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3.1: Chapter Introduction

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    Chapter Introduction

    Topics

    • Mesopotamian Civilizations
      • The Sumerians
      • The Royal Standard of Ur
      • The Epic of Gilgamesh
      • The Babylonians
      • The Law Code of Hammurabi
      • The Assyrians
      • Assyrian Art, such as the Hunting Reliefs of Ashurnasirpal
    • The Ancient Israelites and the Hebrew Bible

    This chapter introduces students to artistic, religious, and political expressions within Mesopotamian culture between prehistory and the Hellenistic age (the period after the conquests of Alexander the Great, marked by widespread Greek influence across the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Near East). Students will determine what cultural artifacts, such as Hammurabi's Code and the Lachish Inscription, can tell us about their historical contexts. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these cultural artifacts in part by distinguishing the religious beliefs of the Mesopotamian peoples and the Israelites of the ancient Near East. Finally, students will also demonstrate critical thinking by assessing whether writing or metallurgy was a greater factor in the development of Mesopotamian civilizations.

    Learning Outcomes Related to this Module

    1. Demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking
    2. Recognize the relationships between cultural expressions and their contexts
    3. Understand cultural expressions
    4. Interpret and evaluate cultural artifacts and/or their contexts for significance

    Objectives

    Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

    • List historical events in chronological order
    • Identify the function of the Ziggurat within Mesopotamian cultures
    • Identify the importance of Mesopotamian inscriptions as written records of the ancient past
    • Identify the importance of Mesopotamian inscriptions as windows into the daily lives of ancient peoples
    • Identify the impact of the ancient Dark Ages on traditional and peripheral powers in the Mesopotamian world
    • Identify major Mesopotamian figures and their achievements
    • Assess whether writing or metallurgy was a greater factor in the development of Mesopotamian civilizations
     
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