Mr. Austin

8th Grade Ancient History

Features of Civilization

Define the term “civilization”?

In your opinion, what are some features of civilization?

“Do Now!”

CitiesWell-organized governmentsComplex religionsJob specializationSocial classesArts and architecturePublic workswriting

8 Features of Civilization

Citiesemerged after

farmer began cultivating lands along river valleys and producing a surplus of food

Aspects

What makes it?

Organized governmentsforms of government

arose to oversee irrigation, and maintain large food supplies. Priests initially had the greatest power, eventually taken by warrior kings.

Aspect

What Makes It?

Complex Religionmost people were

polytheistic – belief in more than one god

Aspect

What Makes It?

Job SpecializationUrban people

developed so many new crafts that a single person could no longer master all the skills leading to artisans

Aspects

What Makes It?

Social Classespeople were ranked

according to their jobs, priests and nobles usually occupied the top level, a small class of wealthy merchants, artisans, bottom was peasant farmers (vast majority of people)

Aspects

What Makes It?

Arts and Architectureexpressed beliefs

and values of people who created them

Aspects

What Makes It?

Public Worksstrong rulers would

order projects such as irrigation systems, roads, bridges, and defense walls

Aspects

What Makes It?

Writingearly writings made

of pictographs or simple drawings, as writing grew more complex only specialized people (scribes) could write

Aspects

What Makes It?