Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Chapter 2: Ancient Civilizations
Section I: Ancient Egypt
Pages 22-31
1. How did the Nile River influence the Egyptians?
2. What weakened ancient Egypt and led to its decline?
(What forces cause change?)
3. For what purpose did the pharaohs have pyramids built?
4. What makes a pyramid so interesting to people?
5. What are hieroglyphics?
6. What might be one of the “limits” of using hieroglyphics?
7. What’s one way the pyramids, temples, and huge carved figures statements about Egypt’s power as an
empire?
8. It sounds like Egyptians may have led pretty good lives, but… what may have
been two problems Egyptians had in their lives?
9. What’s one “advance” of the Egyptian civilization that we might find valuable today?
Go to your book (Page 28) for the rest / (They Made History)
Read “They Made History” on the bottom of page 26 and answer the following 2 questions:
10. What was Akhenaton’s view of the God Aton?
11. How might everyday Egyptian life been affected by Akhenaton’s’ decision to only
worship one god?
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
From:
http://www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/tclibrary/tutorials/finding/primary.php
Primary Sources
Primary sources are un-interpreted, original, or new material. Primary sources are first-hand and not interpreted by anyone else,
they offer a personal point of view, and are created by a witnesses of, or participants in, an event (except in cases of historical
research written after the fact). Researchers also create primary sources.
Questions to Ask When Determining if Something is a Primary Source:
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Did the author conduct original research on the
topic?
Is the information the result of a survey?
Is the information un-interpreted data or statistics?
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Is the source an original document or a creative
work?
Did the information come from personal
experience?
Why use Primary Sources?
Sources that present new research, original conclusions based on the research of others, or an author's original perspective are
more helpful and effective for your needs. They allow you to interpret the information rather than relying on the interpretations
of others. Keep in mind that because primary sources reflect the true meanings and ideas put forth by authors, the information
itself may not be completely objective, well-reasoned, or accurate.
Examples
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Journal article that reports new
research and findings
Newspaper/magazine articles
written soon after the
event/fact
Court records
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Translation/excerpt of an
original document
Art or music
Autobiographies
Manuscripts
Correspondence, letters
Speeches
Interviews
Data from a research study
Websites
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are information sources that interpret, include, describe, or draw conclusions based on works written by
others. Secondary sources are used by authors to present evidence, back up arguments and statements, or help represent an
opinion by using and citing multiple sources. Secondary sources are often referred to as being “one step removed” from the
actual occurrence or fact.
Questions to Ask When Determining if Something is a Secondary Source:


Did the author consult multiple sources to create
this work?
Is this information an interpretation or
paraphrasing of another author's work?

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Did the information come from second-hand
reporting?
Is the source a textbook, review, or commentary?
Does the source include quotations or images?
Why use Secondary Sources?
Secondary sources are best for uncovering background or historical information about a topic and broadening your
understanding of a topic by exposing you to others’ perspectives, interpretations, and conclusions. However, it is better to
critique an original information source (primary source) if you plan to reference it in your work.
Examples
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Most books (including
textbooks)
Documentary movies
Art, book, movie, and theater
reviews
Analysis of a clinical trial
Newspaper/magazine articles
written as historical,
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opinionated, or reflective
accounts
Commentaries
Biographies
Dictionaries, encyclopedias
Websites (also primary)
A research paper written by
you

Literature reviews and metaanalysis
Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Chapter 2: Ancient Civilizations
Section II: Mesopotamia and Sumer
Section III: Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia
Pages 32-41
1. How did the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers contribute to Mesopotamia’s growth?
2. What’s one similarity between the way Egyptians and Sumerians lived?
3. What’s one difference between the Egyptians and Sumerians cultures?
4. What are three Sumerian inventions?
5. Which invention do you think changed Sumerian lives the most – and why?
6. Why is Hammurabi remembered as a great ruler?
7. If Hammurabi needed your help, what’s one law you would have him put into his code?
8. What did Cyrus the Great do after conquering an area that was unusual for the time?
(How is power gained, used, and justified?)
9. Why do you think he would do this?
10. How would his conquered people feel about him after this?
11. How did the Phoenician alphabet change the cuneiform system?
Unit 1: From Prehistory to Early Civilizations
Chapter 2: Ancient Civilizations
Section IV: The Beginnings of Judaism
Pages 42-45
1. Why was Solomon important to the kingdom of Israel?
2. Where did Jewish people live after the left the kingdom of Canaan?
3. Why do you think the sacred writings of the Hebrews have lasted until the 21st century?
(What do people value and why?)
4. What are two ways you may know information about your family’s past?
5. If there were twelve tribes of Israel, what might make them decide they had to choose
one leader and now start working together?
6. From looking at the picture on page 44: tell me one thing about the people of Jerusalem
during the time of David and Solomon.
7. Judaism is the world’s oldest “monotheistic” religion. What’s another monotheistic
religion that’s around today?
8. Why is the Torah (page 45) covered in a beautiful velvet, silver, and gold case?
9. Why would it be valuable to study the past history of the Jewish people (or any of these
peoples)?
10. There are often arguments about whether people should be able to put up copies of “The
Ten Commandments” in public places. What do you think - and why?
Directions: Both writings below are a from museum collection with information about ancient Mesopotamia.
Which is the primary source document and which is the secondary source document? Show me two
places in each that tells me why you think (circle the spots that tell you and leave me a note on the side
why).
The Advice of an Akkadian Father to His Son, c. 2200 BCE
Do not set out to stand around in the assembly. Do not loiter where there is a dispute, for in the dispute they will have you as an
observer. Then you will be made a witness for them, and they will involve you in a lawsuit to affirm something that does not
concern you. In case of a dispute, get away from it, disregard it! If a dispute involving you should flare up, calm it down. A
dispute is a covered pit, a wall which can cover over its foes; it brings to mind what one has forgotten and makes an accusation
against a man. Do not return evil to your adversary; requite with kindness the one who does evil to you, maintain justice for your
enemy, be friendly to your enemy.
Give food to eat, beer to drink, grant what is requested, provide for and treat with honor. At this one's god takes pleasure. It is
pleasing to Shamash, who will repay him with favor. Do good things, be kind all your days.
Do not honor a slave girl in your house; she should not rule your bedroom like a wife, do not give yourself over to slave
girls....Let this be said among your people: "The household which a slave girl rules, she disrupts." Do not marry a prostitute,
whose husbands are legion, an Ishtar-woman who is dedicated to a god, a kulmashitu-woman. . . .When you have trouble, she
will not support you, when you have a dispute she will be a mocker. There is no reverence or submissiveness in her. Even if she
is powerful in the household, get rid of her, for she pricks up her ears for the footsteps of another.
My son, if it be the wish of a ruler that you belong to him, if you are entrusted with his closely guarded seal, open his treasure
house and enter it, for no one but you may do it. Uncounted wealth you will find inside, but do not covet any of that, nor set your
mind on a secret crime, for afterwards the matter will be investigated and the secret crime which you committed will be exposed.
Do not speak ill, speak only good. Do not say evil things, speak well of people. He who speaks ill and says evil---people will
waylay him because of his debt to Shamash. Do not talk too freely, watch what you say. Do not express your innermost thoughts
even when you are alone. What you say in haste you may regret later. Exert yourself to restrain your speech.
Worship your god every day. Sacrifice and pious utterance are the proper accompaniment of incense. Have a freewill offering for
your god, for this is proper toward a god. Prayer, supplication, and prostration offer him daily, then your prayer will be granted,
and you will be in harmony with god.
Mesopotamian Gallery: Building Of A Temple
One of the primary duties of Mesopotamian kings was the construction and maintenance of the temples of the gods. Temples
were constructed primarily of unbaked mud brick, but rulers employed various methods to insure that their building activities
were recorded for posterity. Exhibited here are baked bricks stamped while still soft with inscriptions recording the names, titles,
and building activities of various kings, and figurines and inscribed objects from foundation deposits that were buried beneath
strategic parts of temple walls. Some of the foundation figurines show the king himself, carrying on his head the basket of
materials out of which he would fashion the all-important first brick.
H
I
K
H
F
Answers
Genesis
Tutankhamen
Persian
Religion
Fertile Crescent
Judaism: from:
http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/All-About-Judaism-10-Common-Questions.htm
1. What do Jews believe? What are the basic beliefs of Judaism? Judaism does not have a specific
credo that Jews must accept in order to be considered Jewish. Nevertheless, there are a few overarching
tenets that most Jews accept in some form. These include a belief in only One God, a belief that humanity
was created in the Divine Image, a feeling of connection to the greater Jewish community and a belief in the
pivotal importance of the Torah, our most holy text.
2. What does the term “chosen people” mean? The term “chosen” is one that has often been
misinterpreted as a statement of superiority. However, the Jewish concept of a “chosen people” has nothing
to do with Jews being better than anyone else. Rather, it refers to God’s relationship with Abraham and the
Israelites, as well as receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. In both cases, the Jewish people were chosen to
share the word of God with others. Learn more about the term “chosen people” in:
3. What are the different branches of Judaism? The various branches of Judaism are sometimes called
denominations and they include: Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism,
Reconstructionist Judaism and Humanistic Judaism. In addition to these official branches, there are of
individual forms of Judaism (e.g. a person's individual practice) that are not affiliated with an overarching
Jewish movement.
4. What does it mean to be Jewish? Is Judaism a race, a religion or a nationality? Though some
might disagree, many Jews believe that Judaism is not a race or nationality but rather a cultural and
religious identity.
5. What is a Rabbi? A rabbi is the spiritual leader of a Jewish community. In Hebrew, the word “rabbi”
literally means “teacher,” which illustrates how a rabbi is not only a spiritual leader but also an educator,
role model and counselor. A rabbi performs many important functions in the Jewish community, such as
officiating at weddings and funerals and leading High Holy Day services on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
6. What is a synagogue? The synagogue is a building that serves as a house of worship for members of a
Jewish community. Though the appearance of every synagogue is unique, they usually have certain features
in common. For instance, most synagogues have a bimah (raised platform at the front of the sanctuary), an
Ark (which contains the congregation’s Torah scrolls) and memorial boards where the names of loved ones
who have passed on can be honored and remembered.
7. What is Judaism’s most sacred text? The Torah is Judaism’s holiest text. It contains the Five Books of
Moses as well as the 613 commandments (mitzvot) and the Ten Commandments. The word “torah” means
“to teach.”
8. What is the Jewish view of Jesus? Jews do not believe that Jesus was the messiah. Rather Judaism
views him as an ordinary Jewish man and preacher who lived during the Roman occupation of the Holy Land
during the first century C.E. The Romans executed him - and also executed many other nationalistic and
religious Jews - for speaking out against Roman authority.
9. What do Jews believe about the afterlife? Judaism does not have a definitive answer to the question
of what happens after we die. The Torah, our most important text, does not discuss the afterlife at all.
Instead it focuses on “Olam Ha Ze,” which means “this world” and reflects the importance of living a
meaningful life here and now. Nevertheless, over the centuries possible descriptions of the afterlife have
been incorporated into Jewish thought.
10. Do Jews believe in sin? In Hebrew the word for “sin” is “chet,” which literally means “missing the
mark.” According to Judaism, when someone “sins” they have literally gone astray. Whether they are
actively doing something wrong or even not doing something right, the Jewish concept of sin is all about
leaving the correct path. There are three kinds of sin in Judaism: sins against God, sins against another
person and sins against yourself.