Hum 120 Study Guide 1 Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt
HUM 120 Study Guide 1 Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt
1. What is the difference between culture and civilization? Give some specific examples from our own contemporary period of each.
1. Culture is by definition smaller than a civilization. 2. .Culture can grow and exist without residing in a formal civilization whereas a civilization will never grow and exist without the element of culture. 3. Culture can be tangible or intangible whereas civilization is something that is more tangible because it is what you see as a whole. 4. Culture can be transmitted through symbols in the form of language whereas an entire civilization cannot be transmitted by mere language alone. Example of contemporary society: the media, migration, multiculturalism, literature, globalisation, politics and law - which are constantly shaping our world.
2. Identify the three Mesopotamian civilizations and their greatest accomplishments.
The three Mesopotamian civilizations are:
a. Sumerian
b. Akkadian
c. Babylonian
- Mesopotamians discovered many of the basic tools we use today. The wheel, arch, chisel, saw, lever, and pulley were all invented during Mesopotamian times. These discoveries led to a knowledge of architecture, which was used in the ziggurats and Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
- They created the first calendar system that divided the year into weeks. They did not stop there. Mesopotamians divided the days into hours, minutes, and seconds.
- The world’s first written language was discovered in Sumeria.
3. Define the three important characteristics of Mesopotamian religion.
a. POLYTHEISTIC- many gods and goddesses existed and often competed with each other.
b. Anthropomorphic- the deities possesses human form and had their own personalities.
c. Pantheistic- everything, whether animate or inanimate, was somehow suffused with divinity.
1. What is the difference between culture and civilization? Give some specific examples from our own contemporary period of each.
1. Culture is by definition smaller than a civilization. 2. .Culture can grow and exist without residing in a formal civilization whereas a civilization will never grow and exist without the element of culture. 3. Culture can be tangible or intangible whereas civilization is something that is more tangible because it is what you see as a whole. 4. Culture can be transmitted through symbols in the form of language whereas an entire civilization cannot be transmitted by mere language alone. Example of contemporary society: the media, migration, multiculturalism, literature, globalisation, politics and law - which are constantly shaping our world.
2. Identify the three Mesopotamian civilizations and their greatest accomplishments.
The three Mesopotamian civilizations are:
a. Sumerian
b. Akkadian
c. Babylonian
- Mesopotamians discovered many of the basic tools we use today. The wheel, arch, chisel, saw, lever, and pulley were all invented during Mesopotamian times. These discoveries led to a knowledge of architecture, which was used in the ziggurats and Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
- They created the first calendar system that divided the year into weeks. They did not stop there. Mesopotamians divided the days into hours, minutes, and seconds.
- The world’s first written language was discovered in Sumeria.
3. Define the three important characteristics of Mesopotamian religion.
a. POLYTHEISTIC- many gods and goddesses existed and often competed with each other.
b. Anthropomorphic- the deities possesses human form and had their own personalities.
c. Pantheistic- everything, whether animate or inanimate, was somehow suffused with divinity.