Overview
This lecture reviewed major themes and structures shared by ancient river valley civilizations, focusing on political, economic, technological, and legal developments foundational to later world history.
Common Political Structures
- As populations grew, political organization became necessary to manage projects and people.
- Leaders often connected their authority to religion, claiming divine support or status.
- Taxation began as a way to fund public projects and support societal needs.
- Armies developed to protect land, resources, and structures; some were citizen militias, others were standing forces.
- Law codes—written or unwritten—emerged to regulate society, exemplified by the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi and the Narmer tablet.
Innovation and Technology
- Necessity spurred practical innovations in early cities.
- Writing systems developed for record-keeping: cuneiform in Mesopotamia, hieroglyphics in Egypt, khipu in the Andes.
- Mathematics was essential for administration, construction, and religious activities.
- Tools like ploughs, sails, and wheeled vehicles improved agriculture and transport.
Economic Developments & Trade
- Agriculture formed the economic base, but surplus allowed job specialization (e.g., pottery, baking).
- Barter systems enabled exchange of goods, assigning relative values to items.
- Inter-regional trade began, evidenced by artifacts found far from their origin (e.g., Indus Valley goods in Mesopotamia).
- Trade facilitated cultural exchange, spreading ideas and beliefs alongside goods.
Key Terms & Definitions
- River Valley Civilization — Early societies that arose in fertile river valleys and shared structural similarities.
- Theocracy — A political system where rulers claim religious authority.
- Taxation — Mandatory contributions to fund societal needs.
- Code of Hammurabi — One of the earliest written legal codes from ancient Mesopotamia.
- Cuneiform — Mesopotamian wedge-shaped writing.
- Hieroglyphics — Egyptian system of pictorial writing.
- Khipu — Andean record-keeping using knots on colored strings.
- Barter System — Trade of goods/services without money.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Watch Video 3, which will cover culture, environment, and society in ancient civilizations.