Chapter 4: Growth and Decline: A Succession of Civilizations
OVERVIEW 4.1: Conditions Leading to Development of Kingdoms and Empires
Kingdom or Empire & Region→ / Types of Resources → / Methods of Maximizing Resources→ / Effect on Kingdom/Empire /Hittite – Northern Anatolia—kingdom / human: farmers & herders
material: little cultivatable soil, wool, livestock, fertilizer / combined mixed farming by independent peasants w/wool production by herders / 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
Kingdom or Empire & Region→ / Primary Problems→ / Consequences /Egypt / Exposure to invasion, limited areas of soil fertility, occasional grain shortages / 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 / Barbarian raiders from north attracted by wealth of palaces; earthquakes, social inequality; internal warfare / social inequality, internal warfare combine with nearby volcanic activity & earthquakes to force abandonment of cities, palaces
Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro: Indus River / Gradually drying climate, evidence of earthquakes, shifting river beds, disease, overuse of environmental resources / Gradual collapse of food distribution system; political control, cities & towns abandoned
Shang & Zhou Dynasty--China / Overdependence of Shang leaders on rituals, oracles, war, conquest to manipulate harvest, weather / Collapse of Shang rule, rise of Zhou state, shifting center of empire, lessened dependence on divination by bone-oracles