Civilizations World History Mr Pack
Civilizations Civilization- a complex culture in which a large number of people share common elements Characteristics of civilization include 1) cities 2) government 3) religion 4) social structure 5) writing and 6) art Governments formed to organize human activity, and defense. First civilizations were ruled by monarchs. Religion developed to explain existence and forces of nature
Civilizations Priests supervise rituals to please gods. Social hierarchy- rulers, priests warriors at top, middle class farmers and artisans and craftsmen Slaves at the bottom Ziggurat- massive tower and temple built by Sumerians and dedicated to the god or goddess of the city
Ziggurat of Dur-Kurigalzu
Ur Ziggurat
Civilizations Theocracy- government by divine authority Sumerians create cuneiform- the world’s oldest system of writing, around 3000 BCE Polytheism- belief in many Gods Dynasty- right to rule is passes on within family Hieroglyphics- Egyptian writing system
Cuneiform
Hieroglphics
Civilizations Phoenicians- Sea traders who are credited as first in human history to create an alphabet. Zoroaster- founded Persian religion ( Zoroastrianism), humans have choice in the struggle between good and evil (truth and order vs falsehood) Ahura Mazda is supreme deity. Mandate of Heaven- Invented during Chinese Zhou Dynasty, authority to rule from Heaven
Phoenician ship
Phoenician alphabet
Zoroastrianism
Farvahar (guardian angel)
Mandate of Heaven