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.
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.
