Western Civilization Study Guide 2024

Civilization -- 1)Began in Middle East 2) Has FOUR Parts until it is one: -Family {blood or distinct relation} -Clan {multiple families that work together, distant or no relation} -Villages, Towns, Cities {political and social ties expand} Characteristics of a Civilization -- 1)Urban Society 2)Religion 3)Literacy 4)Government 5)Specialization 6) Tool-making 7)Concept of time! 8) Leisure 9) Education The Three Ancient History Time Periods -- Stone, Bronze, Iron. Mesopotamia -- Between two rivers, Tigris and Euphrates; a region; may be the First Civilization Sumer -- Southern Mesopotamia; City-states developed; 1st civilization; No alphabet; used pictographs; writing was cuneiform; 18 types of beer (: Akkad -- 2400 BC: it was dominant; 1st conquerors; 1st empire; conquered Sumerians under Sargon Old Babylonians -- 1750 BC Hammurabi -- Developed 1st law code; EYE FOR EYE, TOOTH FOR TOOTH; not fair to the classes. Hittite Empire -- BC; they destroyed Old Babylonians; Introduced IRON weapons to many civilizations; large aggressive empire Phonecia -- 2000-539 BC; Sailors; planted colonies in other countries; 1st true ALPHABET; referred to by Hebrews as Canaanites; Perfect trade route Egypt's Old Kingdom -- BC; pyramids and sphinx built; well protected Egypt's First Intermediate Period -- BC; Egypt is not unified bc of bad weather Egypt's Middle Kingdon -- BC; reunified; invaded by Hyskos in 1785 BC, the Hyskos stayed here for about 200 years. They introduced Iron Technology and Chariots Egypt's New Kingdon -- BC; Expelled Hyskos; Pharaoh Tut (King Tut); only Pharaoh whose tomb was intact with all gold and jewels when found. Hebrews: Israelites -- Monotheism (one god); Yahweh (Hebrew God); Patriarch of 3 Faiths: Abraham from Ur. Abraham -- 1st Son: Ishmael (Muslims trace heritage) 2nd Son: Issac (Hebrews trace heritage) Hebrew Bible -- 1st Five Books of the Bible; can be entire Old Testament or just 1st 5; Called Pentateuch by Greeks; Called Book of Moses or Torah by Hebrews; Mosaic Law