1. Meaning of Ancient History
Ancient History refers to the
earliest recorded period of human civilization — from the invention of writing
(around 3000 BCE) to the early Middle Ages (around 500 CE). It helps us
understand how the earliest societies, cultures, religions, and governments
developed.
🌍 2. Major Ancient Civilizations
a) Mesopotamian Civilization (3500 BCE – 539 BCE)
- Location:
Between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern-day Iraq).
- Achievements:
- Invented cuneiform writing.
- Built ziggurats (temple towers).
- Developed the wheel, calendar, and irrigation
systems.
- Famous Ruler:
Hammurabi (Code of Hammurabi – first written law).
b) Egyptian Civilization (3100 BCE – 30 BCE)
- Location:
Along the Nile River, Egypt.
- Achievements:
- Built pyramids and mummies for pharaohs.
- Used hieroglyphic writing.
- Excelled in medicine, geometry, and astronomy.
- Famous Pharaohs:
Khufu, Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Cleopatra.
c) Indus Valley Civilization (2600 BCE – 1900 BCE)
- Location:
Present-day Pakistan and northwest India.
- Cities:
Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal.
- Achievements:
- Planned cities with drainage systems.
- Used standard weights and measures.
- Engaged in trade with Mesopotamia.
- Script:
Undeciphered till today.
d) Chinese Civilization (2000 BCE – Present)
- Location:
Along the Yellow River.
- Dynasties:
Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han.
- Achievements:
- Invented paper, gunpowder, compass,
and printing.
- Built the Great Wall of China.
- Practiced Confucianism and Taoism.
e) Greek Civilization (1200 BCE – 146 BCE)
- Location:
Greece (Europe).
- Achievements:
- Birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and
Olympic Games.
- Great philosophers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.
- Built temples like the Parthenon.
- Famous City-States:
Athens and Sparta.
f) Roman Civilization (753 BCE – 476 CE)
- Location:
Italy and vast parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- Achievements:
- Built roads, aqueducts, and amphitheaters.
- Developed Roman law and Republican
government.
- Spread Latin language and Christianity.
- Famous Emperors:
Julius Caesar, Augustus, Constantine.
50 Competitive Questions on Civilization
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which is the earliest known civilization? | Sumerian |
| 2 | Which river was central to Egyptian civilization? | Nile |
| 3 | Which civilization flourished on the banks of Indus? | Harappan |
| 4 | What is the writing system of Mesopotamia called? | Cuneiform |
| 5 | Which metal was first used by man? | Copper |
| 6 | Who discovered the city of Harappa? | Dayaram Sahni |
| 7 | What is the world’s longest river? | Nile |
| 8 | Which civilization used pyramids as tombs? | Egyptian |
| 9 | What was the main occupation of Harappans? | Agriculture |
| 10 | Which civilization is called the “Gift of the Nile”? | Egypt |
| 11 | Who built the Great Bath? | Harappans |
| 12 | Which city was famous for its dockyard? | Lothal |
| 13 | What was the main deity of Egyptians? | Ra |
| 14 | What is the script of Egyptians called? | Hieroglyphics |
| 15 | Which civilization invented the wheel? | Mesopotamian |
| 16 | Which crop was most grown in Indus Civilization? | Wheat |
| 17 | Who was the Sumerian sun god? | Utu |
| 18 | In which country was Mesopotamia located? | Iraq |
| 19 | Which civilization used seal impressions? | Indus |
| 20 | What was the script of Indus called? | Indus Script |
| 21 | Which was the main building material of Harappans? | Baked Brick |
| 22 | Who was known as the Pharaoh? | King |
| 23 | What was the language of ancient Mesopotamia? | Sumerian |
| 24 | Which civilization worshipped Mother Goddess? | Indus |
| 25 | Which civilization developed along the Huang He river? | Chinese |
| 26 | Who discovered Mohenjo-Daro? | R.D. Banerjee |
| 27 | What material were Indus seals made of? | Steatite |
| 28 | Which civilization used papyrus for writing? | Egyptian |
| 29 | Which civilization is known for ziggurats? | Mesopotamian |
| 30 | Which is the oldest written code of laws? | Hammurabi |
| 31 | Which civilization built granaries? | Harappan |
| 32 | Which river valley is Mohenjo-Daro located in? | Indus |
| 33 | What was the chief crop of Mesopotamia? | Barley |
| 34 | Who invented the potter’s wheel? | Sumerians |
| 35 | What was the main God of Sumerians? | Anu |
| 36 | Who built the Pyramid of Giza? | Khufu |
| 37 | Which tool marked the Bronze Age? | Bronze |
| 38 | Where were early human settlements found? | Rivers |
| 39 | Which civilization developed gunpowder? | Chinese |
| 40 | What is the meaning of Mesopotamia? | Between Rivers |
| 41 | Who introduced the concept of zero? | Indians |
| 42 | Which civilization used oracle bones? | Chinese |
| 43 | What type of drainage system did Harappans have? | Underground |
| 44 | Which civilization developed paper? | Chinese |
| 45 | Which material was used for Harappan tools? | Bronze |
| 46 | Which metal was unknown to Harappans? | Iron |
| 47 | What was the script used on Egyptian tombs? | Hieroglyphics |
| 48 | Where did the first cities develop? | Mesopotamia |
| 49 | Who is known as the lawgiver of Babylon? | Hammurabi |
| 50 | Which civilization is known for advanced urban planning? | Indus |
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