Summary An Introduction to the Ancient World: The Ancient New East
4 views 0 purchase
Course
Ancient History (LGX047P05)
Institution
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG)
Book
An Introduction to the Ancient World
In this document, you can find the first part of the book (The Ancient New East), which contains
- Origin of Civilisations: 3000BC
- The Third Millennium: 2000s BC
- The First Millennium
- Religion
- Economy and Society
- Government
Samenvatting An introduction to the Ancient World door L. de Bois en R.J. van der Spek
Summary An Introduction to the Ancient World - LET-GESB101-CEH (ancienthistory1)
Samenvatting H1 tm H14: An Introduction to the Ancient World
All for this textbook (9)
Written for
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RuG)
Geschiedenis
Ancient History (LGX047P05)
All documents for this subject (7)
Seller
Follow
ChiaraMancuso
Reviews received
Content preview
The Ancient Near East
Origin of civilisations: 3000 BC
Note: Early civilisations: Mesopotamia (Euphrates & Tigris) and Egypt (Nile)
- Rise of these civilisations just before 3000 BC was characterised by
increasing urbanisation, the birth of states and the invention of writing.
- There was a shift from hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists.
- By the end of the middle stone age, man had improved his tools to such an
extent that he was able to make more efficient use of the natural resources -
Groups could now remain in areas for a long time.
- Man then cultivated their environment further by domesticating animals and
plants.
- This transition took place at different times in different regions but the Near
East is thought to have been first.
Agriculture
- Two different types of agriculture are distinguished: rainfall agriculture and
irrigation (which was far more effective)
- Rainfall agriculture requires substantial rainfall - this was practised in
Iran, northern Iraq.
- Artificial irrigation occurred in Mesopotamia where floods were less
regular.
- The largest and most influential cities were on major rivers in Egypt and
Mesopotamia
- The rivers enabled the production of the largest quantities of food,
therefore provide for larger populations.
Society & Culture
- At the core of a Mesopotamian city was the temple, the abode of the state
deities whose needs had to be provided for by the community.
- These temples grew into powerful organisations.
- In most of the cities, the majority of its inhabitants were peasants, who left
the city to work on their land every morning and returned home in the
evening.
- No divide between countryside and city dwellers)
- There was, however, a divide between agriculturalists and herders - love/hate
relationship
- Agriculturalists: Sedentary lifestyle.
- Herders: Nomads who constantly moved from place to place.
, - Not always a clear cut difference between them, primitive agriculturalists
sometimes remained in one area for short periods of time. - Transhumance
(seasonal migration).
Geography:
Egypt Mesopotamia
- Dependant on rivers. - Dependant on rivers.
- Nile flooded the river before - Tigris and Euphrates flooded
sowing season (advantageous). after sowing season.
- Good Quality. - Poorer Quality than Egypt
- Fertile land directly next to the (contained harmful salts).
desert. - Transition from fertile to less
- Surrounded by deserts they were fertile soil more gradual.
more isolated - Egypt was fairly - Constant invasions of foreign
stable with little interference peoples.
from outside.
The Third Millennium: 2000s BC
Egypt timeline:
2600-2150 Old Kingdom
BC
2000-1800 Middle Kingdom
BC
1550-1100 New Kingdom
BC
750-1922 AD Late Period
- These kingdoms comprise periods in which Egypt enjoyed great prosperity
and political unity.
- They alternate with periods of decline and political fragmentation where
Egypt was not ruled by a single King.
Egypt, the Old Kingdom (2600 -2150)
- In this period the hieroglyphic script was invented and there was the Initial
construction of pyramids.
- Monumental tombs testifying the tremendous power of the kings.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ChiaraMancuso. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R71,17. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
