DOCUMENT BASED QUESTION

EARLY CIVILIZATIONS & THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Using the following documents, analyze the role of the physical environment in the development of early civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Indus Valley.

Document 1

There was virtue in him of the god of war, of Ninurta himself. His body was rough, he had long hair like a woman's; it waved like the hair of Nisaba, the goddess of corn. His body was covered with matted hair like Samuqan's, the god of cattle. He was innocent of mankind; he knew nothing of the cultivated land. Enkidu are grass inthe hills with the gazelle and jostled with the wild beasts at the water-holes; he had joy of the water with the herds of wild game. Excerpt from the story of Gilgamesh (Mesopotamia)

Document 2

River Valley Civilizations, 3500-1500 B.C.E.

Document 3

Reed Huts in the marshes of southern Iraq

Document 4

Now that the Lord Marduk (Babylonian god of the sun-chief god in the panthenon) had conquered Tiamat he ended her life, he flung her down and straddled the carcass; the leader was killed, Tiamat was dead her rout was shattered, her band dispersed.... The lord rested; he gazed at the huge body, pondering how to use it, what to create from the dead carcass. He split it apart like a cockle-shell; with the upper half he constructed the arc of sky, he pulled down the bar and set a watch on the waters, so they should never escape.... He projected positions for the Great Gods conspicuous in the sky, he gave them a starry aspect as constellations; he measured the year, gave it a beginning and an end, and to each month of the twelve three rising stars.... Through her ribs he opened gates in the east and west, and gave them strong bolts on the right and left; and high in the belly of Tiamat he set the zenith. He gave the moon the luster of a jewel, he gave him all the night, to mark off days, to watch by night each month the circle of a waxing waning light.... When Marduk had sent out the moon, he took the sun and set him to complete the cycle from this one to the next New Year....   Then Marduk considered Tiamat. He skimmed spume from the bitter sea, heaped up the clouds, spindrift of wet and wind and cooling rain, the spittle of Tiamat. With his own hands from the steaming mist he spread the clouds. He pressed hard down the head of water, heaping mountains over it, opening springs to flow: Euphrates and Tigris rose from her eyes, but he closed the nostrils and held back their springhead. He piled huge mountains on her paps and through them drove water-holes to channel the deep sources; and high overhead he arched her tail, locked-in to the wheel of heaven; the pit was under his feet, between was the crotch, the sky's fulcrum. Now the earth had foundations and the sky its mantle.... When it was done, when they had made Marduk their king, they pronounced peace and happiness for him, "Over our houses you keep unceasing watch, and all you wish from us, that will be done."   Marduk considered and began to speak to the gods assembled in his presence. This is what he said, "In the former time you inhabited the void above the abyss, but I have made Earth as the mirror of Heaven, I have consolidated the soil for the foundations, and there ! will build my city, my beloved home. A holy precinct shall be established with sacred halls for the presence of the king. When you come up from the deep to join the Synod you will find lodging and sleep by night. When others from heaven descend to the Assembly, you too will find lodging and sleep by night. It shall be BABYLON the home of the gods. The masters of all crafts shall build it according to my plan" ... Now that Marduk has heard what it is the gods are saying, he is moved with desire to create a work of consummate art. excerpt from the Babylonian Creation Epic recited at the New Year's Festival 1500 B.C.E. ca.

Document 5

Mesopotamian Cylinder Seal

Document 6

Ancient Egypt

Document 7

Mud brick fortification wall of the citadelat Harappa, India