🏰World History – Before 1500 Unit 4 – The Near East

Key Civilizations and Empires

• Mesopotamian civilizations emerged in the Fertile Crescent region (modern-day Iraq, Syria, and parts of Turkey) around 3500 BCE
  • Included Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria
  • Developed complex urban centers, writing systems (cuneiform), and legal codes (Code of Hammurabi)
• Ancient Egypt arose along the Nile River valley around 3100 BCE
  • Unified under the rule of pharaohs who were considered divine
  • Built monumental structures such as the pyramids and temples
  • Developed hieroglyphic writing system and advanced knowledge in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine
• Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire) was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE
  • Expanded to control vast territories from the Indus Valley to the Mediterranean Sea
  • Established a centralized government, efficient road networks, and a postal system
  • Practiced religious tolerance and adopted elements from conquered cultures
• Neo-Babylonian Empire emerged in 626 BCE after the fall of the Assyrian Empire
  • King Nebuchadnezzar II rebuilt the city of Babylon and constructed the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Hittite Empire thrived in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from c. 1600-1200 BCE
  • Known for their skilled metalworking, particularly in iron
  • Developed a legal system with treaties and diplomatic relations with neighboring states

Geography and Climate

• The Near East encompasses regions in Western Asia, including the Fertile Crescent, Anatolia, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula
• Fertile Crescent is a crescent-shaped region that includes the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys, known for its rich soil and favorable conditions for agriculture
  • Allowed for the development of early civilizations and the Neolithic Revolution (transition from hunting and gathering to settled agriculture)
• Nile River valley in Egypt provided annual flooding that deposited fertile silt, enabling agriculture and supporting a large population
  • Predictable flooding led to the development of irrigation systems and a centralized government to manage resources
• Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) is a mountainous region with a diverse landscape, including plateaus, valleys, and coastal plains
  • Strategic location facilitated trade and cultural exchange between Europe, Asia, and Africa
• Levant (eastern Mediterranean coast) served as a crucial trade hub connecting Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean world
• Arabian Peninsula is characterized by vast deserts, oases, and coastal regions along the Red Sea and Persian Gulf
  • Deserts posed challenges for settlement but also facilitated trade routes (incense trade) and nomadic pastoralism
• Climate in the Near East is generally hot and arid, with some regional variations
  • Mesopotamia and Egypt relied on river systems for irrigation and agriculture
  • Seasonal rainfall in the Levant and parts of Anatolia supported dry farming and pastoralism

Timeline of Major Events

• c. 10,000 BCE: Neolithic Revolution begins in the Fertile Crescent, marking the transition from hunting and gathering to settled agriculture
• c. 3500 BCE: Emergence of Sumerian city-states in Mesopotamia, development of cuneiform writing
• c. 3100 BCE: Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the rule of the first pharaoh, Narmer
• c. 2334 BCE: Akkadian Empire founded by Sargon the Great, first empire in Mesopotamia
• c. 1792-1750 BCE: Reign of Hammurabi, king of Babylon, known for his legal code (Code of Hammurabi)
• c. 1600-1200 BCE: Hittite Empire thrives in Anatolia, known for their ironworking and legal system
• c. 1550-1069 BCE: New Kingdom period in Egypt, marked by military conquests, monumental building projects, and the rule of notable pharaohs (Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Ramses II)
• c. 1100 BCE: Collapse of the Hittite Empire and the Late Bronze Age civilizations in the Near East
• 626-539 BCE: Neo-Babylonian Empire, with the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II and the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
• 550-330 BCE: Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, largest empire of the ancient world
• 334-323 BCE: Conquests of Alexander the Great, leading to the Hellenistic period in the Near East

Cultural and Religious Developments

• Polytheistic religions were prevalent in the Near East, with each civilization having its own pantheon of gods and goddesses
  • Mesopotamian religion included deities such as Enki, Enlil, and Inanna, associated with natural phenomena and human activities
  • Egyptian religion centered around the worship of gods like Ra, Osiris, and Isis, with the pharaoh considered a living god
• Zoroastrianism emerged in ancient Persia during the Achaemenid Empire
  • Founded by the prophet Zoroaster, who taught about the cosmic struggle between good and evil
  • Emphasized individual choice and moral responsibility
• Judaism developed in the Levant, with the belief in one God (Yahweh) and the importance of the Covenant
  • Key figures include Abraham, Moses, and the prophets
  • Torah contains the religious laws and teachings central to Jewish faith
• Art and architecture reflected religious beliefs and the power of rulers
  • Ziggurats in Mesopotamia served as temples and symbolized the connection between the divine and human realms
  • Egyptian pyramids and temples were built to honor the pharaohs and gods, featuring hieroglyphic inscriptions and wall paintings
  • Persian art and architecture blended elements from various cultures within the empire (Persepolis)
• Cuneiform and hieroglyphics were the primary writing systems in Mesopotamia and Egypt, respectively
  • Used for record-keeping, religious texts, and literary works (Epic of Gilgamesh, Egyptian Book of the Dead)
• Near Eastern mythology and literature influenced later Greek and Roman cultures
  • Gilgamesh epic, featuring themes of friendship, mortality, and the search for immortality
  • Egyptian myths of Osiris and Isis, representing death, resurrection, and the cycle of nature

Economic Systems and Trade

• Agriculture was the foundation of Near Eastern economies, supported by irrigation systems and the fertile soils of river valleys
  • Mesopotamia and Egypt were known for their production of grains (barley, wheat), vegetables, and fruits (dates, figs)
  • Livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, provided meat, dairy, and wool
• Specialization and division of labor emerged with the growth of cities and complex societies
  • Artisans and craftsmen produced goods such as pottery, textiles, and metalwork
  • Scribes played a crucial role in administration, record-keeping, and the transmission of knowledge
• Trade networks connected the Near Eastern civilizations with each other and neighboring regions
  • Mesopotamia traded with the Indus Valley Civilization, exchanging goods like textiles, grains, and precious stones
  • Egypt engaged in trade with Nubia (gold, ivory, ebony) and the Levant (cedar wood, olive oil)
  • Persian Royal Road facilitated trade and communication within the Achaemenid Empire
• Long-distance trade routes, such as the Incense Route and the Silk Roads (later period), fostered cultural exchange and the spread of ideas
  • Arabian Peninsula was a key source of frankincense and myrrh, prized for religious ceremonies and medicinal purposes
• Currencies and standardized weights and measures developed to facilitate trade
  • Silver and grain were used as common currencies in Mesopotamia
  • Egyptians used a system of weights based on the value of metals (gold, silver, copper)

Technological and Scientific Advancements

• Irrigation systems and water management techniques were developed to support agriculture in arid regions
  • Mesopotamians built canals, levees, and dams to control the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
  • Egyptians created a system of basins and canals to harness the annual flooding of the Nile
• Innovations in agriculture and animal husbandry increased food production and population growth
  • Development of the plow, sickle, and other farming tools
  • Domestication of crops (wheat, barley, lentils) and animals (cattle, sheep, goats)
• Metalworking advancements, particularly in bronze and later iron, led to the production of tools, weapons, and decorative objects
  • Hittites were known for their skill in ironworking, which gave them a military advantage
• Developments in mathematics and astronomy were driven by practical needs and religious beliefs
  • Mesopotamians created a sexagesimal number system (base 60) and used it for astronomical calculations
  • Egyptians developed a decimal system and advanced geometry for surveying and construction
• Architectural and engineering feats demonstrated the technical capabilities of Near Eastern civilizations
  • Pyramids of Giza in Egypt showcased precision in construction and alignment with astronomical bodies
  • Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with its tiered gardens and irrigation system, exemplified Babylonian engineering
• Advancements in medicine and health practices emerged from empirical observations and religious beliefs
  • Mesopotamian medicine included herbal remedies, surgeries, and the belief that illnesses were caused by supernatural forces
  • Egyptian medicine emphasized hygiene, mummification practices, and the use of medicinal plants (papyrus)

Social Structures and Governance

• Near Eastern societies were hierarchical, with the ruling class (kings, pharaohs) at the top and the common people at the bottom
  • Mesopotamian city-states were ruled by kings who claimed divine authority and were supported by a class of priests and officials
  • Egyptian society was headed by the pharaoh, considered a living god, with a complex bureaucracy and a powerful priesthood
• Priests and religious institutions played a significant role in governance and social order
  • Temples served as centers of economic activity, owning land and controlling resources
  • Priests performed religious ceremonies, maintained religious knowledge, and advised the rulers
• Social mobility was limited, with occupations and roles often determined by family lineage
  • Scribes, artisans, and merchants formed a middle class in Mesopotamian and Egyptian societies
  • Slaves, often captured in wars or as a result of debt, were at the bottom of the social hierarchy
• Women's roles and rights varied across Near Eastern societies
  • In Mesopotamia, women could own property, engage in business, and serve as priestesses
  • Egyptian women had more legal rights compared to other ancient societies, with some holding positions of power (Hatshepsut)
• Legal systems and codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, regulated social behavior and established penalties for crimes
  • Laws covered issues related to property, family, trade, and criminal offenses
  • Legal contracts and agreements were recorded on clay tablets or papyrus

Legacy and Global Impact

• Near Eastern civilizations laid the foundation for the development of writing, law, and organized religion
  • Cuneiform and hieroglyphics influenced later writing systems in the region
  • Legal codes and the concept of written law shaped the legal systems of subsequent civilizations
  • Monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) trace their roots to the religious traditions of the Near East
• Contributions to science, mathematics, and astronomy had a lasting impact on later civilizations
  • Babylonian astronomical observations and calculations influenced Greek and Islamic astronomy
  • Egyptian medical practices and knowledge were adopted and expanded by Greek and Roman physicians
• Art, architecture, and literature from the Near East inspired and influenced later cultures
  • Greek and Roman architecture drew inspiration from Egyptian and Persian styles
  • Biblical literature and mythology incorporated elements from Mesopotamian and Egyptian literary traditions
• Political and military legacies of Near Eastern empires shaped the course of history
  • Persian Empire's model of centralized administration and religious tolerance influenced later empires (Alexander the Great, Roman Empire)
  • Conquests of Alexander the Great led to the spread of Hellenistic culture and the fusion of Greek and Near Eastern traditions
• Trade networks established by Near Eastern civilizations facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices
  • Silk Roads, connecting the Near East with Central Asia and China, became a major conduit for trade and cultural exchange
  • Incense trade routes linked the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean world, fostering economic and cultural ties