Charpter1_The ancient near East

西方文明史第一章思维导图，six basic characteristics of civilization： （1）an urban focus （2）a distinct religious structure （3）new political and military structure （4）a new social structure based on economic power （5）the development of writing （6）new forms of significant artistic and intellectual activity

Charpter1:The ancient near East

• The First Humans
  • The Development of Human
    • Australopithecines 更新纪灵长动物；南方人猿
    • Homo erectus 直立人
    • Homo sapiens 智人
    • Neanderthals 尼安德特人
    • Homo spanies spanies 现代智人
  • The Hunter—Gatherers of the Old Stone Age
    • custom
      • hunt animals to eat
      • gather wild plants
      • found shelder in caves
    • evolution
      • make tools
      • use fire
    • relationship
      • equal
  • The Neolithic Revolution
    • an agricultural revolution
      • custom
        • plant vegetables
        • people control the environment
        • tame animals
    • Consequences of the Neolithic Revolution
      • living
        • simple mudbrick house
        • permanent settlement
      • products
        • fruits，nuts and three kinds of wheat
      • activities
        • trade
        • crafts
        • plant foods in field
      • relationship
        • men outside and women inside
    • new develpoments
      • activity
        • use metals
          • the Bronze Age
        • inventions
      • living
        • build towns and cities
• The Emergence of Civilization
  • six basic characteristics of civilization
    • （1）an urban focus
    • （2）a distinct religious structure
    • （3）new political and military structure
    • （4）a new social structure based on economic power
    • （5）the development of writing
    • （6）new forms of significant artistic and intellectual activity
  • four river valley civilizations
    • Tigris and Euphrates（Mesopotamia）
    • the Nile（Egypt）
    • the Indus（India）
    • the Yellow River（China）
  • another early civilization
    • the Supe River valley of Peru
• Civilization in Mesopotamia
  • The City-States of Ancient Mesopotamia
    • Sumerian cities
      • buildings
        • by mud
        • build many dwellings like temples
      • belief
        • chief god and godness
    • Kingship
      • belief
        • They believe king’s power is from god，kings are agents of gods
    • Economy and Society
      • agriculture，commerce and industry
        • trades
      • three social groups
        • nobles
        • commands
        • slaves
  • Empires in Ancient Mesopotamia
    • around 2340 B.C. ，the Akkadian empire
    • 2100 B.C. ，r-Nammu of Ur reunified most of Mesopotamia
    • Hammurabi conquested the place（the code）
      • Penalties for criminal offenses were severe and varied
      • Punishments should fit the crime
      • The code took the responsibilities of public officials seriously
      • The code protected consumers’rights
      • marriage and life
  • The culture of Mesopotamia
    • The importance of region
      • The Mesopotamians viewed their city-states as earthly copies of a divine model and order
      • Located at the heart of each city state was a temple complex
      • The physical environment had an obvious impact on the Mesopotamian view of the universe
      • Mesopotamian religion was polvtheistic.
      • Divination took a variety or forms
    • The cultivation of New Arts and Sciences
      • cuneiform
        • Writing keeps records and maintain knowledge of previous
        • Writing also made it possible for people to communicate ideas in new ways
      • maths
      • astronomy
• Egyptian Civilization：“The Gift of the Nile”
  • the Nile
    • impact of Geography
      • unique characteristics of the Nile River
      • annual flooding and benefits
      • division of land into fertile “Black Land” and deserts
      • natural barriers that fostered isolation and security
  • Egyptian Civilization and Society
    • Rural nature of Egyptian civilization
    • Population centers along the Nile
    • Surpluses of food and prosperity in Egypt
  • Kingdoms
    • Manetho's division of Egyptian history into dynasties
    • Stability and cultural achievements of the Old and Middle Kingdoms
    • Political chaos during Intermediate Periods
    • Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under King Menes
  • Society and Economy in Ancient Egypt
    • Hierarchy in Egyptian society
    • Roles of nobles, priests, merchants, artisans, and farmers
    • Importance of agriculture and craftsmanship
  • Religion and Spiritual Life
    • Egyptian belief in numerous gods and their association with natural forces
    • Worship of sun gods and land gods
    • Importance of Osiris and the concept of resurrection
    • Rituals, magical incantations and the Book of the Dead
  • The Pyramids
    • Symbolism of power
  • Art and Writing
    • Stylized and formulaic characteristics of Egyptian art
    • Hieroglyphics as a form of writing
  • The New Kingdom and Decline
    • Hyksos domination
    • Restoration of Egyptian power and expansion under the New Kingdom
    • Religious changes under Akhenaten and their failure
    • Revival and decline of Egyptian empire in the New Kingdom
  • Daily Life in Ancient Egypt: Family and Marriage
    • Positive attitude and establishment of families
    • Monogamy and roles of husbands and wives
    • Women's property rights and limited career opportunities
    • Marriages, divorce, and punishments for adultery
  • Comparison with Mesopotamian civilization