1. Emergence of Civilization
Unit 1
Civilization

3. Emergence of Civilization
CIVITAS - Latin word meaning 'cities‘
Emerges at the end of the Neolithic era
First Civilizations develops in four different areas independently of each other.

4. 5 Characteristics of Civilization
1- Surplus of Food
2- Complex Institutions (government)
More complex government and religions
High level of cooperation for the benefit of the group
3- Division of Labor - Specialized workers
Specialized skills & occupations
Creates a class of skilled worked called Artisans
Merchants and Traders
Due to the surplus of food, not everybody had to be farmers. Other things are needed/wanted in order to survive, so they specialized in other trades, then some may have bartered food with their work/skills.

5. 5 Characteristics of Civilization
4- Writing - Record Keeping
Priests were the first to start using marks or drawings which evolved into writing
Needed to keep track of when to do important ceremonies and rituals to keep the gods happy
Scribes - Those who mastered the writing and reading of the symbols – Keep Secretive
Government
Births, deaths, taxes
Ownership, marriages, business contracts, etc..
Became a way to pass down traditions, learning, wisdom, information, ideas and religious beliefs

6. Characteristics of Civilization
5- Calendar
Needed to know when river would flood
Time from flood to flood was a year
Time from full moon to next full moon was a month
Not completely accurate – about 11 days off

7. GROWTH OF CITIES
4 Areas of the world develop independently of each other
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Valley - Mesopotamia
Nile River – Egypt
Indus River Valley – India
Yellow River Valley - China
All Develop around Rivers
Fertile soil
Rivers consistently flood every year
Bring moisture to the land
Can be used for Transportation and food
Fish and animals

8. Religion
POLYTHEISTIC - Belief in many Gods and Goddesses that control the forces of nature
Believed in spirits
Believed that the Gods controlled forces of nature
Gave sacrifices to win the gods favor and get peace, good harvests, rainfall, etc.
Wanted to keep the Gods happy
Priests (priest-kings) gained power because they carried out the rituals to keep the gods happy
Powerful positions in the governments

9. Religion
THEOCRACY - Government controlled by a church or religion
Military leaders worked in conjunction with priests to keep the gods happy and provided a defense against enemies
Collected taxes - earliest system of taxation
Labor for construction projects
Part of harvest
Used to pay for government and building projects

10. Economy and Society Technology was important
made work easier, faster and more efficient
Bronze Age - Vessels, tool, weapons: They last longer
Bronze is mixture of copper and tin
Farming improved
Develop use of irrigation through ditches and canals
Fewer farms needed
Excess food used for trading with merchants for goods
Barter Economy - Trading goods or services for something you need
Creates a demand for more specialized skills and goods
Still used to some extent today

11. Important Point to Note
Although civilization developed in different areas and at different times there was still limited contact between them
Trading
Migration
Wars
Cultural Diffusion – Spread of ideas, skills, and a diversity of culture.

12. Review Questions (24 Points)
Where did the first 4 civilizations begin?
Why was there a need for specialized workers in a civilization?
What are the 5 characteristics of a civilization?
Why did the 4 civilizations all develop around rivers?
How was time of one year determined by early calendars?