Ancient civilizations of Mankind:

“Ancient civilization refers to the first settled and stable communities that later became the
basis for the development of states, nations, and empires.”
History of Humankind:
The span of ancient history began with the invention of writing about 3100 BCE and lasted for
more than 35 centuries. Humankind existed long before the written word, but writing made it
possible to maintain the record. As per scientific evidence, earth is around 4.5 billion years old.
The first monkey-like animal/species named Australopithecus appeared some 40million years
ago. The most famous example of Australopithecus is Lucy whose bones were discovered in
Ethiopia in 1974. These were bipedal and contained slightly larger brain than other mammals.
Then one million years ago, Homo erectus appeared. This human ancestor was taller, bigger
brain and looked more like humans. Finally, around 200,000 years ago our species-homo
sapiens- came into being. They survived due to larger brain (1500 cubic centimeters).
Australopithecus Homo erectus Homo sapiens
The Sumerians:
The first ancient society arose in Mesopotamia. It is derived from Greek word Meso means
between and the Potamoi means rivers. Located mostly in modern day Iraq. People of this
region known as Sumerians. Around 5000 BCE people in that region began to irrigate land by
developing an irrigation system. By 3000 BCE, 100 thousand people lived in the land of Sumer.
They also began constructing the world’s first cities by around 4500 BCE. City-states were ruled
by leaders called ensis. The Sumerians contributed to the development of metalworking and
wheel carts. They may have invented the first form of writing. They also developed the first
calendar, which they adjusted to the phases of moon.

1. Babylonian Civilization:
I. Introduction:
Babylonia was a state in ancient Mesopotamia. It was founded more than 4,000
years ago on the bank of Euphrates River. It grew into one of the largest cities of the
ancient world under the rule of Hammurabi. The ruins of this city are located in
present day Iraq.
II. Babylonia under Hammurabi:
Hammurabi was an efficient ruler who developed centralized bureaucracy with
taxation. He brought stability to the region of Babylonia. Under his reign, it became
the largest city of the ancient world with a population of almost 20,0000.
He also developed code of law known as code of Hammurabi. The code consist of
282 laws related to different matters of daily routine. The main principle of the code
of Hammurabi was the Law of Retaliation. It held that offender was to suffer a
punishment equal to the crime committed.
III. Features of Babylon Civilization:
a) Babylon’s hanging garden:
It was built by Nebuchadnezzar 2 for his queen. The garden was 75ft tall and
consisted of series of tiered platforms covered with beautiful trees, plants,
and flowers. This garden has been recognized as the Seven Wonders of the
World and considered as the masterpiece of engineering.

b) Walls of Babylon:
Hammurabi first encircled the city with walls. Nebuchadnezzar 2 further
fortified the city with three rings of walls that were 40feet tall. Walls were so
thick that races were held on top of them.
c) Ishtar gate:
The main entrance to the inner city of Babylon was called the Ishtar gate. It
was decorated with bright blue bricks and adorned with pictures of bulls,
dragons, and lions.
d) The Social Class:
Under Hammurabi’s reign, there were three social classes. The amelu was an
elite class with full civil rights. The king, high officials, and other high
professionals belonged to this group. The Mushkenu was a free, landless
class and lived in separate section of the city. The Ardu was slave class.
e) Women’s rights:
Women were well treated in that society. They were allowed to become
priests and start their own business. She shared equal rights in her husband’s
property after his death.
f) The more children the better:
At that time society need more people in order to increase the workforce so
having more children considered as matter of pride.
g) Art and Architecture:
The Babylonians were skill full people. They were good in making small scale
art such as jewelry and large architectural projects. They built large palaces
and statues. The famous Ishtar gate is another example of beautiful
architectural structure.
h) Trade and Commerce:
They were equally well versed in trade. They regularly imported gold, silver,
copper, wood, salt etc.
i) Literature and education:
Education was for all, both men and women. Bone and bamboo were used to
write on soft clay tablets which were later dried in the sun.
j) Science:
Their priests studied the moon, the sun, planets, and the stars in order to
predict the future. They adopted the lunar calendar, and were good at
keeping record.
k) Religious beliefs:
They believed in polytheism. It means they worshipped multiple Gods and
Goddesses. Marduk was their chief God and was considered to be the
creator of the world. Similarly, Samas was the God of the sun and so on.
l) The Fall of the Babylonia:
After the death of Hammurabi, kingdom began to decline. It finally fell to the
Persians in 539BCE.
2. Ancient civilization of Egypt:
i. Introduction:
Ancient Egypt was one of the oldest and long-lasting civilization in world history. The
great days of Ancient Egypt fell between c.3000 BCE and c.1000BCE. Egypt is situated in
the Nile valley, in the North east of the Africa. The life of ancient Egypt centered around
the river Nile. The farmers in the long Nile valley developed an irrigation system to
control the flow of water. The valley was fertile and rich and number of crops were
grown there.
ii. Timeline of Ancient Egypt:
a) c.5000 BCE: The coming of farming to the Nile Valley
b) c. 3500-3000: The Pre-dynastic period, leading to the unification of Egypt
c) c. 2650: The beginning of the Old Kingdom: soon the Great Pyramids of
Giza built
d) c. 2150: The fall of the Old Kingdom leads to the 1st Intermediate
period begins
e) 2074: The Middle Kingdom begins; Egypt is united and powerful again
f) 1759: The fall of the Middle Kingdom leads to the 2nd Intermediate period,
and the occupation of northern Egypt by the Hyksos
g) 1539: The reunification of Egypt and the expulsion of the Hyksos begins
the New Kingdom, a period when Egypt became a leading power in the
Middle East
h) c. 1150 onwards: The New Kingdom falls into decline
i) 728: Egypt is conquered by Nubian kings
j) 525: Egypt is conquered by the Persians
k) 332: Egypt is conquered by Alexander the Great
l) 305: Ptolemy, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, founds a Greek-
speaking dynasty
m) 30: Cleopatra, the last queen of independent Egypt in ancient times, dies,
and Egypt is annexed by the Roman Empire
 C stands for Common Era, while BCE stands for before Common Era. The
Common Era began with year 1 in the Georgian calendar.
 BC stands for before Christ
 AD stands for Anno Domini. Means years of the Lord.
 Now, instead of AD and BC…… C and BCE is used

iii. Characteristics of Ancient Egyptian Civilization:

A) Ancient Egyptian Government:
The ancient Egyptian civilization produced the first government to rule on
entire nations. The Pharaoh was the ruler of Ancient Egypt both politically
and religiously. He held the title “Lord of the two Lands”. It means that he
ruled all of the Upper and Lower Egypt and that he represented all the gods
 on the earth. He was served by powerful chief minister called vizir. A number
of officials worked under Pharaoh to run the government.
B) The Army:
Soldiers of army was armed with bows and arrows. The prime duty of army
was to defend Egypt against foreign invasion. Sometimes, soldiers were
deployed on important trade routes in order to protect the traders. Pharaoh
was the head of the army and would go to war when his land was
threatened.
C) Ancient Egyptian religion:
They also believed in Polytheism. Gods were worshipped in temples run by
priests. Some famous Gods they worshipped included: Ra, the Sun god; Isis,
the Goddess of nature, and Horus, the God of war etc. Small statues were
used by Egyptians to worship God and Goddess at their homes.
D) Economy of Ancient Egypt:
Economy of ancient Egypt based mostly on agriculture. Farming in Egypt was
completely dependent on Nile River. Trade was also done in Egypt.
E) Mineral Resources:
Limestone, granite, alabaster etc. were the minerals that were present in
ancient Egypt. Similarly, gold mines and iron deposits were also present in
different areas of Egypt.
F) Society:
At the very top was the royal family. A powerful class of hereditary
landowners were present at second number. Then craftsmen and peasants
were present below it. Most of the population consisted of peasants.
Craftsmen seem to have had higher status than farmers.
G) Women rights:
Women enjoyed complete rights in ancient Egypt. Like men, they could own
and sell property, make contracts, marry and divorce, and receive
inheritance.

H) Ancient Egyptian Art:

Most of the art that has reached to us was funerary art (art designed for the
tomb). The houses of the wealthy also had richly painted walls with scenes of
people, birds, and water pools.
 I) Architecture:
They built some of the most amazing structures that world has ever seen,
such as The Pyramids of Giza. Monumental architecture can also be seen in
the temples.
J) Ancient Egyptian Technology:
 Mathematics:
They developed high level of math skills. This enabled them to build
their pyramids and temples with simple tools. They were expert in
practical mathematics.
 Medicine: their doctors could stitch up wounds, and repair broken
bones. Opium was used as a pain killer. Onion and garlic were used
as health foods in diet.
 Also started building ships, though they were not experts in it.
iv. When did Ancient Egyptian civilization disappear?
The conquest of Egypt by Persians in 343 BCE was the end point of it.

3. Ancient Civilization of Greek:

It refers to the years 700-480 B.C. This era is known for art, architecture and philosophy.
But this era is more famous because Polis/ City States invented in this era.
Characteristics of Ancient Greek Civilization:
i. Geography:
Its origins were in the land of Greek and the Islands of Aegean Sea. Ancient
Greece consisted of many small territories each with its own dialect and identity.
ii. The birth of City-States:
At first, people lived throughout the Greek in small villages. As they grew larger,
these villages began to evolve. Some built walls, and other began to develop
market place, meeting point, and governments according to some set of rules.
They began to develop armies and also started collecting taxes. These were
known as City-States. It was believed that each of these city-states were
protected by their respective God. Their economies were based on Agriculture
iii. The rise of Tyrants:
With the passage of time, many of these agricultural City-State began to
produce consumer goods such as pottery, wine, cloth etc. Trade in these goods
made some people very rich and with the help of them new leaders emerged.
These leaders were known as Tyrants. However, their rule did not last. This
 period brought a series of Political reforms and it created a system of ancient
Greek democracy known as “rule by the people”.
iv. Society:
Society was divided among several hundred City-States. Every four years they
sent their young ones to compete in Olympics. They often defended their
independence from one another.
v. Agriculture:
They were primarily agricultural people. Aristocrats and other landowners own
larger farms. Slaves worked on these farms. However, land was not so good for
farming therefore, they turned toward sea related trade.
vi. Trade:
As agricultural land was not sufficient and ideal, therefore, many Greeks earned
their livelihood from sea. They did trade through sea routes.
vii. The Family:
Sons were preferred over daughters. Women lived sheltered lives, first under
the authority of their father, and then husband. Marriage were arranged by the
parents.
viii. Houses:
The majority of the poor lived in poor and crowded houses. In a large city like
Athens, some of the poor lived in multi-story blocks of apartments. Wealthy
people lived in big, comfortable, and luxurious houses with many slaves. These
houses were equipped with bathrooms and toilets.
ix. Democracy:
Many City-States of Greek were fully democratic by 5th Century. Athens were the
largest and most famous democracy. Public representatives were chosen by
people. All citizens were liable to be selected for public office and would serve
for a year.
x. Law:
Each Polis had its own law code. Hence, there were many courts. However, very
serious crimes against the state came before the entire assembly of citizens.
Capital punishment was there for blasphemy, treason and murder cases.
xi. Education:
Education was a private matter, as many Greek cities did not have publicly
funded schools. Wealthy families usually sent their children for education.
xii. Art and Architecture:
 Greek architecture is known for its grace and simplicity. Their temples were very
beautiful.
xiii. Sculpture:
Greek sculpture usually in stone and bronze, sometimes in Gold.

Assignment topic: Which Civilization do you think was the best among them
and why? Give arguments