Ancient History: Neolithic Revolution to Iberian Devotio
Unit 1: Ancient History
What is the Neolithic Revolution?
The Neolithic Revolution marks the significant shift from a predatory economy to a production economy. This change was so transcendental for human life, and the transition was so gradual, that historians refer to it as a revolution. They also subdivide this period, including an intermediate period called the Mesolithic. The Neolithic Revolution emerged earlier in regions where geographic and climatic conditions favored the development of agriculture.
What are the Main Phases of Constitutional Rome?
Constitutional Rome is divided into three main phases:
- Monarchy (753 to 509 B.C.)
- Republic (507 to 27 B.C.)
- Empire (27 B.C. to 476 A.D.)
What is “Rex Imperator in Regno Suo” and its Relation to the Lower Empire?
The principle of Rex Imperator in Regno Suo originates in Roman law and was used to justify the strengthening of a king’s power within their state. It primarily refers to the Emperor of the Lower Empire, known as the Dominus (dominated), an emperor who concentrated all power in himself and was even regarded as a god.
When Did We Enter the Historic Age and Which Civilizations Stand Out?
We entered the historic age with the discovery of writing. Writing appeared in communities that reached an advanced degree of civilization, such as the Sumerian and Egyptian cultures. It emerged on a strip of land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia and along the Nile River in Egypt (non-deserted areas). Both civilizations appeared between the 4th and 5th millennium B.C.
Why Was the Iberian Peninsula Behind Eastern Civilizations?
The Iberian Peninsula is not excessively fertile. Its mountainous and rough terrain, coupled with scarce rainfall, presented challenging conditions for agricultural exploitation. This led to a delayed economic and agricultural development compared to the great Eastern civilizations, which had emerged since the 3rd millennium B.C.
External Influences in the Iberian Peninsula from the 10th to the 3rd Century B.C.
Chronologically, the first wave of people to arrive in the Peninsula were the Indo-Europeans, who spread their influence from India to Western Europe. The second wave included the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Greeks.
Why are They Called Indo-Europeans?
They are called Indo-Europeans due to their diverse ethnic and linguistic origins and because they spread their influence from India to Western Europe.
What is the Probable Origin of the Term “Spain”?
The term “Spain” likely derives from the Phoenician root saphan, meaning “rabbit.” Rabbits were abundant in the Iberian Peninsula and unknown to the Phoenicians and Greeks. Adding the particle “I” creates I-saphaim, meaning “island or coast of the rabbits.” The Carthaginians later adopted this name, likely a legacy of the Tyrians. The Punic tradition was transmitted to the Romans, who coined the word Hispania.
What is the Difference Between Hospitality and Clientela?
Hospitality is an agreement between a person and a foreign group, granting the guest equal rights within the group. Clientela, on the other hand, establishes a bond of obedience between individuals.
What is the Iberian Devotio?
Military clientela in Spain had unique characteristics due to the influence of religious elements in the treaty, resulting in what is known as the Iberian Devotio. In this practice, clients dedicated their lives to infernal deities, offering their lives in place of their chiefs or leaders. This dedication stemmed from the belief that the gods preferred the life of the client, or devotio, to be sacrificed in combat instead of the patron’s. Consequently, if the leader died, the client believed the deity had rejected their offering and would subsequently commit suicide.