Beginnings
of Civilization in Mesopotamia and
i. City-states
ii. Lugal priest, army commander, irrigation superintendent
iii. Cuneiform
iv. Religion polytheistic, anthropomorphic; temple complexes
1. Account of Flood
2. Epic of Gilgamesh
i. Amorites
ii. Ruler: Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC)
iii. Lex Talionis (law codes) 3 social grades
1. Amelu (awilu)
2. Mushkinu
3. Slaves/serfs
i. Chaldeans
ii. Astral faith
5.
i. Third sixth dynasties
ii.
Centered in
iii. Vizier chief official
iv. Administrative units nomes
v.
Environment less hostile that in
1. Optimistic outlook
2. Deities benevolent
3. Belief in afterlife
a. Ka soul
b. Mummification
i. Mentuhotep IV
1.
2. Amon-Ra
3. Construction aimed at the middle class
4. Civil servants (scribes)
ii. Religion more egalitarian (Story of Osiris and Isis)
i.
Ahmose I expelled Hyksos, unified
ii. Superstition
iii. 14th Century BC religious upheaval
1. Amenhotep IV Akhenaton
2. Worship of sun disk Aton
3. Capital moved to Amarna
4. Monotheism?
iv. 12th Century BC
1. Invasions of Libyans
2. Nubians erode independence