Unit 1 Slides C printer-friendly
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Course Overview
HIST 2311: Western Civilization I
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Tips for Success in HIST 2311
Take Notes: Essential for retaining information.
Slide Outlines: Understand that these are NOT sufficient as notes.
Key Terms: Focus on recording and studying these.
Study Routine: Emphasize consistent studying.
Resources: Use D2L for key terms, slides, and the OER textbook.
Ask Questions: Important for clarification and understanding.
Office Hours: Utilize to get help on difficult topics.
S.I. Sessions & Tutoring: Take advantage of supplemental instruction and one-on-one tutoring.
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Chronological Vocabulary
B.C.E / C.E.: Equivalent to B.C. / A.D.
BCE Descending: Time decreases, e.g. 753 BCE to 509 BCE.
Centuries: Understand terms like "7th C" for the seventh century.
2nd Century CE: 100-199 CE
2nd Century BCE: 199-100 BCE
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Abbreviations in Historical Study
c. (or ca.): around/about.
r.: reigned.
d.: died.
i.e.: that is.
e.g.: for example.
esp.: especially.
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Before the "West"
Focus: The Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods.
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24-Hour Earth Timeline
3 Days: Time since the Big Bang.
24 Hours: Age of the Earth.
20 Hours: Appearance of life.
3 Hours: Development of multicellular life.
21 Minutes: Dinosaurs extinction occurred.
6 Seconds: Appearance of Homo sapiens.
1/10th Second: Beginning of civilization.
1/100th Second: Columbus's arrival.
Diagram: Further details are present in linked media.
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Early Homo Sapiens and Genetic Admixture
E. Africa (c.300 k.y.a.): Origin of Homo sapiens.
Neanderthals & Denisovans: Existed until c.40 k.y.a. with instances of interbreeding.
H. Floresiensis: Existed until c.10,000 BCE.
Lifestyle: Characterized by persistence-hunting.
Toba Event (c.70 k.y.a.): Significant population reduction (3-10k individuals).
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Upper Paleolithic Developments (50,000–10,000 BCE)
Cultural Variance: Archery and domesticated dogs appeared c.30,000 BCE.
Early Domestication: Horses and cats domesticated by c.3500 BCE.
Artistic Expression: Surges in art and sculpture around c.38,000 BCE; musical instruments trace back to c.25,000 BCE.
Cave Art: Notable petroglyphs and Venus figurines produced.
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Mesolithic Period (10,000-8000 BCE)
Post-Ice Age: Rise in population due to favorable conditions.
Community Structure: Hunter-gatherers lived in small, semi-nomadic groups with communal living.
Social Structure: Possible sexual division of labor, gathering as primary role.
Matriarchy?: Discussion on gender roles during the Mesolithic era.
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Natufian Culture (12,500-9,500 BCE)
Village Development: Emergence of pre-agricultural villages with approximately 60 inhabitants.
Burial Practices: Use of floor burials and establishment of skull shrines.
Environmental Impact: Younger Dryas led to village abandonment.
Agricultural Experimentation: The beginnings of crop cultivation are suggested.
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The Neolithic Revolution: Agriculture - Our Worst Mistake?
Agricultural Transition: Examining the shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to agriculture and its consequences.
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Neolithic Tools and Developments (8000-4500 BCE)
Tools: Introduction of sickles, plows, and mortars as agricultural tools.
Domestication Milestones: Early instances of plant and animal domestication.
Geographic Focus: Agriculture originated in the "Fertile Crescent" with regions flourishing by 3000 BCE.
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Domestication of Plants
Cultivation Techniques: Emphasis on selective re-planting and better seed production.
Example: Tough rachis shows a significant increase in its prevalence from rarity at 8500 BCE to virtually 100% by 7500 BCE.
Regional Variations: Demonstrates the diverse practices across different areas.
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Domestication of Animals
Dogs' Origins: From wolves around c.30,000 BCE in Siberia.
Earlier Evidence in c.7000 BCE: Domestication of sheep and goats occurred in Iran.
Region-Specific Trends: Domestication varied by region—different animals were selected in SW Asia, China, India, and the Americas.
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Agricultural Advancements
Agricultural Benefits: Introduction of domestic animals led to better food stability and resources (e.g., plough and fertilizer).
Agricultural Techniques: Adoption of crop rotation, fallowing, and irrigation techniques that doubled yields.
Economic Stability: Reliance on river systems for agriculture marked progress in agricultural societies.
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Population Growth in Neolithic Communities
Impact of Stable Food Supply: Shift from limited birth rates to larger family sizes (7-8 children).
Health Outcome: Acknowledgment that half of infants died early due to conditions prevalent in the era.
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Poor Health Trends
Health Complications: Malnutrition led to average height reduction, increased tooth decay, and susceptibility to disease.
Settled Living: Static populations increased exposure to illnesses transmitted in dense communities.
Territorial Conflicts: Enhanced population density could lead to increased warfare and territorial disputes.
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Social Inequality Arising from Agricultural Societies
Specialization and Hierarchies: Emergence of social classes, priests, warriors, and merchants.
Land Ownership: Land ownership led to the development of social classes and slavery dynamics.
Captives' Fate: Exploration of how captives and dispossessed individuals were integrated into societal structures.
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Gender Inequality in Early Societies
Family Dynamics: Examination of age gaps and family size impacting household labor division, emphasizing devalued labor roles.
Physical Ailments: The labor-intensive nature of tasks like grinding and weaving led to varying health issues.
Patrilineal System: Cultural and religious justifications for maintaining sexual inequality are noted.
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Growth of Neolithic Villages
Population Expansion: Population growth observed with estimates of 300-500 in early settlements compared to smaller Mesolithic populations.
Craftsmanship Thrive: Surplus resources led to the emergence of craftsmen and the creation of trade networks.
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Jericho and its Significance
Established Timeline: Settlement dates back to 8000 BCE; expanded Natufian culture around 10,000 BCE.
Community Size: Development of communities with populations 1-2k by 7000 BCE.
Architecture: Discussion of protective structures and burial practices.
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Çatal Hüyük Overview
Settlement Period: From 7500–5600 BCE, with a population ranging 4-7k.
Unique Architecture: Roof entrances and absence of streets, indicating a different approach to urban development.
Artisan Production: Craft industries included obsidian, pottery, and bead-making.
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Religion in Neolithic Societies
Cultural Practices: Examination of grave goods, Venus figurines, and early religious beliefs such as animism and shamanism.
Agriculture Influence: Transition to agriculture linked to the creation of organized religious practices and temples.
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Göbekli Tepe: Significance
Monumental Findings: Oldest known monument (approximately 9000 BCE), discovered in 1994.
Cultural Organization: Indicators of resource allocation and societal structure despite lack of residential signs.
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Introduction to Bronze-Age Mesopotamia (ca. 5500-1200 BCE)
Key Civilizations: Overview of prominent cultures such as Sumer and Ubaid.
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Sumerian Society and Development
Chronology: Seriation of Sumer from pre-Sumerian to empires.
City States: Up to 20 city-states emerged, some with populations reaching 50k.
Cultural Milestones: Introduction of writing (cuneiform) and technological advancements like the wheel.
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Religion in Mesopotamia
Mythological Beliefs: Anthropomorphic gods depicted as unpredictable and violent.
Human Purpose: View that humans were created to serve gods, often reflected in temple practices (e.g., ziggurats).
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Power and Governance in Mesopotamia
Monarchic Structures: Analysis of royal dynasties and their dominance.
Cultural Influence: Discussion on the significance of the "Code of Hammurabi" and the role of women.
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Social Structure in Mesopotamia
Class Divisions: Examination of land ownership among kings, nobles, and commoners.
Role of Women: Overview of women in society, their legal rights, and literacy.
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Arrival of Indo-Europeans (ca. 2000 BCE)
Cultural Expansion: The infiltration of Indo-European peoples and the military adaptations (light chariots).
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Hittite Kingdom Overview (1650-1190 BCE)
Chronology: Structure of Hittite power and conflicts with neighboring regions.
Significant Events: Sacking of Babylon and military strategies.
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Overview of Bronze-Age Egypt
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Early Egypt Development
Geographical Advantages: Stability from Nile's flooding led to agricultural and political development.
Early Writing: Emergence of hieroglyphics, potentially influenced by nearby civilizations.
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Egyptian Dynastic Chronology
Timeline: Overview of major periods from Early Dynastic to New Kingdom (30 dynasties total).
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Pharaohs and Central Power
Rulership: Role of the pharaoh as god-king and their influence on society.
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Administrative Structure of Ancient Egypt
Hieroglyphics Use: Roles of scribes and bureaucratic management of territories.
Taxation System: Structure and management under the ruling class.
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Religious Beliefs and Burial Practices
Afterlife Concepts: Importance of mummification and burial items for the afterlife.
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Pyramids of Ancient Egypt
Construction: Insights into pyramid-building, including labor and the societal impact.
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Dynamics of the Old Kingdom
Weakness in Later Dynasties: Analysis of internal strife and the transition to the First Intermediate Period.
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Middle Kingdom Developments
Political Dynamics: Examination of the Hyksos and their impact on Egyptian politics.
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Second Intermediate Period Insights
Foreign Rule: Hyksos technology influence as an agent of change in Egypt.
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New Kingdom Milestones
Empire Expansion: Conquests and military strategies under notable pharaohs.
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Amarna Reform under Akhenaten
Religious Changes: Shift towards henotheism and its implications for Egyptian society.
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Introduction to Aegean Civilizations
Comparison: Overview of Minoan and Mycenaean cultures with geographical and chronological context.
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Early Minoan Civilization Details
Timeline: Settlement and cultural development on Crete.
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Minoan Palace Complexes
Notable Features: Architectural innovations and community arrangements.
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Minoan Culture and Society
Cultural Themes: Exploration of artistic and societal impressions, including questions of hierarchy and governance.
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Greek Pre-History
Societal Transitions: The arrival of Indo-Europeans and their effects on earlier Cycladic cultures.
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Mycenaean Greece Overview
Cultural Integration: The melding of influences from Minoan civilization and the establishment of Linear B.
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Mycenaean Expansion and Militarism
Society’s Focus: Warlike societies and military artifacts discovered.
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Trojan War and Literature
Historical Context: Discussion of Homer’s IlIiad and its historical ties to Mycenaean civilization.
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Mycenaean Collapse
Pivotal Events: Overview of the decline of Mycenaean society and factors leading to the period termed Greek Dark Ages.
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Archaeological Findings Post-Collapse
Cultural Connections: Ties between Mycenaeans and Philistines, supported by findings.
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Impact of the Bronze Age Collapse
Regional Consequences: Examination of the broader impacts on various civilizations concurrent with Mycenaean decline.
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The Role of Sea Peoples
Cultural Interactions: Detailed descriptions of these groups and their effect on Mediterranean civilizations.
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Possible Explanations for Collapse
Theoretical Frameworks: Suggestions of climatic and economic factors leading to societal breakdowns.
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Consequences of the Greek Dark Ages
Characteristics of the Era: Overview of societal changes, including loss of literacy and cultural identity.
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Overview of the Iron Age Near East (1050-486 BCE)
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Hebrew Origins and Traditions
Historical Context: Exploration of the Hebrew identity as related in scriptural accounts.
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The Torah and Its Compilation
Documentary Hypothesis: Discussions around the development of the religious text.
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Timeline of Biblical Composition
Chronological Overview: Presentation of the timeline for the Old and New Testaments.
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Hebrew Religion Insights
Cultural Practices: Examination of religious beliefs, including the Covenant and priestly traditions.
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Early Israelite Kingdom Dynamics
Key Figures: Discussion on Saul, David, and Solomon and their contributions to early state formation.
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Division of the Kingdoms: Israel and Judah
Political Changes: Analysis of historical events that led to the division and subsequent conquests.
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Assyrian Empire Overview (850-605 BCE)
Military Strength: Examination of Assyrian strategies and their effects on neighboring territories.
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Early Persian Society and Religion
Zoroastrian Influence: The rise of Zoroastrianism and its impact on later religious thought.
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Rise of the Achaemenid Empire
Conquests: Overview of Cyrus's and Cambyses's conquests that included multiple regions.
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Darius I and Expansion
Pressure for Expansion: Discussion on the motivations and challenges Darius faced during expansion efforts.
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Persian Rule and Governance
Administration: The organization and distribution of power in the Persian Empire, including satrapies and royal communication systems.