Introduction to Ancient Literature PowerPoint
The Parthenon is the largest building on top of the Acropolis.
The Age of Antiquity, also known as the Ancient Era, spanned the beginning of recorded human history, about 3000 BC, to aproximately the mid 400's, the Early Middle Ages. The Egyptian rulers created the pyramids that still stand today as burial places and tributes to their gods. During this time period, the Roman Empire expanded its borders across the globe. At this time, the Roman empire grew to be one of the most literature cultures in the world. Some of the ages within this time period were the Middle to Late Bronze Age, the Early Iron Age, and the age of Classical Antiquity. Democracy blossomed in Greece in the time period. Also, the development of the written language began to spread. Greece and Rome both became centers of great growth in the fields of art, music, architecture, religion, and early scienctific studies.
|
Ancient LiteratureEarly in this time period two cultures were among those who contributed to the literature: the Sumerians and the Egyptians. Literature from this time period is known as Bronze Age literature. The Sumerians spoke the language of Sumer. The Egyptians spoke middle Egypt. Many other cultures also later developed written languages, the Hebrews, the Chinese, the Babylonians, and others. Making the transition from a purely oral language to one that included a written form allowed these cultures to preserve their stories and historical events in a permanent form. The piece of literature part of our study will explore was written by the Sumerians, a culture centered in Mesopotamia, now modern day Iraq. The Sumerian language consisted of a code made up of cone-shaped drawings, known as cuneiform.
|