🍖World Prehistory Unit 11 – Bronze Age Near East & Mediterranean

Key Civilizations and Cultures

• Sumerians developed the first known civilization in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 4000 BCE
  • Established city-states such as Uruk, Ur, and Lagash
  • Invented cuneiform script, one of the earliest writing systems
• Egyptians built a powerful civilization along the Nile River Valley, known for its pyramids and hieroglyphic writing
• Minoans flourished on the island of Crete from around 2000 to 1450 BCE
  • Known for their elaborate palaces (Knossos) and vibrant frescoes
• Mycenaeans dominated mainland Greece from around 1600 to 1100 BCE
  • Built impressive fortified cities (Mycenae) and were known for their distinctive pottery
• Hittites established an empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) around 1600 BCE
  • Known for their advanced metalworking and diplomatic relations with other powers
• Phoenicians, a Semitic people from the Levant, were renowned for their maritime trade and spread of the alphabet

Timeline and Geographical Scope

• The Bronze Age in the Near East and Mediterranean lasted from around 3300 to 1200 BCE
• Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was the birthplace of the Sumerian civilization
• Ancient Egypt developed along the Nile River Valley in northeastern Africa
• The Aegean civilizations, including the Minoans and Mycenaeans, flourished in the islands and mainland of Greece
• Anatolia, the peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, was home to the Hittite Empire
• The Levant, a region along the eastern Mediterranean coast, included the Phoenician city-states
• Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean, was an important center for copper production and trade
• The Bronze Age civilizations were interconnected through extensive trade networks, diplomacy, and cultural exchange

Technological Advancements

• The development of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, revolutionized tools, weapons, and artwork
  • Bronze was stronger and more durable than pure copper, allowing for more effective tools and weapons
• The invention of the wheel and the potter's wheel transformed transportation and ceramic production
• Advances in agriculture, such as irrigation systems and the plow, increased food production and population growth
• The development of writing systems, such as cuneiform and hieroglyphs, facilitated record-keeping, communication, and the preservation of knowledge
• Innovations in shipbuilding and navigation, including the use of the sail and the astrolabe, expanded maritime trade and exploration
• Advancements in architecture, such as the arch and the dome, enabled the construction of monumental buildings and cities
• The use of the loom and the spindle improved textile production and clothing

Social and Political Structures

• Mesopotamian city-states were ruled by kings who claimed divine authority and were supported by a complex bureaucracy
  • The Code of Hammurabi, a comprehensive set of laws, exemplifies the advanced legal system of the Babylonian Empire
• Egyptian society was hierarchical, with the pharaoh at the top, followed by nobles, priests, and commoners
  • The pharaoh was considered a living god and was responsible for maintaining order and prosperity
• Minoan society was likely organized around palace complexes, with a central authority controlling economic and religious activities
• Mycenaean society was dominated by powerful warrior-kings who ruled from fortified citadels
• The Hittite Empire had a complex system of vassal states and treaties, with the king at the center of political and religious authority
• Phoenician city-states were governed by kings or councils of merchants, with a strong emphasis on maritime trade and colonization

Trade and Economic Systems

• The development of bronze and other metals stimulated long-distance trade in raw materials (tin, copper) and finished goods
• Mesopotamia was a center of trade, with goods flowing along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and overland trade routes
  • The city of Ur was a major hub for maritime trade in the Persian Gulf
• Egypt's Nile River facilitated internal trade, while its strategic location enabled trade with Nubia, the Levant, and the Aegean
• Minoan Crete was a major center of maritime trade in the Aegean, with evidence of trade contacts with Egypt, the Levant, and mainland Greece
• Mycenaean Greeks traded extensively with the Minoans and the Hittites, exchanging goods such as pottery, textiles, and metals
• The Hittites controlled important trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Aegean, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas
• Phoenicians were the preeminent maritime traders of the Bronze Age, establishing colonies and trading posts throughout the Mediterranean

Art and Architecture

• Sumerian art and architecture were characterized by the use of mud-brick, decorative mosaics, and the development of the ziggurat
  • The Standard of Ur, a decorative box, depicts scenes of war and peace in intricate detail
• Egyptian art and architecture were closely tied to religion and the afterlife, with the pyramids serving as tombs for the pharaohs
  • The Great Sphinx of Giza and the bust of Nefertiti are iconic examples of Egyptian sculpture
• Minoan art is known for its vibrant frescoes depicting nature, religious ceremonies, and daily life
  • The Palace of Knossos features a complex layout and advanced architectural features (light wells, drainage systems)
• Mycenaean art and architecture were influenced by the Minoans but developed a distinctive style, known for its megaron halls and tholos tombs
  • The Lion Gate at Mycenae is a famous example of Mycenaean fortification and sculpture
• Hittite art and architecture were characterized by the use of stone, relief sculpture, and the development of the hieroglyphic Luwian script
• Phoenician art and architecture were eclectic, incorporating influences from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean
  • The sarcophagus of King Ahiram features intricate reliefs and an early example of the Phoenician alphabet

Religious and Ideological Beliefs

• Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic, with gods and goddesses representing natural forces and human activities
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian epic poem, explores themes of mortality, friendship, and the search for immortality
• Egyptian religion centered around the pharaoh, who was considered a living god, and the concept of the afterlife
  • The Pyramid Texts, inscribed in the pyramids of the Old Kingdom, provide insight into Egyptian funerary beliefs and practices
• Minoan religion likely involved the worship of a mother goddess and the use of sacred caves and peak sanctuaries
• Mycenaean religion was influenced by the Minoans but also incorporated elements of Indo-European mythology
• Hittite religion was a blend of Hattian, Hurrian, and Indo-European beliefs, with a strong emphasis on the role of the king in religious ceremonies
• Phoenician religion was polytheistic and heavily influenced by the religions of neighboring cultures, particularly Egypt and Mesopotamia

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The Bronze Age civilizations of the Near East and Mediterranean laid the foundations for the development of writing, law, and urban life
• The invention of the alphabet by the Phoenicians revolutionized communication and spread throughout the Mediterranean world
• The artistic and architectural achievements of the Bronze Age, such as the pyramids and the Palace of Knossos, continue to inspire and amaze people to this day
• The epic literature of the Bronze Age, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad, has had a lasting impact on world literature and culture
• The political and economic systems of the Bronze Age, such as the palace economy and long-distance trade, set the stage for the development of later civilizations
• The religious and ideological beliefs of the Bronze Age, such as the concept of divine kingship and the afterlife, influenced the religions of later periods
• The collapse of the Bronze Age civilizations, around 1200 BCE, was a pivotal moment in world history, marking the end of an era and the beginning of the Iron Age
  • The causes of the collapse are still debated, but likely included a combination of climate change, invasions, and internal strife