Early civilizations

1. The term civilization can be problematic. What are some of the benefits of being part of a civilization? What are some of the detriments? Of the four distinctive characteristics of civilization mentioned in the text, which do you think is the most important and why?

Civilization is very essential since it leads to development of greater economic surplus for the people. In addition, it also developed formal governments, which ensured stability because of organized governance. Civilization led to development of writing which improved mode of communication over long distances and enhanced record keeping. Lastly, it led to development of urban centers, which harbored large population.

However, despite the benefits of civilizations, it has some drawbacks or problems on people. The development of greater economic surplus leads to unequal distribution of the surplus among people. This in turn increased social inequalities among people. The emergence of urban centers led to concentration of people, which increased social problems such as poor social amenities and crime. The development of formal government is the most important because it establishes a formal leadership that leads to greater organization and management of resources.

2. Where did Middle Eastern civilization develop? Be familiar with the rivers. Who were the Sumerians? What did they first accomplish, particularly regarding scientific discoveries?

The civilizations in Middle East began along the banks of river Euphrates and Tigris. The Sumerians were people who lived in the valley of Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in Mesopotamia. They invented the cuneiform system of writing which was used in astronomical forecasts.

3. Describe their religious outlook. How did they view the Gods? How did this view relate to nature?

Sumerians developed an intricate religion in that each town or city had a god. They erected appealing shrines in the cities to honor and please heir gods. They believed in deities, for nature on which their agricultural practices relied. In addition, they conducted offerings and prayers to prevent drought and floods as well as to offer good health.

4. Describe their political structure. What role did the kings play? What later political shifts occurred?

Their political structure focused on organized city-states under the leadership of a king. The king had divine power. Kings were military and their duty to lead their people during the times of war and defense of the territory. Further, they led the trained army to ensure no enemy territory attacked them. Around 2400 B.C.E, the Akkadians conquered the Sumerians. They continued with the Sumerian culture until they fell to Babylon. For years, this region was characterized by political instability because of consistent wars.

5. How did the geography of Egypt differ from Mesopotamia? How did this affect their economy and kingship?

Egypt was located in Northern Africa and started farming along the Nile River. On the other hand, Mesopotamia was in Middle East. The trade between Egypt and Mesopotamia increased the Egyptian economic activity. The established of great association with Mesopotamia formed the ground for the development of regional kingdoms a long River Nile.

 

6. What scientific achievements occurred in Egypt? How do they compare with Mesopotamia?

The Egyptians developed advanced mathematics than the Sumerians in Mesopotamia. Further, they had great architecture and decorative art as demonstrated in the construction of pyramids and paintings. Egypt copied the art of astronomy from Mesopotamia, which was vital in forecasting weather conditions.

7. What was the purpose of the pyramids?

The pyramids housed the kings (Pharaoh) and their families after they died.

8. What were the differences and similarities of the Egyptians and Mesopotamians?

Comparison of Egypt and Mesopotamia shows that there were some differences and similarities between the two civilizations. Egypt stressed on strong central power whereas political structure in Mesopotamia shifted in that it adapted a regional city state government. Egyptian art embraced more on monumental structures whereas Mesopotamia focused on a literary aspect of art. The Egyptian and Mesopotamian economies differed because Mesopotamia established a technological enhancement since the environment was hard to manage than the Valley along the Nile River. On the social front, the Egyptian respected their women than the Mesopotamians this because marriages were essential to the stability of the monarchy. Whereas women were highly regarded in Egyptian society, the Mesopotamian society was contrary to this. Women were the main source of labor and were expected to be highly productive in the society. Women were the major contributors during tilling and harvesting of land. In comparison, it should be clear that Egyptian practices were more inclined in religion contrary to the Mesopotamia’s that were scientifically driven. Despite the differences, the two civilizations shared much in common. For instance, both stressed social classification with the ruling class at the top and the ruled at the bottom. Additionally, both civilizations made great achievements in astronomy which they related to mathematics and utilized durable discoveries about measurements and units of time.

9. What defines a patriarchal society? How did it differ in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Jewish societies?

Patriarchal society is one where men have authority to hold moral and political positions, and have power over females and children. In Mesopotamia, women were supposed to respect their husbands. They were not allowed to occupy leadership positions. In Egypt, patriarchy existed but women were respected because they ensured stability of the monarchy. In the Jewish society, women were given opportunities in leadership since they were linked with fertility and continuity of life.

10. What was unique about the Jewish religion? How did they feel about converting others to their religion? How did they change how God was conceptualized?

The Jews people believed that a single God protected and guided them unlike other religions, which believed in many gods and deities. The prophets and priests stressed this belief and their past record of God’s guidance and protection formed the platform for the Hebrew bible. According to the Jews, the concept or idea of God became abstract in the sense that God had authority and rationality from what other deities and gods in early civilizations possessed. God was seen as organized and orderly in that anybody who followed and respected his rules would be rewarded.

                                                   Define the following term 

Tigris is a river in Middle East

Euphrates is a river in Middle East

Sumerians were people who lived in the valley of Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in Mesopotamia

Ziggurats this were portraits constructed by the Mesopotamians

Polytheism is the practice of believing in many gods and deities

Sargon is a leader who ruled Mesopotamia

Hammurabi is a leader who led the Mesopotamia after he overthrew Sargon

Pharaoh is a name given to the Egyptian kings

Pyramid is a tomb where the Pharaohs were laid when they died

Patriarchy is a state where men have authority to hold moral and political positions, and have power over females and children

1. Hammurabi’s Code is one of history’s first codified laws. Pick three laws and answer the follow questions for each. For full credit, make sure at least one of the laws addresses the class distinctions.

1. If a person gives false witness in a civil law case or court, he or she shall be responsible for all the charges in that case or suit

This law warns against giving false evidence in a court. It ensures that people give true information in a court case, which in turn brings justice to the victim. The law is fair as ensures justice is done to all.

1. If a person steals a child, he or she shall be sentenced to death

This law warns against child trafficking. It ensures that children are protected rather than been trafficked for different reasons. The law is fair as it drives away child traffickers.

• If a person commits highway crime (robbery), he or she shall be killed

The law ensures that people do not engage in heinous crimes such as robbery with violence. It helps in curbing the increasing crime in urban centers. The law is fair since it instills fear in people who think of stealing.

1. Has two sources related to Egypt. Answer the following questions:

How is the Nile portrayed in the Hymn and what does it provide? How is it possible for a river to provide so much?

The Nile River is seen as an area of prosperity and continuity of life because it provides water used in agricultural productions. The river provided so much because the Egyptians developed techniques that helped them utilize the water. For instance, water from the Nile River was used for irrigation and transportation.

What is revealed about social behaviors in Egypt? Look to third source (Egyptian Hieroglyphics) to see what the possible penalties might be for such transgressions

The Egyptian respected their women than the Mesopotamians this because marriages were essential to the stability of the monarchy

1.  Hebrew Law is our first glimpse at monotheism. 

God is protective and provider. He protected the Jews from hostile communities. Further, he provided food to them, which ensures survival of the Jews race. They should remain obedient and faithful to God as their creator. Women are respected because they carry children in the womb, which ensures continuity of human race.

Epic of Gilgamesh

1. How are the Gods depicted? Why do they decide to destroy the city and are they unified?  What is their relationship with humans?

The gods are seen as having eternal life and power over nature. They want to destroy the city because it is corrupt in that the gods within it are not happy with the way of life in the city. People in the city value earthly possessions than their gods. They are unified since they have decided to destroy the city together. They provided protection to humans.

1. What is the significance of clay and reed huts in the source? What does it represent?

The clay and reed hut help people to construct a formidable house for the gods. They represent the ability get away easily in the sense that if a house is constructed with reed huts and clay is easy to destroy in case of a disaster.

1. How is the ship described? What does Utnapishtim do to prepare for the journey?

Upon realizing that the gods would send floods to the city, Utnapishtim constructed a strong ship with big dimensions, 6 decks, one acre of space on the floor, more than five dozen cubits in height. He took with him each seed of living things, his possessions, and family in the ship. As a preparation for the journey, he took oil and everything he needed during his journey.

1. How is the storm described? How do the Gods react? Why do they eventually accept Utnapishtim?

When the dawn appeared, a black cloud rose. Adad, the god of thunder roared as Ninib, the god of destroyer caused the rivers to overflow. The storm brought by Adad swept up to the heavens and as all light was turned into total darkness. The gods were afraid of the storm in that they sought protection in the heaven of Anu. They accepted Utnapishtim because he represented human race since other people had been destroyed by the flood-storm.

1. What relationship do you see between the weather described in the source and the weather in Mesopotamia?

The weather in the story and the weather in Mesopotamia are almost the same because in both accounts the storm was strong to the extent that people feared it.

1. What similarities do you see between this source and the flood story in the Old Testament? Why would there be these similarities? 

In both stories, God used a human being to destroy corrupt city. God ordered the person to construct a ship, take a seed of each living in it before he could send the floods. People were warned about the impending destruction but ignored. When storm came, it lasted for seven days and destroyed everything. The similarities in the stories are because of the early interaction of people from different territories. They tell the same story on how God destroyed his city but in different manner.

Egypt or Mesopotamia

I would chose to live in Egypt because of the political, social, economic, and moral stability. The existence of a stable government ensured increased agricultural production since people work in farms without fears. In addition, River Nile ensures easy movement of both people and goods. It also provides food (fish) and water for irrigation purposes.

                                                                      Hammurabi’s Code

1.  Which law do you think is the most fair and why?

If a person gives false witness in a civil law case or court, he or she shall be responsible for all the charges in that case or suit. This law is fair since it discourages people from giving false information that might lead to imprisonment or release of a person. Therefore, if a person is discovered to have given false information or witness, they should also be convicted.

1. Which law do you think is the least fair and why?

If a man married a wife and fail to implement marriage contract, that woman does not qualify to a wife. This law is not fair as some men might decide to take women as wives, waste their time, and fail to honor marriage contract intentionally. In turn, women would be negatively affected in the sense that their time might be wasted.

 

Emotion Regulation: Importance and Application