1st Civilizations

 The world’s first civilization was Mesopotamia, which means between two rivers. Mesopotamia was located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Fertile Crescent of present-day Iraq. Mesopotamia had rich soil and a plethora of crops. Mesopotamian civilization is divided into three main groups: the Sumerians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians. The Sumerians were the first Mesopotamian civilization. They were polytheistic, with about 3,000 gods and goddesses. They developed city-states as part of their government. Various sun-dried brick walls surrounded each city-state. They created used mud, instead of various stones, to create bricks. They invented many important pieces of architecture, including arches and domes. The Sumerians built some of the biggest buildings that were made out of bricks. The most significant building to the Sumerians was a temple, also known as a ziggurat, dedicated to a god or goddess. The Sumerian civilization was a theocracy. The economy of the city-states was mostly influenced by trade, farming, and industry. Mesopotamians made pottery and textiles. They used gold, copper, and silver to make jewelry. They imported many goods for fish, wool, barley, and many more. The Sumerian social hierarchy consisted of three main classes. The bottom class consisted of slaves. The middle class consisted of fishers, merchants, farmers, and craftspeople. The top class consisted of priests and royal families.

Around 3000 B.C.E., the Sumerians created a writing system called cuneiform. They would use a stylus to create drawings on clay tablets. Cuneiform was mostly used for record keeping, but it was also taught in schools. Privileged boys went to school to become scribes. An epic poem called Gilgamesh was written from cuneiform. The Sumerians created many technological advancements to society. For example, the Sumerians were the first to make bronze out of copper and tin. They also developed the wagon wheel. They had numerous amounts of achievements in science and mathematics, including creating a number system and charting constellations. Not only that, but they also created Algebra.

If you go north of the Sumerians, you will find the Akkadians. In 2340 B.C.E, the Akkadians overtook the Sumerian civilization and created the first empire. The Akkadian empire fell around 2100 B.C.E. In a city-state of Babylon, a man named Hammurabi rose to power. He took over Akkad and Sumer. After his death, his rules were still implemented everywhere. The Code of Hammurabi was a system of social justice.

The Nile River was a huge influence on Ancient Egypt. It is the longest river in the entire world. Farmers in Ancient Egypt grew a plethora of food. Egypt had natural barriers that provided protection. Religion was extremely important to the Egyptians. They were polytheistic. Egyptian History is categorized into three main periods: the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. Around 3100 B.C.E., the first dynasty was created. The Old Kingdom lasted about 500 years. Egyptian monarchs, Pharaohs, were the rulers of the Egyptians. The Egyptians practiced the practices of mummification. Pyramids were built for the Pharaohs that have passed. When the Old Kingdom collapsed, the Middle Kingdom arose. The Middle Kingdom only lasted about 150 years. Pharaohs would build pyramids to show their wealth. The Egyptians had a classic Hierarchy by having a Pharaoh at the top. The Egyptians created the earliest writing, called hieroglyphics. They also created a 365-day calendar, and they used geometry to calculate the land.

The Indus Valley is present-day Pakistan. They used copper and bronze to cook weapons. The civilization was very passionate about religion and trade. Around 2000 B.C.E., Indo-European groups began to migrate. The Aryans moved to northern India. They created a social hierarchy called the caste system. Priests were at the top, and they ruled this civilization. The Aryans were the original believers of Hinduism. Vedas are the oldest texts of Hinduism. They are stories passed down from generations, beginning with the Aryans.

In 600 B.C.E., the Persian Empire arose. They are another group of Indo-Europeans. Cyrus, the first leader of Persia, built Persia to be very powerful and captured Babylon. Cyrus was the first leader who respected other civilizations. Darius ruled after Cyrus. He created the largest empire in that time. Persia was divided into many areas, called satrapies. A governor, or satrap, ruled each satrapy. There was great communication kept between the government. Officials would travel across the Royal Road, which stretched across Persia. They had a very strong military system. If someone was killed, they would be immediately replaced. Xerxes was a Persian leader who invaded Greece. Zoroastrianism was the official religion of the Persians. It was based off of Zoroaster, who demonstrated the “true religion” They are monotheistic.

Ancient Greece is divided into two different periods: Classical Greece and Hellenistic Greece. The Greek government was organized into city-states, each led by a central authority, in the classical period. They created the alphabet, coinage, and democracy. Classical was an oligarchy. The Greeks defeated Xerxes the Great in the Persian War. They were very family oriented and created various pieces of art and literature. The Greeks exported many goods including: wine, olive oil, pottery, and metalwork. They were known for their advanced, detailed architecture. Philosophy played a very important role in Greek culture. The Hellenistic Period was a monarchy. The most popular monarchs were Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great. Philip of Macedon strengthened the Greek army. Alexander the Great, also, was very influential to the Greek army. He built the largest empire ever in the ancient world, and is still extremely respected. In 146 B.C.E., Rome had conquered Ancient Greece. The Greeks were not that rebellious because the Romans still spread some Greek culture.

Rome surrounds a part of the Mediterranean Sea. From 1500 B.C.E. to 1000 B.C.E., Indo-Europeans moved to Italy. One Indo-European group, called the Latins, spoke Latin, which is an Indo-European language. The Latins were very active in agriculture. In about 800 B.C.E., another prominent group, called the Etruscans, heavily influenced Rome. The Etruscans turned Rome into a city. The Romans also adopted the Etruscan style, which is the toga. In 509 B.C.E., the Romans established a republic. Rome was also surrounded by many enemies that tried to overthrow their republic. Rome was divided into two social classes: the patricians and the plebeians. The patricians were affluent landowners who were a prominent segment of Rome’s ruling class. The plebeians were a larger group of people who were less wealthy, such as small landowners, traders, farmers, and artisans. Only the patricians were allowed to vote. The Roman Senate was extremely powerful. The Senate was a group of a couple patricians who decided on governmental rules. In 45 B.C.E., Julius Caesar becomes the first dictator of Rome. He creates the first 12-month calendar. Only one year later, Caesar is assassinated. In 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire begins. Octavius appoints himself the first emperor. About 100 years later, the Hadrian Wall is built. In 306 C.E., Constantine becomes the new emperor. 74 years later, Christianity is born. It is the official religion of Rome. 15 years later, Rome splits into two different empires. In 1453 C.E., the Byzantine Empire ends, and it is renamed to Istanbul.

The Huang He, also known as the Yellow River, stretches across China for about around 3,000 miles (ca. 4,828 kilometers). China has monsoons during winter and summer.  From 1750 to 1045 B.C.E., China was ruled by the Shang dynasty. They were a monarchy.  It was mostly a farming society with an aristocracy. The Chinese were polytheistic and believed in supernatural forces. Confucius was believed to be the first teacher by the Chinese. His teachings, also known as Confucianism, were followed by many people. It was very peaceful and believing in good. A big concept in Ancient China is filial piety. Filial piety is something that members of a family must fulfill duties to the male head of the household. They created the Silk Road to make trade easier. They traded many goods including pottery, glassware, rice, jade, spices, and many more. Ancient China had many contributions to science including printing, papermaking, the compass, and gunpowder.