Ancient Civilisations: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece & Rome
Delhi Police Exam History Section
1) Egypt Civilization
Location: Nile River Valley (Africa)
Time Period: ~3000 BCE onwards
Key Features:
Agriculture dependent on Nile Floods
Pharaoh = God-King
Writing system – Hieroglyphics
Famous monuments = Pyramids, Sphinx
Religion: Polytheistic, life after death concept (mummification)
Contribution:
Calendar (365 days)
Astronomy, Mathematics, Surgery
Papyrus sheets
2) Mesopotamia Civilization
Location: Tigris & Euphrates river region (Iraq area)
Time Period: ~3500 BCE onwards
Key Features:
Cities like Sumer, Babylon, Assyria
World's earliest known writing Cuneiform
Hammurabi's Code of Law → earliest legal code
Advanced agriculture irrigation canals
Contribution:
Wheel invention
First City-states
First legal code
3) Greek Civilization
Location: Southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula)
Time Period: ~800 BCE – 146 BCE
Key Features:
City states (Polis) – Athens, Sparta
Democracy developed in Athens
Olympics originated in Greece
Strong impact on philosophy, maths, architecture
Contribution:
Philosophers: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
Early Science → Euclid, Pythagoras, Archimedes
Drama – Tragedy/Comedy
4) Roman Civilization
Location: Italian Peninsula → later huge empire
Time Period: ~500 BCE – 476 CE (Fall of Western Roman Empire)
Key Features:
Republic → later Empire
Spread Christianity later
Large scale road networks, aqueducts, architecture
Contribution:
Roman Law (basis of modern law)
Latin Language foundation
Engineering construction (Colosseum, roads)
Quick Recap
| Civilization | River / Region | Writing | Special Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Nile | Hieroglyphics | Pyramids, Mummification |
| Mesopotamia | Tigris-Euphrates | Cuneiform | First Law Code, Wheel |
| Greece | Balkan Region | — | Democracy, Philosophy |
| Rome | Italy & Europe | Latin | Roman Law, Engineering |
Sample Question
Compare the contributions of Greek and Roman Civilizations to modern society.
Greek contributions: Democracy, philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), scientific principles, Olympic Games. Roman contributions: Legal systems, engineering (roads, aqueducts), Latin language, architectural innovations.
Previous Year Questions
Which ancient civilization used Hieroglyphic script?
Year: Previous Year
View Answer
Egyptian Civilization
Hammurabi's Code is related to which civilization?
Year: Previous Year
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Mesopotamian Civilization
Democracy first began in which ancient country?
Year: Previous Year
View Answer
Greece (Athens)
You've completed Ancient Civilisations Concepts!
Courage Tip: Focus on the unique contributions of each civilization - Egypt (Pyramids, Hieroglyphics), Mesopotamia (First law code, wheel), Greece (Democracy, Philosophy), and Rome (Law, Engineering). Remember key rivers associated with each civilization and their major inventions. The comparison table is crucial for quick revision and answering multiple-choice questions effectively.
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