QUESTIONS
What was the first written language?
Cuneiform
What time period and events did the Vedic Age refer to?
1200 BCE –500 BCE: This is when the Vedas were written down and main beliefs of Hinduism were established.
How did Vedic culture change the status of women?
Classic Hindu Society
•Reinforced patriarchy in society along with Caste obligations
What are the major beliefs and practices for legalism?
Legalism
•Order is established by Strict Laws and Harsh Punishments
•No govt. worker is above the law
•Used esp. during Qin Dynasty
Major beliefs and practices of Islam.
•Third of the Abrahamic Faiths
Ethical Monotheism & includes the belief in Prophets § All the prophets of Judaism & Christianity a.Jesus is seen a prophet but NOT divine
•Main Beliefs: Five Pillars
Faith –belief in One God and Muhammad is his messenger
Prayer –5 times a day facing Ka’ba
Charity –give to the poor
Fasting –during Ramadan, no food or water from sunrise to sunset
•Main Text –Qur’an (“Recitations”that were revealed to Muhammad)
•Spread through Trade & Conquest
Conquest: The rise of Islamic Empire (Caliphate) § E. Mediterranean Coast, Mesopotamia, Persia, Indus R. Valley, N. Africa
Trade: W. Africa (Mali) & across the Indian Ocean to SE Asia
What was cuneiform originally used for? What was its purpose?
Record-keeping for govt (taxes) and trade
What similarities were there between ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?
Both Mesopotamia & Egypt
•Were River Valleys where intensive agriculture and adv. Civs emerged
•Adv. Govts, institutions, monuments, organized religions, specialized workers and social classes
Why did the Egyptians have a positive view outlook on the world and the Mesopotamians have a negative view?
Egypt –Nile had very predictable and gradual floods and natural barrier meant few invasions/violence from outside
Mesopotamia –two rivers were unpredictable and lack of natural barriers mean frequent invasions/violence from everywhere
What are the major beliefs and practices for Daoism?
Daoism
•Order is established by finding harmony with Nature
•Balance is the main thing –Yin and yang forces being balanced
What is the difference between Monotheism and Polytheism?
Monotheism –belief in ONE God
•Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam Polytheism –belief in MANY Gods
•Hinduism
What is another name for the Indus valley civilization?
Indus Valley Civ also called Harappan Civ
What differences were there between ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?
•Egypt –Nile R. very predictable & gradual flood so Led to a very optimistic outlook on life & religion§2 examples: Rulers were seen as divine& they believed in after life § Gods cared about Egyptian so Strong Natural Barriers –Led to no invasions & resources could be used for other things (like the pyramids)
•Mesopotamia –Tigris & Euphrates Rivers very unpredictable & flash flood so Led to very pessimistic (NEGATIVE) outlook on life & religion § No belief in an afterlife § Gods did not care about Mesopotamian so No Natural Barriers –Led to frequent invasions and many empires
What are the major beliefs and practices of Hinduism?
Hinduism
•Viewed as Polytheistic, but all gods are viewed as different parts of one being
•Reincarnation Cycle –An eternal soul is locked in a series of rebirths that are affected by how that soul has performed their obligations in previous lives
Dharma –Role in Life (includes Caste responsibilities)
Karma –The sum of all deeds that determine the soul’s destiny
•Tied to CASTE system –social pyramid within Hinduism
•Ultimate goal is to be released from the cycle
•Major Texts: Vedas & Upanishads(Oldest Codified Religion)
Major beliefs and practices of Zoronastranism?
Zoroastrianism
•Oldest monotheistic religion
Influenced Judaism
•Religion of Persia
•Emphasizes that behavior is tied to eternal battle between good and evil
What is the oldest codified religion?
Hinduism
What ancient civilization is most noted for advanced bronze work?
China –Shang Dynasty
What was the Code of Hammurabi and why was it significant?
Set of Written Laws from Babylonian Empire
•Shows how Babylonian/Mesopotamian society was organized
oShows social classes were very important in society
What are the major beliefs and practices of Buddhism?
Buddhism
•No emphasis of gods –Neither polytheistic or monotheistic
•Revolves around the figure of the Buddha
•Goal to find Enlightenment by ending one’s suffering
•The way to do that is to Follow 8-Fold Path or Middle Way
•Outlined in The Four Noble Truths
•Disregards Social Classes & Spread through Trade to E Asia
•Men & Women can join monasteries
Allowed women to escape PATRIARCHY
Major beliefs and practices for Judaism.
Judaism
•Oldest of three Abrahamic Faiths
•Ethical Monotheism–One God and your behavior is important
•The belief in Prophets & closely connected cultural community
•Major Text –Hebrew Bible
What is the oldest monothestic religion?
Zoroastrianism
Who were the Aryans and why were they significant?
Pastoralists who migrated into the Indian Subcontinent and brought their culture & beliefs with them. Led to Caste System & Hinduism
How did the code of Hammurabi promote inequality?
Punishments were different for people of different classes
•Upper class –less severe punishments
•Lower class& slaves –more severe punishments
What are the major beliefs and practices for confucinism?
Confucianism
•Emphasizes order in society by promoting respect & rituals
•Behavior between Superior and Inferior
•Emphasis on education, esp. in govt.
Becomes the basis for the Civil Service Exam in China
•Main figure: Confucius
•Main text: Analects
•Other main idea: Filial Piety
Devotion to family both living and dead
Respect for elders and family members
•Promotes Social hierarchies, esp. Patriarchy
One example: Foot-binding of women during Song Dynasty § Neo-Confucianism
Major beliefs and practices for Christanity?
Christianity
•Second of the Abrahamic Faiths
•Includes most of the main beliefs of Judaism
•Most important aspect: views on Jesus of Nazareth
o Believed to be the Messiah & Son of God
•Disregarded social classes
•Spread through trade and conquest
Trade: Pax Romana, spreads through the Mediterranean
Conquest: Columbian Exchange, spreads to Americas
•Main text: Bible (2 parts: Old Testament & New Testament)
Why is Zoroastrianism historically significant even though it is no longer widely practiced?
Influenced Judaism (and through it, Christianity & Islam)