Western Civilization

Hatshepsut’s reign was a prosperous one, as is espe-

cially evident in her building activity. She is most fa-

mous for the temple dedicated to herself at Deir el

Bahri on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes. As phar-

aoh, Hatshepsut sent out military expeditions, encour-

aged mining, fostered agriculture, and sent a trading

expedition up the Nile. Hatshepsut’s official statues

sometimes show her clothed and bearded like a king.

She was referred to as “His Majesty.” That Hatshepsut

was aware of her unusual position is evident from an

inscription she had placed on one of her temples. It

read, “Now my heart turns to and fro, in thinking what

will the people say, they who shall see my monument

in after years, and shall speak of what I have done.”

Marriages were arranged by parents. The primary

concerns were family and property, and clearly the

chief purpose of marriage was to produce children,

especially sons. From the New Kingdom came this piece

of wisdom: “Take to yourself a wife while you are a

youth, that she may produce a son for you.”^12 Daugh-

ters were not slighted, however. Numerous tomb paint-

ings show the close and affectionate relationship

parents had with both sons and daughters. Although

marriages were arranged, some of the surviving love

poems from ancient Egypt indicate an element of

romance in some marriages. Marriages could and did

end in divorce, which was allowed, apparently with

compensation for the wife. Adultery, however, was

strictly prohibited, and punishments were severe, espe-

cially for women, who could have their noses cut off or

be burned at the stake.

Chapter Summary

Humanlike creatures firstemerged in Africa more than 3 to 4

million years ago. Over a long period of time, Paleolithic people

learned how to create more sophisticated tools, to use fire, and

to adapt to and even change their physical environment. Paleo-

lithic people were primarily nomads, who hunted animals and

gathered wild plants for survival. Nevertheless, they created a

culture that included sophisticated cave paintings.

The agricultural revolution of the Neolithic Age, which began

around 10,000B.C.E., dramatically changed human patterns of

living. The growing of food on a regular basis and the taming of

animals made it possible for humans to stop their nomadic ways

and settle in more permanent settlements.

Around 3000B.C.E. these organized communities gradually

gave rise to more complex human societies, which we call the

first civilizations. In the river val-

leys of Mesopotamia, Egypt,

India, and China, an increase in

food production led to a signifi-

cant growth in human population

and the rise of cities. Efforts to

control the flow of water for

farming also led to organized gov-

ernments in these new urban civi-

lizations.

Statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel.After being driven

out of Canaan and Syria by the Hittites, Egypt grew to power

one final time under Ramesses II. He succeeded in

reconquering Canaan but was unable to restore the

boundaries of the previous empire. The massive Temple of

Ramesses II, located at Abu Simbel, was carved out of a cliff of

Nubian sandstone. The giant statues represent Ramesses II.

Bildarchiv Steffens/The Bridgeman Art Library

24 Chapter 1 The Ancient Near East: The First Civilizations

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