As I write this reflection paper in respect of the First Civilizations, the words that come to mind are fascinating and appreciation. I had never really heard of Mesopotamia prior to taking this class, and honestly I had my doubts beginning chapter one. Yet, as I read each chapter I found myself placed in each era walking back in time through history. This not only fascinated me, but as an older adult I find myself appreciating this material so much more than in my early 20’s.
We start with Mesopotamia, the birthplace of civilization also known as “the land between the two rivers.” These two rivers being the Nile and the Euphrates. The first of Mesopotamia’s civilization began in Sumer where agriculture encouraged the rise of the 1st cities. …show more content…
King Hammurabi was the ruler at this time, and it was by his will that Hammurabi’s Code was created. This code was established to serve as a set of laws that the people needed to follow for survival. This was a whole new perspective for me, as I had never realized there was a set of laws established prior to the Ten Commandments. Yet, at that time Hammurabi’s Code was recorded as the “most valuable index to life in ancient Mesopotamia.” During this time women were substandard to men, yet Hammurabi’s code did serve to protect women and acknowledge their position as mothers. This was intriguing to me as I read this. I had never realized that back in this era, even though women were thought of as personal property, there was an acknowledgement of value. Not only was it acknowledged but it was a written protection for the law during that …show more content…
With their performing arts they were able to worship Dionysus, which was the god of wine, vegetation, and seasonal regeneration. As I watched the video of Medea, I was amazed how well the Greeks succeeded in the performing arts. I had never realized that the Greeks had originated the performing arts, but knowing this now I will forever look at a play with a different perspective. Much like the Mesopotamians who worshiped the gods for their agriculture, Greeks also did the same. It is interesting to me to learn how each culture was unique to themselves, yet each culture had faith in something. The commonality amongst each culture was the need to believe in a being or beings that would help them with their most essential needs, much like our world today.
Along with the performing arts, the Greeks brought forth the foundations of science, philosophy and the Classical style of art. The Greeks believed in the fundamental of human beings. They wanted to understand the how and why people did what they did. This was reflected on the sculptures they created and the humanistic details outlining their masterpieces. Their sculptures were indicative of human perfectionism, showing flawless physical attributes. The beauty that surrounded the Greek sculptures would also be visible in the beauty of the Greek
We start with Mesopotamia, the birthplace of civilization also known as “the land between the two rivers.” These two rivers being the Nile and the Euphrates. The first of Mesopotamia’s civilization began in Sumer where agriculture encouraged the rise of the 1st cities. …show more content…
King Hammurabi was the ruler at this time, and it was by his will that Hammurabi’s Code was created. This code was established to serve as a set of laws that the people needed to follow for survival. This was a whole new perspective for me, as I had never realized there was a set of laws established prior to the Ten Commandments. Yet, at that time Hammurabi’s Code was recorded as the “most valuable index to life in ancient Mesopotamia.” During this time women were substandard to men, yet Hammurabi’s code did serve to protect women and acknowledge their position as mothers. This was intriguing to me as I read this. I had never realized that back in this era, even though women were thought of as personal property, there was an acknowledgement of value. Not only was it acknowledged but it was a written protection for the law during that …show more content…
With their performing arts they were able to worship Dionysus, which was the god of wine, vegetation, and seasonal regeneration. As I watched the video of Medea, I was amazed how well the Greeks succeeded in the performing arts. I had never realized that the Greeks had originated the performing arts, but knowing this now I will forever look at a play with a different perspective. Much like the Mesopotamians who worshiped the gods for their agriculture, Greeks also did the same. It is interesting to me to learn how each culture was unique to themselves, yet each culture had faith in something. The commonality amongst each culture was the need to believe in a being or beings that would help them with their most essential needs, much like our world today.
Along with the performing arts, the Greeks brought forth the foundations of science, philosophy and the Classical style of art. The Greeks believed in the fundamental of human beings. They wanted to understand the how and why people did what they did. This was reflected on the sculptures they created and the humanistic details outlining their masterpieces. Their sculptures were indicative of human perfectionism, showing flawless physical attributes. The beauty that surrounded the Greek sculptures would also be visible in the beauty of the Greek