Influences of the Early Civilizations

Kayla MorrisIntro to HumanitiesProfessor Wheelus

Introduction

What are the landmarks of humankind’s first civilizations? How have these landmarks shaped or influenced our present-day lives?

A landmark is an event, discovery, or change marking an important stage or turning point.

Cuneiform Writing

What was it?Developed by the

ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia in 3000 BCE

Pictographic writing system that consisted of angular and wedged shaped symbols

Became the type of script that was used throughout the Near East for over three thousand years(Fiero 6)

Cuneiform Writing

Why was it significant?Used for the first written recordsFirst written evidence of religion in

the world was recorded on Sumerian tablets

Without it, there would be no historical records from the Mesopotamian era

The tablets contained notations about trade and production, inventory and business accounts, records of historical events, myths, prayers, and genealogies from the time period.

Set a basis for the more advanced forms of writing that came later in history(Fiero 6)

The Bronze Age What was it?

Began shortly after 4000B.C.E.

Metal began to replace stone and bone tools and weapons

Spread from Mesopotamia throughout the ancient world

(Fiero 7)

The Bronze Age

Why was it significant?Produced harder, more efficient tools and weaponsGave individuals more control over nature and its elements Led to vast improvements

in agricultural practicesPaved the way for

technological advancements that were yet to come

(Fiero 7)

Hammurabi's Law CodeWhat was it?

Formed by Babylon’s sixth ruler, Hammurabi

A collection of 282 clauses engraved on a 7-foot high stele

Most extensive and comprehensive set of laws to survive from the ancient times

(Fiero 10-11)

Hammurabi's Law CodeWhy is it significant?

Represents a landmark advance in the development of human rights because it protects the individual from decisions of the monarchReplaced the flexibility of spoken word with the rigidity of written law (similar to the Magna Carta or the Constitution)It restricted individual freedom, but it guarded the basic values of the communityLegally protected women Shifted the burden of judgement from the individual ruler to the legal establishment (Fiero 10-11)

The Iron Age

What is it?Iron was introduced into Asia Minor in 2000 BCE by the HittitesIt was cheaper and more durable than bronzeIron became the new, superior technologyAlso saw the introduction

of horse-drawn war chariots(Fiero 12)

The Iron AgeWhy was it significant?

Iron tools increases agricultural production, therefore increasing populationIron weapons and war chariots became a deadly combination

Contributed to larger, more efficient armiesEncouraged the rise of

powerful empiresIron contributed to the

growth of these empires, which indirectly influenced imperialism

(Fiero 12)

Conclusion

Throughout the history of humanity, we as a whole have strived, starved, succeeded, and

failed. The successes, however, have out- weighed the failures, a clear indicator that the advancements of the Old World have

molded the choices of the New World.

Works Cited

Fiero, Gloria K. "Revelation: The Flowering of World Religions." Landmarks in Humanities. 3nd ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2013. 6,7, 10, 11, 12. Print.