Eight Features of a Civilization Cities are the central feature of a civilization: without them, you do not have a civilization!

1. Cities Early cities were settled near rivers Early cities were settled near rivers Nile (Egypt) Nile (Egypt) Tigris and Euphrates (Iraq) Tigris and Euphrates (Iraq) Indus (S. Asia) Indus (S. Asia) Huang He (E. Asia) Huang He (E. Asia)

Surrounded by high walls Surrounded by high walls Had temples and palaces (religious centers) Had temples and palaces (religious centers) roads roads

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

Ensure steady food supply was available Ensure steady food supply was available Issue Laws Issue Laws Organize defense and military Organize defense and military Collect taxes for building projects Collect taxes for building projects

3. Complex Religion Polytheistic – believed that deities controlled natural forces and human activities Polytheistic – believed that deities controlled natural forces and human activities Land produces food when deities are happy Land produces food when deities are happy

Natural disaster occur when deities are unhappy Natural disaster occur when deities are unhappy Wanted to ensure happiness of deities – Priests, sacrifices, temples Wanted to ensure happiness of deities – Priests, sacrifices, temples

4. Job Specialization People were ranked according to the job they performed People were ranked according to the job they performed Specialized Labor Specialized Labor Men and Women had different job Men and Women had different job

Depended on advanced technology Depended on advanced technology Metal Working – BRONZE AGE (made by mixing copper and tin. Metal Working – BRONZE AGE (made by mixing copper and tin. More durable than stone tools More durable than stone tools Used copper, lead, and gold to make jewelry, eating utensils and weapons Used copper, lead, and gold to make jewelry, eating utensils and weapons

5. Social Classes People are ranked according to job 1. Priest/nobles 2. Wealthy merchants 3. Artisans 4. Peasants/farmers (majority) 5. Slaves – POW’s & the poor

6. Art and Architecture Express beliefs and values Express beliefs and values Temples and palaces Temples and palaces Reassures people of power of leaders Reassures people of power of leaders Built by skilled workers Built by skilled workers

7. Public Works Ordered by rulers Ordered by rulers Irrigation systems Irrigation systems Roads, bridges, high walls Roads, bridges, high walls Kept people busy during agriculture inactivity and times of peace Kept people busy during agriculture inactivity and times of peace

8. Writing Began with priest keeping record of items brought as an offering Began with priest keeping record of items brought as an offering At first used pictograms to represent products  then abstract ideas (love)  then sounds  then medical texts At first used pictograms to represent products  then abstract ideas (love)  then sounds  then medical texts Mainly written by trained scribes (excluded women) Mainly written by trained scribes (excluded women)