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Ancient Civilizations download, 6 - Coggle Diagram
Ancient Civilizations 
Mesopotamia
Location: On page 6 it said that flowing southward through the Middle East were two great rivers. The location of Mesopotamia was in modern-day Iraq as well as parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iran. In the book it states that "Mesopotamia included cooler mountainous regions in the north and reed-filled wetlands in the southeast." (Steele 6)
Architecture: The type of Architectures the Assyrian have are ziggurats, ziggurats are large temples built for the royal.They look very similar to the pyramids the Egyptians built but they are "earthly dwelling places of the gods", They had these floor like platforms that had a shrine on top. The precincts had great temples like the ziggurats did, they made the ziggurats only for the royal because they believed that the gods would live in the temples. (Steele 24)
Religion: Their Religion beliefs are important to them, one of their beliefs they have is the Cow of Sin, the Cow of Sin are stars traveling across the sky. They have many "gods" but the two main ones are Nanna and Enki. Nanna is The Horned Moon which is also the god of The Cow of Sin. They have one named Enki which is the god of water and wisdom.
(Steele 14)
Art: On page 28 The Mesopotamian people made art and pottery crafts to help their citizenship and to connect with their citizens. They created a technique that turned copper to bronze. They made this technique to sell jewelry and pottery to their people, It first started out in Anatolia but then spread to Mesopotamia. In the book it states that "Some time before 3500 BCE, they invented the potter's wheel, which made pottery production far more efficient. (Steele 28)
Writing: The type of writing they've had was called cuneiform, cuneiform is moist clay that they would engrave their language in and they would use it as letters, and papers. They would write either pictures or their own language letters, the type of pictures they would draw would be cattle, grain, fish, or any type of food they would need. The type of process they would have to go through was they would need to be pushed or pressed out so it could be thinner and easier, they would have a stylus to mark the clay. (Steele 12)
Government: The Akkadian government, established by Sargon of Akkad around 2334 BCE, marked one of the first instances of a centralized authority in Mesopotamia. Sargon implemented a bureaucratic system, delegating power to governors who managed various regions, ensuring loyalty and stability across his empire. The Akkadian administration also emphasized military strength, using a standing army to protect and expand their territories. (Steele 22)
Ancient Egypt
Location: On page 8 it said that "the Egyptians lived on the banks of the Nile River." Ninety percent of the land was desert and was called the Red Land, but most people lived along the river. Without the silt that fertilized the land, there would not have been an Egyptian civilization. (Hart 8)
Architecture: Ancient Egyptian architecture is characterized by massive stone structures, such as pyramids, temples, and tombs, designed to last for eternity. The use of large stone blocks, columns, and post-and-lintel construction techniques allowed for grand, monumental buildings like the Great Pyramids of Giza and the temples at Karnak. Symbolism and alignment with the natural world, including the sun and stars, played a key role in the design of these structures, reflecting the Egyptians' religious and cultural beliefs. (Hart 20)
Religion: The religion of ancient Egypt was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses connected to nature, the afterlife, and daily life. Egyptians believed in a complex afterlife, where rituals, offerings, and mummification were essential for a safe journey to the next world. Temples, priests, and religious festivals played a central role in maintaining harmony between the gods and the people.
(Hart 24)
Art: Ancient Egyptian art was highly symbolic, focusing on order and the afterlife, with a distinctive style that remained consistent for thousands of years. Figures were often depicted in a formal, stylized manner, using specific proportions and postures to represent gods, pharaohs, and everyday life. Much of the art was created for religious or funerary purposes, aiming to ensure a smooth journey to the afterlife and honor the divine. (Hart 18)
Writing: Writing in ancient Egypt was central to its culture and administration, with hieroglyphic, hieratic, and demotic scripts serving different purposes. Hieroglyphs were used for monumental inscriptions and religious texts, while hieratic was a more cursive form used by priests and scribes for everyday documents. Over time, demotic script evolved for more practical uses, like legal and commercial records, as writing materials like papyrus and ink facilitated the documentation of Egypt's vast civilization. (Hart 34)
Government: The government of ancient Egypt was a centralized monarchy, with the pharaoh holding absolute power as both a political and religious leader. The pharaoh was supported by a bureaucracy of officials, priests, and scribes who managed day-to-day affairs, including taxation, agriculture, and law. This highly organized system helped maintain control over the vast territory and ensured stability throughout the kingdom. (Hart 22)
Ancient China
Religion: Confucius (551–479 BCE) was a Chinese philosopher whose teachings focused on moral values, education, and social harmony. He emphasized respect for elders, filial piety, and virtuous leadership, believing that rulers should lead by example. His ideas, recorded in the Analects, greatly influenced Chinese culture and governance for centuries. (Pg 12, Cotterell)
Government: Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE) unified China, founded the Qin Dynasty, and began the Great Wall’s construction. He standardized currency and measures but ruled with strict control. Despite his achievements, his reign was marked by harsh policies and widespread unrest, which led to the dynasty’s collapse shortly after his death. His legacy as China’s first emperor remains significant. (Pg 16, Cotterell)
Architecture/Technology: Ancient China’s inventions had a lasting global impact. Paper revolutionized writing, while printing enabled mass communication. Gunpowder changed warfare, and the compass advanced navigation. Silk production also fueled trade along the Silk Road, spreading Chinese influence worldwide. (Pg 22, Cotterell)
Commerce (Trade): The Silk Road was an ancient trade network linking China to Europe and the Middle East. It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, playing a key role in the spread of Buddhism and innovations like paper and gunpowder. Active from the 2nd century BCE to the 15th century, the Silk Road connected diverse civilizations and promoted cultural and economic exchange. (Pg 58, Cotterell)
Art: The Terracotta Warriors are over 8,000 life-sized statues discovered in the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in 1974. Created to protect the emperor in the afterlife, each warrior is unique in appearance and reflects ancient military ranks. The discovery provides valuable insight into ancient Chinese art and military practices, and today, the Terracotta Army is a major historical landmark. (Pg 16, Cotterell)
Location: China’s oldest empire, the Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BCE), is traditionally considered the first Chinese dynasty. Although its existence is debated, it is credited with laying the foundations of Chinese civilization, including early governance, metallurgy, and irrigation. The Xia was eventually succeeded by the Shang Dynasty, marking the start of recorded Chinese history. (Pg 6, Cotterell)
Writing: On page 11 it said, often the questions and answers where inscribed on the oracle bone. On page 11 it also said, an ox bone or tortoise shell was scorched in fire till it was cracked. The oracle bones were used by the shang kinds to consult with the ancestors. (pg 11 cotterell)
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