JIMMA UNIVERSITY

College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Department of History and Heritage Management

Course Title: Remedial Course on History

Cr. hrs. 4 (7 ECTs)

Prepared By: Yihune Tsegaye(MA)

 Unit one
HISTORY AND THE HISTORIAN'S
CRAFT
 1.1. The Meaning and Use of History
 Meaning of History
• History is a branch of knowledge that deals
with all that had been done by people who
lived in the past
• Both the recorded part and the part which still
awaits to be recorded are commonly called
history.
• All things that have happened in the past in
the life of individuals, countries or humanity
as a whole is also called 'History'
 Use of History
• History helps us to learn about what people
did in the past
• By learning about their deeds we try not to
repeat the mistakes of the past
• It enables us to understand the past society,
• we will be able to increase our understanding
of the present society
• And may forecast about future society.
 1.2. Key Elements in the Study of History

• Among the key elements in the study of

history sources are the decisive ones
• No one can write history without sources.
• Historians use two main types of sources:
Primary sources
Secondary sources.
• Primary sources have direct relations to the
events they describe
– And as such, they are nearer in time and place to
the event
 Cont…
• But secondary sources do not have direct relation
or nearness to the event they describe
• Most of them are historical reconstructions
 Among the primary sources, the most important
are monuments, inscriptions, coins, letters,
diaries, memoirs, chronicles, documents of
contracts and agreements and also eye-witness
accounts.
• Primary sources are more reliable than secondary
sources because they have immediacy to the
event and as such they are better sources of
history
 Cont…
 Oral traditions could be taken as both primary and
secondary sources
• After clear understanding of historical evidences, the
next step is the presentation of the facts on paper
• The quality of historical writing is highly affected by
the manner of presentation
• Another key element in the study of history is
objectivity
• It distinguishing between the real or significant facts
• Objectivity does not mean only identifying the real
or significant facts but also presenting what all the
facts say without any bias for or against
 1.3. The Study of Ethiopian History
• Ethiopian studies was founded in Europe in the 17 th
C by a German historian named Job Ludolf (1624 –
1704)
• he wrote the first modern history of Ethiopia,
which was published in 1684
• After the middle of the 19th century, several
Europeans took part in Ethiopian studies.
• Ethiopian writers also appeared towards the end of
the 19th century
• The establishment of the Institute of Ethiopian
studies (IES) in the early 1960’s at the Haile Sellassie
I University College changed the pattern of
Ethiopian studies
 Cont…
• Ethiopian studies focused only on the north until the
1960’s, because the northern part has the following
advantages over the south:
a) The north had been in contact with the outside world since
ancient times. As a result, Arab, Greek, and Roman writers
had left important information for the study of its history.
b) The north has a written language that served to keep
records and so, many chronicles of the Christian kings are
available.
c) Since the Christian kingdom had maintained strong contact
with the Egyptian Coptic Church, several sources on the
kingdom are available in Egyptian archives.
d) Since the archaeology of northern Ethiopia is well studied
it also provided an auxiliary source for the study of the
history of the region.
 Cont..
• But when we come to the south, even the available
physical remains are not yet studied
• Compared to the north, in the south there is lack of
sources of history
• Besides, scholars have been reluctant to collect and use
oral traditions as reliable historical sources until the
1960’s
• In this regard, the first problem in the study of Ethiopian
history is an imbalance of sources.
• Furthermore, most of the studies presented as Ethiopian
history were not comprehensive.
 Because most studies focused only on political histories.
 Although we have studies in economic history, there are none
in social and cultural histories.
 Cont…
• Another problem in the study of Ethiopian
history is lack of objectivity in the sources
themselves
like for instance, the chronicles of the Christian
kings
Some scholars lacked access to pertinent sources.
There is also lack of sufficient knowledge on the
political social and cultural realities of the country
 1.4. Periodization in History
• Time is an important factor in the study of
history
• This is because historians present past events
by organizing them according to their
sequence in time
• After all history is studied on the basis of
periodization
• Human history is divided from this point to the
present on the basis of the following three
important criteria:
 Cont…
1. The first criterion basis itself on the
development of human behavior which passed
through these three stages:
– Savagery 2,000,000 - 8000 B.P
– Barbarous 8000 - 5000 B.P
– Civilization 5000 B.P to the present
2. The second criterion is based on objects out of
which early humans made instruments of
labour.
– Stone Age 2,000,000 - 5000 B.P
– Bronze Age 5000 - 4000 B.P
– Iron Age 4000 B.P to the present
 Cont..
3. The third criterion is based on aspects of human
economic life in different ages.
– Hunting and gathering 8000 B.P
– Farming and animal husbandry 8000 - 1750 A.D
– Age of Industry 1750 A.D to the present
• Apart from the above approaches to periodization,
history of humanity is generally divided into two
major periods called pre-history and history
• Thus, all events that took place proir to 6000 B.P
are studied under pre-history,
• while those events after 6000 B.P are studied
under history.
 Cont…
• There had been a slow progress in the technique of
producing stone tools during the period of the Stone
Age
• Based on this technical progress, the stone age is sub-
divided into Old Stone Age, Middle Stone Age and
New Stone Age
• Old Stone Age (2,000,000 - 8000 B.P) and New Stone
Age (8000 - 5000 B.P).
• The period of history began about 6000 B.P with the
beginning of writing technique.
• This period is further divided into three minor periods
called ancient, medieval and modern, mostly in
European history.
 Cont..
• Periodization in African history has developed a
unique features as a result of European colonization.
• Because of this periodization in African history is
expressed in terms of pre-colonial, colonial and
post-colonial.
• Periodization in Ethiopian history is different from
the rest of African countries
• Ancient history falls between 1000 B.C, the time
when the process of state formation began, up to
1270 A.D.
• The medieval period lasted from 1270 A.D up to
1855 A.D and
• The period since 1855 A.D is called modern period.
 Features, interdependence and
achievements of major civilizations

Ancient & Classical World Civilization

I. Africa
Egypt
- The civilization of Ancient Egypt began at about
3000Bc, in the Nile Valley of Northeast Africa.
# the poor farmers of Egypt were:
– Lived in small mud huts
– Produced mainly wheat, barely, onion, flax & vegetables in
the Nile valley.
– Also keepers of cattle, goats & other domestic animals.
• The rulers of Ancient Egypt were known as Pharaohs.
– The Pharaoh’s servants, scribes & tax collectors used to
supervise peasant labour & production.
– Thousands of peasants were involved in the construction of
Palaces, huge temples & tombs for the Pharaohs. These
tombs are known as Pyramids.
Contributions
- Ancient Egyptians believe in life after death. The process of
preserving the dead body is called Mummification.
- Ancient Egyptians developed the art of writing known as
Heiroglyphics.
- It was a pictorial form of writing & written on a paper like
substance called Papyrus
- These writings were about religion, such as the “Book of the
Dead”
- They also advanced Mathematics, Medicine, art & architecture.
 Kush

- Was a kingdom along the Nile River in what is now

northeastern Sudan
- It existed before 200BC & lasted until 350AD.
- Exported slaves, cattle, gold & ivory.
 Egypt conquered Kush in the 15oo’s BC &
Kushities adopted elements of Egyptian art,
language & religion.
 the Kushites conquered Egypt about the 8th c BC &
ruled it until about 670BC, when Assyrians from
Asia invaded Egypt.
 the Assyrians destroyed Napata, the capital of Kush.
 the Kushites moved their capital South to
Meroe. They:
 found iron ore, made iron tools & weapons
 developed their own art & architecture
 used their own language
 invented a system of writing & worshipped their
own gods.
At about 350AD, the Aksumite king Ezana invaded
& destroyed Meroe
 Carthage

- Was one of the greatest cities of ancient times,

stood on a Peninsula in North Africa, near the
present city of Tunis.
- Was founded by Phoenician seamen at about 814BC
- Much of Western North Africa, South Spain,
Sardinia Corsica & the western half of Sicily came
under Carthage rule.
- Carthage fought & lost three Punic Wars with Rome
& it was destroyed during the wars from 149 –
146BC & its territory became part of the Roman
Empire.
 Zimbabwe

 The Shona people began their rule about 1000AD &

built a city called Zimbabwe (Great Zimbabwe)
 the word Zimbabwe in Shona word means “House of stone”
 During the 1400s a branch of the Shona, called the
Karanga, established the Mwenemutapa.
 the Karanga traded ivory, gold & copper for porcelain from
China & cloth & beads from India & Indonesia.
 The Rozwi, a southern Karanga group, rebelled in the
late 1400s & founded a Changamire Empire & became
stronger than Mwenemutapa.
 The Changamire Empire was in turn defeated by the
Nguni people & the city was abandoned since 1450AD
 Asia
Mesopotamia
- included the present day eastern Syria,
southeastern Turkey & most part of Iraq .
- It was located in between the Tigris &
Euphrates rivers.
- the name Mesopotamia comes from a Greek
word meaning “Between Rivers”
- Before 3500BC, new settlers arrived in the
Sumer region & called the Sumerians.
 Contributions
– Began to build the first cities in the world
– Invented the world’s first system of writing called
Cuneiform.
– Developed mathematics, astronomy, medicine & metal
works
Persia
• Was a land that included parts what are now Iran
& Afghanistan
• The Persians called the region “ the Land of the
Aryans” from which the name Iran comes.
• Called their language Aryan
 Contributions
– Established gov’t law & religion
– Developed rely system of postal service called “Pony
express”
– Developed a Cuneiform system of writing.
• In the 500BC the Persian vast empire extended from:
• North Africa & South eastern Europe – West
• India – East
• Gulf of Oman – South
• Caucasus Mountains – North
• Their religion was known as Zoroastrianism founded
by a prophet called Zoroaster or Zarathustra.
 India
• About 2500Bc a civilization began in the Indus
valley in what is now Pakistan & Western India.
Contributions
– Drainage system in cities
– Construction of ruins of buildings like Harappa &
Mohenjo Daro
– They dug ditches & canals around the cities to irrigate
their farms.
– They used copper & bronze to make tools, mirrors,
pots & pans
– They also crafted silver & gold ornaments.
• A religion called Hindu was developed from
the beliefs of early Indo – Aryans. Later
Buddhism emerged from Hinduism as a
reform movement.
Factors for the decline & disappearance of
Indus valley civilization:
Invasion by the Aryans from the north.
The drying up of Hakra River disrupted
agricultural & economic system of the area.
 China
• Ancient Chinese civilization reached the highest
stage about 3000BC in the Hwang Ho Valley
• the known Chinese states:
Shang Kingdom
 Was centered in the Hwang Ho valley & highly
developed during 1700s BC.
 Achieved in the creation of bronze vessels, the
development of war chariots & establishment of a
writing system.
 Chone Dynasty
 Ruled China from 1122BC until 256BC.
 The known Philosopher, Confucius(551 – 479)
& his teaching called Confucianism teaches:
 The importance of a well – ordered society in
which parents rule their children, men rule
women & educated rule the common people.
 The great wall of China extends about
7400kms was constructed to keep out the
invaders from central Asia.
 III. America
Maya
– were native American people who developed a
magnificent civilization in western hemisphere before the
coming of the Europeans.
– This civilization was at its peak from about 250 – 900AD.
Contributions
 produced remarkable architecture, painting, pottery &
sculpture.
 made great advanced in astronomy & mathematics.
 developed an accurate yearly calendar.
 Developed an advanced form of writing
 Built tall pyramids of limestone with small temples on top.
• Today, descendants of the Maya live in Mexico &
Central America.
• The Spanish had conquered the southern part of the
area in 16th c & completed their domination in 17th c.
Inca
 were a South American native people.
 Began to expand about 1438, in the present – day
Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile & Argentina.
 Its capital was Cusco, in southern Peru.
 Contribution
– Were skilled in engineering & in crafts
– Built a network of roads.
– Made fine articles from gold, silver & other materials.
– Wove fine cotton & woolen cloth.
• After 1532, Inca empire was conquered by Spanish
forces.
Aztec
 were another native American people who ruled a
powerful empire in Mexico during the 15th c & early
16th c.
 the center of this civilization was the valley of
Mexico.
• The largest city was the capital, Tenochtitlan
which stood on the site of present day
Mexico city.
• Agriculture formed the basis of the Aztec
economy.
• Com was the most important crop.
• They used a form of writing called
Pictographic writings.
• In the end the Spaniards destroyed the
empire in 1521.
 IV. Europe
Greece
• Was the birth place of Western Civilization
started about 2500 years ago.
• Contributions
– Developed the small city states called Polis.
• The best known city – states were Athens & Sparta
– They had a common language, religion & culture
– Developed drama & originated western philosophy.
– Democracy, Psychology, Olympic & Marathon have
Greek origion.
• The Greeks called themselves Hellen & their land
Hellas.
 Cont….
Rome
• Was inhabited by different peoples called the Latin.
They settled on the hills above the River Tiber in753BC.
By this the city & empire of Rome was originated.
Contributions
• Latin became the basis of French, Italian, Spanish &
other languages.
• Roman law founded a legal system for Western Europe
& Latin America.
• Developed Engineering in road, bridges & aqueducts
building.
 • Built public baths & amphi theaters .
• Developed literature .
• The Roman republic was established in 509 BC after
roman nobles overthrew the king .
• The two elected officials called:
 Consuls - headed the government of the republic
served only a year .
 Senate – was the most powerful government body of
the roman republic & served for ever .
• The roman empire was established after the republic
was destroyed by 20 years of civil war. The empire
lasted until Rome fell in 476 AD.