First Civilizations

Definition: The most complex stage of human societal organization, made possible by the immense productivity of Ag. Rev. Characteristics often include: People residing in cities numbering 10,000+ Centralized government Written language Organized Religion Different social and economic classes Art and Architecture Specialization of labor (different jobs) Infrastructure (irrigation systems, roads, bridges, temples, etc.) Civilizations developed independently in six major locations around world after 3,500 BCE

Began developing with agricultural revolution A.R. allowed for surplus production to grow communities A.R. allowed for specialization of elite minorities Emerged from earlier competing chiefdoms Already possessed social rank & specialization Not all early chiefdoms became civilizations One popular civilization development theory is: Population density  competition due to limited available land Competition led to innovations (irrigation, plows) and warfare Winners absorbed losing populations into their societies as lower class worker

Sumer civilization was oldest Southern Mesopotamia (fertile crescent) Between 3500 and 3000 b.c.e. First written language Egyptian civilization appeared around same time Nile River Valley Smaller Nubian civilization to its south Norte Chico civilization Central coastal Peru Emerged between 3000 and 1800 b.c.e. Unique from other civilizations because: Smaller cities without walls or signs of pervasive warfare Less evidence of economic specialization No grain-based agriculture Did not develop certain technologies like pottery No writing system Little outside trade/imports

Indus River Valley civilization Present-day Pakistan Arose between 3000 and 2000 b.c.e. Elaborately planned cities Standardized weights, measures, architectural styles, and brick sizes Still undeciphered written language No palaces, temples, or political classes (kings, warriors classes, etc.) Possibly organized around small republics ruled by priests Early form of the caste system Environmental degradation led to its collapse in 1700 b.c.e Several parts of culture influenced late Indian societies

Shang Chinese civilization Modern-day China along Yellow River Around 2200 b.c.e. Dynasty system created h ighly centralized state “Son of Heaven” – Ruler was link between people and Gods Had power as long as he ruled w/ benevolence and maintained order Early Chinese civilization has strongest link to modern times of all early civs. Olmec civilization Modern-day Mexico 1200 B.C.E. Cities created with ceremonial centers Highly developed religious culture 1 st written language in Americas in 900 B.C.E. Great influence on Mayan & Aztec civs. which came later

Cities were most distinctive feature of first civilizations Political capitals Cultural centers Trade hubs Early manufacturing centers Mesopotamia: Largest city = Uruk 50,000 people surrounded by 20 ft. walls At city center was giant stepped pyramid known as Ziggurat Large governmental presence Highly specialized workforce Indus River Valley: Largest cities = Mohenjo Daru & Harappa 40,000 people Streets in grid system, lined by 2-3 story houses Indoor plumbing w/ extensive sewer networks

Coming of civilization resulted in development of vast social inequalities New levels of inequality are a major turning point in the social history of humankind Creation of cities made social differences greater People moved into professional/craft specialization Upper classes: Possessed great wealth Avoided physical labor Occupied top positions in political, military, and religious life Enjoyed preferred treatment under law, and manner of burial Free commoners: Formed vast majority of population Included artisans of all kinds, lower-level officials, soldiers and police, servants, and farmers Their surplus was taken to support upper classes

Slaves at bottom of social hierarchies everywhere Slavery and civilization emerged together 1 st generation slaves = prisoners of war, criminals, debtors Children of slaves sometimes freed Most often worked in fields, mines, homes, and shops Commonly part of ritual sacrifices Not defined by race or ethnicity Looked differently in different civs: More militarized Mesopotamia had more than Egypt or Indus Valley

Coming of civilizations introduced vast gender inequalities to human history Theories on why patriarchy emerged in First Civilizations: Animal-drawn plows and large herds favored male labor …patriarchy emerged in American civs. as well Men were less important in household and were more available for powerful specialist roles Used authority to shape the values of societies to benefit them at expense of women Women associated with nature (their role in reproduction) Early civilizations highlight human mastery over nature Prevelance of warfare in most 1 st civilizations War limited to men