UNIT 1: THE FIRST CIVILIZATIONS AND EMPIRES

Prehistory-500 AD

Topics to Cover This Unit

1.1 Prehistory-Civilization

1.2 Early Civilizations

1.3 Early Empires

1.1 PREHISTORY-CIVILIZATION

Prehistory• To study prehistoric

humans, historians must rely on archaeology and anthropology.• Prehistory: time before writing

was developed• Archaeology: study of the past

from what humans have left behind (artifacts)

• Anthropology: study of human life and culture (fossils and artifacts)

• Various scientific methods can be used to date fossils including radiocarbon dating and stratigraphy.

• Hominids (humanlike creatures that walked upright) are believed to have first lived in Africa approximately 4 million years ago.• These hominids adapted over time.

• A fossil nicknamed “Lucy” was found by Donald Johanson in Ethiopia in 1974.• Scientists called this type of hominid Australopithecus (“southern

ape”).

“People felt that there were a number of evolutionary changes, which all went together. That our ancestors stood up to free their hands so that they could make and use stone tools, they had to have large brains… Here comes Lucy, about 3.5 million year old…very small brain…and we have never found any stone tool, stone artifacts, associated with her species. Yet she is walking upright. So it appears that…walking on two legs, precedes by perhaps as much as a million and a half years, the manufacture of stone tools and the expansion of the brain.”

Donald Johanson, 1991 interview

Early Humans• 2.5-1.6 million years ago, Homo habilis (handy human)

and used stone tools• 1.8 million-100,000 years ago, Homo erectus was the first

fully upright human being• Around 200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens (“wise human”)

emerged.• Homo sapiens showed rapid brain growth• Mastered the use of fire• Two groups descended from this larger group

Neanderthals

• Discovered in the Neander Valley in Germany

• Likely lived between 100,000-30,000 years ago

• Made clothes from animal skins

• Believed to be the first humans to bury their dead

Homo sapiens sapiens

• “wise, wise human being”• Similar anatomy to modern

human• Appeared in Africa between

150,000 and 200,000 years ago

• “Out of Africa” theory states that they spread out of Africa about 100,000 years ago and replaced early hominid species in Europe and Asia.

Paleolithic Age• Time period from approximately 2,500,000 BC to 10,000

BC• Use of simple stone tools• “Paleolithic” is Greek for “Old Stone Age”

Life in the Paleolithic Age• Nomadic following food source (larger animals)• Hunter-gatherer lifestyle

• Men believed to be hunters• Women believed to be the gatherers

• Lived in small groups• Depending on location, they would adapt for weather,

climate, etc.• Fire became important for warmth, hunting, cooking, and for

protection.

• Paleolithic cave paintings have been discovered that depict mostly animals and landscapes.• Historians believe these paintings may have held a religious

purpose.

Lascaux Cave Painting

Neolithic Revolution (aka Agricultural Revolution)

• A revolution is a major change.• Between 8,000 and 4,000 BC, people began using

systematic agriculture (farming on a regular basis).• Shift from hunter-gatherer to farming and keeping of animals.• This shift led to many changes in the way humans lived.

• Neolithic is Greek for “New Stone.” • Newer tools did develop, but the farming aspect had a larger impact.

• Domestication of animals began• People began to settle down into communities and towns• IMPORTANT: This was not an overnight, sudden change.

This was a gradual change that occurred in different parts of the world at different times between 8,000 and 5,000 BC.

Crops• By 8,000 BC people were growing wheat and barley and

had domesticated pigs, cows, and sheep in Southwest Asia.• By 6,000 BC, wheat and barley were being grown in the Nile

Valley in Egypt.• They began to spread into other areas of Africa shortly after.• Central Africa grew tubers and tree crops.

• By 5,000 BC Southeast Asians were farming rice. • By 4,000 central Europe began to farm.• Mesoamericans (present-day Mexico and Central America)

began to farm mainly beans, squash, and maize (corn) between 7000 and 5000 BC.

Farming Villages• With a food surplus, people began to settle into larger

groups.• The oldest known settlement was in Southwest Asia

(Jericho by 8,000 BC)• Catal Huyuk (in modern Turkey) is one of the largest

known communities from this period and covers 32 acres.• It is believed that between 67,000 and 57,000 BC, this town had

about 6,000 inhabitants.• Mud brick houses• Very few streets• Farming believed to have taken place outside of the city walls

(hunting also took place based on paintings found at the ruins)• Religion is evident due to shrines containing religious figures

Catal Huyuk

Effects of the Neolithic Revolution• Settling down into towns/communities

• Many communities saw a need for walls to protect from invasion or predators

• Trade began in some areas between communities• Artisans (skilled workers) began to make items to trade with

neighbors

• Storing of surplus food• Gender roles changed as men sometimes traveled for

hunting or left the city walls for farming• Women stayed home and became a more domestic role

• What issues might arise in settled communities that would not arise for nomads?

The End of the Neolithic Age• Between 4,000 and 3,000 BC, some areas began to

discover that metal-bearing rocks could be melted and molded into tools and weapons.• Copper was the first metal used to make tools.• Copper and tin was then combines to make bronze which was

harder and more durable.

• The Bronze Age (3,000 to 1,200 BC)• The Iron Age ( around 1,000 BC)

Civilization Emerges• When looking at societies of the past, we look at their

culture (their way of life).• After settlement into towns, culture became much more

complex leading to civilization.• Civilization: complex culture in which large numbers of

human beings share common elements.

Basic Elements of Civilization• Advanced cities• Divisions of labor• Complex institutions (government, religion, economy)• Record-keeping (writing)• Advanced technology

1.2 EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

EARLY RIVER CIVILIZATIONS

MESOPOTAMIALocation: Fertile Crescent, primarily present-day Iraq, Asia

Rivers: Tigris and Euphrates (Tigris-Euphrates)

Mesopotamia• The Ancient Greeks referred to this

civilization as Mesopotamia, meaning the land “between the two river.”

• Very little rainfall• Instead, the soil became fertile due to silt

deposits and the overflow of the river.

• Flooding of the rivers was very unpredictable.• They learned to control the waters through

irrigation and drainage.

• Civilizations of Mesopotamia include many groups, the first being the Sumerians.

Religion• Mesopotamians believed that

supernatural forces ruled the world.• Religion was a source for answers as to

why things occurred in their world.• They practiced a polytheistic religion

meaning they believed in many gods/goddesses.• Humans were supposed to obey their gods

due to inferiority to the gods.

• Religious buildings called ziggurats were in the center of their cities. Atop of the ziggurats were temples dedicated to gods.• Surplus food or materials were often stored in

these temples.

Government and Cities• The Sumerians developed independent cities in Southern

Mesopotamia by 3,000 BC.• As these cities expanded, they gained control over larger territories

of land and formed city-states.

• Sumerian cities were surrounded by walls for protections.• City homes were mad of sun-dried brick.• People living inside the city would develop a common identity and

work together for survival.

• Priests and priestesses held large amounts of power.• Theocracy: type of government in which people believe the ruler(s)

has divine authority (right to rule from the gods)

• Kings held great power leading armies, supervising public works, organizing irrigation and farming.

Economy and Society • The city-states based their economy on farming, but trade

and industry became important as well.• Woolen textiles, pottery, and metalwork became specialties

• The invention of the wheel around 3000 BC led to carts making trading of their goods (primarily metals) to other areas easier.• Traded primarily with the Mediterranean and India.

• Three classes developed:• Nobles: included priestly officials and their families• Commoners: worked for rulers, farmers (90%), merchants, fishers,

and artisans• Slaves belonged to palace officials and were used primarily for

building projects

Writing and Language• Cuneiform (wedge-shaped symbols)• To record information, they a reed and clay tablets. These

tablets baked in the sun to make their message permanent.

• The Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem, tells the story of a king in search of immortality.

Sumerian Inventions• Wheel• Sundial (time keeping)• First to make bronze tools• Achievements in math and astronomy

Code of Hammurabi• Many empires developed within Mesopotamia throughout

its existence.• Hammurabi, created a new Mesopotamian kingdom

(Babylon) by combining city-states.• Hammurabi created one of the earliest law codes known

to man.• It outlined relationships between people within the kingdom and

explained punishments.• The laws were made public in the center of town so that people

would be aware of expectations.• The society became patriarchal (led by men) and women had

fewer rights in marriage.

• Many of the punishments can be seen as harsh.

ANCIENT EGYPT

Location: Egypt, Africa

River: Nile

The Nile River• The Nile River flows from central Africa northward dumping into the

Mediterranean Sea.• Before it meets the sea, it splits into three major branches creating a delta.

• Yearly floods along the Nile left a deposit of mud that created a rich soil (“Black Land”).

• Trade along the Nile helped unify the area.• Natural barriers (deserts, seas) also helped protect Egyptians from invasion.

Religion• Along with predictable

flooding, religion provided a sense of security.

• For Egyptians, religion was represented in world order.

• Polytheistic, their gods represented heavenly bodies and natural forces.• Sun gods (Sun was called Re and

viewed as giver of life. Rulers were considered the Son of Re and therefore held great power.)

• Land gods (including the Nile itself)

• Pyramids and mummification were important aspects of Egyptian religion. (see page 44 in blue text)

Government• Ancient Egyptians believed their rulers

were given power from the gods.• The pharaoh (like a king/queen, monarch)

therefore held absolute power.• These pharaohs were mummified after

death because Egyptians believe they continued to rule in the afterlife.

Egyptian SocietyPharaoh (god-king)

Nobles and priests

Middle Class (merchants, artisans, scribes, tax collectors)

Workers of the land (majority were peasants who farmed and served as military)

Daily life in ancient egypt• Young marriages (12 and 14) were arranged by parents

• Main reason for marriage was to produce children• Monogamy (marriage to one) was typical, but men were allowed

additional wives if their first was childless.• Divorce was possible and compensation was given to the wife if it

occurred

• Patriarchal society, but women held much respect (and could become the pharaoh)

• Women kept their own property even after marriage

Writing and education• Hieroglyphics: Greek translation meaning “priest-carvings”

or “sacred writings”; this type of writing uses pictures and abstract shapes

• The original hieroglyphic writing was for writing on temple walls and in tombs; it is extremely complex

• Hieratic script uses the same principles, but is simplified using dashes, strokes, and curves. This was used more for business, record keeping, and for daily use.

• Not all Egyptians could write! • Scribes, masters of writing, were also teachers and were

highly respected. (Only men of the upper class could become a scribe.)

Hieroglyphic Text

Art and science• Pyramids, temples, and monuments (religious as well)• Math became extremely important for building projects

(geometry)• Used a 365-day calendar• Embalming of bodies led to increased knowledge of

anatomy (mummies)

ANCIENT INDIALocation: India, Asia

Rivers: Indus, Ganges

Geography• The Himalayas in the north

provide a natural barrier.• South of the Himalayas is the

Ganges River.• The Indus River lies to the west. • The Indus River is considered

the cradle of Ancient Indian civilization.

• The Deccan Plateau, south of the rivers, extends to the tip on India and is hilly and dry.

• India experiences a monsoon (seasonal wind pattern) that heavily impacts climate and rainfall.

The Indus Valley• Between 3000 BC and 1500

BC, the Indus supported a great civilization.• More than 2000 settlements have

been discovered in the area from this time.

• Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, only about 400 miles apart, are two of the most successful settlements.• Each city was home to somewhere

around 35000 and were carefully planned.• Walled neighborhoods• Most buildings made of mud brick• Public wells• Plumbing• Trash chutes

• Not a lot of information is available about the earliest people of the Indus Valley, because we cannot understand their writing.

• Sanskrit-first written language of the Aryans

• It was adopted by the Indians after migration of the nomadic Aryans settled into India.

The Caste System

Rigid social classes that determined a person’s occupation, economic potential, and social status-based partly on skin color

Life of the Untouchable was difficult. They were not considered human. They lived in ghettos and to tap sticks together so others would know they were coming.

*Male dominated society:

-oldest male had legal authority over the entire family

-arranged marriages

-suttee required a wife to throw herself on her dead husband’s funeral pyre (fire) and die herself

Hinduism

• Based on the Vedas-the oldest Hindu sacred text• Believed in an ultimate reality (God) called Brahman

• Individual self, or atman, had the duty to come to know this ultimate reality

Reincarnation

*The idea that after death the individual soul is reborn in a different form.

• Karma-the idea that people’s actions determine their form of rebirth and the class into which they are reborn

• dharma-divine law rules karma, requires people to do their duty in one’s caste

• provides a religious basis for the caste system, gave hope to the lower classes

Buddhism

• Founder-Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha (“Enlightened One”)

• Gave up his rich life to find the meaning of life and the cure for human suffering.

• The pain, poverty, and sorrow that afflict human beings are caused by their attachment to things of this world.

• Achieving wisdom is a key step to achieving nirvana, or ultimate reality-the end of the self and a reunion with the Great World Soul.

Four Noble Truths

1. Ordinary life is full of suffering.

2. This suffering is caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves.

3. The way to end suffering is to end desire for selfish goals and to see others as extensions of ourselves.

4. The way to end desire is to follow the Middle Path.

ANCIENT CHINA

Location: China, Asia

River: Huang He (Yellow) River, and the Chang Jiang River

Geography of China• Mountains

and deserts served as barriers that separated Chinese people from other Asian people.

• Flooding was dangerous/

Shang Dynasty• Came to power around 1500 BC• First written records• Built buildings of woods• Focus on the importance of groups and cooperation

• Family was considered the most important part of society and religion

• Chinese believed that family members who died could still influence those living (ancestor worship)

Zhou Dynasty• Came to power around 1027 BC• Adopted much of Shang culture, but began a new idea of

divine rule.• Divine rule: rulers are chosen by god(s)

• Issues within the Zhou rule led to losses of power to nobles. These nobles fought each other leading to what is referred to as the “time of warring states.”

Chinese Philosophies• Confucius (born 551

BC) believed that peace could return to China.

Confucianism:

• Concerned with human behavior-proper way to behave was in accordance with the Dao

• Dao: “the proper way”

•View of the Dao-Duty and humanity

• Five Constant Relationships-parent and child, husband and wife, older and younger siblings, older and younger friends, and ruler and subjects

• All people had to subordinate their own interests to the broader needs of the family and the community.

• “Work Ethic”-If each individual worked hard to fulfill his or her duties, then the affairs of society as a whole would prosper as well.

Duty

Humanity

• a sense of compassion and empathy for others

• “Do not do unto others what you would not wish done to yourself”

• “Measure the feelings of others by one’s own”

• “Within the four seas all men are brothers”

Daoism:• inaction rather than action

• The best way to act in harmony with the universal order is to act spontaneously and let nature take its course by not interfering with it.

Legalism:• “School of Law”

• proposed that human beings were evil by nature

• believed a strong ruler is required to create an orderly society

Qin Dynasty• 221 BC, the Qin Dynasty began under ruler Shih Huangdi.

• Doubled the size of China• Burned many books throughout his empire that he disagreed with

• Unification of the empire• Construction of roads which caused an increase in trade• Set standards for writing, law, money, and weights & measurement• Construction of the Great Wall

• After Shih Huangdi’s death, his son served only three years before being defeated by the Han Dyansty.

• created to protect against nomadic invaders from the north

• linked existing walls together

•present wall was ordered 1,500 years after the first Qin Emperor

Great Wall of China

Han Dynasty• Came to power in 202 BC and ruled for 400 years• Liu Bang (first emperor of the Han Dynasty) lowered

taxes, decreased punishments for crimes, and life became easier for the Chinese.

• Empress Lu• Wudi (141-87 BC) expanded China to its modern size.

• Civil service exams (rule of merit) tested the ability of applicants before they could receive government posts.

Inventions of the Han Dynasty• Paper• Two-bladed plow• Silk (in high demand in India and portions of Europe led to

the development of the Silk Road)• Silk Road: trading network from China into parts of Western Asia

and parts of Europe; trade of luxury items only due to the dangers of the route; cities were developed along its route in several different empires

*The methods to making paper and silk were kept very secret!

The Silk Road

1.3 EARLY EMPIRES Greece and Rome

Empire (Defined)from Merriam-Webb• a major political unit having a territory of great extent or a

number of territories or peoples under a single sovereign authority; especially : one having an emperor as chief of state

• the territory of such a political unit • something resembling a political empire; especially an

extensive territory or enterprise under single domination or control

ANCIENT GREECE

Geography• Greece is the southeastern-

most region on the European continent.

• It is defined by a series of mountains, surrounded on all sides except the north by water, and endowed with countless large and small islands.

• Surrounding seas and the many deep bays and natural harbors along the coastlines allowed the Greeks to prosper in maritime commerce and to develop a culture which drew inspiration from many sources, both foreign and domestic.

• MOUNTAIN RANGES crisscross the peninsula making internal communications difficult and leading to the development of independent city-states.

• Numerous ISLANDS and the indented coastlines of the Greek peninsula and of Asia Minor stimulated trade.

• The ROCKY SOIL and limited natural resources encouraged the Greeks to establish colonies abroad.

GREEK HISTORY: AN OVERVIEW

• Greek CIVILIZATION started around 2000 B.C.

• By 1600 B.C., the Greek people had built fortified cities in the major valleys and many people were educated.

• Several wars, including the Trojan War around 1200 B.C. threw them into what is known as the Dark Age.

• During the DARK AGES, knowledge of writing was lost and most people lived in isolated villages.

• This period ended in about 800 B.C when the Greeks started to write again with an alphabet based on that of the Phoenicians.

• Many city-states emerged and struggled with each other for power for hundreds of years after that. In 480 B.C., the Greeks UNITED to defeat the invading Persians, but the alliance didn’t last long.

• Around 477 B.C., two city-states, ATHENS AND SPARTA, became the dominant powers in that region and constantly fought each other for power.

• Greece had its GOLDEN AGE in Athens around 477 - 431 B.C.

• In 334 B.C., ALEXANDER THE GREAT, leader of the country of Macedonia to the north, conquered the Greeks and started what is called the HELLENISTIC AGE.

• Greece unwillingly remained under Macedonian control until the Romans conquered both Macedonia and Greece around 140 B.C.

• The ROMANS then spread the knowledge of the ancient Greek philosophers throughout their empire.

• The Roman Empire lasted as a unified empire until 395 A.D. when it was split into the eastern and western empires.

• Greece became part of the eastern or BYZANTINE EMPIRE and Greek literature became the basis for learning in Byzantine institutions.

Was Alexander the Great a Hero or Villain?

Write a persuasive paragraph (minimum of 5 sentences) in which you identify him as a hero or villain. You must use historical information and or quotes from reading (book or online excerpt) as historical evidence.

Government• The POLIS (city-state)

consisted of a city and its surrounding plains and valleys.

• The center of the polis was the elevated, fortified site called the ACROPOLIS where people could take refuge from attack. • With the revival of

commerce, a TRADING CENTER developed below the acropolis.

Four major TYPES OF GOVERNMENT evolved in ancient Greece:

• Monarchy (rule of a king) limited by an aristocratic council and a popular assembly.

• Oligarchy (rule of the few) arising when the aristocratic council ousted the king and abolished the assembly.

• Tyranny (rule by one who ruled without legal authority) riding to power on the discontent of the lower classes.

• Democracy (rule of the people), the outstanding political achievement of the Greeks.

• Power resided in a board of TEN ELECTED GENERALS. • To ensure that the POOR COULD PARTICIPATE IN

GOVERNMENT, Athens paid jurors (a panel of 6,000 citizens chosen annually by lot) and members of the Council.

• WOMEN, SLAVES, and RESIDENT ALIENS were DENIED CITIZENSHIP.

• These groups had no standing in the law courts. (If a woman sought the protection of the law, shehad to ask a citizen to plead for her in court.)

• *Note: Pericles did NOT begin democracy in Greece. He expanded suffrage to more male citizens.

During the GOLDEN AGE of Greece (461-429 B.C.), the great statesman PERICLES guided Athenian policy.

The city-state of Sparta expanded by conquering and enslaving its neighbors. To guard against revolts by the state slaves (helots), who worked the land, Sparta transformed itself into a militaristic TOTALITARIAN STATE.

Sparta to 500 B.C.

• Every Spartan was first of all a solider. • Sickly infants were left to die on lonely mountaintops.

• Boys were taken from their families at age 7 to live under rigorous military discipline.

• Girls were trained to be the mothers of warrior sons.

• To many Greeks, ATHENS WAS A TYRANT CITY and an enslaver of Greek liberties.

• In 431 B.C., the PELOPONNESIAN WAR broke out between the Spartan League and the Athenian empire.

• COMMERCIAL RIVALRY between Athens and Sparta's ally Corinth was an important factor.

• Real cause: SPARTAN FEAR of Athens' growth of power.

STRENGTHS:• Sparta's army had the ability to besiege Athens and lay waste to its fields. • Athens' unrivaled navy could import foodstuffs and harass its enemies' costs.

WEAKNESSES:• In 2nd year of war, a plague killed a third of the Athenian population, including

Pericles. • Weak leadership of the Athenian government.

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.) Nearly all of Greece was polarized between two alliances.

• In 404 B.C. Athens lost power after its last fleet was destroyed by a Spartan fleet.

• The once great city of Athens was stripped of its possessions and demilitarized.

Evolution of Gov’t in Ancient Greece

Using the PDF on the website (4FormsofGovernment), create a flow chart showing the evolution of governments.

In each box (one for each government), you will need to outline characteristics of the type of government AND why this change was needed. BE DETAILED!

The Parthenon Today

Parthenon

ErechtheumErechtheion

Pinakotheke Theater of Dionysius

King’s Shrine

Sanctuary of Asclepius

Odeum of Herodes Atticus (Roman)

Stoa of Eumenes

The Acropolis of Athens

Religion• The Greeks were POLYTHEISTIC and did not all worship the same

gods.• Some small villages worshiped the main gods and their own village

gods.• There were hundreds of Greek gods.  Some of the most famous gods

were Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Athena, Demeter, Hermes, Ares, and Hades.

• ZEUS surpassed all other gods in spirit, wisdom and justice and his wife HERA was the queen of the gods.

 

According to tradition the first OLYMPICS took place in 776 BC. They became a central aspect of Greek culture and in many ways were the most important factor uniting the Greeks, except for their language and mythology.

ANCIENT ROME

Geography• Rome is located on the

Italian Peninsula which juts into the Mediterranean Sea-east-west travel and trade

• About 18 miles inland on the Tiber River-easy access to the sea but far enough in to protect from pirates

• Built on seven hills-easy to defend

• Located on a north-south traffic route

Peoples of Italy• Indo-Europeans move into Italy (Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans)

• Etruscans have the most influence on Rome’s development-turn Rome from a village to a city, mode of dress, and organization of the army

Livy-Roman Historian, wrote of the three virtues

The Roman Republic

• Republic-the leader is not a king and certain citizens have the right to vote

• Rome gains control of most of Italy through a series of wars

• Gave citizenship to some conquered people-allowed them to control local affairs in return for soldiers and citizenship

• Believed success was due to three virtues: duty, courage, and discipline

Why was Rome so Successful?

• The Romans were good diplomats

• They were skilled, persistent soldiers and brilliant strategists

• In law and justice, the Romans were practical

The Roman Senate

• Select group of patricians who served for life

• Began as an advisory group, by the third century, had the force of law

Twelve Tables• Rome’s first code of law.

• Some laws are practical

• Some punishments too harsh

• Other laws, are just plain silly by today’s standards

The Punic Wars

• The Romans faced a strong power in the Mediterranean, Carthage. • Carthage was founded by the

Phoenicians. • The Carthaginians occupied Sicily,

an island close to the Italian coast.

• The two powers will begin a long struggle for dominance in the Mediterranean.

Master of the Mediterranean• Rome will destroy Carthage in the Third Punic War. With the conquest of Macedonia and Greece, the Romans will become master of the Mediterranean.

Origins of Christianity•Had its roots in Judaism•Was lead by Jesus of Nazareth who was proclaimed the Messiah

•Messiah: savior

Beliefs of Christianity•Monotheism: belief in one God

•Jesus is both the Son and incarnation (human form) of God

•Life after death•Holy Book: Bible

Persecution• Early Christians were persecuted by the Romans for refusing to

worship the Roman Gods• Martyr: Someone who dies for their beliefs

Emperor Constantine

• Adopted and legalized Christianity

• Later Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire

Impact of the Church in the Late Roman Empire

•As the Roman Empire declined in the West, the church in Rome grew in importance, membership, and influence.

•The church became an example of moral authority

Decline of the Roman Empire

•Moral decay•Army discipline•Division of empire•Political problems• Invasions•Economic problems•MAD PIE

Moral Decay• Conditions in the later centuries made

Romans lose their patriotism.• The people lost faith in Rome and the family

Army Membership• To defend against increasing

threats, Rome hired mercenaries (foreign soldiers who fought for money).

• Military started to include invaders

• Discipline and loyalty collapsed.

Division of the Empire•Rome was divided into Eastern and

Western portions•Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium (He also ended

persecution of Christians)

Political Problems

• Civil conflict: politician- generals fought each other for power

• Weak leadership: Emperors were unable to handle problems faced by the empire. They were often brutal and incompetent. Many were murdered.

Invasions • From 376 to 476 Germanic and Mongol invaders poured into the Western

portion of the Roman Empire.

Economic Problems

• The high cost of defending its borders caused the Empire to raise taxes and mint coins with less silver.

• With Roman money worth less (devaluation), prices rose (inflation).

• Small farmers abandoned their lands causing food shortages.

Barbarian Invaders

•Germanic tribes repeatedly attacked along the northern borders.

Barbarians: Non-Romans

Western Empire Falls• The Western Roman Empire ceased to exist in 476 AD when

Germanic invaders overthrew the last Roman Emperor.

Byzantine Empire• The Eastern Roman Empire survived and later

became known as the Byzantine Empire

Roman Achievements

• Roads that connected Rome to all parts of the Empire

• Arches were used as memorials in addition to supporting buildings, bridges, and aqueducts

• Aqueducts were designed to bring water from the mountains to the cities.

The Forum•Means open space or marketplace

•The political and economic heart of Rome.

Roman Colosseum•Stadium which held 50,000

•Mock battles, gladiator contests, and other bloody spectacles were seen here

Public Health•Piped water for drinking and bathing•Sewage systems to remove human waste•Medical Schools

UNIT 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS

Which development most enabled early peoples to form permanent settlements?

A. Advances in agricultural production

B. The creation of democratic government

C. Spread of monotheism

D. Advances in written language

Advances in agricultural production (farming) enabled early people to form permanent settlements.

• Before farming was utilized, people were nomadic meaning they moved. These people moved following their food sources.

• After the development of agriculture, these people no longer needed to travel following large animal. (They still hunted, but had a more stable food supply through the farming of grain products.)

• After settling, other developments toward civilization occurred including (but not limited to):• Development of towns and cities• Development of law codes/rules of expectation• Development of written language (to track food supply and other

government issues)• Divisions of labor

How did the implementation of laws such as the Code of Hammurabi affect people of ancient societies?

A. It unified the various peoples and laws within the empire.

B. It reduced the authority of the king over citizens.

C. It limited the role of government in the lives of citizens.

D. It established the separation of government and religion.

Hammurabi’s Code unified the various people and laws within the Babylonian Empire.

• The Babylonian Empire was large and spread over a vast area.

• Hammurabi’s Code became the universal law for all people within the empire.

• The laws were published in the market area within each city so that citizens would be aware of the laws and punishments.

• Remember, Hammurabi’s Code is known for laws such as “an eye for an eye” or “a tooth for a tooth”, but punishments were different based on the social class of the offender.

Hammurabi’s Code of ancient Mesopotamian society was important because it

A. Listed the laws and the corresponding punishments

B. Explained how government officials were chosen

C. Established a single currency for use across the empire

D. Described how to perform formal religious ceremonies

Hammurabi’s Code was important because it outlined laws and corresponding punishments.

• Recall, the laws were posted in market areas in each city within the empire so that people would be aware of the laws and corresponding punishments.

Cuneiform and hieroglyphics were important achievements in the development of

A. Written language

B. Religious beliefs

C. Agricultural production

D. Representative government

Cuneiform and hieroglyphics were important achievements toward the development of written language.

• Cuneiform: “wedge-shaped” system of writing developed by the Sumerians using a reed stylus to create impressions on clay tablets

• Hieroglyphics: “priest-carvings” or “sacred writings”; system of writing using pictures and more abstract forms used by the Ancient Egyptians

Which geographic features determined the location of the early civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India?

A. Oceans and coastlines

B. Rivers and valleys

C. Fertile soils and plains

D. Rainy seasons and forests

The earliest civilizations were located along rivers and valleys.• We discussed four early river civilizations in this unit:

• Egypt in the Nile River Valley• Mesopotamia in the Fertile Crescent (Tigris and Euphrates Rivers)• Ancient China along the Yellow (Huang He) River• Ancient India in the Indus River Valley

How did geographic features influence the diffusion and settlement of both the Phoenician and Greek traders?

A. Both had access to the Mediterranean Sea

B. The monsoon winds made ocean travel easier

C. The arid climate encouraged migration

D. Russia’s rivers provided ease of travel

Geography influenced the diffusion and settlement of the Phoenician and Greek traders due to their access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Greece’s mountainous terrain and its series of small islands influenced the ancient Greeks to develop

A. A political system based on independent city-states

B. A culture that was uniform throughout its vast empire

C. An economic system based on mining precious metals

D. A society completely isolated from other civilizations

Greece’s mountains and islands influenced the ancient Greeks to develop a political system based on independent city-states.

• City-state: sate with political and economic control over the surrounding countryside

• City-states had various ways of lives making them hard to unite.• Recall the differences between

Athens and Sparta.• Athens: arts, education, teaching and

training to create good citizens• Sparta: all life surrounded warfare

and creating good warriors

• Different city-states within Greece had different government types as well.

How did Pericles influence the functioning of Athenian government?A. He introduced representative democracy.

B. He expanded direct democracy to new classes of free men.

C. He increased the salaries of government officials.

D. He greatly strengthened the authority of military leaders in society.

Pericles influenced democracy in Greece by expanding direct democracy to new classes of free men.

• Cleisthenes created the foundations for Athenian democracy in 508 BC when he created a council of 500 male citizens to be the final authority on the passing of laws.

• Pericles ruled from 461 BC-429 BC (Age of Pericles).• During this time, every adult male citizen was allowed to vote creating an

idea of direct democracy.• Even poor male citizens were able to participate in politics by paying

officeholders.

How was the Silk Road associated with the development of cities?

A. Increased trade along this route helped to establish cities within major empires.

B. The development of many cities created a need for better roads.

C. The Silk Road was built as an alternative to trade between large cities by the sea.

D. European governments promoted free trade between major cities.

Increased trade along the Silk Road led to the development of cities within major empires.

• The Silk Road (named due to China’s valuable silk) passed through various empires across Eurasia.• Silk Road arose between

200 BC and 100 AD covering a distance of about 4,000 miles.

• Only luxury goods were traded along the Silk Road because travel was difficult and dangerous.

A form of government in which the leader is not a monarch and certain citizens have the right to vote is called a/an

A. Dictatorship

B. Monarchy

C. Empire

D. republic

A republic is a type of government in which the leader is not a monarch and certain citizens have the right to vote.

• Dictatorship: form of government in which a person (or small group) has absolute control

• Monarchy: government by a sovereign ruler such as a king or queen (mono means one)

• Empire: large political unit or state that controls many peoples or territories (Note: An empire is NOT a government type.)

• Republic: a form of government in which the leader is not a king and certain citizens have the right to vote (Note: “to the republic, for which it stands” in our Pledge of Allegiance)