existed between 3300 bce and 2000 bce spread cities overcame lack of water- had irrigation system ...
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Existed between 3300 BCE and 2000 BCE
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Spread citiesOvercame lack of water- had irrigation systemEpic of GilgameshArithmetic/GeometryArchitecture- arches, columns, ramps, pyramidsCuneiform
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Earliest governments were controlled by temple priestsIn times of war- toughest fighters would take control of government
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Polytheistic religion- usually each city prayed to a particular godHad class system1) Kings, priests, landholders2) Wealthy merchants3) Ordinary Farmers4) Slaves
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Old Kingdom- existed from about 3200 BCE to 2180 BCE
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Pyramid BuildingWriting- HieroglyphicsWrote on papyrusWritten numbers- very interested in geometry
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Developed calendar- only 6 hrs. off!MedicineUsed heart rateTreated broken bones (casting)Treated cuts and feversAlso used make-up!!!
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Pharaohs= god-kingsControlled religion, government, armyHad absolute power
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Polytheistic- two most important gods were sun god and god of deadBuilt huge temples to honor deadBelieved in afterlife- mummification
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Social Classes1) King/queen/royal family2) Wealthy landowners, government officials, priests, army commanders3) Merchants/artisans4) Farmers/laborers5) Slaves
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Lasted from 2500 BCE to about 1750 BCE, possibly as long as 1500 BCE or 1350 BCE, depending on sourceIt is a great mystery what happened to the Indus Valley Civilization
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Planned cities- grid systemUsed oven baked bricks for housesSophisticated plumbing and sewage systemWritten languageSophisticated trade- long-range communicationCreated cotton cloth
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Thought to be a theocracy, but little factually is known
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Uniform religion and cultureLeisure time was importantBelieved animals were importantReligion- most important god was the mother goddess, many images of pregnant women
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Lasted from about 1700 BCE to 1027 BCE
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Built wood cities with massive earthen wallsBuilt and used horse drawn chariotsDeveloped more modern written languageOne character per syllable
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Used dynastic system (will last in China until 1911!!!!)Ruled by line of Shang rulers
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Two main values: family and warRespect for parents was given the utmost importanceFamily greatly linked to religionOracle bones
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Nobles (landowners) vs. Peasants (those who worked on the landNo middle class!