5 Characteristics of a Civilization Name Date Period

Stable Food Supply (Geography) A complex society can thrive only if its members have the food they need to survive. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Tools that helped Sumerians create a stable food supply include: 1.Irrigation System- They built canals, reservoirs, dams, and levees to provide a regular supply of water for crops. 2.Plow- A tool used for tilling the soil to prep for planting; made farming easier. 3.Domesticated animals- used animals to help plow. Right side in book

How does geography influence a stable food supply? _____________________________________ ____________________________________ Left side of Stable Food Supply Picture of what stable food supply looks like in ancient Sumer:

Economy Once a stable food supply is established, not everyone is needed to maintain food supply. As a result, people developed other skills. These skills influenced the economy. What is “economy”? The dealing with resources, production, exchange, and consumption of goods and services. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Production (jobs) People of Ur were metal workers, craftspeople, doctors, fishermen, merchants, jewelry makers, farmers, etc. Exchange (trade and barter) Services and goods Consumption Use of services and goods Right side of Economy

How does having various jobs influence the economy? _____________________________________ How would one improve the country’s economy? _____________________________________ Draw pictures to demonstrate economy in Sumer: Left side of Economy Pictures of jobs in Sumer Pictures of exchange in Sumer Pictures of consumption in Sumer

Government All civilizations have a system of government to direct people’s behavior and make life orderly. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Sumerian city-states were ruled by kings (who were chosen by the gods) King’s jobs: 1.Enforce laws 2.Collect taxes 3.Build/supervise temples 4.Make sure irrigation systems were maintained 5.Leader of army (army consist of foot soldiers and chariots) King’s Advisors: Kings had officials under them who helped with duties such governing outlying towns, and scribes wrote the laws) Right side of Government

How does government affect people’s daily lives? ___________________________________ Picture that depicts Sumer government Left side of Government

Social Levels Civilizations have a complex social structure that includes different jobs and social levels. People at higher levels have greater status than others. (example: the rich have more benefits or opportunities) EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Upper Class Common Class Lower Class King Scribes, government officials Workers: merchants, craftspeople, farmers, doctors, etc. Slaves/peasants Right side of Social Levels

Why does there tend to be more people at the bottom or in the middle of social structure in a civilization? __________________________________________________ How does a social structure influence the interaction and relationship between people of different classes/levels? __________________________________________________ Draw a social pyramid with images of the objects that people needed for their jobs at each level. Left side of Social Levels

Culture/Religion Once the essential four characteristics have been established, culture and religion will emerge. Culture/Religion can be summed up as: traditions, customs, set of beliefs and practices shared among a group of people. People can now extend their creativity by making discoveries, and enhancing the quality of life. Examples include: art, technology, religious ceremonies and rituals, writing, music, architecture. Such improvements are adopted by a society and reflect who they are. EXAMPLE CIVILIZATION: Sumer Religion: Polytheism and ziggurat temples Technology: wheel Arts: Lyre instrument Writing: cuneiform Right side of culture/relgion

How does religion influence people’s daily lives? _______________________________________________________________________________ _ What role does culture play in a society? __________________________________________ Ancient Sumer’s Culture/Religion Left side of Culture/Religion