Eight Features of Eight Features of a Civilizationa Civilization

Cities are the central Cities are the central feature of a civilization: feature of a civilization: without them, you do not without them, you do not

have a civilization!have a civilization!

1. Cities1. CitiesEarly cities were settled Early cities were settled near riversnear riversNile (Egypt)Nile (Egypt)Tigris and Euphrates Tigris and Euphrates (Iraq)(Iraq)

Indus (S. Asia)Indus (S. Asia)Huang He (E. Asia)Huang He (E. Asia)

Surrounded by high Surrounded by high wallswalls

Had temples and Had temples and palaces (religious palaces (religious centers)centers)

roadsroads

2. Organized Government2. Organized GovernmentOver saw irrigation Over saw irrigation projectsprojectsEarly Neolithic people Early Neolithic people depended on rain – built depended on rain – built canals (drought) and dams canals (drought) and dams (flooding) to be less (flooding) to be less dependent on raindependent on rain

Ensure steady food Ensure steady food supply was availablesupply was available

Issue LawsIssue LawsOrganize defense and Organize defense and militarymilitary

Collect taxes for building Collect taxes for building projectsprojects

3. Complex Religion3. Complex ReligionPolytheistic – believed Polytheistic – believed that deities controlled that deities controlled natural forces and natural forces and human activitieshuman activities

Land produces food Land produces food when deities are happywhen deities are happy

Natural disaster occur Natural disaster occur when deities are when deities are unhappyunhappy

Wanted to ensure Wanted to ensure happiness of deities – happiness of deities – Priests, sacrifices, Priests, sacrifices, templestemples

4. Job Specialization4. Job SpecializationPeople were ranked People were ranked according to the job they according to the job they performedperformed

Specialized LaborSpecialized LaborMen and Women had Men and Women had different jobdifferent job

Depended on advanced Depended on advanced technologytechnologyMetal Working – Metal Working – BRONZE BRONZE AGEAGE (made by mixing copper (made by mixing copper and tin.and tin.

More durable than stone More durable than stone toolstools

Used copper, lead, and gold Used copper, lead, and gold to make jewelry, eating to make jewelry, eating utensils and weaponsutensils and weapons

5. Social Classes5. Social ClassesPeople are ranked according to People are ranked according to

jobjob1.1. Priest/noblesPriest/nobles2.2. Wealthy merchants Wealthy merchants 3.3. ArtisansArtisans4.4. Peasants/farmers (majority)Peasants/farmers (majority)5.5. Slaves – POW’s & the poorSlaves – POW’s & the poor

6. Art and 6. Art and ArchitectureArchitecture

Express beliefs and Express beliefs and valuesvalues

Temples and palacesTemples and palacesReassures people of Reassures people of

power of leaderspower of leadersBuilt by skilled workersBuilt by skilled workers

7. Public Works7. Public WorksOrdered by rulersOrdered by rulers Irrigation systemsIrrigation systemsRoads, bridges, high Roads, bridges, high

wallswallsKept people busy during Kept people busy during

agriculture inactivity and agriculture inactivity and times of peacetimes of peace

8. Writing8. Writing Began with priest keeping Began with priest keeping

record of items brought as an record of items brought as an offeringoffering

At first used pictograms to At first used pictograms to represent products represent products then then abstract ideas (love) abstract ideas (love) then then sounds sounds then medical texts then medical texts

Mainly written by trained Mainly written by trained scribes (excluded women)scribes (excluded women)