Early History: Origins of Civilization

Introduction to Writing

• Around 3000 BC, writing was invented in two different cultures:
  • Sumeria: Cuneiform writing
  • Egypt: Hieroglyphic writing
• Writing enabled the recording of facts, customs, wars, and rulers.
• This marked the beginning of recorded history, specifically Ancient History.

Sumerian Civilization

• Considered the first great civilization.
• Comprised of city-states like Ur, Uruk, Lagash, Isin, Nippur, Kish, and Babylon.
• Notable aspects:
  • Agriculture
  • Metallurgy (copper and bronze)
  • Beer production
  • Foreign trade
  • Warfare
• First recorded war: Lagash vs Umma (2525 BC)

Akkadian Empire

• Founded by Sargon of Akkad (2250 BC).
• Conquered Sumerian city-states and created the Akkadian Empire.

Egyptian Civilization

• Early cities developed along the Nile.
• Hierakonpolis: First major urban center.
• King Menes/Narmer: Unified Lower and Upper Egypt, creating the 1st Dynasty.
• Division into provinces or Nomos governed by Nomarcas.
• Capital: Memphis

Egyptian Pyramids

• Pharaoh Zoser: Built the first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara.
• Seneferu: Attempted pyramid constructions, succeeded with the Red Pyramid.
• Keops: Built the Great Pyramid of Giza (2550 BC).

First Intermediate Period

• Post-Pepi II, Egypt fragmented due to succession issues and poor harvests.
• Nomarcas gained power, leading to this period.

Rise and Fall of Empires

• Akkadian Empire disintegrated under pressure from the Gutis (2154 BC).
• Resurgence in Sumeria with the Third Dynasty of Ur (2112 BC).
• Amorites took control over cities like Babylon (2004 BC).

Egyptian Middle Kingdom

• Reunification by Pharaoh Mentuhotep II.
• Control over Nubian gold mines.

Babylonian Empire and Hammurabi

• Hammurabi (1793 BC) established the Paleo-Babylonian Empire.
• Known for the Hammurabi Code.

Conflicts and Cultures

• Hittites, Mitanni, and Assyrians: Emerged around 1600 BC, creating their kingdoms.
• Egypt's New Kingdom: Post-Hyksos domination (1550 BC).
• Expansion under Tutmosis I.

Notable Pharaohs

• Hatshepsut: Built a funerary temple at Deir el-Bahari.
• Amenhotep III: Luxor Temple completion.
• Akhenaten: Monotheistic worship of Aten.
• Ramses II: Known for constructions like Abu Simbel.

Sea Peoples and Iron Age

• Sea Peoples (1200 BC): Destroyed many cities, causing the Bronze Crisis.
• Rise of the Iron Age, with Assyria gaining superiority.

Regional Powers

• Israelites: Formation of kingdoms under Saul and David.
• Phoenicians: Known for navigation, trade, and the Phoenician alphabet.

Division of Israel

• Kingdom of Israel divided into Israel (north) and Judah (south).
• Assyrian conquest of Israel (712 BC).

Egypt's Late Period

• Third Intermediate Period: Division due to rebellion.
• Kushite Dynasty: Nubian pharaohs (25th Dynasty).

Neo-Babylonian Empire

• Founded by Nabopolassar (616 BC), with Nebuchadnezzar II as a notable king.
• Constructive achievements in Babylon, including the Ishtar Gate.
• Babylonian Captivity of the Jews (587 BC).

Persian Empire

• Cyrus the Great: Conquered all of Mesopotamia, liberating the Jews.
• Cambyses II: Conquered Egypt (525 BC).

Rise of Alexander the Great

• Defeated Persian power and liberated Egypt (332 BC).