LocationsLocationsofof

Ancient CapitalsAncient Capitals

In this lesson, you will learnIn this lesson, you will learn

how to tell the differencehow to tell the difference

between a geographic between a geographic conditioncondition

and a geographic and a geographic connectionconnection

(and why the difference is important).

The place you are about to investigateThe place you are about to investigateis a real place,is a real place,

at a real time in history.at a real time in history.

The place you are about to investigateThe place you are about to investigateis a real place,is a real place,

at a real time in history.at a real time in history.

One of your goalsis to try to figure out

where in the world this is.

We are keeping its identity secret, for now,in order to focus on a more important question.

Here is the big question:Here is the big question:

How do people decideHow do people decidewhere to locate a townwhere to locate a town

at a particular moment in time?at a particular moment in time?

In other words,In other words,

you should think aboutyou should think about

howhow you are making a decision, you are making a decision,

not justnot just

whatwhat decision you are making decision you are making

Here are a dozen placeswhere you might choose to live.

Which one would you choose?

Asking you to vote after looking at a simple mapAsking you to vote after looking at a simple mapexposes the basic dilemma of a democracy:exposes the basic dilemma of a democracy:

Advantage ?

Disadvantage ?

Asking you to vote after looking at a simple mapAsking you to vote after looking at a simple mapexposes the basic dilemma of a democracy:exposes the basic dilemma of a democracy:

Advantage: people cannot blame anyone else when they get what they voted for.Disadvantage ?:

Asking you to vote after looking at a simple mapAsking you to vote after looking at a simple mapexposes the basic dilemma of a democracy:exposes the basic dilemma of a democracy:

Advantage: people cannot blame anyone else when they get what they voted for.Disadvantage: it takes time and effort to gain the knowledge needed to cast an informed vote.

Here is that map again,Here is that map again,with your twelve choices on it.with your twelve choices on it.

What else would you like to know?What else would you like to know?

Before we go any farther, Before we go any farther, maybe we should make suremaybe we should make sure that we all know what is meantthat we all know what is meant by the concept of “location.”by the concept of “location.”

To a geographer, To a geographer, the idea of locationthe idea of location has two parts:has two parts:

The Conditions in a specific place,

right there

To a geographer, To a geographer, the idea of locationthe idea of location has two parts:has two parts:

The Conditions in a specific place,

Cold

Trees Rainy

LowHills

Bears

Sandy

Iron ore

To a geographer, To a geographer, the idea of locationthe idea of location has two parts:has two parts:

The Conditions in a specific place,

Can you name a kind of place condition that did not flash on the screen?

To a geographer, To a geographer, the idea of locationthe idea of location has two parts:has two parts:

The Conditions in a specific place,

Road

Upstream

Far from camp

Canal

Trade TreatyThe Connections with other places

To a geographer, To a geographer, the idea of locationthe idea of location has two parts:has two parts:

The Conditions in a specific place,

The Connections with other places

Can you name any kind of connection that did not flash on the screen?

To make sure you understand the distinction,To make sure you understand the distinction, here is a quick review. When you click, a phrasehere is a quick review. When you click, a phrase will flash on the screen. Decide whether the will flash on the screen. Decide whether the phrasephrase is a geographic condition or connection. Then is a geographic condition or connection. Then click.click.

GeographicCondition

GeographicConnection

Fertile soilClose to townUpstream from swamp

Good well waterPart of NATOLevel land for house

This map shows a part of the worldthat is about two thirds as largeas the United States (w/o Alaska).

Most of the area, however,

is much warmer than most of the U.S.

Think Brazil,or Africa, China, India . . .

Some place where peoplecould get two or three crops

in a single year.

No snow!(Is that good or bad?)

Here are a dozen placeswhere you might choose to live.

That’s not much information, but there are some principles

that are valid even whenyou don’t have much data,

Which place would you choose?

Discuss, and chooseup to three places.

Write down the main reason why you chose each place.

It’s on a coast.You can fish.

It’s in the middle.You can rule.

It’s by a bay,safe from wind.

It’s on a peninsula,easier to defend.

Some information about conditions:

The yellow color shows areasthat are sunny and hot all year.

The green areas are cooler,especially in the rainy season.

Did you change your mindbecause of that new information?

Let’s connect thisto World History

specifically, the big erasthat are listed

in the curriculum.

“Era 0” - Prehistory

Where do you think a tribe of hunters and gatherers

would choose to live?

What if you hadonly information about

the location of some lakes?

Where do you think a tribe of hunters and gatherers

would choose to live?

Era 1a - BeginningsThe map now shows

hills, mountains, and lakes.

You are still a hunter. Where would you choose to live?

Era 1b - AgriculturePeople have learned how to plant seeds. and that the green areas have fertile soil,

You are a farmer. Where would you choose to live?

Era 2a - TradePeople have learned how to build boats.

The blue lines are rivers.

You are a trader. Which place would you choose as your base?

Era 2b - Urban CivilizationThe map now shows mountains and hills

as well as rivers, lakes, and cropland.

You are a powerful ruler.Where would you put your capital?

Era 3a - “Global” EmpirePeople from across the ocean to the east

have conquered much of this area.

You are the new governor of the colony.Where do you want your capital?

Era 7 - Modern TimesAnother powerful overseas people

have divided your land into two countries.

Where would you put the capitalof each new country?

Bottom Line

If we can look at history

as the result of decisions

that people made

in their environment,

it engages more of our brains,

and we can remember it better.

The locationof nearly everyimportant city

in the ancient worldmakes sense when

you look at the worldthrough their eyes.