From Villages to the 1 st Cities First cities started as farming villages in the Middle East Uruk Considered to be one of world’s first cities Founded around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago

Catalhoyuk vs. Uruk CatalhoyukUruk Smaller Farming Village Covered 32 acres Around 6,000 people No complex government City council settled disputes City Covered 1,000 acres Around 40,000 people Large public buildings and temples Strong, well-organized government Rulers were first temple priests and then military rulers

Catalhoyuk vs. Uruk Economy (production and distribution of goods) CatalhoyukUruk Mostly farming Produced what was necessary for survival Mostly farming and trading with other cities People moved from countryside into cities Built walls as protection Wealthy city worth protecting

Rise of Civilizations Civilizations: complex society with cities, well-organized government, and specialized job skills Civilizations create food surplus (extra). Civilizations know how to make their resources Fertile soil, seeds, water People managed provided tools and labor Managing resources required planning and organization

Features of Civilizations Cities Organized Governments Established Religion Job Specialization Social Classes Public Works Arts and Architecture System of Writing

Features of Civilizations Cities Near Farming Centers Food surpluses led to rapid population growth Organized Governments Managed Societies Resources and distribute them among people Formed and trained armies Rulers governed with the help of public officials Established Religion Rulers claimed that their power came from gods People believed gods controlled most events Priests offered sacrifices and led prayers Morality and values were influenced by religion

Features of Civilizations Job Specialization Most people were farmers Rulers and soldiers kept order and protected people Craft workers produced goods Traders bought and sold goods Social Classes People occupied different ranks Highest Class were priests and rulers Middle Class included merchants and skilled workers Low class was composed by farmers and slaves (from conquered territories)

Features of Civilization Public works Large scale projects that benefited society as a whole Arts and Architecture Buildings that served a public function Objects of beauty System of Writing First developed to record numbers and keep track of trade Then started to preserve all kind of information: ex. laws.