DSBcA003 History of the Ancient Near East

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2017
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 9:10–10:45 B2.24
Prerequisites
Basic orientation in Ancient History and Prehistory.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The main aim of the course is to introduce a basic overview of the period at the dawn of our history and a basic overview of the first civilizations of the world.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this lecture the student will be able to:
- define the period at the dawn of our history;
- describe a basic overview of the first civilizations of the world;
- to apply the acquired information to the further progress in the understanding of the ancient world.
Syllabus
  • 1) The contribution of archeology to the research of the beginning of Antiquity in the Near East.
  • 2) The evolution and deciphering of the cuneiform script and hieroglyphic script, the consonant writting systems in the syrian-palestinian area and their importance for the world civilisation.
  • 3) The early dynastic era in Sumer. The Sumerian mythology. The Sumerian city-state, its theocracy, the role of the temple in the society. The palace as an organisation unit in the society of early Antiquity. The epos of Gilgamesh, the oldest laws of mankind.
  • 4) The Akkadian empire. The importance of the reign of the Third Dynasty of Ur; the importance of Sumerian spiritual and material culture for the following development in the Near East.
  • 5) The evolution of Babylonian and Assyrian empires, its religion and culture. The code of Hammurabi. The characteristic society of the ancient oriental states.
  • 6) The problems of the beginning of Antiquity in Egypt, its early dynastic period.
  • 7) The Old Kingdom and the "classical" Egyptian society. The importance of religion in the life of ancient Egypt. Egypt as a thanatocentric civilisation.
  • 8) The evolution of Egypt during the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom. The importance of the royal absolutism and centralisation of power in the Near East. The culmination of the Egyptian civilisation in the New Kingdom, international relations of Egypt.
  • 9) The contribution of Czech egyptology to the understanding of Egyptian history. The Egyptian heritage and today's world. The legacy of the Mesopotamian civilizations to the world. The legacy of the Egyptian civilization to the world.
  • 10) Canaan, Hebrews and Philistines. The Old Testament as a historical source. Mesopotamian and Egyptian influence in the Old and the New Testament.
  • 11) The ancient Syria and Phoenicia. The exploratory voyages of the Phoenicians. The foundation of Carthage. The review of the oldest history of the Arabian peninsula. Its relations to Mesopotamia.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Když království sestoupilo z nebes : mezopotamské kroniky od časů nejstarších až do doby perské vlády. Edited by Jiří Prosecký. Vydání první. Praha: Academia, 2015, 359 stran. ISBN 9788020024718. info
  • Uruk : 5000 Jahre Megacity : Begleitband zur Ausstellung "Uruk - 5000 Jahre Megacity" im Pergamonmuseum - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in den Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim. Edited by Nicole Crüsemann. 2. aktualisierte Aufl. Petersberg: Michael Imhof, 2013, 399 s. ISBN 9783865688446. info
  • TRIGGER, Bruce G. Starověký Egypt : dějiny společnosti. Translated by Renata Landgráfová - Jana Mynářová. Vyd. 1. Praha: Volvox Globator, 2005, 447 s. ISBN 8072075357. info
  • CHARVÁT, Petr. Průvodce všedním životem ve starověku. Praha: SPL - Práce ve spolupráci s nakladatelstvím Albra, 2002, 105 s. : i. ISBN 80-86287-52-1-. info
  • KLÍMA, Josef. Nejstarší zákony lidstva : Chammurapi a jeho předchůdci. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1979, 382 s. URL info
  • SOUČKOVÁ, Jana. Starověký přední východ. 1. vyd. Praha: Mladá fronta, 1979, 315 s. URL info
  • VILÍMKOVÁ, Milada. Starověký Egypt. První vydání. Praha: Mladá fronta, 1977, 339 stran. URL info
  • MOSCATI, Sabatino. Foiničané. Translated by Liana Veselá. 1. vyd. Praha: Orbis, 1975, 238 s. URL info
  • RICHTER, Stanislav. Kartágo : po stopách Punů, Římanů a Vandalů. Vydání první. Praha: Vyšehrad, 1975, 405 stran. info
  • LLOYD, S. The Art of the ancient near East. London, 1974. info
  • GARBINI, Giovanni. Starověké kultury Předního východu. Translated by Lubor Matouš - Miroslav Verner. Praha: Artia, 1971, 190 stran. URL info
  • FRANKFORT, H. The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient. New York, 1969. info
  • KLÍMA, Josef. Společnost a kultura starověké Mezopotámie. Vyd. 1. Praha: Nakladatelství Československé akademie věd, 1962, 212 s. info
  • LEXA, František. Veřejný život ve starověkém Egyptě. 1. vyd. Praha: Nakladatelství Československé akademie věd, 1955, 239 s. URL info
Teaching methods
Lectures accompanied by theoretical training of students.
Assessment methods
The final evaluation takes the form of an oral examination aimed at testing student's insight into the topics explained during semester.
It is necessary to prepare also single-handedly at home.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2017, recent)
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