2. Ancient Civilizations (c. 3,000 BCE - 500 BCE)
Sumerians and Egyptians (c. 3,000 BCE): The invention of writing allowed for more formalized education. The Sumerians created cuneiform, and the Egyptians developed hieroglyphs. Education systems began to emerge, primarily for elite groups, such as priests, scribes, and officials.
Ancient Greece (c. 5th century BCE): Greece is often credited with formalizing "study" as a process. Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle advocated for questioning, reasoning, and logical thought as central methods of learning. Plato founded the Academy (c. 387 BCE), one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world.
Ancient China (c. 3rd century BCE): Confucius emphasized the importance of education and study as a means of moral and societal improvement. His teachings inspired structured education systems for centuries.