-
Period: 200 to
China- Social
2000-200 BC Shang society was sharply divided between nobles and peasants. A ruling class of warrior-nobles headed by a king governed the Shang. These noble families owned the land. -
Period: 200 to
China- Social
2000-200 BC The elder men in the family controlled the family’s property and made important decisions. Women were treated as inferiors and were expected to obey their fathers, their husbands, and later, their own sons. -
Period: 200 to
China- Interactions with the enviornment
2000-200 BC Like the other ancient civilizations in this chapter, China’s first civilization developed in a river valley. China faced the danger of floods, there wasn’t much trading due to geographic isolation and natural boundaries didn’t fully protect China from invasions. -
Period: 200 to
China- Interactions with the enviornment
2000-200 BC Only about 10 percent of China’s land is suitable for farming. Much of the land lies within the small plain between the Huang He and the Chang Jiang in eastern China. This plain, known as the North China Plain, is China’s heartland. -
Period: 200 to
China- Interactions with the enviornment
2000-200 BC The chariot, one of the major tools of war, was probably first introduced by contact with cultures from western Asia. Professional warriors underwent lengthy training to learn the techniques of driving and shooting from horse-drawn chariots. -
Period: 200 to
China- Culture
2000-200 BC In China, the family was closely linked to religion. The Chinese believed that the spirits of family ancestors had the power to bring good fortune or disaster to living members of the family. The Chinese did not regard these spirits as mighty gods. Rather, the spirits were more like troublesome or helpful neighbors who demanded attention and respect. -
206
China- Culture
Buddhism spread to China during China’s Han Dynasty in 206 BC. Buddhism offered more hope than Confucianism or Daoism (cultural diffusion) -
220
Rome- Economic
220 BC Marius promised to all people who would join his army that they could have some of the land from the war as retired legionnaires. This was going to be given as a reward for their loyalty. -
250
Rome Interactions with the enviornment
250 BC Etruscan Influences: Built Romes first city walls and sewer. The first walls in Rome helped the environment in many ways. -
Period: 256 to Apr 14, 1027
China- Economic
1027- 256 BC The Zhou Dynasty produced many innovations. Roads and canals were built to stimulate trade and agriculture and coined money was introduced, which further improved trade. -
Period: 256 to Apr 15, 1027
China- Economic
1027-256 BC Iron tools made farm work easier and more productive. The ability to grow more food helped Zhou farmers support thriving cities. -
263
Greece- Culture
263 BC The Greeks wrote 2 kinds of drama: Tragedy and Comedy. Tragedy was a serious drama about common themes while comedy contained scenes filled with slapstick situations and humor. -
265
Rome Interactions with the enviornment
265 BC the Romans had defeated the Etruscans, nce Rome had taken control on Italy, its attention was drawn to Sicily. -
300
Rome- Economics
300 BC Next to the consuls, the most important magistrates were censors. Censors recorded the city’s population and how much property each person owned. -
335
Greece- Culture
335 BC A Greek philosopher named Zano founded the school of philosophy caused Stoicism. He said, live in harmony with the will of god. -
400
Rome Social
400 BC All men between the ages of 17 and 46 with a minimum amount of property were required to serve in the army during times of war. Drafting of soldiers was very important to protect Rome. -
450
Rome- Social
450 BC, due to the Law of the 12 Tables, there was a ban on marriage between patricians and plebeians. It did not allow marriages from different social classes. -
450
Rome Political
450 BC the plebeians forced the patricians to have all laws written down. Having laws written down helps everyone to understand and know the laws better. -
500
Indus Valley- Culture
Buddhism developed in ancient India. Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha, was the founder and was born in 500 BC. He was the prince of a small kingdom. -
500
Greece- Social
500 BC the Athenian Cleisthenes introduced further reforms. Only free adult male property owners born in the Athens were considered citizens. -
551
China- Culture
China’s most influential scholar was Confucius who was born in 551 B.C. Confucius lived in a time when the Zhou Dynasty was in decline. He led a scholarly life, studying and teaching history, music, and moral character. -
May 1, 600
Greece- Social
600 BC men were expected to serve in the army until age 60. Boys usually left their home at the age of 7 to train. This was to ensure that they had a strong, experienced army. -
Jun 4, 616
Rome Political
616 BC At first Rome was ruled by Latin kings. It came under the rule of Etruscans of Northern Italy and they ruled Rome until 509 BC. -
May 15, 750
Greece- Economics
750 BC city-states (polis) was made up of a city and its surrounding countryside, which included villages. -
Jun 10, 753
Rome Culture
According to legend, Romulus and Remus, twin brothers, were raised by a she-wolf. It was founded in the city of Rome in 753 BC. -
Jun 11, 753
Rome Culture
753 BC The forum was the center of the Roman life. It was the heart of the cit. It was a political center but also a popular place for shopping and gossip. -
Jun 12, 753
Rome- Culture
Once Greece became a Roman province, the Romans adopted many elements of that culture. Even before they took over Greece, many Romans had admired Greek culture. -
Apr 6, 771
China- Political
The Zhou ruled from around 1027 to 256 B.C. In 771 B.C., nomads from the north and west attacked the Zhou capital and murdered the Zhou monarch. -
Jun 7, 1000
Rome Interactions with the enviornment
Whether or not Romulus and Remus actually existed, the people who built one were members of Indo- European tribe known as the Latins who had reached Italy in the 1000’s BC -
Period: Apr 1, 1027 to
China- Social
During the Shang Dynasty from 1700 BC- 1027 BC, The higher classes lived in timber-framed houses with walls of clay and straw.The peasants and craftspeople lived in huts. -
Period: Apr 4, 1027 to
China- Political
The Shang Dynasty lasted from around 1700 B.C. to 1027 B.C. They were the first family of Chinese rulers to leave written records. -
Apr 5, 1027
China- Political
Around 1027 B.C., the Zhou overthrew the Shang and established their own dynasty.The Zhou established a number of key traditions, including the importance of family and social order. -
May 6, 1200
Greece- Political
1200 BC The Mycenaeans fought a 10 year war with Troy because a Trojan prince had kidnapped Helen; the beautiful wife of a Greek king. Not long after, the civilization collapsed. -
Period: Feb 12, 1500 to
Indus Valley- Culture
2500–1500 B.C. Like the other two river valley civilizations, the Harappan culture developed a written language. In contrast to cuneiform and hieroglyphics, the Harappan language has been impossible to decipher -
Period: Mar 1, 1500 to
Indus Valley- Social
2500–1500 B.C. The Harappan cities show a remarkable uniformity in religion and culture. The housing suggests that social divisions in the society were not great. Artifacts such as clay and wooden children’s toys suggest a relatively prosperous society that could afford to produce nonessential goods -
Mar 9, 1500
Indus Valley- Interactions with the environment
Aryans, a nomadic people from north of the Hindu Kush mountains, swept into the Indus Valley around 1500 B.C. Indian civilization grew again under the influence of these nomads. -
May 12, 1500
Greece- Culture
1500 BC The Mycenaeans adapted the Minoan writing system to the Greek lands. They also decorated vases with Minoan designs. -
May 14, 1500
Greece- Economic
1500 BC The Mycenaean came into contact with the Minoan civilization through either trade or war. Mycenaeans were amazing in Seaborne Trade. -
Greece- Social
1600 BC a warrior- king ruled the surrounding villages and farms. Strong rulers controlled areas such as Athens. -
Indus Valley- Interactions with the environment
Around 1750 B.C., the quality of building in the Indus Valley cities declined. Gradually, the great cities fell into decay. Later it was discovered that it was due to the earthquakes and floods caused by tectonic plate movement which altered the course of the Indus River. -
Mesopotamia- Economic
1792 BC. the amorite king, Hammurabi, became king. He improved the tax-collection system, increased trade for the empire to grow wealthy and made rules for Sumerians to follow. -
Rome Social
In 60 BC the first triumvirate was formed with Cesar, Gnaeus Pompey, and Licinius. Triumvirates were supposed to bring peace to the empire. -
Period: to
Mesopotamia- Political
From 3000 to 2000 B.C., the city-states of Sumer were almost constantly at war with one another. Even though the weakened city-states could no longer defend themselves from further attacks, their civilizations did not die. -
Period: to
Egypt- Social
3000-2000 BC In the later periods of Egyptian history, slavery became a widespread source of labor. Slaves, usually captives from foreign wars, served in the homes of the rich or toiled endlessly in the gold mines of Upper Egypt. -
Period: to
Egypt Social
3000-2000 BC The Egyptians were not locked into their social classes. Lower-and middle-class Egyptians could gain higher status through marriage or success in their jobs. Slaves could also hope to earn their freedom as a reward for their loyal service. -
Period: to
Egypt- Social
3000-2000 BC Women in Egypt held many of the same rights as men. A wealthy or middle-class woman could own and trade property, she could propose marriage or seek divorce. -
Period: to
Egypt - Interactions with the environment
3000-2000 BC Egyptian farmers were much more fortunate than the villagers of Mesopotamia. The Nile flowed regularly and there weren’t many issues with the river. -
Period: to
Egypt- Interactions with the enviornment
3000-2000 BC When the Nile’s floodwaters were just a few feet lower than normal, the amount of fresh silt and water for crops was greatly reduced. Thousands of people starved. When floodwaters were a few feet higher than usual, the unwanted water destroyed houses, granaries, and the precious seeds that farmers needed for planting. -
Period: to
Egypt- Interactions with the environment
3000-2000 BC River travel was common, but it ended at the point in the Nile where boulders turn the river into churning rapids called a cataract This made it impossible for riverboats to pass this spot, known as the First Cataract, to continue upstream south to the interior of Africa. -
Period: to
Egypt- Culture
3000-2000 BC the development of writing was one of the keys to the growth of Egyptian civilization. Simple pictographs were the earliest form of writing in Egypt, but scribes quickly developed a more flexible writing system called hieroglyphics -
Period: to
Egypt- Culture
3000-2000 BC Practical needs led to many Egyptian inventions. For example, the Egyptians developed a calendar to help them keep track of the time between floods and to plan their planting season. -
China- Economic
Around 2000 B.C. settlements grew into China’s first cities. According to legend, the first Chinese dynasty, the Xia Dynasty, emerged about this time. -
Greece- Political
2000 BC A large wave of Indo-Europeans migrated. Some of these who settled on Greek land were known as Mycenaeans. -
Rome- Economic
In 202 BC Scipio routed Hannibal’s forces on the plain of Zama outside of Carthage and took the city. This ended the Punic War. -
Rome Political
508 BC The heads of a few aristocratic families, known as patricians, elected officials from among themselves. The common people, or plebeians, challenged the patricians for power. -
Egypt- Economic
During the Middle Kingdom, Government collapsed around 2100 BC. For almost 200 years, economic problems, invasions and civil wars racked Egypt. -
Period: to
Egypt- Culture
The Old Kingdom- (2649-2143 BC)- Also known as the Age of Pyramids. It was a golden age of culture and civilization. Painting, literature and sculpture flourished. Advances in medicine, architecture, astronomy, navigation and engineering were made. -
Period: to
Egypt- Economic
2649-2143 BC For the kings of the Old Kingdom, the resting place after death was an immense structure called a pyramid. The Old Kingdom was the great age of pyramid building in ancient Egypt. -
Egypt- Political
The power of the pharaohs declined about 2180 B.C., marking the end of the Old Kingdom. Strong pharaohs regained control during the Middle Kingdom (2040–1640 B.C.) and restored law and order.They improved trade and transportation by digging a canal from the Nile to the Red Sea. -
Mesopotamia- Culture
Cuneiform Sumerians created a system of writing called cuneiform. One of the first known maps was made on a clay tablet in about 2300 B.C. -
Mesopotamia- Culture
In 2300 BC, Sumerians advanced in science and technology. They developed a number system in base 60 and architectural innovations influenced Mesopotamian civilizations. -
Indus Valley- Social
2300 BC- They were the first to start plumbing. The intricacy of their plumbing showed social classes because the better their plumbing is, the higher they were in social status. -
Indus Valley- Political
2300 BC- The planned cities and how well-developed they were suggested that they had a strong government. They made higher walls to resemble a temple and thats where higher class people lived. -
Indus Valley- Political
2300 BC- Archaeologists didnt find a lot of weapons. That suggested that conflicts with other places was very minimal in the Indus Valley. -
Mesopotamia- Economic
About 2350 B.C., a conqueror named Sargon defeated the city-states of Sumer. Sargon led his army from Akkad, a city-state north of Sumer. The Akkadians had long before adopted most aspects of Sumerian culture. Sargon’s conquests helped to spread that culture even farther, beyond the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. -
Mesopotamia- Political
After 2500 BC, many Sumerian city-states came under the rule of dynasties. Dynasties are series of rulers from the same family. Military leaders also became full time rulers. -
Mesopotamia- Interactions with the environment
By 2500 B.C., new cities were arising all over the Fertile Crescent in what is now Syria, northern Iraq, and Turkey. Sumerians exchanged products and ideas, such as living in cities, with neighboring cultures. Spreading ideas or new products from culture to culture is also known as culture diffusion. -
Mesopotamia- Culture
2500 BC- Gods Like many peoples in the Fertile Crescent, the Sumerians believed that many different gods controlled the various forces in nature. The belief in more than one god is called polytheism. -
Indus Valley- Political
2500 BC- The largest cities were Kaliebngan, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Those were the most developed cities where most trading and culture developed. -
Indus Valley- Interactions with the enviornment
Around 2500 B.C., while Egyptians were building pyramids, people in the Indus Valley were laying the bricks for India’s first cities. They built strong levees, or earthen walls, to keep water out of their cities. -
Indus Valley- Economic
Planned cities began around 2500 BC. They built strong levees, or earthen walls to keep water out of their cities. They also laid out their cities on a precise grid system. -
Indus Valley - Culture
Around 2500 B.C., while Egyptians were building pyramids, people in the Indus Valley were laying the bricks for India’s first cities. They built strong levees, or earthen walls, to keep water out of their cities. -
Indus Valley- Social
2600 BC- They traded silver and gold with northern Afghanistan. Some of their culture adapted into India. -
Indus Valley- Economic
Trading began as early as 2600 B.C. and continued until 1800 B.C. The Indus River provided a link to the sea. This access allowed Indus Valley inhabitants to develop trade with distant peoples, including the Mesopotamians. -
Mesopotamia- Political
After 3000 BC, wars became more and more frequent. Sumerian priests and people gave commanders permanent control of standing armies. -
Mesopotamia - Economic
By 3000 BC, the Sumerians built a number of cities each surrounded by field of barley and wheat. Although these cities shared the same culture, they developed their own governments, each with their own rulers. -
Greece Political
3000 BC mountains divided the land into a number of different regions. Instead of a single government, they developed small, independent communities within each other. -
Greece- Interactions with the enviornment
3000 BC Climate was one of the 3 important environmental influences of Greek civilizations. Men spent lots of time outside, 48 degrees was known for the winter on average, 80 degrees was known to be the summers temperature. -
Greece- Interactions with the enviornment
3000 BC Ancient Greece consisted mainly of mountains. The regions physical geography directly shaped Greek traditions and customs. -
Greece- Ineractions with the enviornment
3000 BC the Minoans lived on the large Greek Island of Crete. They created an elegant civilization that had great power. -
Greece- Economic
3000 BC The sea was a big part of life for the Greek people. Sea travel and trade were important because Greece used natural resources. -
Egypt- Political
About 3100 BC, the two countries were united under King Narmer, a king of upper Egypt. He built a new capital city at Memphis on the border between the two lands and established the first Egyptian dynasty. -
Egypt- Political
By 3200 B.C., the villages of Egypt were under the rule of two separate kingdoms, Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Eventually the two kingdoms were united. -
Mesopotamia- Interactions with the environment
Around 3300 BC the people called the Sumerians settled in Mesopotamia as well. For the first time, there were villages which later expanded into cities. -
Mesopotamia- Social
4400 BC, Civilizations also developed social classes. Kings, landholders and some priests made up the highest levels. Social lives affected the lives of both men and women. Sumerian women had more rights than in other civilizations. -
Mesopotamia- Social
4400 BC, Lower class in Mesopotamia were divided. People that were merchants, artisans and scribes were more wealthy/had more power than farmers. -
Mesopotamia- Social
4500 BC- One of the marks of civilization is the specialization of labor. Mesopotamian social pyramid was simple, gods and kings at the top, farmers and enslaved people were at the bottom. -
Mesopotamia- Interactions With Environment
People first began to settle and farm the flat, swampy lands in southern mesopotamia before 4500 BC. Good soil was the advantage that attracted settlers but there were disadvantages as well. -
Egypt- Economic
First farming villages along the Nile appeared as early as 5000 BC. Egyptians farmed along the Nile for fertile land and to help water their crops. -
Indus Valley- Economic
Archaeologists have found evidence in the highlands of agriculture and domesticated sheep and goats dating to about 7000 B.C. Domesticating animals means to tame them and use them in farming and agriculture.