10 Characteristics of a Civilization

Key Terms – Culture and Civilization Culture Culture Civilization Civilization Cultural Diffusion Cultural Diffusion Cities Cities Social Classes Social Classes Religion Religion Technology Technology Writing Systems Writing Systems Arts and Architecture Arts and Architecture Job Specialization Job Specialization Government Government Public Works Public Works Eight Features of Civilization Eight Features of Civilization

What is a society? A group of people living together, dependent on one another, is a society. There are no other requirements to make a society. We are not studying societies in class this year. We are studying civilizations. Civilizations are a society in an advanced state of social development. What do we mean when we say an advanced state of social development? There are 10 Key Elements that make a society advanced enough to be considered a civilization.

Culture and Civilization Culture → wide range of ideas, feelings, beliefs and habits an individual shares with other members of his or her society. Culture → wide range of ideas, feelings, beliefs and habits an individual shares with other members of his or her society. Civilization → collection of many cultures within a large community Civilization → collection of many cultures within a large community

Cultural Diffusion When two people from different cultures encounter each other, ideas tend to be exchanged which can become brand new ideas or adaptations of other ones. When two people from different cultures encounter each other, ideas tend to be exchanged which can become brand new ideas or adaptations of other ones. This exchange of ideas and beliefs between two different cultures is referred to as cultural diffusion. This exchange of ideas and beliefs between two different cultures is referred to as cultural diffusion. Examples of this can be Hispanic individuals making Italian pizza, Chinese people making Mexican food, Asian cultures following Roman Catholicism. Examples of this can be Hispanic individuals making Italian pizza, Chinese people making Mexican food, Asian cultures following Roman Catholicism.

Elements of Civilization - Cities When many cultures gather together and their populations grow, they move from being communities, to towns, to cities. When many cultures gather together and their populations grow, they move from being communities, to towns, to cities. Cities → larger areas that have political centers, social centers, and financial centers. Cities → larger areas that have political centers, social centers, and financial centers.

Cities  As farmers settled in fertile river valleys, they began to grow surplus or extra food.  This extra food increased the population of the settlements.  In time, the settlements grew into cities, such as Ur in Sumer or Babylon in Mesopotamia.

City of Ur © 2005 U.S. Army ( The remains of Ur are called today "Tell el- Mukayyar" and can be found near the city of Nasiriyah, south of Baghdad, Iraq What do you think their agricultural systems were like in this climate?

Agricultural Surplus Producing more food and goods than a society needs. Producing more food and goods than a society needs. This is the most important thing that a civilization can have. Why is this? This is the most important thing that a civilization can have. Why is this? All people need food, and if they don't make enough of it, then they have to go find more of it. If they spend all of their time looking for food, what else do they have time to do? The surplus allowed some people in the group to do other things besides look for food, and then they could become specialized. All people need food, and if they don't make enough of it, then they have to go find more of it. If they spend all of their time looking for food, what else do they have time to do? The surplus allowed some people in the group to do other things besides look for food, and then they could become specialized.

Elements of Civilization – Job Specialization Job specialization → clearly defined & different occupations within a society Job specialization → clearly defined & different occupations within a society Allowed for individuals to become specialists within a field rather than attempt to work many jobs without any special skills Allowed for individuals to become specialists within a field rather than attempt to work many jobs without any special skills

Job Specialization  Breaking down jobs into simpler tasks.  As civilizations became more complex, artisans and craftsmen were needed to maintain specific items and tasks. No longer could individuals do all the work. Now some concentrated on teaching, scribing, stonecutting, and so forth.  Artisans: skilled workers

Artisan in Cameroon Mates in Argentina Sushi in Japan Bread and Sandwiches in New Zealand Why is specialization important to the success of a society? What was American society like when we were first founded? What is American society like now? Do you want to go back to the “good ‘ol days”?

Elements of Civilization - Technology Technology → any invention or item that can help make other aspects of life easier The use of technology has been associated with the level of civilization within a culture. The higher the level of technology, the more advanced the culture

Elements of Civilization - Government Government → system of rule over a community or civilization Governments are necessary for the protection of citizens from each other and outside forces People subscribe to government to benefit from the rule of law.

Well-Organized Central Government Why would this help a society? As cities developed and expanded, the food supply and irrigation systems needed to be maintained. Governments, such as councils or religious leaders, began to oversee the business and existence of the cities. The Laws of Hammurabi are the longest and best organized of the law collections that survive from ancient Mesopotamia (NOT the oldest). This stela is almost seven-and-a-half feet tall and they were placed in temples throughout the kingdom.

Elements of Civilization - Religion Religion → system of beliefs which usually involve a belief in a higher power or supernatural force Religion has been a unifying force in many civilizations while in others it has served to divide.

Complex Religion A shared system of complicated rules, beliefs and goals. Religious leaders would conduct elaborate ceremonies to appease the gods (polytheism) and ensure a bountiful harvest. Floods and droughts were blamed on the gods’ anger so rituals were conducted in the temples. These carved stone figures were placed in Mesopotamian temples by worshippers to stand in perpetual prayer on their behalf.

Cults Not Organized Religion

Elements of Civilization – Social Classes Social classes → breakdown of populations and civilizations according to social standing or level of wealth Societies began to rank their citizens as a means of separating certain groups from others

Social Classes Different levels of people who have similar social, economic or educational status. As jobs became specialized so did the status and needs of certain individuals. The need for a knowledgeable and educated religious leader was more respected than an unskilled worker. Herders were needed and respected for the food, while masons were needed for building. The slave was on the lowest rung of the social ladder and warriors and kings were on top.

Is this what we mean by social classes developing in early civilizations? Are social classes a good thing for a society? Can we avoid social classes? Should we try to? Why?

Elements of Civilization – Arts and Architecture Arts and Architecture → the defining characteristics of a culture's creativity. Allows historians and other people to see the unique features of a culture. Distinguishes one culture from another

Art and Architecture This expressed the beliefs and values of a civilization. Different styles were developed and copied by societies. Often the art was used to impress visitors and people about the beauty and power of a king or a community. This expressed the beliefs and values of a civilization. Different styles were developed and copied by societies. Often the art was used to impress visitors and people about the beauty and power of a king or a community.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon - 16th century engraving by Dutch artist Martin Heemskerck

Elements of Civilization – Writing Systems Writing systems → systems that use symbols to represent spoken sounds. Writing systems → systems that use symbols to represent spoken sounds. Writing systems are crucial for cultures since they are used to keep records. Writing systems are crucial for cultures since they are used to keep records.

Writing  Writing was needed because the information became too great.  Records were needed to keep accounts on trade goods and food storage. In addition, one needed to express more complex ideas such as "belief" and "social order" where pictures and words simply would not suffice. What do you think these symbols might mean?

If you can't communicate, how can you write down your laws? How do you write down any copies of your scientific work? While very few manuscripts are available from that time, it would seem to be beneficial to have some sort of record-keeping system so that the people can keep track of what they learn. –Taxes –Religious Texts

Elements of Civilization – Public Works Public Works → systems or amenities provided by a government to assist in the daily life of its citizens Public Works range from subways to sewer systems to sanitation.

The 10 Elements or Features of Civilization Historians can classify civilizations when they are able to distinguish these eight features: Cities Agricultural Surplus Government Social Classes Technology Religion (sometimes) Arts and Architecture Job Specialization Public Works Writing Systems

Review With these 5 Key Elements of Civilization are: Centralized Government, Organized Religion, Job Specialization, Social Classes, Arts, Architecture, and Public Works and Writing. In at least 5 sentences answer the following question. How are the Five Key Elements found in American civilization?

The 5 Key Elements and the U.S. Government Type: Republic Federal Government centralized in Washington, DC States governed from their individual capitals Counties, cities, and towns governed locally

The 5 Key Elements and the U.S. Organized Religion Main type: Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism) Other types: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and many others

The 5 Key Elements and the U.S. Job Specialization and Social Classes Job Specialization: American jobs are specialized. Primary focus of many jobs is in the areas of technology and the service industries. Social Classes: American society is broken into Upper Class, Middle Class, and Lower Class

The 5 Key Elements and the U.S. Arts, Architecture, Public Works Arts: Many styles of paintings and sculpture. American music styles include Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Country. Architecture: Famous architecture includes Empire State Building, White House, Golden Gate Bridge Famous Public Works include Smithsonian Museums and Yellowstone Park

The 5 Key Elements and the U.S. Writing Americans use the English language to write. Famous documents include the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The US has newspapers, magazines, literature, and internet writers.

Assessment 1.Name your civilization. 2.Tell where your civilization was or is located. 3.Tell the years of your civilization’s existence. 4.Describe the style of government for your civilization. 5.Describe the religious views of your civilization. 6.Describe the specialized jobs in your civilization and how society is split up. 7.Describe the styles of art, the types of structures that are built, and the kinds of infrastructure projects that are made in your civilization. 8.Describe or show the style of writing used in your civilization.

Help for your Civilization Creation Types of major world religions Christianity Judaism Islam Hinduism Buddhism Taoism Sikhism Types of Government Republic Direct Democracy Oligarchy Monarchy Dictatorship

AIM: What advances in government, technology, and culture did early civilizations make? DO NOW: Write down three words associated with the word civilized. (5 minutes) HW: In one paragraph (5-7 sentences), discuss two negative (bad) and two positive (good) consequences of civilization building. What types of issues do complex societies deal with???