SOCIAL STRUCTURES - Mesopotamia – Egypt – Indus Valley – - Shang – Olmec – Chavin – Aegean –

Similarities Across Civilizations Ancient civilizations shared similar social structures Hierarchy with king at top & slaves at bottom Upper classes usually associated with war or religion Role of slaves & intermediate classes depended on economy Merchants appeared in hierarchy over time Women subordinate to men Patriarchy emerged More intensive agriculture favored male labor over female Natural role in reproduction may have played a role Daily life revolved around religion

Mesopotamia Distinct social classes based on profession & gender Upper class – defined by large amounts of land & wealth Avoided physical labor Enjoyed finest goods Commoners – most of the population Punished more harshly than those of superior rank Slaves – bottom of class system Pessimistic view on death Gender division – divorce easier for men; women subjected by husbands & veiled in public Hammurabi’s Code – law code reflected social structure Punishments for crimes determined by class Defined patriarchal family life

Egypt Social hierarchy permitted social mobility Peasants & farmers could move up economic ladder Lower class families could save money to send sons to learn a trade Pharaohs – leaders thought to be gods in human form Slaves – often POWs Could be appointed into positions of government and palace Had rights that were not in other ancient civ. – could regain freedom; children born free Women – greater rights than in other regions Own, sell, and inherit property Allowed to work Dissolve marriages Men still superior – Cleopatra & Hatshepsut only two female pharaohs is an example

Indus Valley Social structure is debated due to little archaeological evidence Three classes Warriors at top Priests in middle Peasants at bottom Merchant class later added above peasants Priests would move above warriors later Social mobility allowed Women had almost no rights Became more complex & rigid over time Later added sub-castes & social mobility ended

Shang Dynasty 1750-1045BCE King at top of social pyramid Military nobility – elite warrior class fought with bronze weapons & horse-drawn chariots Priests Merchants & farmers Distinguished in burials Elite buried in elaborate tombs with objects of wealth for afterlife Lesser classes buried in pits of varying size Lowest classes sometimes tossed down well Ancestor worship important in religion & life Kinship structures based on clans gave way to multigenerational family units emerged in Zhou Period 1045-221BCE Fathers had absolute authority over women & children Arranged marriages Could sell labor of family members Limited to one wife, but permitted additional sex partners Women discouraged from remarrying, but men obligated to Yin/yang concept complemented male & female roles in natural order Yang- men – active, bright, shining Yin – women – passive, shaded, reflective

Olmec Civilization 1200-250BCE Little evidence Two main groups Common people Worked on farms or irrigation systems, supplying food for the population Elite Rulers  shaman  skilled artisans & craftsmen Lived in small religious centers or cities (La Venta & San Lorenzo) Rulers often associated with different gods Obtained control over trade & imports like jade & cacao Not believed that the cities ruled over all rural areas No military

Chavin Civilization 900-250BCE Social distinctions increased over time in contrast to Olmec Local chiefs & more powerful king dominated politics Priest class ruled religious life Military developed Conquering lands important aspects of society Influence depended on development of religious beliefs in conquered areas Metallurgy became popular among highly skilled artisans

Minoan Civilization c.2000BCE Early period – no evidence of social hierarchy, similar to Neolithic patriarchal communities Men & women may have had near equal social status Definite rich & poor class Upper class Minoans had free standing houses aside from the palace Some poor had multi-room dwellings in the city Evidenced by later tombs Social power affected by economic situation, historical position of family, religious caste In general – simple population & workers  palatial elite  religious class

Mycenaean Civilization Strict hierarchy indicated by graves Powerful ruling monarchy Adopted palatial states of Minoan & Near East civilizations Political & religious leader at top Lower administrative duties & powers given to local chiefs & controllers Centralized political system based on land ownership Military character – ruling class often gained wealth from booty in military operations

Resources http://apworldhistory-rochester-k12-mi- us.wikispaces.com/1C.+Basic+features+of+early +civilizations- +Mesopotamia,+Indus+Valley,+%26+Egypt http://thesocialclassesoftheancientworld.blogspot. com/2012/02/social-classes-of-indus-river- valley.html http://apworld2012.wikispaces.com/OLMEC+AND +CHAVIN http://www.bronzeage.org.uk/7.aspx http://www.ime.gr/chronos/02/mainland/en/mg/s ociety/