Jewelle C.

Ongcoy Instructor: Josie Sardido

BSED AP-2A SSE 6

Exercise

Part I

1. What are some specific examples of how studying history can contribute to our understanding of the
world?
 Studying the rise of fascist movements in the 20th century can inform our understanding of
contemporary
 Examining the historical roots of economic inequality, such as the legacies of colonialism and
slavery, can provide insights into ongoing social and economic injustices.
 Investigating the historical development of scientific concepts, such as evolution or relativity, can
provide context for contemporary debates about science and technology.
 Exploring the historical evolution of international relations, including conflicts and diplomatic
agreements, can inform our understanding of contemporary global politics and diplomacy.
 Analyzing the historical impact of globalization on different societies, including cultural exchange,
economic integration, and environmental degradation, can provide insights into ongoing global
trends and challenges.

2. Can you provide some examples of how studying history can help with future decision-making?
 Studying the rise and fall of ancient empires can inform decisions about economic development,
resource management, and environmental sustainability.
 Investigating historical economic crises and financial systems can inform decisions about economic
policy, regulation, and risk management.
 Analyzing historical cases of state failure and collapse can inform decisions about political stability,
governance, and nation-building.
 Examining historical responses to global crises, such as pandemics or wars, can inform decisions
about public health preparedness and international cooperation.
 Studying historical cases of social change, such as civil rights movements or feminist movements,
can inform decisions about social justice advocacy and policy reform.

3. How does studying history contribute to our understanding of ourselves as individuals?

Understanding ourselves as individuals better this is why we study history, because through our
investigation into the collective past we peel back the layers of human identity to see that there are
many aspects and dimensions to culture, experience now recently it has been argued you gain insight
from history into your own values, beliefs and even biases.. Through traversing time and space in the
lives of others, we learn where we fit into the world and how our individual stories are influences by our
social and historical context.

4. What are some key factors that contributed to the beginning of civilization?

Agriculture, cultivating food resources and likewise permitting the production of surplus foods, is a
significant begin throughout the rise associated with civilization. The development of metalworking and
writing, including cuneiform and hieroglyphs, allowed the codification of information to enable long-
distance communication through by passing knowledge from generation to generation. The inventing of
cities.

5. Can you provide examples of early civilizations and their characteristics?

The Sumerians in Mesopotamia (which is modern day Iraq) had a written language, built temples with
ziggurats, and lived in city-states The Nile river valley (modern day Egypt) was home to the ancient
Egyptians who created enormous pyramids, developed hieroglyphics, local armies led by pharaohs. The
Indus Valley Civilization is the oldest civilization in South Asia which used Artificial language with its
writing system; The Harappa’s followed practices of agriculture, trade, and social organization that were
some of the most advanced in the ancient world while Ancient China developed a strong religious
tradition: their writings appeared around 1700 b.c.e they established bureaucracy under civil service and
built infrastructure like The Great Wall.

6. How did the development of agriculture impact the beginning of civilization?

The development of agriculture allowed for the creation of surplus food, which enabled people to settle
in one place, leading to the growth of cities, specialization of labor, and the emergence of complex
societies, thus marking the beginning of civilization.

Part II

1. What makes human beings an important component in the development of early society?

Prosocial society, problem solving in a complex physical environment, adaptive strategy and the ability
to think (language) Transition from evolution of primate civilization To development of early civilizations
human societies. Furthermore, since humans can cooperate and organize socially through cultural
transmission of knowledge and innovation they were better able to take advantage of the benefits
provided by each other’s works leading to development of early societies into civilizations.

2. How do early societies differ from one another? Explain.

Ancient societies varied in their subsistence strategies, the way they acquired food, such as through
foraging (hunter-gatherers), pastoralism and agriculture; the types of fuels that powered their
provinces; energy capture storage methods which included political organization differences; societal
structure; technological growth rates, and other cultural factors. This kind of classification is based on a
normative view of the history of human organization and society, where power structures, complexity
and scale vary widely from small bands to state-level societies due to differences in different 'systems' of
control (of labor and resources), social hierarchies or moral systems.
Assessment

MAN’S CULTURAL EVOLUTION

Cultural Period Cultural Advantages Disadvantages

Development
Paleolithic Age Symbolic Expression Simple Living Limited Resources
Art and Decoration Harmony with Nature Harsh Environment
(old age stone) Tool Technology Peaceful life Vulnerability to Predators
Burial Practices No expenses No Written Language
Religion and Spirituality No billings Limited Tool Technology
Neolithic Age Agriculture Stable Food Supply Food Insecurity
Religion Population Growth War
(New stone age) Writing Improved Technology Slavery
Technology Trade and Exchange Diseases
Cities Cities and Urbanization Limited Mobility
Reflection

Discuss how society sustains itself across generations.

The network of social, cultural and economic institutions that ensure the continuity of society from one
generation to the next. Institutions such as education, family, community and cultural heritage carry out
the knowledge, values and skills from one generation to another. Markets, industries, and governments
are economic institutions that supply people with the means to meet their needs and satisfy their goals.
These institutions add a certain amount of truth and stability to individuals and keep them grounded in
their society. The identity, belonging and continuity are institution that support society to reproduce
through time.
Exercise
Write the biography of different personalities in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia and other leaders
in the ancient empires and present it to class
2. Biography writing :
Mesopotamia
1. Sargon the Great (2334-2279 BCE): Founder of the Akkadian Empire, Sargon united various city-
states and created a vast empire that stretched from modern-day Turkey to Egypt.
2. Hammurabi (1792-1750 BCE): King of Babylon, Hammurabi is famous for his Code of Laws, which
was inscribed on a steel and remains one of the earliest surviving examples of a written code.
3. Ashurbanipal (669-627 BCE): King of Assyria, Ashurbanipal was a great patron of the arts and
literature. He was also known for his military conquests and campaigns against neighboring
kingdoms.

Egypt
1. Imhotep (c. 2600 BCE): Architect, engineer, and physician, Imhotep is credited with designing
the Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the most impressive architectural achievements in ancient
Egypt.
2. Thutmose III (1479-1425 BCE): Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, Thutmose III is considered one of
the greatest military leaders in Egyptian history, conquering vast territories in Asia and Africa.
3. Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE): Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, Hatshepsut was one of the few
female pharaohs of Egypt. She was known for her successful trade missions and architectural
projects.

Persia
1. Cyrus the Great (559-530 BCE): Founder of the Achaemenid Empire, Cyrus conquered a vast
territory that stretched from modern-day Iran to Greece and Egypt.
2. Darius I (550-486 BCE): King of the Achaemenid Empire, Darius I expanded Persian territories
and built many impressive monuments, including the palace at Persepolis.
3. Xerxes I (486-465 BCE): King of the Achaemenid Empire, Xerxes I led two failed invasions of
Greece, including the famous Battle of Thermopylae.
3. Here are ten questions about the ancient Near East:
1. What were the main civilizations that thrived in the ancient Near East?

 Sumerians
 Akkadians
 Babylonians
 Hittites
 Persians
 Egyptians

2. How did the geography of the region influence the development of ancient Near Eastern
civilizations?

The geography of the ancient Near East significantly influenced the development of its civilizations. The
fertile land and river systems enabled agriculture and settlement, while natural barriers and deserts
forced the development of survival strategies. Access to sea trade routes facilitated the exchange of
goods and ideas, and natural resources played a significant role in early trade networks and economies.
Overall, the geography of the ancient Near East shaped the growth and development of its civilizations
in various ways.

3. What were the major achievements in architecture and engineering in the ancient Near East?

Some of the major achievements in architecture and engineering in the ancient Near East are Ziggurats,
City-States, Irrigation Systems, Bridges, Water wheels, Roads, Pyramid and Hanging gardens.

4. How did religion and mythology shape the beliefs and practices of ancient Near Eastern societies?

Religious and mythological values kept influencing Ancient Near Eastern societies in taking them to the
formation of beliefs and societal structuring and ethical values. They believed in polytheism and told
mythological stories to explain the universe and humans as a species. Most importantly, they believed in
advanced funerary rituals and elaborated burial. Through societal interaction came the cultural
exchange of religious elements, bringing about syncretism. Episodes of mythological nature such as the
Epic of Gilgamesh and the Enuma Elish reveal cultural thought patterns and beliefs that have helped
shape pragmatic and social lives and structures of the communities.

5. What were the key contributions of ancient Near Eastern civilizations to mathematics and
astronomy?

This are some of the key contributions in mathematics: Decimal system, Place value, Arithmetic
operations, Geometry and lastly mathematical problems.

This are some of the key contributions in astronomy: Astronomical observations, planetary systems,
Eclipses, Star catalogs and lastly astrology.
6. How did trade and commerce flourish in the ancient Near East, and what were the main trade
routes?

Trade and commerce flourished in the ancient Near East due to several factors such as Geography,
Climate change, Urbanization and Empires and Politics.

The main trade routes in the ancient Near East are: The Silk road, Royal road, Incense road, Assyrian
Trade Route and Babylonian Trade Route.

7. What were the social structures and hierarchies in ancient Near Eastern societies?

The social structures and hierarchies in ancient Near Eastern societies were complex and varied, but
generally, they were based on a combination of factors such as: Social class, Occupation, Family and
kinship and Geography.

Here are some general social structures and hierarchies in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Rulers: Kings and queens, Nobles and Aristocracy

Priestly: Priests and Priestesses

Commoners: Farmers, Craftsmen, Merchants and slaves.

8. How did the invention of writing systems, such as cuneiform, impact the ancient Near East?

The invention of writing systems, such as cuneiform had a big impact in Writing enabled the creation of
detailed records of business transactions, taxes, laws, and government activities, Writing to
communicate with each other over long distances, facilitating trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange,
Writing made it possible to create and disseminate written works, such as literature, poetry, and
wisdom texts. Writing allowed for the creation of historical records, including chronicles, annals, and
biographies and lastly in Empire buildings.

9. What were the military strategies and technologies employed by ancient Near Eastern civilizations?

Ancient Near Eastern civilizations developed a range of military strategies and technologies that allowed
them to maintain their power and influence in the region. Military strategies: Phalanx Formation,
Guerrilla Warfare, Siege Warfare and Cavalry. Military technologies: Cuneiform, Catapults, Archery, War
chariots, and Iron working.

10. How did the interactions and conflicts between different ancient Near Eastern civilizations shape
the history?

Through Trade and diplomacy, Wars and conquests, Cultural exchange, Legacy and Conflict and
coexistence.
Reflection

Make a Reflection/opinion/suggestion” Ancient Egypt the Greatest Empire”

Reflection

While watching the documentary series on ancient Egypt, I could not but feel struck by its sheer
magnitude and grandeur. The architecture of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and
the temples of Luxor by the ancient Egyptians reminds one of their incredible architectural
achievements. The thing that most reflects the influence and perpetual legacy of Egypt upon human
history, however is something else.

Opinion

To me, ancient Egypt was the greatest empire of all time. Though other civilizations such as Greece and
Rome were advanced in cultural and artistic forms, Egypt's sheer scale and length of time it persisted
makes it uniquely placed. It is said that the Egyptian Empire lasted for about 3,000 years with an
unbroken pharaonic dynasty that ruled from about 3100 BCE down to 30 BCE. There has been no other
empire in human history this stable or continuous.

Suggestion

Ancient Egypt's daily lives of ordinary Egyptians and the impact of ancient Egypt on modern society are
suggested as the focal points for a new documentary series. The series aims to provide a nuanced and
humanizing perspective on the civilization and explore its enduring influence on modern society. The
proposal emphasizes ancient Egypt's captivating and awe-inspiring nature, appealing to historians,
archaeologists, and curious laypersons.