MINOANS

2000-1400 BC

Lived on Crete. Why do we call them Minoans?

Major influence on Greece

Knossos was capital city. Had no fortifications. What might this mean?

Linear A

Culture ends about 1200 BC. Why?

PHOENICIANS

1100 BC, Phoenicians now most powerful traders along Mediteranean

Mainly area now known as Lebanon

Made up of city states (Byblos, Tyre, Sidon)

Colonized northern Africa. What was their greatest colony?

Remarkable shipbuilders (possible voyages?)

PHOENICIANS

The alphabet (where we get the word “Phonetic) (the Phoenicians were “Hooked on Phonics” )

Who conquered most of Phoenicia?

INDO-EUROPEANS

HITTITES

Controlled Asia Minor

Fought Egyptians and Babylon

Were advanced militarily due to the use of chariots and iron

Conquered around 1190 BC

ARYANS

Took over Indus River Valley

Left no archaeological record

However, left us the “Vedas”, their sacred literature.

Developed “Caste” system

HINDUISM

Aryan religion influenced and led to Hinduism

Multiple Gods (Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva)

Extremely complex (many variations)

Reincarnation and Moksha/Nirvana

Concept of Karma

BUDDHISM

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama

Other ways to reach Nirvana 4 Noble Truths 8 Fold Path Complex with different

variations (Tibetan/Zen) Has actually found more

acceptance in the Far East than in India (theories?)

BUDDHISM

Eightfold Path

• Right view

• Right intention

• Right speech

• Right action

• Right livelihood

• Right effort

• Right mindfulness

• Right concentration

BUDDHISM

4 Noble Truths

1. Life as we know it ultimately is or leads to suffering/uneasiness

2. Suffering is caused by craving.

3. Suffering ends when craving ends

4. Reaching this liberated state is achieved by following the teachings of the Buddha.

INDUS RIVER VALLEY

Modern Day NE India

Source of Indus river=Himalayas

Surrounded on three sides by mountains (Himalayas and Hindu Kush), Southern boundary is Arabian Sea

Invasions came through the Khyber Pass

Harrapans (2500-1500 BCE)

INDUS RIVER VALLEY

Major cities: Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

City grid system (4 quarters? Political, residential, economic, religious)

Underground sewage system

We don’t understand their language

What happened?