What is civilization?
An advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached.
"civilization." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 03 Aug.
2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/civilization>.
The major early civilizations that we will be studying this year in class are offered below.
An advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached.
"civilization." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 03 Aug.
2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/civilization>.
The major early civilizations that we will be studying this year in class are offered below.
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia (land between the rivers) is considered the birthplace of civilization by most scholars. The land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers supported many of the earliest civilizations, including Sumer, Babylon, and Akkad.
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Egypt and Kush
Egypt is considered the "gift of the Nile" because the Nile River gave life to this mostly desert land. The Egyptians not only survived, but thrived along its banks for thousands of years.
Kush (also known as Nubia) was a kingdom south of Egypt. While Kush and Egypt are both Nile River civilizations, Kush did not depend upon the Nile for farming because it received tropical rainfall all year long. Both civilizations warred and traded with each other over the years. Earlier on, Kush's culture was influenced by Egyptian culture, but this influence would fade over the years. Click on the buttons below to learn all about Egypt and Kush: |
Greece
Greece is a mountainous land which occupied the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula on the European mainland and islands in the Aegean Sea. Greece, unlike many civilizations, did not depend on major rivers to help them meet their needs. Strongly independent Greek communities were scattered throughout this land. Greece would not be a united civilization until conquered by Philip II of Macedonia in the 300s B.C.
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Rome
Rome developed as an individual city-state and eventually became the capital of a vast empire, reaching the height of its power during the time of Christ. The city of Rome is located along the banks of the Tiber River near the western coast of central Italy. The Romans adapted to, and modified the ideas of other cultures, including the Greeks.
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China
Chinese civilization developed along the bank of the Huang River in eastern China thousands of years before Christ. Chinese unification occurred c. 221 B.C. under the warlord Qin Shi Huangdi. Silk cloth, the wheelbarrow and gunpowder are but a few of the contributions of China to the world..
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India and Persia
India is a large peninsula isolated from the rest of Asia by vast mountain ranges to the north. Because of its unique geographical situation, it is called a subcontinent of Asia. The Harappan civilization developed along the banks of the Indus River in what is known as Pakistan today. The arrival of the Aryans would have a great effect on the development of the subcontinent. Hinduism and Buddhism are two major religions which originated in India.
Persia (Iran) eventually developed a vast, multicultural empire in Central Asia by c. 550 B.C. Persia's eastern border expanded to include the Indus River Valley. Alexander the Great's army would eventually conquer the Persian Empire up to and including the Indus River Valley. Click on the buttons below to learn all about India and Persia: |