5 Characteristics of a Civilization Name Date Period

Stable Food Supply (Geography) Right side in book Stable Food Supply (Geography) A complex society can thrive only if its members have the food they need to survive. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Tools that helped Sumerians create a stable food supply include: Irrigation System- They built canals, reservoirs, dams, and levees to provide a regular supply of water for crops. Plow- A tool used for tilling the soil to prep for planting; made farming easier. Domesticated animals- used animals to help plow.

Left side of Stable Food Supply How does geography influence a stable food supply? _____________________________________ ____________________________________ Picture of what stable food supply looks like in ancient Sumer:

Use of services and goods Right side of Economy Economy Once a stable food supply is established, not everyone is needed to maintain food supply. As a result, people developed other skills. These skills influenced the economy. What is “economy”? The dealing with resources, production, exchange, and consumption of goods and services. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Production (jobs) People of Ur were metal workers, craftspeople, doctors, fishermen, merchants, jewelry makers, farmers, etc. Consumption Use of services and goods Economy Exchange (trade and barter) Services and goods

Draw pictures to demonstrate economy in Sumer: Left side of Economy How does having various jobs influence the economy? _____________________________________ How would one improve the country’s economy? Draw pictures to demonstrate economy in Sumer: Pictures of jobs in Sumer Pictures of consumption in Sumer Pictures of exchange in Sumer

Government All civilizations have a system of government to direct people’s behavior and make life orderly. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Sumerian city-states were ruled by kings (who were chosen by the gods) King’s jobs: Enforce laws Collect taxes Build/supervise temples Make sure irrigation systems were maintained Leader of army (army consist of foot soldiers and chariots) King’s Advisors: Kings had officials under them who helped with duties such governing outlying towns, and scribes wrote the laws)

Picture that depicts Sumer government How does government affect people’s daily lives? ___________________________________ Picture that depicts Sumer government

Social Levels Civilizations have a complex social structure that includes different jobs and social levels. People at higher levels have greater status than others. (example: the rich have more benefits or opportunities) EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer King Scribes, government officials Upper Class Common Class Lower Class Workers: merchants, craftspeople, farmers, doctors, etc. Slaves/peasants

__________________________________________________ Why does there tend to be more people at the bottom or in the middle of social structure in a civilization? __________________________________________________ How does a social structure influence the interaction and relationship between people of different classes/levels? Draw a social pyramid with images of the objects that people needed for their jobs at each level.

Culture/Religion Once the essential four characteristics have been established, culture and religion will emerge. Culture/Religion can be summed up as: traditions, customs, set of beliefs and practices shared among a group of people. People can now extend their creativity by making discoveries, and enhancing the quality of life. Examples include: art, technology, religious ceremonies and rituals, writing, music, architecture. Such improvements are adopted by a society and reflect who they are. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Religion: Polytheism and ziggurat temples Technology: wheel Arts: Lyre instrument Writing: cuneiform

Ancient Sumer’s Culture/Religion How does religion influence people’s daily lives? ________________________________________________________________________________ What role does culture play in a society? __________________________________________ Ancient Sumer’s Culture/Religion Music Temple Art Writing