Beginnings of Civilization

Do Now: What are some things that you believe every civilization needs? Justify your answer. 

First Cities and Civilizations Arise Earliest civilizations were situated near major rivers Rivers provided water supply and transportation Used animals for food and work Floodwaters spread silt Silt= tiny bits of rock and dirt from river bottom. Silt helped keep soil plentiful for farming

Farming Farmers were able to produce surpluses of food. Surpluses- more than necessary How do you think surpluses impacted population?

Traditional Economy With surpluses of food, this meant people could do other jobs than farming. Since people were able to do other jobs, what do you think began to happen? Cities began to grow!

How is civilization defined? Civilization- a complex, highly organized social order. The world’s first civilizations were near rivers.

Basic features that define civilization Organized governments Complex religions Job specialization Social classes Arts and architecture Public works Writing

Organized Governments Rulers were able to oversee the civilizations Governments coordinated the production of food Brought people together for projects Issued laws Collected taxes Organized systems of defense

Organized Governments Early rulers claimed their power was passed down by gods.

Complex Religions Polytheistic- believed in many gods Early worshipers tried to gain favor through rituals such as ceremonies, dances, prayers, and hymns. Used sacrifices

Job Specialization People began developing new crafts. People could not be a master in all different skills Began to specialize in certain jobs. Artisans- skilled craftspeople People learned to make tools and weapons.

Social Classes People are ranked according to their jobs. Priests and nobles were the top level Wealthy merchants were next Artisans Peasant farmers Slaves occupied the lowest rank

Arts and Architecture Art and Architecture expressed the talents, beliefs, and values of the people who created them. Many rulers had their own buildings constructed Art often depicted religious items including gods

Public Works Projects included: irrigation systems, roads, bridges, and defensive walls. These projects were meant to benefit the city.

Writing The first writing systems were established in different places at different times. First documents were to record amounts of grain collected and prayers Writing style- pictographs. Later on civilizations had scribes- trained people to read and write.

Environment and its Impact Civilizations depended on their physical environment. Civilizations needed rain and fertile soil Earthquakes or volcano's could impact an entire civilization

Cultural Diffusion Cultural diffusion- the spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one personal to another. Cultural diffusion occurred through migration, trade, and warfare.

City-state City-state- a political unit that included a city and its surrounding lands and villages. Rulers, nobles, and priests often controlled the land outside the city.

Empire Empire- a groups of states of territories controlled by one ruler. Empires helped end war between neighboring communities. Created common bonds among people