Chapter 2 Early River Valley Civilizations, 3500 B.C.–450 B.C.

1. Chapter 2Early River Valley Civilizations, 3500 B.C.–450 B.C. Civilizations emerge and develop on fertile river plains in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China.

2. Chapter 2 Section 1: City-States in Mesopotamia Section 2: Pyramids on the Nile Section 3: Planned Cities on the Indus Section 4: River Dynasties in China

3. Section 1: City-States in Mesopotamia The earliest civilization in Asia rises in Mesopotamia and organizes into city-states.

4. Geography of the Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent is arc of land between Persian Gulf and Mediterranean that is great for farming. The land in this region outside of the Fertile Crescent is otherwise a desert. Some of the best farming ground in Southwest Asia • Includes Mesopotamia—“land between the rivers”—a fertile plain Tigris and Euphrates rivers flood once a year, leaving rich soil called silt. Allowed for great surpluses of food that led to bigger villages.

5. Environmental Challenges • Around 3300 B.C. Sumerians begin farming southern Mesopotamia Environment poses three disadvantages: 1. floods are unpredictable; sometimes no rain 2. land offers no barriers to invasion 3. land has few natural resources, which makes building materials scarce

6. Geography of the Fertile Crescent Solving Problems Through Organization • Over time, Sumerians worked together to find solutions to environmental challenges: - built irrigation ditches to control water, produce crops - built walled cities for defense - traded grain, cloth, and tools for raw materials—stone, wood, metal • Organization, leadership, and laws were the beginning of civilization. Leaders and laws were needed for planning and settling disputes.

7. Sumerians Create City-States • Sumerian City-States • By 3000 B.C. Sumerians built cities surrounded by fields of crops • Each is a city-state with similar culture but they had their own independent political units • Some of the Sumerian city-states include: Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Umma, and Ur • Each city has temple and zigguratwhere priests appeal to gods for well being of the city state.

8. Sumerians Create City-States Priests and Rulers Share Control • Sumer’s early governments controlled by temple priests, as farmers believed success of crops were based off the blessings of gods. • In times of war military leaders become rulers; wars became more frequent, which led to dynasties rule after 2500 B.C. • Dynasty—series of rulers from a single family The Spread of Cities • Surpluses led to long distance trading. By 2500 B.C. there were many new cities in Fertile Crescent • Sumerians exchange products and ideas with other cultures • Cultural diffusion— process of one culture spreading to others

9. Sumerian Culture A Religion of Many Gods • Sumerians believe in many different gods—polytheism • Gods are thought to control forces of nature • Gods behave as humans do, but people are gods’ servants • Life after death is bleak and gloomy Life in Sumerian Society • Sumerians have social classes, kings, landholders, priests are at top. • Wealthy merchants next; at lowest level are slaves who were foreigners or family members who had been sold into slavery. Most people worked with their hands in the fields or workshops • Women have many rights, they could become priests, merchants, artisans, more rights than many civilizations after them.

10. Sumerian Culture Sumerian Science and Technology • Sumerians invented wheel, sail, and plow; first to use bronze. • Made advances in arithmetic and geometry • Developed arches, columns, ramps, and pyramids for building • Had a complex system of writing—cuneiform • Studied astronomy, chemistry, medicine

11. The First Empire Builders Time of War • From 3000 to 2000 B.C. city-states at constant war, even if conquered, other rulers adopted Sumerian culture. Sargon of Akkad • Around 2350 B.C., Sargon from Akkad defeats city-states of Sumer • Creates first empire by taking control of both northern and southern Mesopotamia • Empires are independent states under control of one leader • Sargon’s dynasty lasts about 200 years Babylonian Empire • Amorites, which were nomadic warriors, take control of region around 2000 B.C. • Make Babylon, on Euphrates River, the capital. • Babylonian Empire was at its’ peak during Hammurabi’s rule (1792–1750 B.C.)

12. The First Empire Builders Hammurabi’s Code • Hammurabi creates a code of laws for the Babylonian Empire • 282 laws on all aspects of life; engraved in stone and made public • Set different punishments depending on social class, gender • Goal is for government to take responsibility for order, justice • Amorite rule of Fertile Crescent ends 200 years after Hammurabi

13. Review Mesopotamia created irrigation systems, built city walls, and traded abroad to deal with environmental challenges. Sumerian culture features classes, religion, science and technology. Priests lose power to military leaders, and Sumer is eventually defeated and becomes part of other empires.

14. Section 2: Pyramids on the Nile Using mathematical knowledge and engineering skills, Egyptians build magnificent monuments to honor dead rulers.

15. Pyramids on the Nile The Geography of Egypt Egypt’s Settlements • Arise along the northern flowing 4,100-mile Nile River on a narrow strip of fertile land. You can actually stand on fertile land and desert at the same time. The Gift of the Nile • Yearly flooding in July brings water and fertile black mud—silt • Farmers build irrigation system for wheat and barley crops • Egyptians worship Nile as a god because of its great gift it provided Egypt.

16. The Geography of Egypt Environmental Challenges Light floods reduce crops, cause starvation Heavy floods destroy property Deserts isolate but also protect Egyptians Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt The river area south of First Cataract is elevated, it becomes Upper Egypt • Cataract: where boulders turn Nile River into churning rapids • River area north, including Nile delta, becomes Lower Egypt • Delta: land formed by silt deposits at mouth of river; triangular Trade was possible between the two because the river. Upper Egypt could go with current and Lower Egypt could float upstream due to winds and sail boats.

17. Egypt Unites into a Kingdom King Narmer Creates Egyptian Dynasty Villages of Egypt ruled by two kingdoms: Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt King Narmer unites them around 3000 B.C.; makes Memphis capital Established first Egyptian dynasty. First of 31 dynasties spanning 2,600 years. Pharaohs Rule as Gods To the Egyptians, kings are gods, the Egyptian god-kings were called pharaohs. Unlike Mesopotamia where kings were just representatives. Pharaohs control religion, government, army, well-being of kingdom. This government and others based on religious authority are called a theocracy.

18. Egypt Unites into a Kingdom Builders of the Pyramids Kings believed to rule even after death; have eternal life force, ka Build elaborate tombs, pyramids, to meet needs after death Pyramids made with blocks of stone, 2−15 tons each; 481 ft. high. Built without even using the wheel. Pyramids show that kingdom had great leadership, government, and were economically strong.

19. Egyptian Culture Religion and Life Egyptians believe in 2,000 gods and goddesses—polytheistic Most important gods: Re is sun god; Osiris, god of the dead; goddess Isis is ideal woman. Believed in life after death; person judged by deeds at death. Develop mummification, process that prevents body from decaying to keep body healthier for after life. Book of the Dead which contained prayers and spells were placed with dead to guide the soul after death.

20. Life in Egyptian Society Social Classes Society shaped like pyramid, from pharaoh down to farmers, laborers Few people at top have great power; most people at bottom People move into higher social classes through marriage or merit Women have many of the same rights as men Egyptian Writing In the hieroglyphics writing system, pictures represent ideas, would eventually stand for sounds as well. • Paper like sheets made from papyrus reeds were used for writing instead of clay and rock.

21. Life in Egyptian Society Egyptian Science and Technology Egyptians invent calendar of 365 days and 12 months, they did this to keep track of the flood and planning for planting season. Develop system of written numbers and a form of geometry for keeping track of taxes and debts. Skilled engineers and architects construct palaces, pyramids Egyptian medicine famous in the ancient world, knew how to check for pulse, set bones, cure fevers, and treat wounds.

22. Invaders Control Egypt Changes to Egyptian Society Power of pharaohs declines about 2180 B.C.; end of Old Kingdom. In Middle Kingdom (2040 to 1640 B.C.), pharaohs regained control. The pharaohs improved trade, dug canals for irrigation and they drained swamps for farms. Hyksos, a group from Palestine would move into Egypt and ruled from 1630 to 1523 B.C. Egypt would rise again, but we will talk about that later.

23. Review Egypt had some environmental challenges: light floods reduce crops and cause starvation, heavy floods destroy property, and the deserts isolate but also protect Egyptians. King Narmer united Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt into a kingdom. Egyptians were polytheistic and religion was very important to them. Their pharaoh was believed a god. Also science and technology played a big role in Egypt. Invaders took over Egypt.

24. Section 3: Planned Cities on the Indus The first Indian civilization built well-planned cities on the banks of the Indus River.

25. Geography of Indian Subcontinent The Geography of the Indian Subcontinent Indian Subcontinent: landmass that includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh World’s tallest mountain ranges separate it from rest of Asia Rivers, Mountains, and Plains • Mountains to north and desert to east, protect Indus Valley from invasion • Indus and Ganges rivers form flat, fertile plain—this area is called the Indo-Gangetic • Southern India is a dry plateau flanked by mountains • There is also a narrow strip of tropical land along coast

26. The Geography of the Indian Subcontinent Monsoons • Seasonal winds, called monsoons, dominate India’s climate Monsoon: wind that changes direction or can also mean a heavy rain. • From October-February, Winter winds blow dry air westward From June-October, Summer winds change direction and blow east and bring rain—can cause flooding or drought if it falls to rain. Environmental Challenges • Floods along the Indus are unpredictable. • Rivers can change course • Rainfall from Monsoons are unpredictable; could have droughts or floods

27. Civilization Emerges on the Indus Indus Valley Civilization • We know less about this culture than we do about Mesopotamia or Egypt, although it Influenced an area larger than these other civilizations. Earliest Arrivals •No one is exactly sure how human settlement began in the Indus Valley. • But there is evidence from 7000 B.C. of agriculture and domesticated animals. • By 3200 B.C., people were farming in villages along Indus River. Planned Cities • By 2500 B.C., people build cities of brick laid out on a grid system, much more calculated than those of Mesopotamia where the city was just thrown together. • Engineers create plumbing and sewage systems, buildings were made of oven baked bricks. Again more reliable than other cities. • Indus Valley called Harappan Civilization afterHarappa, a city in the valley.

28. Civilization Emerges on the Indus Harappan Planning • City built on mud-brick platform to protect against flood waters • Brick walls 3.5 miles long protect city and central buildings, as well as the citadel, which provided protection for the royal family and served as a temple. • Streets in grid system are 30 feet wide • Lanes separate rows of houses (which featured bathrooms). Some houses may have been 3 stories high.

29. Harappan Culture Language • Had writing system of 400 symbols, but scientists can’t decipher it Culture • Harappan cities appear uniform in culture. • No great social divisions, everyone was basically equal. • Produced non-essential goods, which suggests they were prosperous and not at war. • Animals important to the culture, as suggested from images.

30. Harappan Culture Role of Religion •Believed to be theocracy, but no real temples have been found • Priests closely linked to rulers • Some religious artifacts reveal links to modern Hindu culture Trade • Gold and silver were brought in from Afghanistan Had thriving trade with other peoples from distant areas, including in Mesopotamia, because the Indus River provided a link to the sea.

31. Harappan Decline • Signs of decline begin around 1750 B.C. • Earthquakes, floods, or soil depletion from overuse may have caused decline. • Satellite images show evidence that shifts in tectonic plates occurred which backs up the idea of the disasters above. • Around 1500 B.C., Aryans, a nomadic group from north of the Hindu Kush mountains, enter the area and become dominant.

32. Review Yearly floods or droughts, rivers changing course, and monsoon winds were all challenges the Indus Valley civilization had to overcome. The cities in the Indus Valley were much more organized and planned compared to those other earlier cities. Although we cannot decipher their language, we know that Harappan culture included religion trading. No one is truly sure why the decline of the Indus Valley culture came about.

33. Section 4: River Dynasties in China Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.

34. River Dynasties in China The Geography of China Barriers Isolate China • Ocean, mountains, deserts isolate China from other areas River Systems • 2 major river systems: Huang He (“yellow river”) in north, Yangtze in south • Huang He leaves loess—fertile silt—when it floods, which wind blows to the west and north Environmental Challenges • Huang He floods can devour whole villages • Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be self-sufficient • Invader are able to reach through the west and north occur many times throughout Chinese history China’s Heartland •Only 10% of China is farmable, and the North China Plain, the area between two rivers, is the center of civilization.

35. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times The First Dynasties • Around 2000 B.C cities arise and grow into civilization. Yu becomes first ruler of Xia Dynasty • Yu’s flood control system tames Huang He (“Yellow River”) • Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027 B.C., first to leave written records Early Cities • Built cities of wood, such as Anyang—one of Shang’s capital cities • Upper classes live inside city; poorer people live in huts outside • Shang cities have massive walls for military defense, show great leadership and control of masses.

36. The Development of Chinese Culture Chinese Civilization • Sees China as center of world; views others as uncivilized • The group is more important than the individual Family • Family is central social institution; respect for parents a virtue • Elder males control family property • Women expected to obey all men, even sons Social Classes • King and warrior-nobles lead society and own the land, the rest were peasants.

37. The Development of Chinese Culture Religious Beliefs • Spirits of dead ancestors can affect family fortunes, could be trouble or helpful • Priests scratch questions on animal bones and tortoise shells, touch it with hot poker and interpret cracks for answers • Oracle bones used to consult gods, especially supreme god, Shang Di Development of Writing • Writing system uses symbols or units to represent syllables, not ideas • People of different languages can use same system • Huge number of characters make system difficult to learn, masses failed to learn

38. Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle The Zhou Take Control • In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China Mandate of Heaven • Mandate of Heaven—the belief that a just ruler had divine approval • Developed as justification for change in power to Zhou. If a dynasty became weak, it could be overthrown and justified by a new ruler having Mandate of Heaven. • Dynastic cycle—pattern of the rise and decline of dynasties Control Through Feudalism • Feudalism—system where kings give land to nobles in exchange for services • Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to fight each other

39. Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle Improvements in Technology and Trade • Zhou Dynasty builds roads, canals to improve transportation • Uses coins to make trade easier • Produces cast iron tools and weapons; food production increases A Period of Warring States • Peaceful, stable Zhou empire rules from around 1027 to 256 B.C. • In 771 B.C., nomads sack the Zhou capital, murder monarch • A few members of monarch escape and set up Luoyang as new capital, but internal wars destroy traditions