{Early Civilization

The Rise of Civilizations along River Valleys

City-states First empires- In Sumeria, Sargon of

Akkad Centralized government Hereditary Dynasty Written Code of Law- Babylonia,

Hammurabi

Government

Bronze Age Increasing agricultural surplus Increased trade by land and sea Trade Routes- Routes for what else?

Important Developments

Mostly polytheistic

Monotheistic Hebrews

Religion

King

Priests

Merchants/Traders

Artisans/Workers

Slaves

Class System

Pictograms- pictures represented ideas

Hieroglyphics- Egyptian writing system that used symbols to represent ideas and sounds

Cuneiform- First writing system, developed by Sumerians

Alphabet- Developed by Phoenicians. Symbols represent sounds – like phonics

Writing and Language

What do we know about Judaism?

Judaism

Abraham, who lived in the Sumerian city of Ur, was commanded by his God to move to Canaan (modern-day Israel).

Abraham’s descendants believe in only one God- the God of Abraham.

Belief in one god is called Monotheism. The Torah is religious beliefs and records

Judaism

They migrated to Egypt, possibly with an invading Hyksos army

After the Hyksos were kicked out, the Hebrews stayed behind, and became slaves.

Moses led them out of bondage in Egypt, back to Canaan. He received the Ten Commandments, a moral and religious code.

Migration to and from Egypt

The Phoenicians were sea travelling people. In fact, they were probably the first to sail around Africa.

They traded with people across the world- especially the Mediterranean Region

Developed the first alphabet to quickly and accurately make record of their trade

Phoenicians

Lived in the Upper Nile region (South of the Egyptians)

Often at war with the Egyptians. Usually the Egyptians dominated and ruled over the Nubians. The Nubians did conquer the Egyptians and rule over them occasionally, too.

Nubia