World civilizations 1
Imagine that you are a merchant bringing cotton cloth from the Indian city of Varanasi on the Ganges River to trade in cities and kingdoms to the west of your home. You are Hindu. Describe some basic features of your social system. What is your caste? What are karma and dharma? You have arrived in Babylon in the year 539 B.C.E., shortly after the Persian conquest of the city. What do you see and hear about King Cyrus and the Persians? What do you see and hear about life during the long history of Babylon, this ancient city of Mesopotamia? Provide examples using content from the course readings and videos. Include such things as food and drink, writing systems, art and architecture, gender roles and social structure, political power and rule, and religions or belief systems. Remember to use only course materials to prepare your essay—no outside sources!
