Humanities Study Guide

Humanities Study Guide

Architecture The first humans usually lived in caves or habitats that were already structured. Instead of building home spaces, they often made mounds of soil or stone for worship spaces similar to Stonehenge in England. The Megalithic temples in Malta (just south of Italy), is another example of a famous ancient sculpture. These temples date back to 3500 BCE and are the oldest structures in the world. One of the most recognizable examples of ancient architecture is the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians constructed the earliest known pyramid between 3500 -2600 BCE. These complex, monumental structures are some of the oldest known to humans. The Mesopotamian people also created innovative architecture during this time, such as the great Ziggurats, built around 3000 BCE. Literature The earliest forms of writing came about as pictorial symbols to create descriptions. These forms include the hieroglyphics of the Ancient Egyptians as well as Cuneiform from the Mesopotamians. Cuneiform is a form of sunken relief sculpture that was used to express ideas. It eventually inspired the modern written alphabet. Hieroglyphics were pictures and symbols that the Egyptians would paint or carve into the temples and pyramids, telling the stories of the Pharaohs. They also served to recall legends of the gods they worshipped. 2.2 The Classical Era - Ancient Greece Philosophy Ancient Greeks were known for their philosophical ideas that had a lasting impact on our modern world. To them, philosophy meant the love of wisdom, and it helped them make sense of the world. Famous Greek philosophers include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Socrates thought that the best way to get to the truth was through debate in a question and answer format. This way of thinking became known as the “Socratic Method,” which is still used today in many secondary level courses. Plato was the creator of the idea of the republic. He thought that people needed to detach themselves from their human desires and strive for intelligence instead. He was an advocate for change and innovation, claiming it was the only way to thrive. Aristotle wrote on many subjects, including science, ethics, logic, and politics. His collected works formed an encyclopedia of Greek knowledge. He emphasized that careful observation of the world is what defined happiness and gave meaning to life. Aristotle challenged many of Plato’s ideas, arguing that constitutional democracy was a better form of government than an aristocracy.

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