Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Higher Education Regional Office VI (HERO VI)
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COURSE GUIDE 2ND CYCLE

MODULE IN SS5- WORLD HISTORY 1

2ND YEAR BSED – SOCIAL STUDIES

Module 1: ANCIENT NEAR EAST-MESOPOTAMIA

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, the student must have:
1. Described the emergence of Mesopotamia and Primary Civilization through picture analysis.
2. Discussed how Egyptians Civilizations ruled the world through graphic analysis.
3. Distinguished the contributions of the Aryans Hittites, Lydians, Phoenicians and Hebrews using graphic analysis.
4. Described the dominations of Assyrian Empire, Babylonian Empire, Chaldeans and Persians through vlog.
A. Introduction
The Ancient Near East: A Very Short Introduction describes a momentous time in human history and explains why the ancient Near East is known as
the ‘cradle of civilization’. Mesopotamia, Syria, and Anatolia were home to an extraordinarily rich and successful culture. Indeed, it was a time and place of
earth-shaking changes for humankind: the beginnings of writing and law, kingship and bureaucracy, diplomacy and state-sponsored warfare, mathematics
and literature. The three thousand years of this era — from around 3500 bce, with the founding of the first Mesopotamian cities, to the conquest of the
Near East by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE — represent a period of incredible innovation, from the invention of the wheel to early
achievements in astronomy, law, and diplomacy.
The ancient Near East refers to early civilizations in a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East: Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and
Syria), Anatolia (modern Turkey), the Levant (modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan), as well as Persia (modern Iran), and Ancient Egypt,
from the beginnings of Sumer in the 6th millennium BC until the region's conquest by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. This chapter will discuss
the first three, while information on the latter two can be found in chapters nine and four, respectively.
The ancient Near East is considered the cradle of civilization. It was the first to practice intensive year-round agriculture; it produced the first writing
system, invented the potter's wheel and then the vehicular- and mill wheels, created the first centralized governments, law codes and empires, as well as
introducing social stratification, slavery and organized warfare, and it laid the foundation for the fields of astronomy and mathematics.
The beginning of cities, 3600–2900 BCE’ starts this history of the ancient Near East by looking at the beginning of the period of prosperity in
Mesopotamia, focusing in particular on the city of Uruk. We actually know very little about the people who lived at this time as historic events were only
 retold orally through the generations. When the southern Mesopotamian communities expanded to become cities, a new method of recording was
conceived: writing. Most of what we know can be gleaned from early written evidence. 
B. Activities
a. Mesopotamia: Using the guide questions and picture below describe the emergence of Mesopotamia and primary civilization.

https://images.app.goo.gl/
YQ9HTZEZ8bvzaBcv6
 1. Where did the Sumerians come from?
Sumerians was an ancient civilization founded in the Mesopotamia region of the
Fertile Crescent situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. They apparently
came from the south through the Persian Gulf. Their literature speaks of their
homeland being Dilmun, which could have been one of the islands in the Persian
Gulf.
2. What was the greatest gift the Sumerians gave to the world?
Sumerians known for their innovations in language, governance, architecture, and
more, Sumerians are considered the creators of civilization and the greatest gift
they gave the world was the invention of writing known as “cuneiform” that helps
them to record the information about goods they exchanged with each other.
3. How did Sumerian inventions affect life in Mesopotamia?
Sumerians inventions, creativity, and innovations drives the Mesopotamians to be
organized. They transformed on how to cultivated food, built dwellings,
communicated, and kept track of information and time. Which it leads to the great
development of Mesopotamia.

https://images.app.goo.gl/YQ9HTZEZ8bvzaBcv6

] 1. Where did the Akkadian Empire come from?

The name Akkad was taken from the city of Agade, which was founded by the
Semitic conqueror Sargon about 2300 BCE. Sargon united the various city-states
in the region and extended his rule to encompass much of Mesopotamia.

2. What was the greatest gift the Akkadian gave to the world?
Akkadian invented the first postal service, they had roads to bind together the
cities, had tons of military techniques, and created their own language and the
most important achievement of Akkadian is that they were the first to create an
empire as well as they invented abacus and the abacus from Mesopotamia that
z time is looks similar to our abacus from today.

3. How did Akkadian inventions affect life in Mesopotamia?

Akkadians inventions strengthened the military and the transmission of messages
in Mesopotamia for them to communicate easily. They build good roads between
major cities in which the flow of their transportation runs smoothly and it began
to see the advantage to unite many other cities under a single nation.
https://images.app.goo.gl/wC8LWBTwAQUaoxfz8
1. Where did the Babylonian come from?
Babylonia was a state in ancient Mesopotamia. The city of Babylon, whose ruins
are located in present-day Iraq, was founded more than 4,000 years ago as a
small port town on the Euphrates River. It grew into one of the largest cities of
the ancient world under the rule of Hammurabi.

2. What was the greatest gift the Babylonian gave to the world?
Babylonians exported dates, food grains, oil, leather works, clay pots, etc. to the
outside world. They imported gold, silver, copper, stone, wood, and salt. Among
the ancient countries, Babylon was regarded as a flourishing country and the
greatest gift of Babylonian in the world is the creation of the “Code of
Hammurabi” and building of Hanging Gardens that considered as one of the
ancient seven world wonders.

3. How did Babylonian inventions affect life in Mesopotamia?

Babylonian inventions brings development in Mesopotamia’s people. The creation
of law which is “The code of Hammurabi” that set and establish standards for all
people gives peace to its constituents. The culture, innovation, and religion
(Marduk) of Babylonian expanded and flourish all around the Mesopotamia.
https://images.app.goo.gl/tQ32evpaBJMs7nBz5
b. Egypt: Using the guide questions and picture below discuss how Egyptians Civilization ruled the world using a graphic organizer.

The government of ancient Egypt was

a theocratic monarchy as the king
Government ruled by a mandate from the gods,
initially was seen as an intermediary
between human beings and the divine,

Ancient Egypt was located on the Nile

River and had some of the most fertile
Economy lands in the ancient world. Ancient
Egyptians grew many crops, and
because coins and paper money had

https://images.app.goo.gl/hAswA7PheFersxUdA The religion of Ancient Egypt was a

polytheistic religion. They worshiped
many gods, and sometimes believed
Egypt Culture (Religion and Social Structure)
that pharaohs were chosen by gods
or were gods themselves. They also
worshiped the Nile River, which

The Egyptians invented and used many

simple machines, such as the ramp
Technology and the lever, to aid construction
processes. They used rope trusses to
stiffen the beam of ships. Egyptian

The Egyptians grew a variety of crops

for consumption, including grains,
Agriculture vegetables, and fruits. However, their
diets revolved around several staple
crops, especially cereals and barley.
https://images.app.goo.gl/X3UTYdFWo2STSc77A
 What geographic aspects of Egyptian Civilization: “The Gift of the Nile” as the builder of civilization in Asian and African region?
The Nile River is the longest river in the world. It is over 4000 miles long and flows through nine African nations. It starts in the mountains in Central Africa
and flows north, downhill, to the Mediterranean Sea. To the north was “Lower Egypt”, where the Nile stretched out with its several branches to form the
Nile Delta. To the south was “Upper Egypt”, stretching to Aswan. The terminology "Upper" and "Lower" derives from the flow of the Nile from the
highlands of East Africa northwards to the Mediterranean Sea that builds civilization to Asian and African region. The most important thing the Nile
provided to the Ancient Egyptians was fertile land. Most of Egypt is desert, but along the Nile River, the soil is rich and good for growing crops. The three
most important crops were wheat, flax, and papyrus. Wheat - Wheat was the main staple food of the Egyptians.

 What factors influenced the rise of Egyptian Civilization?

Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River in large part because the river’s annual flooding ensured reliable, rich soil for growing crops. Repeated
struggles for political control of Egypt showed the importance of the region's agricultural production and economic resources. The Egyptians kept written
records using a writing system known as hieroglyphics. Egyptian rulers used the idea of divine kingship and constructed monumental architecture to
demonstrate and maintain power. Ancient Egyptians developed wide-reaching trade networks along the Nile, in the Red Sea, and in the Near East.
C. Analysis
Using a graphic organizer and guide questions distinguish the contributions of the Aryans, Hittites, Lydians, Phoenicians and Hebrews.

Distinguish the contributions of the following civilizations

emerged in Mesopotamia:
The Aryans developed a hierarchical society that sorted people into groups called
varnas or castes. Religion was central to the Aryan culture. Aryan religious practices
Aryans merged with the customs of people already living in the valley to form the basis for
“Hinduism”. The Aryans worshiped numerous gods through sacrifice. The Aryans
started to create two marvelous epics the Ramayana & the Mahabharata.
The Hittites were very skillful in the construction of chariots, and were vanguards of
Hittites the Iron Age. They were among the earliest peoples to produce iron tools and
artifacts and consequently were able to establish a successful economy of trade and
commerce.
The Lydians enjoyed wealth and high standards of living. They farmed, raised
Lydians animals, mined, and above all controlled favorable trade routes. The trade routes ran
west to the Aegean Sea, eastward to central Asia, and southeast to Mesopotamia.
The Phoenicians developed an expansive maritime trade network that lasted over a
Phoenicians millennium, becoming the dominant commercial power for much of classical
antiquity. Phoenician trade also helped facilitate the exchange of cultures, ideas, and
knowledge between major cradles of civilization such as Greece, Egypt, and
Mesopotamia.
 Hebrews The Hebrews contributed one of the greatest things any ancient society could give.
Their religion, Judaism, and also the key idea of monotheism; that is to say the idea
of having and worshiping one God, not may like the ancient Greeks and Romans.

What is the greatest contribution of these civilizations in the modern world?

Their civilizations contribute in many ways even in this modern world such as; Hinduism by Aryan, Iron tools, economic trade, and commerce
by Hittites, Farming, mining and raising animals by Lydians, Expansive maritime trades by Phoenicians, and Judaism by Hebrews. All of these
things that they imparted are still existing today and still practice by many people.

How did modern world specifically human societies adopt the influences of different contributions of early civilizations?
The modern world adopts those different contributions of early civilizations by still practicing it because their individual contributions bring an
extravagant impact to the world as well as it is still essential to apply since it proposes development and cultivation to our economy, spiritual,
and social aspects. Those contributions they imparted brings change to the modern world and continue to present progress and yet
expanding because of the influence of their forefathers and ancestry just like their religious practices and also their trading systems that gives
a drastic and substantial effect on human society.

Abstraction
Ancient Mesopotamia refers to the place where humans first formed civilizations. It was here that people first gathered in large cities, learned to
write, and created governments. For this reason Mesopotamia is often called the "Cradle of Civilization".
Geography: The word Mesopotamia means "the land between rivers". When people say Mesopotamia they are referring to a section of land in the
Middle East between and around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Today this land is located mostly in the country of Iraq. There are also portions in
southwestern Iran, southeastern Turkey, and northeastern Syria. The heart of Mesopotamia lies between the two rivers in southern Iraq. The land there
is fertile and there is plenty of water around the major two rivers to allow for irrigation and farming.
Civilizations and Empires: Early settlers in Mesopotamia started to gather in small villages and towns. As they learned how to irrigate land and
grow crops on large farms, the towns grew bigger. Eventually these towns became large cities. New inventions such as government and writing were
formed to help keep order in the cities. The first human civilization was formed.
Sumer - The Sumerians were the first humans to form a civilization. They invented writing and government. They were organized in city-states
where each city had its own independent government ruled by a king that controlled the city and the surrounding farmland. Each city also had its own
primary god. Sumerian writing, government, and culture would pave the way for future civilizations.
Akkadians - The Akkadians came next. They formed the first united empire where the city-states of the Sumer were united under one ruler. The
Akkadian language replaced the Sumerian language during this time. It would be the main language throughout much of the history of Mesopotamia.
Babylonians - The city of Babylon became the most powerful city in Mesopotamia. Throughout the history of the region, the Babylonians would
rise and fall. At times the Babylonians would create vast empires that ruled much of the Middle East. The Babylonians were the first to write down and
record their system of law.
 Assyrians - The Assyrians came out of the northern part of Mesopotamia. They were a warrior society. They also ruled much of the Middle East at
different times over the history of Mesopotamia. Much of what we know about the history of Mesopotamia comes from clay tablets found in Assyrian
cities.
Persians - The Persians put an end to the rule of the Assyrians and the Babylonians. They conquered much of the Middle East including
Mesopotamia.
Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia:
 The Babylonian law created by King Hammurabi, the Code of Hammurabi, may be the oldest written law in the world.
 The Sumerians are often credited with inventing the wheel.
 At the center of each major city was a temple to the city's god called a ziggurat?
 The Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers are both well over 1,000 miles long.
 Because this is where people first began to write, Mesopotamia is often called the place where history began.
 Mesopotamia is part of a larger area that archeologists call the Fertile Crescent.
 Many of the buildings, walls, and structures were made from sun-dried bricks. These bricks didn't last long, so very little of Ancient
Mesopotamian cities still stand.
 Much of what we know about Mesopotamian history comes from thousands of clay tablets found in the library at the Assyrian city of Nineveh.

Ancient Egypt was one of the greatest and most powerful civilizations in the history of the world. It lasted for over 3000 years from 3150 BC to 30
BC. The Nile River The civilization of Ancient Egypt was located along the Nile River in northeast Africa. The Nile was the source of much of the Ancient
Egypt's wealth. Great Egyptian cities grew up along the Nile as the Egyptian people became experts in irrigation and were able to use the water from
the Nile to grow rich and profitable crops. The Nile provided food, soil, water, and transportation for the Egyptians. Great floods would come each year
and would provide fertile soil for growing food.
Kingdoms and Periods
Historians usually group the history of Ancient Egypt into three major kingdoms called the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.
It was during these times that Ancient Egypt was at its strongest. The times between the Kingdoms are called intermediate periods.
Culture Ancient Egypt was rich in culture including government, religion, arts, and writing. The government and religion were tied together as the
leader of the government, the Pharaoh, was also leader of the religion. Writing was also important in keeping the government running. Only scribes
could read and write and they were considered powerful people.
Pyramids and Treasure: The Pharaohs of Egypt were often buried in giant pyramids or in secret tombs. They believed that they needed treasure
to be buried with them to help them in the afterlife. As a result, archaeologists have a lot of well-preserved artifacts and tombs to examine in order to
find out how the Ancient Egyptians lived.
End of the Empire: The Ancient Egyptian Empire began to weaken in about 700 BC. It was conquered by a number of other civilizations. The first
to conquer Egypt was the Assyrian Empire, followed a hundred or so years later by the Persian Empire. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great of Greece
conquered Egypt and set up his own ruling family called the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Finally, the Romans came in 30 BC and Egypt became a province of
Rome.
Fun Facts about Ancient Egypt:
 Egyptian men and women wore makeup. It was thought to have healing powers, plus it helped protect their skin from the sun.
 They used moldy bread to help with infections.
  They were one of the first civilizations to invent writing. They also used ink to write and paper called papyrus.
 The Ancient Egyptians were scientists and mathematicians. They had numerous inventions including ways to build buildings, medicine,
cosmetics, and the calendar, the plow for farming, musical instruments, and even toothpaste.
 Ancient Egypt plays a major role in the Bible. The Israelites were held captive there as slaves for many years. Moses helped them escape and
led them to the Promised Land.
 The Pharaoh kept his hair covered. It was not to be seen by regular people.
 Cats were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt.

D. Application
Create a vlog that describes the dominations of Assyrian Empire, Babylonian Empire, Chaldeans and Persians. This will be graded based on the given
rubrics.
Rubrics for Vlog

Advanced (20 pts.) Proficient (16 pts.) Developing (12 pts.) Beginning (8 pts.)

Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning

Participates beyond the Participates, but does not post Participates, but does not Posting is less than 50%
required number of postings, anything that encourages meet the minimum number of complete or posting does not
Contribution including discussion on other others to respond. Participates posts. Few to no discussion or further any discussions. No
students' posts. with the required number of comments with others. Some response to classmate's
postings. Responds to comments to other or posting or questions.
questions from others when response to questions.
present.

Advanced
Proficient Developing
Beginning
Appropriate, engaging,
Content Quality reflective, and respectful to Appropriate and respectful to Vlogs and comments done,
Vlogs not engaging, are
others. Vlogs are in-depth, others. Vlogs have a purpose but lacks engagement,
irrelevant, or are difficult to
analytical, and reflective, or main topic about reading analysis or substantial
follow in meaning.
make a point and make and is reflective. reflection, or may be off topic.
connections beyond the text.

Speech & Grammar Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning

 Vlog may contain significant
Speech is fluent. Vlog may
Vlog has originality and flair, Vlog may contain several errors in grammar; errors may
contain one or two errors in
emphasizing important points; errors in grammar; errors may cause confusion for the
grammar; errors do not
contains no errors in impede viwer's understanding. viewer. Speech is choppy
impede viewer's
grammar. Speech lack fluency. without complete sentences
understanding.
or clear topic.

Advanced Proficient Developing

Beginning

References & Support Consistently uses direct Incorporates some references Discusses references from
references to outside sources from outside sources, but may outside sources in a general Includes no references or
to support thoughts. Uses not be consistent. Errors in way, but doesn't use specific supporting evidence.
MLA citations correctly. MLA citation. references.

Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning

Video Quality Video is well lit and frames Video is well lit and frames Video is fairly well lit within Camera may be jerky, making
subject appropriately. Editing the subject within the frame minimal movement. Subject is it difficult to view, poorly lit,
enhances cohesiveness of without excessive movement. usually within the frame. or subject not clearly in video.
vlog.

Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning

Sound Quality Sound is clear and volume is Vlog is understandable and Vlog somewhat difficult to Vlog is difficult to hear or is
appropriate. volume is appropriate. hear or is occasionally too too loud.
loud.
E. Evaluation
Part I: Multiple Choices:
Direction: Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. Encircle the correct answer.
1. What word means that the Sumerians believed in many gods?
A. Monotheism B. Ziggurat C. Church D. Polytheism
2. The Nile River flows through two important regions in Egypt called? Evaluation:
A. Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. 1. D
B. Mesopotamia 2. A
3. C
C. Eastern Egypt and Western Egypt 4. C
D. Nubia and Cairo 5. D
3. What did Mesopotamian city-states build to protect themselves from attack? 6. D
A. Irrigation ditches B. Levees C. Walls around the city D. Catapults 7. B
4. The Nile River Valley was well suited for settlement. Which of the following statements supports this fact? 8. A
A. The geography supported various desert plants and birds. 9. B
B. The geography included many areas for hunters to hunt widely. 10. A
11. A
C. The geography included areas for farming.
12. C
D. The geography helped to unify the country.
13. A
5. What is Hammurabi most remembered for?
14. A
A. Inventing cuneiform 15. B
B. Building ziggurats
C. Creating the first empire in history
D. Establishing a code of law
6. Pyramids are
A. Warehouses where surplus food is stored.
B. Temples where the people are allowed to come and pray.
C. Stone tombs with four rectangle-shaped sides that join a limestone roof.
D. Royal tombs with four triangle-shaped sides that meet in a point on top.
7. Why did Mesopotamians build ziggurats?
A. Burial places for their kings
B. To live in
C. Temples and government offices
D. A place to store surplus crops
8. Which statement best describes the burial practices of Egyptians?
 A. Egyptians preserved bodies as mummies.
B. Egyptians carried their dead to neighboring countries.
C. Egyptians used a funeral pyre for their dead.
D. Egyptians buried their dead in the river.
9. How were the different classes in the society treated under the Code of Hammurabi?
A. All classes were treated the same.
B. The nobles were treated better than the commoners, and the slaves had no rights.
C. The nobles were treated more harshly than the commoners.
D. The children of slaves were considered to be free.
10. What was the purpose of the pyramids in ancient Egypt?
A. To protect the body of the pharaoh to help it reach the afterlife.
B. To create a memorial for the pharaoh.
C. To create a stairway from heaven to earth.
D. To provide jobs for the Egyptian people.
11.Why were city-states often at war?
A. Wanted to control all the farmland
B. Wanted to control the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
C. Wanted to control ziggurats
D. Fought over Sargon
12. The Egyptians developed a type of government in which rule is based on religious authority of the pharaoh
A. Polytheism B. Democracy C. Theocracy D. Monarchy
13. What was Assyria known for?
A. Strong armies that used new technologies such as towers on wheels
B. Using dams to control the rivers
C. New inventions such as wheeled vehicles, plows, and cars
D. It was the first empire in history.
14. Which of the following beliefs was central to Egyptian religion?
A. the afterlife B. the pharaohs C. the pyramids D. the heavens
15. Which of these most accurately describes Sargon?
A. One of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
B. King who created the first empire in history and ruled for 56 years
C. Used hieroglyphics to send messages across his city-state
D. The southern part of Mesopotamia
Part II: Short Answer and Extended Response. Answer in complete sentences.
1. How did the development of writing help preserve the Sumerian history and culture? (5 points)
By Sumerians oldest form of writing known as “Cuneiform” that gives a variety and numerous information such as temple activities, business, and
trades, it definitely helps to preserve and to keep the history and culture of Sumerians as well as it also used to write stories, myths, and personal
letters. With this cuneiform, the writer could tell stories, relate stories, and tell us the rules of the kings for us to be informed as well as to know the
formalize legal systems and the famously justice law called “Hammurabi’s Code” that gives an impact to the past empire and today’s modern world.

2. Why were tombs filled with art, jewelry, and other treasures?
The tombs were filled with art, jewelry, and other treasures because the Egyptians believed that the tomb is the safest place in the kingdom and
their dead bodies can enjoy the material things in the afterlife. They also believe that the decoration of tomb walls with relief or painted scenes will
provide a certainty of the perpetuation of life and they also believed that mural art and decorations magically ensured the performance of important
ceremonies and reinforced the memory of royal deeds, creating a pleasant afterlife for a dead person and with theme such as enjoying through the
afterworld or deities providing protection.

Prepared by:

EDUARDO D. QUIDTA JR., M.A.Ed, M.Ed

Part Time Instructor