E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 4. Sunday Monday...
TLDRThe video script delves into the historical origins of the seven-day week, tracing it back to ancient Mesopotamia, a region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq. It highlights the significant contributions of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians to early civilization, including the development of writing in the form of cuneiform on clay tablets. The script also discusses the advanced trading capabilities of the Sumerians and the establishment of the Code of Hammurabi, one of the world's oldest law books. The Babylonians and Assyrians are portrayed as disciplined and hard-working, with a deep connection to astrology, which influenced their naming of the days of the week after celestial bodies. The narrative concludes by reflecting on the legacy of these ancient civilizations and their impact on our modern calendar system.
Takeaways
- 📅 The concept of a seven-day week originated in Mesopotamia, not Egypt, and was named after celestial bodies, including the Sun and Moon, which were considered gods.
- 🌞 Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was a hot region in Asia, now known as Iraq, and was home to significant ancient civilizations like the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.
- 🏙️ The ancient city of Babylon was once the greatest city on earth, with people from all over the world coming to trade, and was the capital of the Babylonians.
- 🏺 The Sumerians were advanced in culture, with evidence of their civilization dating back to 3100 BC, and they were skilled in brick-making and construction of houses and temples.
- 💎 Excavations near the Persian Gulf revealed tombs filled with treasures, including golden headdresses, vessels, helmets, daggers, and a beautifully crafted gameboard, indicating a sophisticated culture.
- 📜 The Sumerians used a script called cuneiform, which was inscribed on clay tablets, to record stories, laws, and business transactions, providing a wealth of historical information.
- 📜 The Code of Hammurabi, one of the first known law books, was created by a Babylonian king and provides insight into the strict and just legal system of the time.
- 🌟 The Babylonians and Assyrians were skilled astronomers, observing the stars and planets, and developed the practice of astrology, believing that celestial bodies influenced human destiny.
- 🏢 The ancient Sumerians were great traders with a developed system of commerce, capable of complex calculations and understanding of legal and ethical boundaries in trade.
- 🏰 The Assyrians and Babylonians built ziggurats, which were large, terraced towers with temples at the top, where people would come to have their fortunes read and make offerings.
- ⛲️ The last great Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, is known for his efforts in building canals and water cisterns to irrigate the land, making it rich and fertile.
Q & A
What is the significance of the name 'Mesopotamia'?
-Mesopotamia, which means 'the land between the rivers' in Greek, is significant because it refers to the geographical location of the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Asia, which was a cradle of ancient civilization.
How did the ancient cities in Mesopotamia differ from those in Egypt in terms of construction materials?
-Unlike the stone temples and pyramids in Egypt, the cities in Mesopotamia, such as Babylon, were primarily built using sun-baked bricks, which were more susceptible to cracking and crumbling over time.
What is the oldest law book in the world, and who is it attributed to?
-The Code of Hammurabi is the oldest known law book in the world, attributed to the Babylonian King Hammurabi, who ruled around 1700 BC.
What is cuneiform, and how was it used by the Sumerians?
-Cuneiform is an ancient writing system that used wedge-shaped marks to represent words or syllables. It was used by the Sumerians to inscribe on soft clay tablets, which were then baked to harden, allowing for the preservation of their history and culture.
How did the Babylonians and Assyrians view the celestial bodies, and what did they believe about their influence?
-The Babylonians and Assyrians viewed celestial bodies as powerful beings whose positions influenced human destinies. They practiced astrology, believing that by studying the stars, they could predict the future.
What is the origin of our seven-day week, and how did it relate to the ancient Babylonians' beliefs?
-The origin of our seven-day week dates back to the ancient Babylonians, who dedicated a day to each of the five known planets, the Sun, and the Moon, based on their belief in the influence of these celestial bodies on human affairs.
What are ziggurats, and what was their purpose in ancient Mesopotamia?
-Ziggurats were tall, terraced structures in ancient Mesopotamia, with temples dedicated to the moon or other celestial bodies at the top. They served as places of worship and were used by priests to read fortunes and conduct religious ceremonies.
How did the ancient Sumerians demonstrate their advanced culture compared to the Egyptians?
-The Sumerians demonstrated their advanced culture by developing the ability to shape bricks from clay and build houses and temples by 3100 BC, which is earlier than previously thought for the Egyptians. They also had a developed system of writing in cuneiform and were skilled traders.
What is the significance of the city of Ur in the context of the script?
-The city of Ur is significant because it is where a great number of tombs were found, dating back to the same period as the Great Pyramid in Egypt. These tombs contained astonishing treasures, indicating a highly developed culture and craftsmanship among the Sumerians.
What was the impact of the canals and water cisterns built by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar?
-The canals and water cisterns built by King Nebuchadnezzar were crucial for retaining water and irrigating the land, which led to the region becoming rich and fertile. However, when they became blocked with silt, the land eventually turned into a desert wasteland.
Why is it important to remember the ancient Babylonians and their contributions when considering the modern concept of the week?
-It is important to remember the ancient Babylonians because their beliefs and practices, particularly their astrological observations and the resulting seven-day week, have had a lasting impact on modern culture and timekeeping, showing the deep historical roots of our current systems.
Outlines
🌏 The Origins of the Weekdays in Mesopotamia
This paragraph delves into the historical origins of the names for the days of the week and the concept of a week itself. It explains that the naming and ordering of days were not a product of prehistoric times, but rather developed in the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in what is now Iraq. The region was home to significant cultures such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, who were advanced in various fields, including writing with cuneiform script, building with sun-baked bricks, and establishing legal codes like the Code of Hammurabi. The paragraph also highlights the importance of trade and the establishment of cities like Babylon and Nineveh, and discusses the cultural achievements of the Sumerians, who were ahead of the Egyptians in some aspects.
📜 The Code of Hammurabi and Ancient Astrology
This section focuses on the legal and cultural aspects of ancient Mesopotamia, particularly the reign of King Hammurabi and the development of the seven-day week. It details the Code of Hammurabi, which is recognized as the oldest law book in the world, and how it reflects the strict and just nature of Babylonian law. The paragraph also explores the Babylonians' and Assyrians' disciplined and hard-working nature, their art that often depicted scenes of war and power, and their religious practices involving the worship of celestial bodies. The Babylonians observed the stars and planets, attributing divine influence to their movements, which led to the practice of astrology. This astrological belief system is linked to the creation of the seven-day week, with each day named after a planet or celestial body, a tradition that has influenced modern naming conventions for weekdays across various cultures.
🏺 Nebuchadnezzar's Legacy and the Ziggurats
The final paragraph discusses the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, the last great Babylonian king, who is known for both his military conquests and his contributions to infrastructure and agriculture. Despite his reputation for warfare, including battles against Egypt and the bringing of foreign captives to Babylon as slaves, his most significant achievements were in the construction of canals and water cisterns. These developments allowed for the irrigation of the land, turning the region into a rich and fertile area. The paragraph also describes the ziggurats, the terraced temples dedicated to the moon and planets, which served as observatories and places of worship where people would come to have their fortunes read. The legacy of these ancient structures and the cultural practices they represent are highlighted as the reason behind the modern concept of the week and the importance of acknowledging their historical significance.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mesopotamia
💡Cuneiform
💡Code of Hammurabi
💡Ziggurat
💡
💡Astrology
💡Sumerians
💡Babylon
💡Assyrians
💡Persian Gulf
💡Seven-day week
💡Nivea (Nineveh)
Highlights
Mesopotamia, known as the land between the rivers, was the birthplace of the concept of naming days of the week.
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers played a crucial role in shaping the Mesopotamian civilization.
Ancient cities in Mesopotamia, like Babylon and Nivea, were built with sun-baked bricks, which have since crumbled into mounds.
The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians were the most significant civilizations in Mesopotamia.
The Sumerians were ahead of the Egyptians in some aspects of culture, including the development of towns, trades, and writing.
The city of Ur, where Abraham was born according to the Bible, had advanced construction techniques by 3100 BC.
Treasures from Sumerian tombs, including golden artifacts and a gameboard, are displayed in museums worldwide.
Cuneiform, a script made of wedge-shaped marks, was used by the Sumerians for writing on clay tablets.
The ancient Sumerians were skilled traders with a developed sense of law and commerce.
The Code of Hammurabi, the oldest known law book, dates back to around 1700 BC and reflects strict and just laws.
The Babylonians and Assyrians were disciplined and hard-working, with art depicting kings, warfare, and celestial bodies.
Astrology, the belief that the positions of celestial bodies influence human affairs, originated in Mesopotamia.
The seven-day week, with each day named after a planet or celestial body, was first established by the Babylonians.
Ziggurats, tall terraced towers with temples at the top, were built by the Babylonians and Sumerians for astrological purposes.
The last great Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, is known for his military conquests and the construction of canals and water systems.
The decline of Mesopotamian civilization is linked to the blocking of canals and the transformation of the once fertile land into a desert.
The significance of the Mesopotamian civilization is still felt today, particularly in the structure of our modern week.
Transcripts
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