Version 1.4 February 2023 (Previous Version)
( Paragraph 1 Trans Error: Unknown )These are the questions we ask in the introduction (Section 0.1.6 – paragraph 16):
( Paragraph 2 Trans Error: Unknown )Where did civilisation begin? Who invented arithmetic, money, writing, the wheel? How did weapons and war develop? Is government natural? Where does religion come from? Why did civilisations thrive in Eurasia and the Americas, but less so in sub-Saharan Africa or Australia?
( Paragraph 3 Trans Error: Unknown )This chapter covers the period from about 5,000 years ago up to about 1,500 years ago, during which many social institutions, such as cities, governments, money, laws and armies developed, as well as most of the world’s great traditional religions. Cultural forms such as art and architecture, poetry, music and theatre became more codified. Intellectual skills such as writing and arithmetic developed, as well as technology such as wheeled vehicles, better agriculture, shipping, metal work and weaponry. Hunter gatherers and nomadic herders were less affected, but if they lived on the borders of ‘civilisation’ they still had to adapt to it, while having a huge impact on the ‘civilised’ regions.
( Paragraph 4 Trans Error: Unknown )These huge changes had an immense impact on the daily lives of ordinary people, as well as on human psychology and our imagination. Life without a government and without a religion became almost unimaginable. For most people, their role as rulers, warriors, merchants and farmers became fixed and part of their identity, often defined in great detail, restricted by social systems tied to technology and commerce. Freedom of expression and action were limited essentially to affluent elites.
( Paragraph 5 Trans Error: Unknown )How early societies developed thousands of years ago still affects many people today, especially indigenous people being swamped by modern technological ‘civilisation’.
( Paragraph 6 Trans Error: Unknown )Much of our knowledge of this period comes from written material, including written laws, trading and accounting records, plays and poems, and philosophical and religious writing. This material is still supplemented and cross referenced to artefacts, ancient ruins, and other scientific evidence.
( Paragraph 7 Trans Error: Unknown )We propose to look at how we know what we know about history under the following headings:
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1. Major Historical Themes: ( Paragraph 9 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
What were the major changes over this period? ( Paragraph 10 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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2. Commoners & Elites ( Paragraph 11 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
How people lived over the period, rich and poor. ( Paragraph 12 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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3. Agriculture and Trade: ( Paragraph 13 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Farming improvements, crafts, travel and trade routes. ( Paragraph 14 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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4. Cities and Government: ( Paragraph 15 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Class society, joint irrigation projects, etc. ( Paragraph 16 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Is it reasonable to break down this area into these topics at this level? ( Paragraph 17 Trans Error: Unknown )Click on feedback, or add a comment below, to tell us if you agree or disagree, or suggest improvements. ( Paragraph 18 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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5. Record Keeping & Writing: ( Paragraph 19 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Inspired by long distance & long term trade ( Paragraph 20 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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6. Art and Architecture ( Paragraph 21 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Storages, halls, temples, water & sewerage. ( Paragraph 22 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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7. Money and Debt: ( Paragraph 23 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Cash economies, credit and debt. ( Paragraph 24 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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8. Early Eurasian Kingdoms ( Paragraph 25 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Sumer, Egypt, Greek, Phoenician, etc. ( Paragraph 26 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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9. The Axial Age ( Paragraph 27 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Early world religions and philosophies. ( Paragraph 28 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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10. Technologies of War: ( Paragraph 29 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Metal weapons, chariots, the phalanx, etc. ( Paragraph 30 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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11. Great Eurasian Empires: ( Paragraph 31 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Han, Mauryan & Roman empires, & Huns. ( Paragraph 32 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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12. Sub-Saharan Africa: ( Paragraph 33 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
The tribes and kingdoms of Africa. ( Paragraph 34 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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13. Early American Empires: ( Paragraph 35 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Caral Supe, Olmec, Mayan, Zapotec, Nasca. ( Paragraph 36 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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14. Australia and the rest: ( Paragraph 37 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
Why did these places not develop faster? ( Paragraph 38 Trans Error: Unknown ) |
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As stated in the chapter overview, this is the current summary of our conclusions in this area:
( Paragraph 39 Trans Error: Unknown )Farmers began to produce a surplus which allowed societies to support rulers, priests, trades and craft workers and merchants, and early civilisations adopted different solutions to local problems, developing technology, trade, counting, arithmetic, taxation, money, writing, legal systems, religion and philosophy.
( Paragraph 40 Trans Error: Unknown )more Statement 16
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