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WHH Chapter 3: Lecture
People and Ideas on the Move, 2000 B.C.–250 B.C. Migrations by Indo-Europeans lead to major changes in trade and language as well as to the foundations of three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. The Indo-Europeans Indo-Europeans migrate into Europe, India, and Southwest Asia and interact with peoples living there. Characteristics of Indo-Europeans • Indo-Europeans—nomadic, pastoral people; tamed horses, rode chariots • Came from the steppes—dry grasslands north of the Caucasus mountains The Indo-European Language Family • Language ancestral to many modern languages of Europe and Asia • English, Spanish, Persian, Hindu trace origins to original Indo-European • Language groups settled in different areas • 1700-1200 B.C. Indo-Europeans migrated, moved in all directions The Hittite Arrival • Hittites—a group of Indo-European speakers • Take control of Anatolia (Asia Minor) around 2000 B.C. • City-states join to form empire; dominate Southwest Asia for 450 years • Borrowed ideas from Mesopotamian culture; adopted Babylonian language • Hittites skilled in war; spread iron technology by trade and conquest • Empire falls around 1190 B.C. after attacks from northern tribes Aryans Transform India: The Aryan People • Aryans—Indo-European people, enter Indus River Valley around 1500 B.C. • Sacred writings, the Vedas, reveal much of their culture A Caste System Develops • Aryans physically distinct from people of India • Four castes, or social classes, develop: - priests (Brahmans) - warriors - peasants or traders - laborers • People are born into their caste for life • Hundreds of subgroups arise later Aryan Kingdoms Arise • Aryans extend settlements to other river valleys • Small kingdoms arise • Magadha kingdom unites all and spreads across India by 100 B.C. • Epic Mahabharata reflects blending of Aryan and non-Aryan culture Section 2: Hinduism and Buddhism Develop • The beliefs of the Vedic Age developed into Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism • Collection of religious beliefs that developed slowly over time • No one founder with a single set of ideas • 750−500 B.C. Hindu teachers create Upanishads—texts of teachings • Each person has atman soul united with all others in Brahman • In reincarnation, people reborn to new lives • A soul’s good and bad deeds, karma, determines course of new life Hinduism Changes and Develops • Over last 2,500 years different forms of gods grow in importance • Today, Hindus choose own path to moksha—a state of perfect understanding • Hinduism strengthened the caste system New Religions Arise • Jainism, a new religion, arises in 500s B.C. • Jains will not harm any creature • They work in trade, commerce; practice religious tolerance Siddhartha Gautama · Founder of Buddhism; priests prophesized his greatness · Raised in isolation, Siddhartha Gautama wants to learn about world · Seeks enlightenment (wisdom), how to escape human suffering · Tries many methods; gains enlightenment by meditating · Becomes the Buddha, the “enlightened one” Origins and Beliefs • Buddha begins to teach followers • Preaches Four Noble Truthsbasic philosophy of Buddhism • Fourth Noble Truth is to follow the Eightfold Path to achieve nirvana • Nirvana: - a perfect state of understanding - a release from selfishness and pain - a break from the chain of reincarnations, rebirths • Buddha rejects caste system and multiple gods of Hinduism • Some followers devote lives to religion, become monks and nuns • Three bases of Buddhism: Buddha, religious community, teachings Buddhism and Society • Many followers at first among poor and lower caste • Monks and nuns spread Buddha’s teachings • Teachings written to become sacred literature • Spreads to other parts of Asia • Never gains firm hold in India; Hinduism remains strong • Buddhist pilgrims often visit India • Buddhism spreads by traders to: - Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Sumatra - China, Korea, Japan Seafaring Traders Trading societies extend the development of civilizations beyond the Fertile Crescent region. The Minoan People • The Minoans, powerful seafaring people, live on Crete in Aegean Sea • Dominate trade in eastern Mediterranean from 2000 to 1400 B.C. • Culture influences others, especially Greeks Unearthing a Brilliant Civilization • Excavations of Knossos, capital city of Minoan civilization, revealed: - Minoans were peaceful, athletic, lovers of nature and beauty - Women had major role, especially in religion - Sacrificed animals, and sometimes people, to gods • Archaelogists name civilization Minoa after King Minos - King Minos—legendary king who owned a minotaur Minoan Culture’s Mysterious End • Earthquakes in 1700 B.C. cause damage, but Minoans rebuild • In 1470 B.C. major earthquakes and volcanic eruption • Minoans never recover from disasters • Invaders from Greece take Minoan lands Phoenicians Spread Trade and Civilization The Phoenician People • Phoenicians—powerful traders in wealthy city-states along Mediterranean • Skilled shipbuilders, seafarers; sailed around continent of Africa Commercial Outposts Around the Mediterranean • Phoenicians set up colonies in western and central Mediterranean • Famous for red-purple dye produced from snail Phoenicia’s Great Legacy: The Alphabet • Developed system of writing to record trade deals • Later developed into western alphabet Ancient Trade Routes: Trade Links Peoples • Land routes link Mediterranean world and Asia • Indian traders sail to Southeast Asia and Indonesia • Trade helps spread culture, ideas, religion The Origins of Judaism The Hebrews maintain monotheistic religious beliefs that were unique in the ancient world. Ancient Palestine • Palestine was region on eastern shores of Mediterranean • Hebrew people settled in Canaan, land promised to them by God From Ur to Egypt • Torah, first five books of Hebrew Bible, tells early history of Hebrews • In Torah, God chose Abraham, a shepherd, to be father of Hebrew people • Abraham moves family and herds from Ur to Canaan around 1800 B.C. • Around 1650 B.C. Abraham’s descendants move to Egypt The God of Abraham • Hebrews are monotheists, believing in one God onlyYahweh • Yahweh is all powerful, not a physical being • A mutual promise, covenant, is made between God and Abraham • Abraham promises to obey God, Yahweh promises protection Hebrews Migrate to Egypt Moses • At first Hebrews are honored in Egyptian kingdom; later become slaves “Let My People Go” • Hebrews flee Egypt between 1300 and 1200 B.C. • Bible tells of God’s command that Moses lead this “Exodus” A New Covenant • Moses receives Ten Commandmentsbecomes basis of Hebrew law The Land and People of the Bible • Torah tells of Hebrews wandering Sinai Desert for 40 years • Arrive in Canaan, form twelve tribes; judges provide leadership Hebrew Law • Women and men have separate roles, responsibilities • Law includes strict justice softened by mercy • Prophets arise later to interpret the law • They teach people to live moral lives The Kingdom of Israel Canaan • Land that Hebrews believe God promised them • Canaan land is harsh; Hebrews expand south and north Saul and David Establish a Kingdom • Hebrews threatened by Philistines to the north • Only one tribe remains, Judah; Hebrew religion called Judaism • From 1020 to 922 B.C. Hebrews (Jews) unite; new kingdom called Israel • King David establishes Jerusalem as capital Solomon Builds the Kingdom • David’s son Solomon becomes king; makes Israel a trading empire • He builds a magnificent temple and royal palace in Jerusalem The Kingdom Divides • High taxes and forced labor lead Jews in north to revolt • By 922 B.C. kingdom divides in two—Israel in north, Judah in south • 200 years of conflict follow The Babylonian Captivity: A Conquered People • In 738 B.C. Israel and Judah pay tribute (money for peace) to Assyria • By 722 B.C. Assyrians conquer Israel • In 586 B.C. Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Solomon’s Temple • Many surviving Jews exiled to Babylon • In 539 B.C Persians conquer Babylon; 40,000 Jews return to Jerusalem • Temple and walls rebuilt; land later ruled by Persians, Greeks, Romans
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