Ancient Civilizations: Paleolithic to Persian Empire Key Concepts

Paleolithic lifestyle

Nomadic hunter-gatherers, small groups, stone tools.

Neolithic lifestyle

Farming and domestication, permanent villages, larger populations.

Neolithic Revolution effects

More food, population growth, private property, inequality, disease.

Characteristics of civilization

Cities, government, religion, social classes, writing, job specialization, arts, public works.

Cuneiform

Early wedge-shaped writing on clay tablets for records and administration.

Hammurabi's Code

Written law code, class-based punishments, "eye for an eye."

Epic of Gilgamesh

Oldest epic poem

themes of mortality

kingship, Mesopotamian values.

Hebrews

Introduced monotheism, Exodus story, Ten Commandments.

Nomads vs Settled peoples

Nomads mobile (herding/trading/raiding)

Settled farm

surplus, build cities.

Empire definition

Large political unit ruling diverse peoples under one authority.

Persian methods of rule

Satraps (provincial governors), Royal Road, tolerance of local customs and religions.