Economic and Business History: From Neolithic Revolution to Ancient Empires

Economic and Business History UFV

Year: 1 Subject code: 7111 Prof. Damián Rubianes Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

Unit 2: From the Neolithic Revolution to the great empires of Antiquity

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 2

UNIT 2 ANCIENT AND MIDDLE AGES

From the Neolithic Revolution to the great empires of Antiquity (50.000 B.C. - 476 B.C.)

1. The first hunters and gatherers.
2. The Neolithic revolution.
3. The first farmers' societies.
4. The economy of the great empires of Antiquity.
5. The economy of the Roman Empire.

A CONCISE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM PALEOLITHIC TIMES TO THE PRESENT [ Pdh Edelen Larry Neal | Rondo Cameron OXFORD Source: Teaching guide. Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 3

UNIT 2 ANCIENT AND MIDDLE AGES

From the Neolithic Revolution to the great empires of Antiquity (50.000 B.C. - 476 B.C.)

1. The first hunters and gatherers.
2. The Neolithic revolution.
3. The first farmers' societies.
4. The economy of the great empires of Antiquity.
5. The economy of the Roman Empire.

A CONCISE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM PALEOLITHIC TIMES TO THE PRESENT [ Pdh Edelen Larry Neal | Rondo Cameron OXFORD Source: Teaching guide. Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 4

First Hunters and Gatherers: Origins

Hominins (our human ancestors): These creatures appeared in Africa late in the Pliocene epoch around 6 million years ago; they could walk upright (and likely run) on two legs and had hands that could grasp objects but heads only large enough to have chimp-sized brains.

In the Pleistocene, which lasted from roughly 2.6 million to 12,000 years ago, there were at least twenty long episodes of widespread glaciation and then warming.

• Hominins increased intelligence: ever larger skulls could have encased larger and more complex brains.

Australopithecus Homo habilis robustus Homo erectus Homo sapiens neanderthalensis Homo sapiens sapiens

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 5

First Hunters and Gatherers: Stone Age

Human Predecessors

Human predecessors (omnivorous): Australopithecus: from South Africa to Kenya, Chad, and Ethiopia, close to rivers and coasts (for seafood and molluscs). Later hominins called Homo habilis have also been found in Africa. Technology: stones for pounding and chopping. Even later hominins called Homo erectus have been found in the Middle East, the Caucasus, India, Indonesia, Australia, and China, as well as in Africa. Technology: hand axes; tools for sawing and cutting. All these human predecessors became extinct, however, whether because of their inability to adapt to changing climate or geologic catastrophes, or because of their failure to compete with our human ancestors when they arrived on the scene.

Late Stone Age technology 0 a b d

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 6

First Hunters and Gatherers: Before Neolithic Revolution

Homo Sapiens Development

Homo sapiens: appeared around 190,000-160,000 BP (Before Present) and had the largest brain size of all. Technology: weapons such as spears (lanzas) and arrows with stone heads, to kill large animals (or competitors).

• This led to richer and varied diet > protein, energy > better health, physical effort, mental activity.
• The processes of human development and technological advancement became mutually reinforcing.

Communication and social organization (in clans) helped them succeed and overcome the challenges of changing environments. They travelled long distances looking for food and shelter.

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Picture: National Geographic. Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 7

UNIT 2 ANCIENT AND MIDDLE AGES

From the Neolithic Revolution to the great empires of Antiquity (50.000 B.C. - 476 B.C.)

1. The first hunters and gatherers.
2. The Neolithic revolution.
3. The first farmers' societies.
4. The economy of the great empires of Antiquity.
5. The economy of the Roman Empire.

A CONCISE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM PALEOLITHIC TIMES TO THE PRESENT [ Pdh Edelen Larry Neal | Rondo Cameron OXFORD Source: Teaching guide. Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 8

The Neolithic Revolution: Rise of Agriculture and Cattle Breeding

Early Agricultural Practices

Beginning around 13,000 BP in modern Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. Scattered, small-scale dwellings along the Fertile Crescent. Apart from gathering nuts and berries, humans started cultivating nutritious plants containing carbohydrates that would provide continued energy. Domestication of animals and cattle breeding (mainly sheep and goats) also supplement the hunting of small and large game. This resulted in better health, taller individuals, larger groups. Another payoff was storable food and permanent dwellings what permitted for wall, home decorations and leisure. Domesticated crops (cultivos) were wheat, barley and peas. Handicraft production of pottery for storage and cooking.

Fertile Crescent Block Seo Caspian Sea Anatolia ASSYRIA Fertile Crescent Tigris Syrian Desert Lower Egypt Sinai Upper Egypt Persian Gulf Nile Nubilian Desert Red Sea North 0 250 1000 kilometers

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 9 PHOENICIA Media Mediterranean SeoLevant MESOPOTAMIA Euphrates

UNIT 2 ANCIENT AND MIDDLE AGES

From the Neolithic Revolution to the great empires of Antiquity (50.000 B.C. - 476 B.C.)

1. The first hunters and gatherers.
2. The Neolithic revolution.
3. The first farmers' societies.
4. The economy of the great empires of Antiquity.
5. The economy of the Roman Empire.

A CONCISE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM PALEOLITHIC TIMES TO THE PRESENT [ Pdh Edelen Larry Neal | Rondo Cameron OXFORD Source: Teaching guide. Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 10

The Neolithic Revolution: The First Farmers Societies

Economic Specialization

Excess production was stored and also traded. Accumulation of production resulted in wealth (excess assets). Inhabitants specialized in farming, cattle breeding, dwelling construction, handcraft, trading, etc. leading to a wider range of products. By this early time, the three basic sectors of a modern human economy already existed: agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The resulting division of labour allowed the inhabitants to enjoy above- subsistence standards of living and to pursue leisure and creative activities (excess time).

• Technology: - baking and fermentation led to consumption of bread and beer. - irrigation works based on small diversion dams (diques) and canals were dug.

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 11

The Neolithic Revolution: The Raise of Modern Societies

Societal Evolution

Archaeologists have found at least 26 separate and independent origins of agriculture around the world have been found. Greater numbers of inhabitants, labour specialization, ownership and trade required organization, coordination, property defence and leadership, eventually leading towards the formation of a state to coordinate and govern the necessary responses to the recurrent threats to settled agriculture: natural disasters, famine, invasions ... Excess production resulted in wealth and labour specialization in guilds (gremios). In parallel, the formation of a State resulted in hierarchies and levels of power. Social classes, law and war were born. Starting around the 9000 bp, villages along the "hilly flanks" began to contract, while more began to appear on the Mesopotamian (literally: "land between rivers") plain (current Iraq).

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIAN RUBIANES | PG. 12

The Neolithic Revolution: The Raise of Modern Societies - Advantages and Disadvantages

Impact of the Neolithic Revolution

What advantages to human beings brought the Neolithic Revolution? What disadvantages? What characteristics and social roles had the new States' societies with today's?

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 13

UNIT 2 ANCIENT AND MIDDLE AGES

From the Neolithic Revolution to the great empires of Antiquity (50.000 B.C. - 476 B.C.)

1. The first hunters and gatherers.
2. The Neolithic revolution.
3. The first farmers' societies.
4. The economy of the great empires of Antiquity.
5. The economy of the Roman Empire.

A CONCISE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM PALEOLITHIC TIMES TO THE PRESENT [ Pdh Edelen Larry Neal | Rondo Cameron OXFORD Source: Teaching guide. Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIÁN RUBIANES | PG. 14

Ancient Empires

Major Ancient Civilizations

MESOPOTAMIA: - Sumerians - Akkadians - Babylonians - Assyrians - NeoBabylonians - Persians EGYPT INDUS VALLEY Rivers brought water, fertile land, and a means of transportation for ancient civilizations. For Mesopotamia, it was the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. For Egypt, it was the Nile River, and for the Indus Valley civilization, it was the Indus River.

TIGRIS RIVER

Source: "Ancient civilizations - Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Indus Valley" Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIAN RUBIANES | PG. 15

Ancient Empires: Mesopotamian Civilizations

Mesopotamian Dynasties and Laws

SEVERAL EMPIRES AND MESOPOTAMIAN CIVILIATIONS FROM 5000 BP ONWARDS First city in history: Uruk, around 5500 bp, Mesopotamia with a population of around 10,000.

• It is a historical region of Western Asia situated within the Tigris-Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Mesopotamia occupies the area of present-day Iraq, and parts of Iran, Turkey, Syria and Kuwait.
• Great extent of protective walls > wealth protection and defence was a major concern.

Dynasties rose and fell for centuries:

• Sumerians > Akkadians > Babylonians > Assyrians > NeoBabylonians > Persians > Greeks (Alexander the Great) > Parthians (2nd century BCE) > Muslim Arabs (7th CE).
• Under the Babylonian empire, Hammurabi (1792-1750 BCE) unified the city-states that formed Mesopotamia and published an extensive set of laws to define and enforce property rights and contracts.

Euphrates

Source: Neal, Larry; Cameron, Rondo. "A concise economic history of the World". Universidad Francisco de Vitoria UFV Madrid

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY | UFV | PROF. DAMIAN RUBIANES | PG. 16