* The term Ancient Age is used in Western History to refer to the period of time that goes from 50 000

b.C. to 476 a.D.

* The Ancient cultures are commonly regarded as primitive. However, it is demonstrated that their political, economic and social organization was complex and well developed. * Main cultures: 1) Mesopotamia 2) Egypt 3) China 4) India 5) Greece 6) Rome

Culture Egypt

Location Northern Africa

Period 5500 332 b.C

Relevant facts -Writing - Astronomy, architecture and medicine -Writing - Hammurabi Code -Writing - Government registries -Writing - Gupta Dinasty -Writing -Sparta vs. Athens - Alexander Magnus -Writing - Greek culture - Theodosius and Constantine

Mesopotamia China India Greece

Middle East Far East Asian Southeast Mediterranean

3000 1700 b.C. 2100 256 b.C. 600 b.C. 400 a.D. 400 146 b.C. (Roman conquest) 509 b.C. 476 a. D.

Rome

Mediterranean

General Characteristics:
1) 2) 3) 4) Hierarchical and centralized political organization Hierarchical social structure Agriculture development Polytheistic religion

Particular Characteristics: 1) Expansionism 2) Relations with other cultures

* According to the Western classification of history, the Ancient Age ended in year 476 a.D, with the fall of the Western Roman Empir
The empire became weak through a long process. However, it was finally controlled by the barbarians during the government of Romulus Augustulus.

* The fall of the Western Roman Empire is the event which officially leads to the Middle Ages.