HISTO-1110 Lecture 1: Western Civ to 1600 All Notes
16 May 2017
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Document Summary
Lack of papyrus for writing led to cuneiform- clay writing. Similar to pyramids, they built stepped structures called ziggurats. 360 degree circle, counted based on 60, first use of wheel. Empire was too vast to prevent in-fighting, and they collapsed. Started in around 2900 bce when upper egypt (south) led by menes conquered lower. Timeline is divided into 3 main sections, with 2 transitional periods. Old kingdom- 2700-2200- pharaohs introduced, viziers (chief administrators) controlled 42 governors of provinces. Capital- memphis, 3 levels of society (pharaohs/nobles/priests, merchants/skilled workers, farmers/laborers/slaves) 1st intermediate period 2200-2050 - civil war. Middle kingdom- 2050-1750- pharaohs less distant leaders and more shepherds of the people. 2nd intermediate period 1750-1550 - hyksos invaded from north/northeast- ruled for 100 years. Either 1440s or 1230s- thutmose iii ruler or ramses ii. Amenhotep iv- 1300s- changed name to akhenaten for god aten- moved toward monotheism. Nefertiti- wife of akhenaten- may have reigned after his death.
