Histoy of Ancient World

Mesopotamia first writing system; become invaluable source; developed in response to trade; Ideograph- ideas through pictures; develops over next 3000 years; Sumerian grammar has many monosyllabic and homophones; one symbol can be used for many different purposes; Cuneiform- wedge shaped; Scribes- go to schools to write

Lifespan of the Bronze Age followed by the Iron age.

• Bronze is a mix of tin and copper
• Tools for agriculture and weapons, takes a lot of skill
• Zagros mts. have copper
• tin imports from spain and asia
• Cities
• War/Warfare
• Infantry
• Monarchy: Kish
• Ur (city)

Narmer begins the unification of Egypt around 3000 BC; only city states were present; was done through military event.

• Opposite of Akkad
• Horrible Weather
• Disease
• Irregular flooding

Pharaoh Djoser (3rd dynasty) begins projects to create his tombs; Imhotep builds Djoser a mastaba and architectural genius; Step pyramid built for Djoser but not good enough; Pharaoh Snefru (4th dynasty) becomes greatest pyramid; Snefru creates first smooth sided pyramid at 55 degrees and creates the bent pyramid; Then Red Pyramid created; Pharaoh Khufu creates Great Pyramid of Giza; built by 400,000 people; free labor on the pyramids; Khufu's heirs built other 2 and smaller ones for the queens; Draining on the economy; decrease in size shows fall of economy and kings lose power and no longer centralized

Lifespan of Akkadian Empire. Lead by Sargon; Overthrew King of Kish and uses similar story to Moses in order to legitimize his rule
1. Destroys all city walls
2. Places his own people in control of cities
Naram-Sin was worshipped as a God instead of a King and kingdom falls after his son only rules for a decade.
- First King of Akkadian Empire (Sargon)
- Raises large army attacks neighboring country and they yield due to huge numbers and cycle repeats
- Conquers all of Mesopotamia into Syria
- Akkadian Language used for international politics
- City state taken up after empires fall

Chaos in Egypt; Not used to chaos and incredibly affected; Depression overcomes Egypt.

• Ur III
• King of Ur - Shulgi -Followed Naram-Sin and called themselves Gods
• Empire divided into provinces -Two leaders per province: one political, one military -Constant switching and moving around so none rebel -Law Code established

Still weak were never able to get the same power as Old Kingdom; Pharaohs are seen as lonely, depressed, with no help; internal stability and external attack take over.

• Hammurabi
• Divides into provinces
• Creates new Law code, Code of Hammurabi
• 1st Law Code that survives
• Suffers internal saction and external collapse
• Slow collapse over time
• Hittites burn babylon to the ground when it was weak
• Indo-Europeans - speak language related to each other; bring new technologies, chariots, horses; many follow examples of Akkadians, Ur, and Babylon

Hyksos destroys central government; Nubian powers occupies south; Egypt hatred towards Hyksos grows; Hyksos brings new technology; Chariots and the compound bow; weak during this with intense warfare

• Against the Hittites
• Qadesh was very important and Ramses II wanted it back

Fall of the Bronze Age followed by the Iron Age.