Early Civilizations of the Ancient Middle East What

Early Civilizations of the Ancient Middle East

What is Important? • Societies transition from. . . – simple – agricultural – equalitarian. . . to Kingdoms and Empires • Religion – animism. . . . polytheism (monotheism) • Religion becomes a source and tool of power.

What is important? • Technology – Copper. . . Iron – Mathematics – Language – Military • organization and logistics • weapons (design and materials) – swords – bows – chariots

What is Important? • Patriarchy • Gender relations

5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 of Towns Development Sumarian Empire Sumerian culture / Empire Development of towns + cuneiform + Hieroglyphics + Bronze Copper Egypt c. 4300 Uruk copper plows potters wheel 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Akkadian Babalonian Empire Hittite Assyrian Empire Hittites Phoenicians Judah / Israel Greeks Archaic - - - -Classical - - + Linear B A + Linear + Phoenician + Iron

Cuneiform Akkadian Hittite Sumerian Old Persian

Linear A (currently undeciphered) Minoan

Linear A Mycenaean Greek

Egyptian Hieroglyphics

Hieroglyphs Demotic Ancient Greek Produced 196 BCE Re-discovered in 1799 Translated 1803 - 1822

Phoenician Greek

Ancient Writing Systems Middle East • Cuneiform • Egyptian Hieroglyphics – Demotic • • • Linear A Linear B Phoenician Greek Latin 3, 200 BCE – 100 C 3, 200 BCE – 400 CE 650 BCE – 400 CE 1, 900 – 1, 450 BCE 1, 450 – 1, 150 BCE 1, 050 BCE – c. 200 BCE 800 BCE – Present 700 BCE – Present