Deck 11: Early States in the Old World

Question 1

List five hypotheses proposed to explain the rise of states.

Answer 1

1. The agricultural revolution hypothesis suggests that the rise of states was linked to the development of agriculture, which allowed for the accumulation of surplus food and the establishment of permanent settlements. This surplus food could support a larger population, leading to the need for centralized authority to manage resources and resolve conflicts.

2. The hydraulic hypothesis posits that states emerged in areas where large-scale irrigation systems were necessary for agriculture. The construction and maintenance of these systems required centralized authority, leading to the rise of states.

3. The trade and commerce hypothesis suggests that states developed in areas where trade and commerce were important economic activities. The need to regulate trade and protect merchants led to the establishment of centralized authority.

4. The warfare and conquest hypothesis proposes that states arose as a result of warfare and conquest, with powerful leaders or groups establishing control over territories through military force.

5. The social complexity hypothesis argues that states emerged as societies became more complex, with specialized roles and social hierarchies. This increased complexity required centralized authority to coordinate and manage the various aspects of society.

Question 2

What is Mesopotamia and why is it important?

Answer 2

Mesopotamia is an ancient region located in the eastern Mediterranean, which is now modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Syria and Turkey. It is often referred to as the "cradle of civilization" because it is one of the earliest known human civilizations to develop.

Mesopotamia is important for several reasons. Firstly, it is the birthplace of many significant developments in human history, including the invention of writing, the wheel, and the concept of time. These innovations laid the foundation for the development of complex societies and the advancement of technology.

Additionally, Mesopotamia was home to some of the earliest known cities, such as Uruk and Ur, which were centers of trade, culture, and political power. The region also saw the rise of the world's first empires, such as the Akkadian and Babylonian empires, which had a lasting impact on the development of political systems and governance.

Furthermore, Mesopotamia was a hub of cultural exchange and interaction, as it was situated at the crossroads of several ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. This diversity of cultures and ideas contributed to the richness of Mesopotamian society and influenced the development of art, literature, and religious beliefs.

Overall, Mesopotamia is important because it played a crucial role in shaping the course of human history and laid the groundwork for many of the institutions and technologies that are fundamental to modern society. Its legacy continues to be felt in various aspects of our lives, from language and writing to governance and urban planning.

Question 3

Evaluate the contribution of cylinder seals and writing tablets from Uruk-Warwka to our understanding of Sumerian City States.

Answer 3

Cylinder seals and writing tablets from Uruk-Warka have made significant contributions to our understanding of Sumerian City States. These artifacts provide valuable insights into the administrative, economic, and social aspects of these ancient city-states.

Cylinder seals were used as a form of signature and authentication on documents and goods, and they often depicted scenes of daily life, religious rituals, and important figures. These seals have helped archaeologists and historians understand the complex bureaucracy and administrative systems of Sumerian city-states. They also provide evidence of trade and economic activities, as they were used to seal goods and documents related to commercial transactions.

Writing tablets, on the other hand, have provided a wealth of information about the Sumerian language, economy, and society. These tablets contain administrative records, legal documents, and literary texts, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of the people living in Sumerian city-states. They also reveal the development of writing and accounting systems, as well as the social and political structures of these ancient societies.

Overall, the contribution of cylinder seals and writing tablets from Uruk-Warka to our understanding of Sumerian city-states cannot be overstated. These artifacts have shed light on the organization, economy, and culture of these early urban centers, allowing us to reconstruct and comprehend the complexities of Sumerian civilization.

Question 4

Why was the Nile River important in the rise of the Egyptian state?

Question 5

What is the importance of the Giza Plateau Mapping Project to our understanding of Ancient Egypt?.

Question 6

To what extent is the Indus state an enigma?

Question 7

Evaluate the use of clay as a building material in the Indus state.

Question 8

What role did the military play in the Shang state?

Question 9

Axum was the first state in Ethiopia? Discuss.

Question 10

Is Jenné-jeno an example of an egalitarian state society?

Question 11

Is there evidence for propaganda in early states? If so, what form did it take?

Question 12

)What features characterize state societies and how can they be detected archeologically?

Question 13

Compare the social, economic, and political organization of two of the following: Sumeria city states, the early Egyptian state, the Shang state.

Question 14

Discuss with examples the information that burials provide about state societies?

Question 15

Compare the social, economic, and political organization of an early state in Europe or Asia, with one from Africa.

Question 16

Discuss the role of trade in early States.

Question 17

What part, if any, did writing play in the development of early states in the Old World?