HIST UN1002

Broad survey of the ancient middle east spreading out from Mesopotamia and eventually making our way to the Mediterranean. We learned about early cultures, first instance of writing, religious practices, first cities, early agriculture and the shift and flow of power in the region, mainly from city-states to eventual empires.

This was my first ancient history class, so it was something new to me. We did a lot of reading and analysis of actions and accounts of ancient people, typically people in power.

The technological and cultural evolution of the earliest societies. The transformation from nomadic groups to city-states, territorial-states, and ultimately empires. Heavy emphasis on the importance of sources to the study of history with a heavy emphasis on any possible bias.

This course provides a thorough introduction of teh Ancient Near East history. Its emphasis on the analysis of first-hand sources tends to gear the students for historical sources critical evaluation.

I learned about the intricate ancient history of the near east and its influence on language, culture, and civilization.

If you want an through introduction to the Near East history, from the invention of writing to Alexander's victory over the Persian Empire, the course is made for you. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: HISTUN1002_001_2024_3-AncientHistoryoftheMiddleEast : HISTUN1002_001_2024_3 - Ancient History of the Middle East Instructor: Marc Van De Mieroop