that early Indians were fond of the arts. During excavation they
also found the following: small bronze figurines toys jewelry wooden home furnishing
Based from the fossil remains found, it is believed that priest headed Mohenjo-Daro and it is highly possible that life there was influenced by religion, people then performed regular religious rituals including that of bathing and offering candles and incense. Another favourite theme is that of a goddess whose head is adorned with flowers and surrounded by different animals. Figurines were also found that are made from hardened clay known as “ceramic and terracotta”.
Archaeologists and historians could not give a detailed description of how life was in early India, since the stone tablets found in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa had not been fully decoded.
Some say that Mohenjo-Daro was
destroyed either by a natural disaster or an epidemic that spread throughout society. Whichever theory holds, it was responsible for the death of all life forms in the Indus Valley in 3,500 years ago.
THE END! =)