Western Civilization to 1000 CE Discussion
Slide 1 of 2
Directions: Be able to identify each of the people/objects/places/terms/events below. In a short answer, explain why are they significant and how they influenced Early Western History?
- The Epic of Gilgamesh
This is an epic poem that was identified as one of the earliest forms of literature. The poem provided the foundation upon which Western authors such as Homer, who wrote the Odyssey and the Illiad, drew inspiration for their literary works.
- The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings was a burial place for Egyptian royalty and is relevant for housing the tombs of 63 of the most widely recognized Egyptian Pharaohs. The place was declared a world heritage site in 1979 as one of the most magnificent burial grounds in the world.
- Chauvet Caves
The Chauvet Caves are a prehistoric site containing the best-preserved paleolithic cave wall paintings. The caves are relevant because they hint at the nature of life in the upper paleolithic age and are said to depict a volcanic eruption, which would be the earliest record of a natural disaster
- Cuneiform
Cuneiform is an ancient writing system that was developed and used by various communities in the ancient East. The system was used to record trade transactions and in religious and cultural practices. Other forms of writing developed from cuneiform; hence it provides a large part of the history of humanity.
- Hammurapi
Hammurapi is the Babylonian king who codified the criminal laws that were used in ancient Babylon and Sumer. He is a significant figure in the history of law as the person who promulgated one of the most complete legal codes in ancient history.
- Lucy
Lucy is the name given to the fossilized bones from the skeleton of an australopithecine woman from the hominin species, which was discovered in Awash Valley in Ethiopia. Lucy is a relevant piece of evidence on the existence of the early man.
- Akhenaten
Akhenaten was a pharaoh in ancient Egypt reputed for creating a new monotheistic religion which ended the religious practice of worshiping many deities in Egypt, leaving the Egyptians to worship only the sun god Aten. This religious reform resulted in the evolution of Egyptian art. He is an important figure in the history of religious evolution as some aspects of his religion were incorporated into Western religious concepts. Western Civilization to 1000 CE Discussion
- Neolithic Period
The Neolithic Period is the last era of the stone age and thus represents the final stage of cultural evolution in prehistoric humans, in which humans began to practice agriculture. It is relevant in western history as the beginning of the agricultural revolution. Western Civilization to 1000 CE Discussion
- Assyrians
Assyrians are an ethnic group belonging to one of the greatest empires in the ancient Middle East. The Assyrians were a powerful nation known for their proficiency in battle and are relevant in history as the first people to use iron weapons.
- Ur
Ur is a Sumerian city in ancient Mesopotamia. It was one of the first cities in human history and is fundamental in explaining the urban revolution. Western Civilization to 1000 CE Discussion
- The Tanakh
The Tanakh is an acronym for the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible, the Torah: books of law, Neviim, prophetic books, and Ketuvim, which comprise religious poetry and literature. The Tanakh was used to govern Jewish life and is relevant in explaining the history of Biblical literature. Western Civilization to 1000 CE Discussion
- Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great founded the Achaemenian empire, an ancient Persian dynasty that was one of the largest empires worldwide. He is famous for integrating all the Iranian tribes and showing benevolence to all the nations he conquered by allowing then=m to retain their cultural and religious practices
- Fertile Crescent
The Fertile Crescent is famous for being home to the earliest human communities. This area is relevant in early western history for being the home of several innovations, including writing, agriculture, the practice of irrigation, and the wheel, all of which were relevant to human civilization.
- Thera
Thera is an island in Greece which is the site of the largest volcanic eruptions in the world. The Island is relevant in history because the volcanic eruption which occurred in the bronze age covered Akrotiri, a town that existed in that era, thus preserving a relevant part of the bronze age.
- Ötzi
Ötzi is the mummified body of a man believed to have lived between 3350 and 3150 BC. Ötzi is historically relevant because he presents archaeological evidence of Neolithic man and his life and culture.
- The Phoenicians
The Phoenicians are a people in ancient history who occupied parts of Syria, Lebanon, and northern parts of Israel. The Phoenicians are relevant in the history of language for creating the first alphabet, based on which many writing systems were formed.
- Solomon’s Temple
Solomon’s temple is the first temple built by the Israelite king Solomon for the Israelites to worship their God. It is relevant as a source of archaeological evidence on Biblical history.
- The Stepped Pyramid of Djoser
The Stepped Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest Egyptian pyramid, built by Djoser, an Egyptian king who was the first to build in stone. The pyramid is relevant to architectural history on the evolution of the pyramid form.
- Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. The religion originated from Persia and is relevant to the history of religion as many scholars believe it influenced some aspects of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
- The Battle of Kadesh
The Battle of Kadesh was a battle fought between the Hittites and the Egyptians under the reign of Rameses II. The battle is relevant in early western history because it led to the signing of the first peace treaty in the world, signed to broker peace between the Hittites and the Egyptians.
- Socrates
Socrates is a Greek philosopher relevant in western history as the father of Western philosophy and the first moral philosopher of western descent.
- The Republic
The Republic is a dialogue in the Socratic form, which was written by Plato. The dialogue is relevant in history as the first known examination of political theory and social justice.
- Aristophanes
Aristophanes was a Greek playwright who wrote comedic works relevant to Western history as a representative of the old branch of comic dramaturgy. His works also provide insight into political and social practices in ancient Greece.
- Cimon
Cimon was a general in Athens who contributed to the development of the Athenian empire after the Greco-Persian wars. He is relevant in history as being critical to the history of democracy in Athens.
- Herodotus
Herodotus is a Greek author and geographer who is credited with being the first historian.
- Hoplite
Hoplite refers to heavily armed foot soldiers in city-states in ancient Greece used to fight in a close formation during wars. Hoplite tactics are historically relevant due to their role in the evolution of warfare in the ancient world.
- Thermopylae
Thermopylae is a narrow coastal area in ancient Greece which served as a battleground for the battle of Thermopylae between the Greek Spartans and the Persians. The place is historically significant because it ushered in a slew of Greek victories against the Persians. Despite being defeated, the Greeks slew twenty thousand Persians, which boosted their fighting spirit and resulted in several victories against the Persians.
- Mytilene
Mytilene is a city that attempted a revolt against Athens in the Peloponnesian war. The city is relevant to history as its defeat by the Athenians after its attempted revolt resulted in the Mytilene debate, where the Athenian assembly debated over how to punish the city. The Mytilene debate is relevant for showing the ideological impacts of war in the ancient world.
- Ostraca
Ostraca were pieces of limestone used as writing surfaces in ancient Egypt, Athens, and Greece. Ostraca are relevant for their use as a means of exacting social justice, where citizens used them to vote on who should be exiled.
- Trōiades (Trojan Women)
Trojan Women is a play written by the Greek playwright Euripides which depicted the capture of the Island of Melos by the Athenians and the killing and subjugation of its residents. This play is a historically relevant depiction of the aftermath of the Trojan war and women’s struggle against the patriarchy.
- The Pythia
Pythia was a title for the priestess who presided as the oracle of Apollo’s temple located at Delphi. The Pythia were considered a powerful religious institution and relevant in showing the roles of women in ancient history
- Doric
Doric is an ancient Greek building design involving the use of vertical columns and horizontal entablature in construction. Doric is relevant in the history of architectural evolution.
- Euclid
Euclid is a Greek mathematician who is relevant in western history as the father of Geometry.
- Marathon
Marathon is a long-distance race event instituted in remembrance of Pheiddipides, A Greek runner who died after running for a long distance to deliver the news of the Persian defeat by the Athenians in the battle of Marathon. Marathon is a relevant part of sports history in early western history.
- Arētē
Arētē was a Greek goddess who personified excellence. As a result of Arētē’s influence, the Greeks strived to excel in everything they did, and as a result, various aspects of Greek culture proliferated civilization in the modern world.
- Helots
Helots were a subjugated people who were slaves to the Spartans. The Helots performed the labor which was relevant in creating wealth for the Spartans; hence they are relevant in explaining socio-economic organization in the ancient world.
- Magnae Graecia
The Magnae Graecia is a group of Greek cities that formed an expensive part of Greek civilization. Most commercial activities in Greece took place in the cities; hence they are relevant for understanding the economic activities in ancient Greece.
- The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple in Athens that was dedicated to the goddess Athena. Religious life in ancient Athens was centered around the temple; hence it is an integral part of Greek religious history.
- Alcibiades
Alcibiades was an Athenian statesman and military general who played a large part in causing the political conflicts that caused Athen’s defeat in the Peloponnesian war. His role in the defeat of the Athenians and his selfish politics made him a character in ancient comedy and several of Socrates’ dialogues.
- Alexander
Alexander was a Macedonian King responsible for creating one of the largest empires in the world, which extended from the Balkans to today’s Pakistan. He is credited with the proliferation of Greek culture worldwide, which ushered in the Hellenistic age where philosophy, science, and the arts thrived.
"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"
