OVERVIEW 4.1: Conditions Leading to Development of Kingdoms and Empires
Kingdom or
Empire & Region→
Types of Resources →
Hittite – Northern
Anatolia—kingdom human: farmers & herders material: little cultivatable soil, wool, livestock, fertilizer
Methods of Maximizing Resources→ combined mixed farming by independent peasants w/wool production by herders
Effect on Kingdom/Empire growth of food, textile supply increases opportunity for economic specialization, urbanization, population growth, military manpower, bureaucratization
Crete—large island,
Aegean sea-kingdom human: farmers, herders, skilled sailors material: proximity of sea & its food resources, livestock, little cultivatable soil organized agriculture, regulated trade, palace used as storehouse as well as dwellings of elite leaders elaborate palaces, stratified social structure = limited circulation of food & material goods = social inequality,
Mycenae—mainland of Greece, coast of
Aegean sea human: farmers & herders, avid traders material: proximity to sea, livestock, more farming than Crete, metals (tin, copper) elites located in palace-storehouses coordinate food supply, trade, manufacturing with easier access to Europe, traders reach North to
Scandinavia, south to Egypt and Hittite empires. Threat of barbarians, leads to heavily fortified palaces.
Egypt—North Africa human: long established farmers, herders, traders material: proximity to Nile river for transport, food, rich alluvial soil; Sahara desert for protection strong centralized state coordinates food supply, social organization, urban life and building projects, trade largest and best known empire in ancient world draws traders as well as raiders
Indus Valley—
Northern Pakistan human: ancient farming and herding culture, traders material: proximity to rivers, metals and stone from
Himalayan foothills, rich alluvial soil standardization of weights, measures & building styles; some evidence of social equality, widespread trade widespread urbanization, internal & external trade, development of religious & spiritual ideas/symbols
China: human: ancient farming culture, tradition of literacy material: proximity to Yellow River, rich soil intensive irrigation, centralized authority strong central power manages water resources, distribution of food; taxes, surplus allow urbanization & creation of sizable armies
Olmec: Mesoamerica Human: farmers, fishermen
Material: variety of environments—oceans, swamps, mountains
Dredging swamps, intensive agriculture, water management—reservoirs, drainage systems, ceremonial centers
Intensive food production , population growth, economic specialization, trade, development of ritual centers, strong leadership guided by shamans

OVERVIEW 4.2: Instablity: Conditions Leading to Downfall of Kingdoms & Empires
Primary Problems→ Kingdom or Empire
& Region→
Egypt Exposure to invasion, limited areas of soil fertility, occasional grain shortages
Consequences
Famines, land shortages & sizable migrations; invasion by sea peoples, taking advantage of instability
Hittite—Northern
Anatolia
Growth overlaps with frontiers of Egypt, Mesopotamia, overextension of power, disruption of trade through warfare, vulnerability to famine & disease in early stages of agriculture
Nomadic prowlers attack during weak periods, conquered subject revolt
Crete—large island,
Aegean sea--kingdom uneven organization of labor; distribution of food; competition with other city-states, destructive environment, little fertile soil, dangerous seas social inequality, internal warfare combine with nearby volcanic activity & earthquakes to force abandonment of cities, palaces
Mycenaean
Civilization
Harappa & Mohenjo-
Daro: Indus River
Shang & Zhou
Dynasty--China
Barbarian raiders from north attracted by wealth of palaces; earthquakes, social inequality; internal warfare
Gradually drying climate, evidence of earthquakes, shifting river beds, disease, overuse of environmental resources
Overdependence of Shang leaders on rituals, oracles, war, conquest to manipulate harvest, weather
social inequality, internal warfare combine with nearby volcanic activity & earthquakes to force abandonment of cities, palaces
Gradual collapse of food distribution system; political control, cities & towns abandoned
Collapse of Shang rule, rise of Zhou state, shifting center of empire, lessened dependence on divination by bone-oracles