Topic: Features of CivilizationTopic: Features of Civilization

Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. AgostaMrs. Johnson and Mrs. Agosta

Rise of CivilizationRise of CivilizationREAD! DON’T WRITE!READ! DON’T WRITE!

About 5,000 years About 5,000 years ago, the first ago, the first civilizations began to civilizations began to develop along river develop along river valleys.valleys.

The rich, fertile The rich, fertile farmlands of river farmlands of river valleys helped these valleys helped these civilizations to thrive.civilizations to thrive.

1. Cities1. CitiesA.A. Cities emerged as Cities emerged as

farmers produced farmers produced surplussurplus (extra) (extra) food.food.

B.B. This increased This increased population.population.

MORE FOOD=MORE PEOPLEMORE FOOD=MORE PEOPLE

2. Central Government2. Central GovernmentA.A. Gov’ts ensured the Gov’ts ensured the

food supply and food supply and protection.protection.

B.B. A A bureaucracy bureaucracy is a is a system of managing system of managing gov’t through gov’t through departments run by departments run by officialsofficials

3. Public Works3. Public WorksA.A. Rulers Rulers

ordered ordered public works. public works.

B.B. Ex: roads, Ex: roads, bridges, and bridges, and defensive defensive walls be built.walls be built.

4. Religion4. Religion

A.A. Ancient people were Ancient people were polytheisticpolytheistic, believing in many , believing in many gods.gods.

B.B.Cities had temples and priests.Cities had temples and priests.C.C.They tried to gain the favor of They tried to gain the favor of

gods through complex rituals to gods through complex rituals to ensure plentiful crops.ensure plentiful crops.

5. Writing Systems 5. Writing Systems A.A. People recognized People recognized

complex cities complex cities need to keep need to keep records.records.

B.B. Documents for tax Documents for tax collections, laws, collections, laws, and the storage of and the storage of grain.grain.

Cuneiform (wedge-shaped writing)Cuneiform (wedge-shaped writing) was invented around 3000 B.C. by the was invented around 3000 B.C. by the Sumerians.Sumerians.

6. Job Specialization6. Job Specialization

A.A. People People specialized in specialized in certain jobs. No certain jobs. No one person could one person could master all skills.master all skills.

B.B. ArtisanArtisan- skilled - skilled craftworkercraftworker

7. Social Classes7. Social Classes

A.A. People became People became ranked in ranked in classes classes according to according to their job.their job.

B.B. Hierarchy- Hierarchy- a a system of rankssystem of ranks

Priestsand

Nobles

Warriors andMerchants

Farmers andSlaves

8. Art and Architecture8. Art and ArchitectureA.A. These were These were

expressions of expressions of beliefs and beliefs and valuesvalues

B.B. Buildings Buildings showed religion showed religion and strength in and strength in gov’t.gov’t.

C.C. Artisan-Artisan-skilled skilled craftworkercraftworker