Master this deck with 21 terms through effective study methods.
Explore the rise of the world’s earliest civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China. Learn how writing, trade, and monumental architecture shaped human societies, how philosophic...
The Antikythera mechanism is considered an ancient analog computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendrical and astrological purposes. It exemplifies the advanced understanding of mathematics and engineering during the Hellenistic period.
The decline of the Roman Empire led to a period of technological decay, particularly in Europe, where the loss of centralized governance and infrastructure resulted in reduced scientific inquiry and innovation during the early medieval period.
Two significant innovations were the invention of paper in China during the 1st and 2nd centuries CE and the stirrup, which originated in India around the 2nd century BCE and spread to Central Asia by the 1st century CE.
The Chinese built massive engineering projects such as the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal, showcasing their advanced engineering skills and organizational capabilities.
The Romans perfected the use of concrete, arches, and aqueducts, which allowed them to build durable structures and transport water over long distances, significantly contributing to urban development.
Slavery was a fundamental aspect of ancient societies, especially in Athens and Rome, where it supported economic activities and social structures, allowing for the development of commercial networks and early globalization.
Trade facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies, leading to the establishment of vast commercial networks and the beginnings of archaic globalization, as seen in the import of tin for bronze production.
The growth of cities in ancient Egypt was marked by the initial division into Upper and Lower Egypt, followed by the unification of the valley around 3100 BCE, leading to the establishment of a centralized state.
The Indus Valley civilization, around 2600 BCE, is known for its advanced urban planning, including major cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, which featured sophisticated drainage systems and standardized weights and measures.
Frequent wars between Mesopotamian city-states led to shifts in hegemony, with empires like Akkad and the Neo-Sumerians rising and falling, significantly impacting the political landscape of the region.
The Minoan civilization, emerging around 2000 BCE in Crete, is regarded as the first civilization in Europe, known for its advanced art, architecture, and trade networks.
Early writing systems included Mesopotamian cuneiform, which evolved from pictographs to abstract symbols, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and the Indus script, each serving as a means of record-keeping and communication.
Waterways, including rivers and seas, facilitated the projection of military power and the exchange of goods, ideas, and inventions, enhancing trade and cultural interactions among ancient civilizations.
The Bronze Age saw the development of new land technologies, such as horse-based cavalry and chariots, which allowed armies to move faster and engage in warfare more effectively.
The Mesoamerican classic period (c. 250–900 CE) was marked by the rise of great Maya city-states, the development of a writing system, and the use of the concept of zero in mathematics, reflecting advanced cultural and intellectual achievements.
Teotihuacan prospered due to its control of the obsidian trade and became one of the world's largest cities around 450 CE, with a population of 125,000–150,000, influencing surrounding cultures.
Greek science and mathematics reached their peak during the Hellenistic period through advancements in various fields, including astronomy, geometry, and engineering, driven by the exchange of knowledge across cultures.
Ancient Greek mathematics was characterized by rigorous logical reasoning, the development of geometry, and significant contributions from mathematicians like Euclid and Archimedes, laying the groundwork for modern mathematics.
The concept of zero, developed by the Maya and later adopted by other cultures, revolutionized mathematics by allowing for the representation of empty values and facilitating complex calculations.
The rise of ancient civilizations was influenced by factors such as agricultural surplus, technological innovations, trade networks, and the establishment of social hierarchies and governance structures.
Ancient civilizations laid the foundations of modern society through advancements in governance, law, architecture, mathematics, and trade, influencing contemporary cultural, political, and economic systems.