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Literature of Early
Civilizations
Mrs. Freeman
2014-2015
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REMEMBER
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Culture played a significant role in unifying states through
laws, language, literature, religion, myths and monumental
art.
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Early civilizations developed monumental architecture and
urban planning. WHY?
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REMEMBER

Culture played a significant role in unifying states through
laws, language, literature, religion, myths and monumental
art.

Early civilizations developed monumental architecture and
urban planning. WHY?
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Defines a river valley civilizations
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This is the stuff we see – tourism built around it today
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Ziggurats, pyramids, temples, defensive walls, streets,
roads, sewers
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REMEMBER
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Systems of record keeping arose independently in all early
civilizations
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Cuneiform
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Hieroglyphics
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Pictographs
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alphabets
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REMEMBER

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Systems of record keeping arose independently in all early
civilizations
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Cuneiform
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Hieroglyphics
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Pictographs
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alphabets
States developed legal codes to reflect hierarchies and
facilitated the rule of governments over people
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Code of Hammurabi
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REMEMBER
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Literature was also a reflection of culture
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“Epic of Gilgamesh”
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Rig Veda
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Book of the Dead
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LET’S LOOK AT ONE TOGETHER
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The Epic of Gilgamesh,
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mythic saga
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major philosophical and theological implications,
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featured a description of a cleansing flood sent by the gods.
Babylonian- ancient nation-state occupying southeastern
Mesopotamia
WHAT DOES THIS LITERATURE TELL US ABOUT BABYLONIA?
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LET’S LOOK AT ONE TOGETHER
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The Epic of Gilgamesh,
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mythic saga

major philosophical and theological implications,
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featured a description of a cleansing flood sent by the gods.
Babylonian- ancient nation-state occupying southeastern
Mesopotamia
WHAT DOES THIS LITERATURE TELL US ABOUT BABYLONIA?
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Think about topography of Babylonia
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untamed, turbulent rivers and frequent floods
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QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
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Why did the god Enlil unleash the flood on the city of
Shurrupak? What does this reveal about how the Babylonians
viewed their gods and their environment?
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How were some of the inhabitants of Shurrupak able to
survive this destructive event?
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WRITING SAMPLE
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Think about the core and foundational civilizations discussed last week.
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Mesopotamia in the Tigris and Euphrates River Valleys
Egypt in the Nile River Valley
Mohenjo Daro and Harappa in the Indus River Valley
Shang in the Yellow River or Huang He Valley
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Select two to compare and contrast (similarities and differences).
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Write an essay that:
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Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with historical evidence.
Addressed the question
Makes direct and relevant comparisons.
Analyzes relevant reasons for those similarities and differences.
Use the remainder of class time to complete. Finish for homework if
necessary.