1. Beginnings of Civilization

2. Beginnings of a Civilization
First civilizations are by RIVERS - ??
Transportation, water supply, food, farming
Surpluses – more than what is necessary
Grow large populations, food for the future
Eventually forming cities
Traditional economy – relies on habit, custom, or ritual and tends not to change

3. River Valley Civilizations
Civilization: a complex, highly organized social order
Cities are the MAIN feature
Sumer: between the Tigris and Euphrates
Egypt: along the Nile River
Indus: along the Indus River
Shang: Huang River (Yellow River)

4. Features of a Civilization
Organized Governments
Councils/Chiefs turn into central governments
Rulers/royal officials
Taxes, laws, defense
Priests/Warrior kings on TOP
Complex Religions
Polytheistic –
Specially trained priests for ceremonies and rituals

5. Features of a Civilization cont.
Job Specialization
Artisans: skilled craftspeople
Weapons are made of metals
Copper then bronze
Bricklayers, dancers, storytellers
Social Classes
Ranking of individuals within the society
Priests and nobles were typically on top

6. Features of a Civilization cont.
Arts and Architecture
Artwork and buildings that display the values, customs, and beliefs for the society
Temples, palaces, statues, paintings
Public Works
Projects that are costly and benefit the city and people
Irrigation systems, roads, dikes, bridges, walls

7. Features of a Civilization cont.
Writing
System of communications originally used by governments and religious leaders
Grain collection, rituals, prayers, seasonal information
Pictographs: picture writing
Scribes: people that specialize in reading and writing
7th

8. Change in Civilizations
Loss of resources
Environmental forces
Cultural Diffusion: the spread of ideas, customs, and technologies
Warfare, migration, trade
City-state: a group of lands that includes a city and the surrounding people and villages that it controls
Empire – multiple cities and people