Western Civilization I / Unit 2 WC1 0125 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Sequencing the Near East, 3100 to 538 BCE
The idea
The exam gives four events and asks for their order. For the Near East the method is three anchors and two gaps: unification of Egypt about thirty-one hundred, the Bronze Age collapse about twelve hundred, and Cyrus's release of the Jews in five thirty-eight. Everything before twelve hundred is Bronze Age; everything after is Iron Age; nothing after five thirty-eight belongs to this unit.
In practice
Take six events. Hammurabi's code about seventeen eighty: Bronze Age, before the Hyksos. The Hyksos about sixteen fifty: Bronze Age, after Hammurabi. Ramses II and the Hittites about twelve fifty: Bronze Age, near the end. Assyria destroys Israel in seven twenty-two: Iron Age, after the collapse. Nineveh falls in six twelve: Iron Age, after seven twenty-two. Babylon burns Jerusalem in five eighty-six: after six twelve, before five thirty-eight. Read in order: code, Hyksos, Ramses, seven twenty-two, six twelve, five eighty-six, five thirty-eight.
Where people slip
The trap is the Hebrew kings. Saul about ten twenty sits after the collapse and before Assyria's rise, an Iron Age monarchy that the Bronze Age powers never met. Place it in the gap between twelve hundred and seven twenty-two.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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