Week 4 & 5
Nile Valley
The Nile's modern name comes from the Nelios, the Greek word for river valley. But the ancient Egyptians called it Ar or Aur, meaning "black”.
Three Seasons
Akhet
June to September
Flooding season. This creates the silt; A very crucial material for their agriculture.
Peret
October to February
Planting Season. The Nile River receeds to its original form.
Shemu
March to May
Harvest Season. Trades and Rationing their products for thr whole year.
Hapy
Hapi was a significant deity in ancient Egyptian religion, revered as the god of the annual flooding of the Nile River. Symbolizing fertility and abundance, and was depicted as an androgynous figure with a prominent belly and breasts. His arrival was celebrated with festivals, and while he had no dedicated temples, shrines were built at important sites.
Trades and Transportation
The Nile River served as a natural highway, enabling efficient transportation of goods such as grain, papyrus, gold, linen textiles, and crafted items. By trading with neighboring regions like Nubia, the Levant, and Mesopotamia, and distant lands including Greece, Rome, and Arabia, Egypt acquired valuable resources like timber, metals, and luxury items that were scarce within its borders.
Agriculture
Ancient Egyptians showcased remarkable engineering skills, constructing canals, irrigation systems, and monumental architecture like the pyramids along the Nile. The Valley continued to play a crucial role in the development of Egyptian civilization through various periods, including the Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 BCE) and the New Kingdom (c. 1500 BCE).
Ancient
Kingdom and Empire
Kingdom
A politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen. The term applies to states in which supreme authority is vested in the monarch, an individual ruler who functions as the head of state and who achieves his or her position through heredity. Most monarchies allow only male succession, usually from father to son.
The monarch's role and power can vary significantly based on the system of governance:
Absolute Monarchy: The monarch has almost complete control over the government and is not bound by a constitution or laws.
Constitutional Monarchy: The monarch's powers are limited by a constitution or laws, often serving as a ceremonial figurehead, while elected officials manage governance.
Empire
An empire is a large political unit or state, often consisting of diverse territories and peoples, ruled by a single authority, such as an emperor or empress.
Empires are characterized by their size, centralized governance, and control over multiple regions, which may have been acquired through conquest, colonization, or unification.
2 Types of Empire
Territorial
-Direct military conquest to acquire land.
-Centralized administration over conquered territories.
Hegemonic Empire:
-Domination through economic, political, or cultural influence.
- May use proxy rulers or local powers to maintain control.
Conclusion
Kingdoms are typically formed through local consolidation, while empires expand through conquest and colonization. Empires are characterized by their complexity and control over subordinate regions, whereas kingdoms prioritize centralized rule within their own borders. Both represent distinct historical approaches to governance, showcasing varying scales of power and influence.
Political Institution
Political institutions are the organizations in a government that create, enforce, and apply laws. They often mediate conflict, make (governmental) policy on the economy and social systems, and otherwise provide representation for the population.
Mesopotamia (c. 3100 BCE)
Mesopotamia, often called the "Cradle of Civilization," was home to some of the earliest political institutions. Mesopotamia was divided into independent city-states like Uruk, Ur, Babylon, and Lagash. Each city-state had its own political institutions and governance. Each city-state was ruled by a king (lugal) or governor (ensi), who acted as the central authority.
Mesopotamia (c. 3100 BCE)
Mesopotamia is known for its early codified legal systems, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu (c. 2100 BCE) and the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1754 BCE).
These laws outlined justice, property rights, and social order, emphasizing the king's role as a lawgiver.
Ancient Egypt (c. 3000 BCE)
The political institution of ancient Egypt was a theocratic monarchy, with the pharaoh as the absolute ruler. The pharaoh was a divine figure who ruled by the will of the gods. The pharaoh was also the military commander and chief officiant in religious rituals.
Function of Political Institution
-Governance and Decision-Making
-Distribution of Power
-Representation and Participation
-Economic Regulation
Empire
-An empire is a large political unit or state, often consisting of diverse territories and peoples, ruled by a single authority, such as an emperor or empress.
-Empires are characterized by their size, centralized governance, and control over multiple regions, which may have been acquired through conquest, colonization, or unification.
2 Types of Empire
Territorial
-Direct military conquest to acquire land.
-Centralized administration over conquered territories.
Hegemonic Empire:
-Domination through economic, political, or cultural influence.
- May use proxy rulers or local powers to maintain control.
Religion, System of beliefs
Religions Belief
A religious belief system is a set of beliefs and practices that are based on faith in a deity or spiritual force. These systems can influence a person's culture, morality, and sense of purpose.
Religious belief systems
These systems are often structured around a moral code, the belief in a deity, and the idea that supernatural events can affect the world.
Religious belief systems
Moral code: A set of rules that guide a person's behavior
Deity: A belief in a god or other spiritual force that sets standards of conduct
Supernatural events: The belief that supernatural events can affect the world
Sacred objects: The belief that certain objects, places, people, or texts are holy
Ceremonies: A set of organized practices that are part of a religious tradition
Types of religious belief systems
Animism: The belief that all things have a soul or spirit
Polytheism: The belief in multiple gods, each responsible for a different concept
Monotheism: The belief in one god
Christianity
-The central belief is that Jesus is the son of God and God himself
-Christianity is the world's largest religion, with over two billion followers.
Islam
The central belief is that the Prophet Muhammad received the word of God
Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and that Muhammad was the final prophet sent by God.
"Islam" means "submission to the will of God" in Arabic.
Hinduism
The central belief is the cycle of rebirth, or samsara@
Hinduism originated in the Indus River Valley around 4,500 years ago
Hindus believe in a divine power that can manifest as different entities, such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Judaism
Central belief is monotheism, but there are no universal beliefs.
Judaism is an ancient religion that began over 3,000 years ago.
The Torah, which is part of the Hebrew Bible, is a central text in Judaism.
Contribution to Civilization
Civilization
Civilization is an organized and advanced society where people live together, creating systems for governance, culture, economy, and technology. It is marked by urban development, structured social roles, and shared traditions that bring communities together.
At its core, civilization reflects human progress through innovations like writing, art, architecture, and systems of law, helping societies thrive and influencing the way we live today.