MIDDLE EAST
GEOGRAPHY AND ANCIENT LIFE
ECONOMIC
ec·o·nom·ic adj.
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Of or relating to the production, development, and management of material wealth, as of a country, household, or business enterprise.
POLITICAL
po·lit·i·cal
adj.
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Of, relating to, or dealing with the structure or affairs of government, politics, or the state.
SOCIAL
so·cial adj.
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Living together in communities.
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Of or relating to communal living.
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Of or relating to human society and its modes of organization: social classes; social problems; a social issue.
(Dictionary.com)
GEOGRAPHY – the study of people, their environment and the resources available to them. Five themes sum up geography and its impact on humans:
1. Location
2. Place
3. Human-environment interaction
4. Movement
5. Region
PALEOLITHIC AGE – The Paleolithic or Old Stone Age occurred in prehistory (prehistory refers to events that occurred before written history. Because there are no written records to detail daily life in this time period we must rely on the interpretations of artifacts and art by archeologist and historians). from 500,000 to 10,000 years ago when humans lived in small hunting and gathering groups. Consisting of groups from 30 to several hundred these early ancestors used stone tools to hunt with and gathered nuts, berries and roots.
CULTURE – Culture consists of a groups' complete way of life consisting of dress, language, customs and traditions.
Brunn, Forman, and Brodsky in Reviewing; Global History and Geography define CULTURE in this manner:
The wide range of ideas, feelings, beliefs, and habits that members of a society share is a major part of their culture. Understanding any culture lies in examining its many elements-language, dress, religion, art, architecture, family structure, education, economic organization, government, and technology.
ARCHEOLOGY- The study of humans by excavation and study of any physical remains.
MESOPOTAMIA/FERTILE CRESCENT –
Mesopotamia, also called the Fertile Crescent, is a Sumerian term
meaning “the land between two rivers”. Located in modern day Iraq, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
the earliest know civilization, the Sumerians, developed. However, the
Babylonians, Assyrians and others thrived in the lush, fertile river valleys.
(Carlos)
NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION - At 8,000 years B.C. (B.C.E.) humans began to domesticate plants and animals. Unlike like the hunters and gathers of the PALEOLITHIC age, the people of the Neolithic age settled down in permanent settlements and villages. Because of an increase of the food supply and therefore, the population, these settlements led to the rise of cites and early civilizations.
SUMERIANS - The Sumerians (4,000 years B.C. (B.C.E.), the earliest civilization in Mesopotamia, developed city-states like UR [CITY-STATE - A city-state included a city and the farms and villages surrounding it (Brun et al).] and created cuneiform, the first recorded language. Religion played a huge role in the life of the Sumerians and they built ZIGGURATS, temples of worship, to be closer to their gods and goddesses. SHEET 1; SHEET 2
(Ragz-International)
(Bible History)
HAMMURABI’S CODE- First written code of laws by ancient Mesopotamian ruler Hammurabi that included the idea of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". Click here to see an image of Hammurabi's Code.
(Broward County)
EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION (3100 - 1100) B.C. (B.C.E.) Egyptian civilization developed in North Africa. Egypt was the world's first great civilization known for its monuments and artworks, mathematics and early forms of writing. Ancient Egyptian society was distinguished be its belief in life after death and for the supreme power of its rulers, the PHARAOHS. Huge pyramids were built as tombs in which it was believed the pharaohs would enjoy an eternal after-life (Killoran et. al). SHEET 1; SHEET 2
MORE EGYPTIAN LINKS:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/index.shtml
http://www.mfa.org/egypt/explore_ancient_egypt/index.html
http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/hiddenhistoryofegypt/feature1.shtml
JUDAISM - Ancient, monotheistic religion of the Hebrews (Jews), that originated in Palestine circa 2000 B.C. At the height of their power in 1000 B.C. (B.C.E.), the Hebrews had established the kingdom of Israel. Fueled by the loss of their religion and culture, the Jews revolted against Roman control in 66 B.C. (B.C.E.). As a punishment the Romans sent the Jewish people all over the Roman Empire (known as the DIASPORA) and destroyed the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. In 1948, the United Nations passed resolution that provided the Jews with the state of Israel.
RELIGIONS WEB LINK:
http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/inde.html
PHOENICIANS- 3000-64 BC (B.C.E.). Originating in today's Lebanon, the Phoenicians were a group of sea faring merchants that established an empire based on trade. Colonies around the Mediterranean helped to advance Phoenician wealth and Mediterranean culture. The Phoenicians used a 22 letter alphabet to record their trade transactions. This alphabet formed the basis of the alphabet we used today.
ISLAM- Islam is the major religion of the Middle East today. It was started by Mohammed in the 7th century.
(Islam)
Some of Islam's main principles are:
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The Role of Allah. Mohammed believed that Allah (Arabic for "God") is the all-powerful God and determines each person's fate. Allah will judge all people at the end of the world.
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Jihad. Mohammed taught that anyone who died in a "Holy War" (Jihad) for the spread of his new religion would go directly to heaven.
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The Five Pillars of Wisdom are the basic religious duties that all good Muslims must fulfill:
1. The Confession of Faith: "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet" Muslims recite this when they pray.
2. Prayer: A Muslim must pray five times daily. While praying, a Muslim faces the city of Mecca.
3. Charity: All Muslims must give money to the poor and pay taxes to the mosque.
4. Fasting: During the month of Ramadan a Muslim must fast (cannot eat or drink) during daylight hours
5. Pilgrimage: If at all possible, a Muslim must make at least one pilgrimage (a religious trip) to the holy city of Mecca during his lifetime.
THE KORAN. The Koran is the sacred book of Islam. Muslims believe the Koran reveals the word of God received by Mohammed. The Koran consists of the teachings of Mohammed written down by his followers after his death.
JIHAD- An Islamic holy war. Believed that if you die in a jihad you will immediately go to heaven.