Post on 18-Dec-2015
Apr 18, 2023 GNED002 - Ancient Empires 1
Ancient EmpiresAncient Empires
An Introduction to An Introduction to Eight Imperial Eight Imperial
Civilizations of the Civilizations of the Ancient WorldAncient World
An Introduction to Eight An Introduction to Eight Imperial Civilizations of the Imperial Civilizations of the Ancient WorldAncient World
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OverviewOverviewThe Evolution of CivilizationAnthropology and Archaeology in Historical AnalysisThe Rise and Characteristics of EmpiresCities and TechnologiesTimelines
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The Evolution of The Evolution of CivilizationsCivilizations
Definition: Civilizationa culture that builds cities and has achievements in art, literature, science, and technology
Civilizations don’t rise alone
End product of evolution of culture within a geographic area
Rome 100 AD
Archaeology - DefinitionArchaeology - Definition
The study of human activity in the past, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind.
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Anthropology - DefinitionAnthropology - Definition
The study of humans, past and present, that draws and builds upon the knowledge from the social sciences and biological sciences as well as the humanities and natural sciences.
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The Importance of The Importance of ArchaeologyArchaeology
Art of HistoryWritten records:
• political, military, economic
Bias toward rich & powerful
Science of ArchaeologyAdds accurate detail about daily life of ordinary peopleChanged modern view of history
Maya glyphs
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Key to HistoryKey to HistoryHistory is a gift
Recreated in each generationHuman mind has not changed in 200,000 years
• Evolution of homo sapiens is cultural
ArchaeologyTakes time, moneyStarted in Europe
• Heinrich Schliemann– Wealthy German businessman– Excavated Troy 1870’s
ClovisHunter
HeinrichSchliemann
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Archaeology and Archaeology and AnthropologyAnthropologyScience of Anthropology
ArchaeologyCultural anthropologyLinguisticsPhysical anthropology
Cultural historyArchaeologist is anthropologistSeeing society whole
• All social groups and functions
• more accurate, meaningful interpretation of ancient cultures
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Hunter-GatherersHunter-GatherersBig game hunting
• Nomadic, migratory herds of land & sea mammals
• Focus on one or two species
First settlementsRiver valleys on migration routesExtraction of unearned resources
• Energy from other biomes• Larger families possible
Archaic adaptation: scheduled collecting of seasonal foods
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The Agricultural The Agricultural RevolutionRevolution
Developed in semi-arid areas adjacent to river valleys
Need to store collected cereals
Impact of agricultureStored surplus food
• Geometric increase in populationDependence on nonfood resources
• Water, fuel, stone, metal, etc.Transportation & trade
• Moving scarce resources between settled villages
Urbanization, industrializationOverpopulation, overexploitation of resources, pollution
Chaco granary
French traders in a Huron village
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Phases of Cultural Phases of Cultural DevelopmentDevelopment
1. Hunting & gathering2. Agriculture
Domestic plantsDomestic animals
3. Towns & CitiesPopulation increaseUrbanizationSpecializationCompetition
Egyptian agriculture
Mesoamerican urban centres
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Life in the Ancient WorldLife in the Ancient WorldPopulations small
Local farms, villagesLittle change over time
Hard livesUnvaried foodsNo medical servicesPoor sanitationHigh infant mortality
Simple joysFamily and friendsGames, songs, storiesFaith
Seneb the Dwarf& family
6th Dynasty Egypt
rice plowing
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Cultural GrowthCultural GrowthTheory of Diffusion
Culture and technologies originate with one culture and are diffused by contact with other cultures.
Theory of CorrespondenceAll humans have same mental & physical capabilities, thus invent similar culture and technology in similar environments
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Birthplace of EmpiresBirthplace of EmpiresRiver valleys
Life-givingGodlike
Human innovationsDevelopment of crop speciesIrrigation systems
• Mesopotamia
Calendars• Nile Valley flooding
Nile farming
Egyptian scribe
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The Rise of CitiesThe Rise of CitiesEcological richness of valley attracts peopleCities
Centre of richnessExpanded areas of controlWalled for protection• Repelled invaders• Attracted immigrants
Emblems of EmpireMohenjo Daro - walls and citadel
Indus Valley Civilization
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The Rise of EmpiresThe Rise of Empires
Rich & fertile valleysExamples: Nile, Indus, Huang Ho
Regional CulturesCentred around citiesShared trade, cultureMilitary dominance leads to empire
Alexander the Great
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Imperial CitiesImperial Cities
Dense populationUrbanization processesCultural innovationDriven by
CommerceCultural interaction
The Agora - Athens
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The Elements of EmpireThe Elements of Empire
ElementsPeoplesGoodsIdeas
Existence & dynamism of elements depend on
MovementExchange
Longshan pottery
Egyptian mural - transporting the grain
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City As Symbol of WealthCity As Symbol of Wealth
Struggle for control of citiesRichness: ability to produce surplus goods and services
agriculturepottery, metalworkingcommerce
Supportednobility, administrative class, army
Increased wealth, population by immigration
rice harrowing - China
First Emperor’s terracotta army
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Civilization to EmpireCivilization to EmpireCity
Agriculture means larger townsSpecialized buildings, occupations
City-StateMetropolis and hinterland
• Interaction of towns and cities
StateEquality of cities e.g. Italy in Roman Republic
EmpireSubject states e.g. Aztec Empire
ImperialItaly
Aztec Empire
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Culture and ExpansionCulture and ExpansionThe Stay-at-Homes
China, Egypt, MayaLittle knowledge of other empires beyond their boundaries
The ExpansionistsRome, GreecePursuit of trade or conquestLimited by
• Natural obstacles• Opposing forces Greek colonies
China- relief
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The Polynesian CaseThe Polynesian CasePolynesian seafarers
3000 BC onSailed and colonized Pacific
• Northwest Coast• Easter Island
No empire, colonies isolated
The Record FactorKey is permanent records
• Written language• Maps
Example: Greek knowledge of Mediterranean world
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Timelines
Framework for understanding
Time sequence of development of cultureMarked by dynasties, technological progressRise-and-fall image
• Spengler’s view of history
Timeline of Ancient Egypt