1. The Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome Flashcards
What is BCE and CE?
BCE = Before Common Era CE = Common Era
What is BC and AD?
BC = Before Christ AD = “Anno Domini” (‘in the year of the Lord’)
What is a civilization?
any complex society that is characterized by urban
development, social stratification, an organized form of
government, and symbolic systems of communication.
Who were the 2 earliest civilizations, when did they happen and what made successful?
- Mesopotamia 2.Egypt 3500 BCE
There geography
Both developed at the mouths of river basins, which meant futile land meat good for agricultural which lead to food supply and made it possible to have settled occupation. food supply- finally settle in one place
Mesopotamia- develop quickly, had monarch that oversaw taxation, resources etc. Highly politicized, collection and redistribution ford goods, one focused centre of leadership.
generally took longer in Egypt
Why was there limited agriculture in Greece?
• 75% mountainous
• Limited fertile soil for
farming
weather is typical of semi-aired climate.mountain regions. As a result there is a limited of fertile soil. Greece agriculture was centred around the Mediterranean triad. Mountains created natural boundaries. This is part of the reason why no one state could take over the land there was a shortage of natural resources and had to rely on trade and commerce
What is the Mediterranean triad?
- olives (olive oil)
- grapes (wine)
- wheat
What type sources do we have for Ancient Greece and some examples?
Physical (material) record
E.g., tools, weapons, armour, pottery
Temples, columns, walls, houses- excavation or remain standing
Written record
Inscriptions (epigraphy)
Writing on parchment and paper
Poets and playwrights (e.g., Homer, Euripides, Sophocles)
Philosophers and historians (e.g., Plato, Thucydides, Herodotus)
Advancements in writing = advancements in ideas
Selection and survival- we have lost a lot due to natural disasters, climate, -many gaps in written sources
What were the limits of ancient history?
“Four Generation Rule”-the idea that accurate info does not get passed on more than 4 generations in a family. Errors appear from original message
Hecataeus – first Greek historian – born c. 550 BCE
Purpose of writing
Author biases
Proof and evidence
What two names is Herodotus called and why?
“father of history”
First/earliest to have a full history text survive
“father of lies”
Reports what he was told
He (and other ancient sources) doubted some of his reports
But much of his information has been proven correct
What does Historia mean?
inquiry
Where was Herodotus from, where did he move and what did he write about?
From Halicarnassus, Ionia (Asia Minor) – Persian Empire
Moved to Athens
Wrote about the Persian Wars
During the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) how did the people get food and where did they live?
Hunter-gatherers in Greece
Sheltered in caves
When was the Franchthi Cave inhibited and what does this show?
Inhabited c. 20,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE
The people were adapting as ice melts and the climate becomes warmer and wetter
