Nomads & Crisis, 2000-1200 BCE

I. Climate Change Crisis, 2000 BCEII. Nomad InvasionsIII. Formation of Territorial States

IDs: Vedic Age, 1500-500BCE, Shang Dynasty, territorial state, oracle bones, Hammurabi, Hammurabi, r. 1792-1750 BCE

Argument

Climate change around 2000 BCE caused crisis which caused the breakdown of riverine civilizations and triggered nomadic invasions. After the crisis, nomads emerged as the rulers of territorial states, which were more militaristic than the cultures they succeeded.

3500-2000 BCE: 3 Types of Cultures

Village Agriculture

Pastoral NomadsRiverine

Cultures/ Civilizations

I. 2000 BCE: Climate change disaster

• Drought• Food shortage• Drier climate

A. Indus River Culture destroyed

B. Disintegration of order in Egypt & Mesopotamia

C. Migration for next 1000 years

II. Nomads invade riverine cultures, 2000-1600 BCE

A. Nomad TechnologiesHorseChariotIron (1000 BCE)

B. South Asia: Vedic Nomads Invade, ca. 1500 BCE

• Indo-Europeans• Aryans

Vedic Age, 1500-500 BCE

1. Vedic People

• Horses• Chariots• Iron tools & weapons• Pastoral agricultural

economy

2. Conquest North/South Division of South Asia

AryanDravidian

II. Formation of Territorial States (1600)

A. Characteristics• Ruled by charioteer

(nomad) elites• More warlike• Expansive• Definite borders

B. A State has:

Large territoryDefinite bordersDynastic kingshipArmy (charioteer

elites)Government

bureaucracy

Shang State (Dynasty): ca. 1600-1045 BCE

Ruling dynasty• Army with horses &

chariots• Tombs• Palaces

Royal Projects

• Bronze Metallurgy

Religious Authority• Shang state was a

patrimonial theocracy.• Divination• Oracle bones• Control of diviners & scribes• Ancestor worship• Di (High God, founding

ancestor of Shang family)

D. Building the State

Problems:1. Control of

Conquered People

2. Control of Army & Regions

• Hittites• Anatolia• Hattusilis I• Babylon

E. State Projects

1. Centralized rule in king’s hands

2. Collect taxes or tribute

Hammurabi, r. 1792-1750 BCE

Exaction of Tribute

• Service from elites (bureaucracy or army• Agricultural produce & labor from commoners

Argument

Climate change around 2000 BCE caused crisis which caused the breakdown of riverine civilizations and triggered nomadic invasions. After the crisis, nomads emerged as the rulers of territorial states, which were more militaristic than the cultures they succeeded.