Characteristics of Civilization

Overview

• Social Structure

• Writing

• Art

• Government

• Cities

• Religion

Social Structure

• People and Society became divided by economic power (wealth)

• Upper Class – wealthiest, most powerful

• Middle Class- farmers and workers

• Lower Class- slaves

Rulers

Priests

Warriors

And Government OfficialsUpper Class

Middle Class

Lower

Class

Free People

Farmers

Artisans – make art things

Craftspeople – make tools and things like wagons

Slaves

Writing

• Writing was used to keep accurate records.

• Also used for creative expression.

• Hunters and Gatherers didn’t have to remember everything and they could pass it along by word of mouth.

Art

• Artistic activity also defines a civilization

• Architects built temples and pyramids

• Painters and sculptors portrayed stories of nature and depicted rulers and gods.

Government

• Created to defend the people and the food supply.

• Governments organized armies and made laws to regulate their people’s lives.

• First governments were usually run by a Monarch (king or queen)

Cities

• Large numbers of people living together

City map of ancient Ur.

Artists version of ancient Ur in Mesopotamia

Religion

• Religion explained the forces of nature and man’s role in the world.

• Priests would perform rituals to guarantee the gods were pleased.

• Priests became important people

Ziggurat of Ur

Review Pictures

City map of ancient Ur.

Artists version of ancient Ur in Mesopotamia

Ziggurat of Ur