Features of Civilization

Aim: What are the basic features of a civilization? Do Now: Copy in notes Civilization – A complex highly organized social order Cities where the main feature of a civilization. The first cities evolved along ? valleys where fertile land created a food surplus. What word is missing here?

Ancient Civilizations (Map it) What do all of these civilizations have in common? Label your map

Early Civilizations Label your map

Features of Civilization

Common Features of Civilization Civilizations have certain characteristics in common. These include: Advanced Cities and Architecture – Cities are centers of trade. They generally have large and diverse populations and advanced forms of architecture (like the Ziggurat in Babylonia) Advanced Technology – Technology is defined as any tool, invention, or discovery that allows humans to work faster or more efficiently. These can be as simple as stone tools and farming implements or as advanced as today’s computers. Complex Institutions - Including government, religion, and other formal institutions. Specialized Workers - People who do one or a few things well. Examples include farmers, potters, basket weavers, stone masons, iron workers, priests, scribes, government workers, etc. Systems of Recordkeeping – History doesn’t really begin until the first written records. Everything before it is considered “pre-history.” Keeping a written record of even the simplest things in a society (such as trade) and/or forms of literature, personal recollections, diaries, etc. help historians understand the collective past. It is how we communicate with future generations.

Agricultural Surplus As farming technology improved people were able to grow the food they needed. Because of this not everyone had to work on providing food anymore and so people could do other things. Artisans People who made crafts such as textiles (fabrics), pottery, jewelry, etc. . . People could do what they were good at instead of having to farm. Specialization of Labor Because people could focus on one particular thing technology and skills improved. Storage of Food Pottery and other devices were invented as ways to grow extra food. This extra food was vital for feeding a growing population. Trade As artisans made goods they began to exchange goods with other villages, and later cities, who had different goods. This was a barter system.

Characteristics of Civilizations identify each and give an example

Copy answers onto your note sheet and write the example at the end of class Central government Traditional economy Cities Organized religion CIVILIZATION Social classes Specialized jobs Art and architecture Roads, bridges, and other public works System of writing

Organized Governments Early cities needed a strong government to administer unity, protection, law, justice and welfare. Early rulers had heredity rule. This meant they inherited their status and claimed a right from the gods to rule.

Activity How does our government provide the following? Give examples Unity Protection Law Justice Welfare

The Pharaoh’s of Egypt How did the Pharaoh's of Egypt rule?

Ziggurat at the City of Ur What purpose do you think this structure served?

Complex Institutions (Religion) Most ancient people were polytheistic, which means they believed in many gods who controlled the forces of nature and peoples lives.

Can you guess all the religions here Can you guess all the religions here? What might they all have in common?

Polytheism

Job Specialization City people developed many new jobs with many different skills. Cities needed craftsmen, warriors, government officials, priests and builders.

Social Classes In cities people were ranked according to their jobs. Priests and nobles (top) merchants and artisans (middle) Farmers (near the bottom) Slaves (at the bottom)

Social Mobility – Being able to move between social classes in one’s lifetime. Is it easy today to move up the social pyramid?

Art and Architecture The art and architecture of a civilization expressed the values and beliefs of the people that create them. Such monuments reassure people of the power of their government and religion

What value is being expressed in the Statue of Liberty?

Public Works Keeping cities functioning required public works like irrigation systems, roads, bridges, defensive walls and in some cases plumbing

What would life be like in this city without public works?

Writing Writing was needed for record keeping regarding taxes, trade, written laws and calendars. Early writing was made up of pictograms (simple drawings)

How are these writing systems similar?

MCENTARFER                        

Pompeii: A civilization preserved.

Why are there steps in the street?

Frozen in time

HW Reflection Question What purpose does government serve in any organized society? Religions around the world have similar beliefs and values. How does religion contribute to an orderly society?

HW Reflection Question What different kinds of specialized jobs did civilized people have? Who occupied the top, middle and lowest social classes of ancient cities?

HW Reflection Question What does art and architecture tell us about a society? What public works did ancient cities have? What kind of writing did early people have? What was record keeping important?