CLAS 1001 Chapter 4: Mediterranean Civilizations Chapter 4
Document Summary
In the near east, the iron age followed the bronze age. The iron age is defined by the use of iron, and a shift from large cities in river valleys focusing on agriculture to smaller cities out of river valleys focusing on commerce. How they put the iron in iron age. The initial use of iron occurred in the bronze age - but it was a luxury item. Use of iron is most associated with the hittites. When their empire fell at the end of the bronze age, the knowledge of iron smelting became widespread. The iron age began when iron became widespread and economical enough for commonplace items to be made. After this the transition from bronze to iron came quickly. Iron could be used in everyday items, like farming tools. Because early iron was soft, and brittle, bronze was still used for weapons until better methods of creating iron were found.
