This paper will look at some of the important aspects of various cultures in Western Civilization. Much of the political and cultural changes that were occurring during the rise of the nations and Empires that the Western Civilization is known for, was a result of shifting hierarchies and changes in status (Cole et. al, 2014). The key aspects of Western Civilizations before 1000 BCE are the Babylonian Hammurabi Code. These were a set of laws that that spoke of justice. The Codes were based on an eyes for an eye type of justice. Between 3,500 and 3,000 BCE the cities of Egypt and Mesopotamia it was around this time that writing was developed (Cole et, al 2014). The Hammurabi Codes and the advent of writing are both important culturally because they have contributed to the laws and writing that exist even today. Western Civilization is generally seen as the culture of Classical Antiquity, which refers to the cultures of the Mediterranean.
The Egyptian Empire prior to 1000 BCE consisted of three periods of time which are the Old Kingdom during which the pyramids and hieroglyphics were created (Cole, et.al,2014). This was followed by the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom. The New Kingdom was the time of Pharaohs such as Akhenaten, Hatshepsut and King Tut (Cole, et, al 2014).
The Hebrew people were established by Abraham before 1000 BCE when he first left the country of Ur. The Israelites had several Ages before 1000 BCE (Cole, et.al, 2014). These included the Age of the Patriarchs, The Age of the Judges, and The United Kingdom which was the time of the “great” kings of Israel Saul, David and Solomon. It was during this time the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. However, the country of was conquered and destroyed by the Assyrians (Cole et.al, 2014). The Israeli people would have no land or country again until the state of Israel was established in 1949.
The Fall of Troy took place prior to 1000 BCE when the countries of Troy and Greece fought allegedly because Menelaus was trying to retrieve his wife Helen, who had been abducted or ran off with the Trojan Prince Paris. After the city of Troy was destroyed, the survivors including Aeneas founded the city of Rome. It was during this time that Homer and other Greek playwrights such as Sophocles wrote many of their Epics. This was also a time of great architectural and artistic growth which is seen in sculpture
It was during this time that the Roman Empire begin it’s rise to power. The country of Rome was first run by Kings. However, after a series of bad kings the people revolted and established a Republic. The Republic which consisted of the Senate is the basis of our government today. After Julius Caesar made himself dictator and was assassinated in the Ides of March the country became an Empire which would last for almost thousand years.
In conclusion the period before 1000 BCE was a time of constant change as the leadership of countries was constantly changing. Nevertheless, it was also a time of great progress for humankind when it came to the establishment of laws, culture and art that is still used in society today.
Works Cited
Cole, Joshua, and Carol Symes. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. N.p., 2014. Print.
