ancient civilization1.ppt

Ancient civilization What is civilization? ( What is the civilized world? What is the difference between civilized world and barbarous world) Civilization “Civilization is a social order promoting cultural creation. Four elements constitute it: economic provision, political organization, moral traditions and the pursuit of knowledge and arts. It began with chaos and insecurity end. For when fear is overcome, curiosity and constructiveness are free, and man passes by natural impulse towards the understanding and embellishment of life.”---- William Durant The elements that most civilizations have 1. a surplus of food 2. Division of labor 3. Organized government and religion. 4. Writing. What marked the beginning of civilization When the society began to form cities, it became a civilization. The civilization is originated in 5 places. Mesopotamia Egypt Aegean Indus China Mesopotamia All the civilizations were established near water. “The land between rivers” Sumerians They began to settle here 6’000 BC. They began to establish their civilization in 3’500B.C . Their most unique contribution to the world is the invention of cuneiform Semites They are the descendents of “Shem”– one of the three sons of Noah. Babylonians, Assyrians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians. Several events Sargon the great The Babylonian Empire It was established by Amorites– a group of Nomadic Semites. 2006 B.C. The 6th king: Hammurabi (1792-1750) Hittites The Hittites from Turkey ran over most of the land of Mesopotamia, but they gradually merged into the native population, became part of Assyrian Empire in the 8th BC. Assyrians Assyrians conquered Babylon around 1225 BC. The Assyrian Empire was most powerful under Sargon II. The Assyrian Empire collapsed around 612BC The following conquerors Persians Macedonians Romans Arabs Turks. Modern-day corresponding Iraq Syria Turkey Iran * * Tigris and Euphrates The fertile crescent.（新月沃地） Paradise Wedge shaped 楔形文字 The language was i