Ancient Societies

Catalog description

This survey course will examine the emergence of the earliest human civilizations, from pre-historic beginnings through the 6th century. We will explore how these societies began and developed over time; examine their political institutions, religious beliefs, and social structures; and investigate how economic and technological development, as well as evolving religious and intellectual ideas, helped promote new commercial and cultural ties among these civilizations. This course will focus on the earliest societies in the ancient Near East and the Nile Valley, India, East Asia, the Mediterranean world, and early Europe.