West Asia Outline
Study Guide Test 1(Outline)
- There are 5 key conceptual connections to understanding the material. 1. Primary Tradition; is primary because it took shape first and because it is more important and enduring than Secondary tradition. 2. Secondary Tradition; took shape after the formation of the primary tradition, and it is less important and enduring than the primary tradition. 3. Defining moments; refers to the period between 500 BC to 500 CE, when major civilizations developed their defining or distinguishing characteristics. 4. Creative minorities; refers to political, religious, and intellectual leaders who helped shape and define their civilizations during the defining moment in world history. -New perspectives, new religions -Different orientations (why?, What explains?) *Geological and ecological 5. Resource endowments; refers to the total means within a given geographical and ecological environment of human society. In other words, it could refer to either natural resources or intellectual and institutional resources.
Questions to answer and help understand * How should one define civilization? * How did regional empires emerge in Mesopotamia? * What are the salient characteristics of Mesopotamia as a civilized society? * What constitutes the primary political tradition of Persian civilization? * How did Darius contribute to the formation of the primary political tradition of Persian civilization? * How did Zoroaster contribute to the formation of the primary religious tradition of Persian civilization?
Defining Civilization
-A form of human culture characterized by the existence of cities, a distinct religious structure, a new political and military structure, a new social structure, and writing.
Characteristics of a Civilized Society
-Distinctive religious structure lead to the emergence of impersonal forces such as gods and heaven, and this was deemed crucial to success.
-The new political structures lead
- There are 5 key conceptual connections to understanding the material. 1. Primary Tradition; is primary because it took shape first and because it is more important and enduring than Secondary tradition. 2. Secondary Tradition; took shape after the formation of the primary tradition, and it is less important and enduring than the primary tradition. 3. Defining moments; refers to the period between 500 BC to 500 CE, when major civilizations developed their defining or distinguishing characteristics. 4. Creative minorities; refers to political, religious, and intellectual leaders who helped shape and define their civilizations during the defining moment in world history. -New perspectives, new religions -Different orientations (why?, What explains?) *Geological and ecological 5. Resource endowments; refers to the total means within a given geographical and ecological environment of human society. In other words, it could refer to either natural resources or intellectual and institutional resources.
Questions to answer and help understand * How should one define civilization? * How did regional empires emerge in Mesopotamia? * What are the salient characteristics of Mesopotamia as a civilized society? * What constitutes the primary political tradition of Persian civilization? * How did Darius contribute to the formation of the primary political tradition of Persian civilization? * How did Zoroaster contribute to the formation of the primary religious tradition of Persian civilization?
Defining Civilization
-A form of human culture characterized by the existence of cities, a distinct religious structure, a new political and military structure, a new social structure, and writing.
Characteristics of a Civilized Society
-Distinctive religious structure lead to the emergence of impersonal forces such as gods and heaven, and this was deemed crucial to success.
-The new political structures lead